The Heartwood i could cause an extinction-level event.

The night came and went. Dawn took its place, casting strange rays of sun. And the boy breathed. Haggard, but alive.

Then, choking. Sialuk stirred from her half-sleep, turning to face him head-on. Breathe, she said as calmly as she could, her eyes pleading with him. In, like this—Sialuk took a deep breath—and out. She exhaled slowly and continued to show him, her chest expanding and collapsing in slow rhythm. If something had happened to him inside, she would not be able to mend it.