The fire dances, alive as us or any being in the depths of this ocean. I try to lean against a log, enjoying the presence of my friends but as the conversation runs dry I realize they want something more than that. They want answers. I can hardly blame them after everything they've been through. Not to mention, me "dying" and then mysteriously coming back to life. I wouldn't even blame them if they were suspicious. I sigh, uncurling my body from where I tucked my knees to my chest.

"You want to know why I'm back?" I ask, looking around at their familiar and changing faces. Ash, Angel, Lark, Carnelian, and Lachlan sit by the campfire, looking at me expectantly. I lick my lips as I squeeze my eyes shut with regret. "Well, I'm not. I'm not back."

"What do you mean?" Ash asks, leaning forward on his log.

"I mean I'm not staying in Harmonia," I whisper as tears fill my eyes. "I'm leaving tomorrow."

"Why?" Lachlan asks and he sounds angry.

"Because I'm the EcoPan," I explain, rising. "I always will be. I gave my heart to that machine because I wanted to save humanity. It was the hardest thing I've ever done but it's my duty now. I chose to come back because I have duties I feel I could do better as Rowan than as the EcoPan. But those duties are not in Harmonia."

"Where are they?" Ash asks, taking Angel's hand.

"They're in a city recently renamed Secundus. As you may or may not have figured out, there are many many cities other than Eden. In my time as the EcoPan, I've been working on setting those cities free, one by one. I've seen all of them for one reason or another failing. But this city is different. They're just like we were only...they didn't have me."

"What do you mean?" Ash asks and he looks pale.

"Imagine a city exactly like Eden, same style, same laws, same everything. The only difference: the second children fought back and won. But instead of changing things for the better they made unfair laws as revenge. It started off small but it eventually escalated into a complete reverse of our situation. Second children are killing the first children as revenge, they believe it's justice. And you know what? This isn't at all unlike the other cities. This city is only different because I can't reach the people in charge. None of them have lenses so I can't set them free. Being a second child myself I believed I could get inside and somehow get a message across," I explain. When I look around I see a range of emotions. Carnelian seems understanding, but Ash and Lachlan seem hurt.

"Why did you keep it a secret?" Ash asks. "I thought you were back, Rowan."

"I know," I sigh, taking a seat next to him. "I just wanted to enjoy some time with you before you started looking at me like I'm already dead or something. I just," I stroke his grown-out hair, tucking it behind his ears, "needed the chance to say hello before I had to say goodbye."

"Goodbye? Rowan, you're not saying goodbye. We're coming with you," Ash insists.

"No, you definitely are not," I argue with a scoff. "It's way too dangerous. If Lachlan and Carnelian insist on coming I won't stop them but no one with lenses is allowed to go. Absolutely not."

"We're not asking," Lark protests, standing. "You're not the only one who cares about people, Rowan. We have the right to help you. Lives are at risk."

"Your lives are at stake," I argue, taking her hands. "We just barely escaped a war, you can't walk right back into another one."

"If you are, we are," she insists. "I'm not letting you march into another war by yourself."

"But I'm completely safe," I assure them. "If anything were to happen to me Aaron would make sure I am saved. You, on the other hand, I don't know what he'll do. For any of you. I can't risk losing anyone else."

"And do you plan on coming back to Harmonia? Or do you plan to go back to being the EcoPan?" Lachlan asks without looking at me. He stares at the fire with his eyebrow raised.

"Lachlan," I whisper with compassion, shaking my head. "I never intended to stay."

He closes his eyes, nodding his head. "Of course you weren't."

"I'm sorry," I say gently, looking to him then Ash. "I really am. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt any of you or give you false hope. But I can't stay, even if I wanted to."

"Do you want to?" Lachlan asks, shooting up from where he sits.

"How can you expect me to answer that? You're expecting me to choose between you guys or all of humanity. I can't..."

"Yeah, you've said it all before," Lachlan sighs, walking away.

"Lachlan!" I call after him, feeling a mix of emotions.

"It's okay, you don't have to explain yourself to me," Lachlan assures me with a sad chuckle. "All I know is I'll be there tomorrow morning when you leave. I promised myself the day I met you that I'd keep you safe. If nothing else, I'll keep that promise."

I blink away my tears as Lachlan heads into the darkness for the autoloop. I take a deep breath.

"Carnelian, are you in?" I ask, pressing my lips together in a tight line.

"Of course," he responds. I'll be ready by morning.

"I'm going too!" Ash chimes in. "I don't care how dangerous it is. I'm a second child too and I have just as much right to help as you."

No, you don't, I want to argue. I gave up everything, my humanity, to save others. I don't want to hear about his right to help. But how can I say that? How can I say I have more of a right to save people than him? How can I say it's okay for me to get hurt but not him?

"Just...don't get hurt," I insist. "Please."

"You got it, sis," he says, slinging an arm around me. "Now... who's ready to kick ass?"

~~~