Sapphire’s eyes faintly hovered in Onyx’s direction. “I don’t have long, Onyx,” said the older woman sadly. “It’s my dying wish that you live on to become a woman in your own right; that you rise above the aftermath of the holocaust and witness renewed nature and the world spring to life once again: that is my wish above everything else.” “I know,” the adolescent breathed, too choked to extend her reply. Sapphire’s eyes slowly hovered round the girl’s ashen face, flickering like dull, dying embers. “My husband and I always longed for a daughter like you,” the ex-leader went on, “--- a cute, little girl with hazel eyes and brown hair. My husband would have adored you – just like I always have----. And whatever happens, Onyx, I want you to remember that you’ll always be the daughter that we both never had.”