Astro was fading into light, becoming the bridge that would save everyone.
And I couldn't just watch. Couldn't let him dissolve alone. Couldn't let his sacrifice be solo act when we'd survived everything together.
I reached for him, wings spreading wide. My hand caught his before he could fully transform into pure connection, into nothing but path for others to walk.
"Not alone." My voice came firm despite tears. "We do this together. Like we've done everything else."
His form flickered, partially solid where I touched him. Partially light where the bridge-transformation continued.
"Haven, you'll lose yourself too. Will become part of the connection. Will dissolve with me."
"Good. Then we dissolve together."
Luna struggled to her feet, her newly mortal form weak but determined. "No. You're supposed to survive. Supposed to become the New Moon. Supposed to fix what I broke."
"I'll fix it my way. By proving connection matters more than individual survival."
