Hemera continues clinging to him, pressing her cheek solidly to the top of his head. He is solid and alive in her arms, and she treasures the feeling.

"You would have the time to figure it out," she tells Ardbert, gentle and soothing as though she weren't the one in need of comfort. To Hades she adds:

"And I have seen enough sacrifice themselves to their creations, dearest friend. Knowing what you do now, do you honestly believe I wouldn't have already engineered a similar concept?"