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"Let me see what we fought to create. It can't all be gray and cruel. Let me see the city on the other side of the rift."

"Are you sure?" Therko asks. But he helps you rise. Ignoring the ache deep inside, you stumble toward the rift. Former slaves step aside. Dr. Sabbatine opens her mouth to say something, then simply nods and makes some adjustments to the Specular, shutting down whatever bubble she maintained of Byzantium.

You step through the rift.

The world isn't gray now. It's white. Snow falls all around you. It's cold, but soon the chill passes, and you find yourself looking out on a city of slate roofs and glowing windows. You're surprised that you can see the stars, but there they are. You could imagine living here, you think as the rift vanishes behind you and you sit down in the snow. Yes, this won't be bad at all.

You close your eyes.

End