Ever flew.

  He flew faster than he’d ever flown before. Buildings, people, vehicles, trees, the earth… it all melted into a frantic blur as the apprentice reaper pierced the sky. He kept his eyes forward, not flinching even as clouds flew into his line of sight. He didn’t dare look down, not because he was scared of how high he was flying, but because by looking down, it seemed that he was barely moving at all, even at his maximum speed.

  *Mentor.*

  Ever.

  *Is Taylor…*

  He fell quiet. What did he want to say here? It wasn’t ‘dead’ because he knew that she had been killed. Never mind that he still hadn’t had time to process this. He didn’t know what the chill tendrils creeping around his mind were, all he knew was that they weren’t welcome right now, so he shoved them away.

  She’s still here.

  Ever shuddered an exhale. *You can see her?*

  Yes. He paused. She looks scared.

  Ever pressed his arms to his side, urging himself to fly faster. He was now sandwiched between endless blues as he streaked across the Tasman Sea.

  *Can you see the Keres?*

  No, but I can sense them.

  *Please Mentor,* Ever begged. *Can’t you tell them to not consume her?*

  I’ve already bent the natural order by telling you that Taylor was killed, young soul, Death said. I know my sisters; they are not reasonable beings. If I told them to spare her, they might actually consume her essence first out of spite.

  *First?* Ever frowned.

  Yes. Death said. I can see a number of souls there around her. They’re mourning over their bodies. Oh no…

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  *What?*

  The souls have scattered, the Keres have arrived. Death said. We’re out of time.

  Ever clenched his fists by his side.

  *No, we’re not.*

  He closed his eyes, his mind searching until he found who he was looking for.

  *Chronos.*

  ?Well, hello there,? Chronos said, voice tinged with what sounded like genuine surprise. ?How goes the rescuing??

  *I need a Blessing from you,* Ever said. *Could you please slow down time so that I can get to Taylor?*

  ?I’ve already granted it to you.?

  Ever stopped suddenly, levitating in the air. *What?*

  ?Not willingly, mind you,? Chronos grumbled. ?But because the Fates told me to.?

  That’s right. Seemingly on its own, the orb of gray light Chronos had bestowed upon him at the hospital pulled itself from his cupped hands. It pulsed every second, like a heart beat whose blood was time itself.

  ?You can use this Blessing however you want,? Chronos said. ?It’s not reserved only for Zoe’s Ascension.?

  Ever stared at it; it seemed to tick louder in response.

  *Will you grant her another?*

  ?Maybe, it depends.?

  *On what?*

  Ever! Death shouted. They’re chasing her!

  Ever gazed into the orb. It was now, or never. He closed his eyes.

  May a second last a day for every being on Earth, living or dead, mortal or immortal, until I reach Taylor Pagoto.

  The orb stopped pulsing; it went from grey to red and became hotter and hotter, its heat singeing the fibers of Ever's spirit. He flung it into the air where it continued its arcing trajectory until it reached its zenith. It then exploded, sending a shockwave that blanketed the earth.

  Ever turned on the spot, looking for a sign that the Blessing had worked. Sure enough in the distance, a flocked of gulls hung in a 'V' formation, as if dangling from strings pinned to the sky. Getting his bearings right, Ever resumed his flight to Mexico, as time itself temporarily knelt for him.