Ruby’s eyes had now adjusted to the light. What she saw could not be described in any human tongue. She saw the stars themselves at war against a vast dark thing burning with a hateful mockery of life. “Listen. Your name is Merope, youngest yet greatest of the Seven Sisters. You gave your life to stop Nemesis, but your mother and I knew that some ember of you must have survived. For millions of years we have searched for you. Little enough in our lifetimes, perhaps, but without you it felt long indeed.”

The terrible sights and sounds of the battle faded away. She could hear music in the distance. It was eerie and peaceful and painfully beautiful, somewhat like Gregorian chant and somewhat like whalesong. She had heard it once, but could not remember when. “What… what is that?” she whispered to Kur.

“It is our song. Once the mortals you were trapped with called it the Music of the Spheres, when they had less knowledge but more wisdom.”

“It’s beautiful…”

“It was far more so once, when you were with us.”