But as the excitement dies down, I realize my two families still have no memory of who I really am. And, more important, Hattie is still gone. Her body remains lifeless on the floor, surrounded by my crying parents. Nothing I can do or say will change that. And despite my having stopped the end of all days, it hurts deeply to know that I failed her.

I drop my head into my hands as my leaky-bladder eyes make their appearance. I miss Hattie so much.

“Thank you for all that you have done for us,” Appa says to me between tears, a weird sense of formality clipping his tone. “For stopping the goddess, and for trying to save our daughter…I mean, your sister…uh…” He trails off and gives me this awkward half hug, half pat on the back. Auntie Okja, who is now recovering, also gives me a small grateful smile.

“Yes, the Horangi thank you, too,” Sora agrees, calm but solemn. “You showed great courage today, and we will always remember that.”

Jennie, Cosette, David, and Noah try to comfort me, banding around me in a circle of friendship I never thought I’d have.

“Don’t worry, star girl,” Jennie says. “We still remember you, and there’ll be a way to restore their memories of you, I’m sure of it.”

Cosette and David nod. “We’ll help you. You won’t have to do it alone.”

Noah nudges his fogged-up glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Hattie would have wanted us to help you,” he says quietly. “I know it.”

Emmett and Taeyo consider me from afar, probably curious but also cautious, considering I just destroyed a goddess. It’s not every day you see that happen.

Areum calls for me from outside the sanctuary. And since I don’t really know what else to say or do right now anyway, I pretend I need to visit the restroom and take my leave.

I find the inmyeonjo by the elevator. But she’s not alone.

Next to her is a statuesque creature with a great mane, a single blunt horn, and red eyes that shine like rubies. His bioluminescent scales glisten as he nods toward me, the bell around his neck jingling a sweet melody.

“Haetae?” I ask in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“You have done well, fallen star.”

I blink, and suddenly I see the bearded man standing before me. He’s just as I remember him—well dressed and well built with an impressively bushy beard. But now, his eyes shine ruby red.

I blink again, and he’s the Haetae again.

Blink.

Bearded man.

Blink.

Haetae.

“Wait, you’re the bearded man?” I ask, starting to understand. “You were pretending to be a guard at the laundromat? You’re actually the Haetae?”

He tips his head. “At your service.”

“It was you, wasn’t it? You were the one talking to me today. In my mind.”