Eva rose and wiped her face with her sleeve. She turned, expecting to see Otto, but instead she met with the ancient face of another giant water bear that observed the girl with cataract-clouded eyes. Its carapace was covered in numerous gouges and dents, patched over with rich thick growths of moss and algae. Behind this beast were the many faces of the herd, huddled close to see Eva. All began to hoot in unison.

You are the one, they sang, the one who risked your life to save one of us—the one who would treat us as your equal.

Eva blinked as their thoughts flooded in and filled her. They awakened and energized her.

Now you, little one, are one of us. We are one. So shall it be.

A large behemoth stepped forward. Eva smiled as she recognized the benevolent face of Otto. She placed her palm on his pebbly forehead. You will always be my friend, Otto.

Herd. Must. Go.

“I understand,” Eva said, holding back her tears. “Maybe I’ll see you again, someday.”

Just. Call.

“Oh, I love you, Otto.” Eva wrapped her thin arms around his large neck. “And I will miss you.”

Me. Too. Little one.

The herd began moving away from the ancient ruins, across the dark mysterious dunes. As he turned to leave, Otto looked at Eva with his large bulbous eyes.

Go. See. Truth.

The water bear shuffled away to join the rest of his herd. Behind him, the enormous tunnel that he had excavated below the lion sculptures waited in the shadows as twilight flooded the land.

Eva grabbed a lantern and wandered out into the silhouettes of the ruins, toward the giant tunnel. “Rovee?” she whispered.

Sitting up on one of the lion sculptures, alone in the dusky gloam, Rovender Kitt stared out at the skies as the top of the sun sank below the inky landscape. Eva could hear him talking to someone, though it was hard to discern who it was because his back was facing her.

“Hey,” she said, approaching him.

“Hello, Eva Nine.” He took a swig from his bottle. “How are you?”

“I’m . . . okay . . . I guess. I don’t know.” She climbed up next to him. “How about you?”

“I am sad for you, and for me,” he said, and swallowed more of his drink. “I grieve for Mother.”

“I am sad too.” Eva pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her arms on them. She was missing a piece of herself she knew she’d never find again.

“It’s funny. We have adapted ourselves to live in a new world. A new land.” He took another gulp. “We have traveled far, overcoming many dangers . . . many obstacles.”

Eva was quiet.

“And what happens? What is our reward for such a demanding journey? This?” Rovender let out a sarcastic laugh as he gestured at the towering ruins surrounding them.

Eva’s eyes were downcast.