Chapter 76

Onaria and Jool's daughter, the first child since the upgrade with the gears, was born without any complications. There was much rejoicing, especially since she showed no signs of developing a cough. The Mecha Gods surely smiled upon them.

Recovered quickly, and wearing a simple white gown, Onaria cradled their daughter, Mi'shl, who had a full head of curly, dark hair and big, beautiful eyes. "Praise to the Mecha Gods and this miracle," she whispered. Onaria had come around to seeing the good of the gears. Or, at least, stopped disparaging them, quelling the guilt at what he'd done.

Jool beamed. "She is perfect." At least as perfect as a biological being could be.

He already had plans for when she hit her twentieth turn of the giant gear in the temple, the age deemed old enough to receive a cog. He'd saved a special one for her and planned to teach her everything he knew, and then some.