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Under the shade of one tree, Xerus could see a small group talking quietly. They were nothing more than shadows until a few turned in their direction, and glowing, orange eyes stared back at them. As he and Lana approached, Gyrix appeared from another set of trees and greeted them.

"Predomis, Risa." He bowed. Xerus noticed he had a few new scars across one arm and along his chest.

"It seems your mission was a success and not without its rewards," Xerus commented.

"It was, and yes, one of my most...interesting missions ever. I think the vrisha might have found a match in these fyriens."

Lana made a noise beside him and grabbed his arm as another woman, dressed in black armor, came out from the shadow of the tree and ran toward them. Lana met her halfway and they embraced.

"Elise, I didn't think I would see you!" Lana said as she released her.

"I didn't think I would be back in time either," Elise said. She smiled as the hunter Nezka broke from the shadowed group to join them. His eyes narrowed on Xerus as he grinned, and Xerus returned the expression with his own challenging smile.

"So, you found your people after all," Xerus said. "Despite the odds."

"It wasn't as easy as it might seem," Nezka replied. "If it weren't for Gyrix, it would have been a bigger challenge. I have his guidance to thank. Without his memory, tracking them would have likely been impossible." He twisted back toward the tree and tapped at his ear.

Out from the shade of the tree, the group of what Gyrix called fyriens stepped out into the light. There were eight in total including what Xerus assumed were three females along with two fledglings—one male, one female.

"So few," Lana said. "Was this all?"

"No." Elise shook her head. "There were more, but these were the only ones willing to come back with us. The fyriens are...a very cautious race."

The fledglings looked around them nervously. The female tugged the male child's ear, and he snapped at her with sharp teeth. They ran out and started to fight, a dagger flashing in each hand, but no one stepped in to stop them.

"Guess fighting is in their blood too," Lana commented.

Elise laughed. "Oh, no it's in their soul. If I didn't have on all this gear, I could show you the scars. They felt bad when they realized I couldn't regenerate skin or heal as quickly, so they left me alone after that."

"What kept them from outright killing you?" Xerus asked curiously.

"I was persuasive," Nezka replied.

"With his fists, more or less." Elise shrugged. "And, to be fair, Gyrix intimidated them. Which granted us more respect. "

Xerus couldn't help grinning with pride. "It takes seeing a predator above them to become more humbled."

Nezka snorted. "It only takes one fight to see who is better matched."

Xerus tilted his head. "Do they need a demonstration?"

"Oh, enough, honestly!" Elise said. "For once, I am truly sick of fighting."

"Me as well," Lana agreed, giving him a stern look.

"Another time." Nezka smiled.

"We've talked of building a proper sparring pit," Xilya said. "I have promised my nillium friend a fight when he arrives. I think we could add the fyriens into the mix."

The fyriens and the vrisha team glared at one another in silent agreement.

"That will have to wait," Bo said from nearby. "Once we have the Xolians settled in. Speaking of which..." She brought up a small pad displaying a map. "They are in the solar system now. We are having them land in the valley as their ships are too big. Come with us."

They made their way to the edge of the city. Many of the trees that once made up the forest between the city and the valley were gone, leaving only a few scattered between buildings and paths. They stopped on the steps that led down into the open field, and Xerus could see the whole valley beyond.

The memory of running through the forests and cutting through hunters as he made his way toward the station, toward Lana, struck him. He closed his eyes and recalled with great detail his blind "hunt" and was eternally grateful that he had been brought back from those dark, savage depths. He silently thanked Rikasha and Veradis that he had his mate still by his side. His beautiful queen. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her, only her. Even as he heard the ships coming down and saw her face light up as they descended, he looked only to her. And he felt bliss.

***

The Xolians had finally come. The one they called the night prince—Ryziel—led his refugees into the city alongside his mate, Aly, and their child. The other human woman—Sarah, Xerus was told—had wept as she set foot on the place they now called Terra Centra. A better, more suitable name than XL-08. The city kept its name of New Haven. And to those who came seeking a home, it truly was the safest place they felt they could be. Xerus saw the many races that had joined Ryziel in his exodus. Species of all shapes and sizes and—to a few who were surprised—some of the nillium themselves who had denounced the ways of Nihl and Xolis and were also looking for a new beginning.

"We are deeply happy and grateful to call this world home," Ryziel said. "And we will do all that we can to make it a place of unity."

A small creature they called Nar grumbled something from behind him as he fixed the goggles over his eyes. A few others looked cautious themselves, and Xerus knew with so many different people, unity wasn't going to come easily or quickly. But in the others, there was hope and, in that, there was the possibility of working things out together. Xerus had seen his share of conflict and war, but he also knew the universe was full of endless possibilities. And of impossibilities that turned into realities. He'd seen that truth come to light in his bonding with Lana, and he saw it in the other women who had dared to call these dark, inhuman men their mates. Anything was possible.

The universe really was an odd and terrifyingly beautiful place.