"Nothing can kill—"
Aava checked. Thor felt the cunning of the green fire, beating up through the crystal layers of the jewel. He whispered, "Nothing can kill—what? What are you, Aava? What is your secret?"
"You will never learn."
Thor shrugged and knelt. With his fingers he pried up a rotting board. There was a beam-joint beneath it. Thor placed the ruby in the crotch of the joint and stared down at the jewel, knowing the wild rage of Aava.
"I must leave you here—in darkness, Aava. I can't take you with me. If I did, you would see all I am going to do to whip you. You understand that?"
"Thor, be my friend!"
He shook his head, "I cannot. I do not trust you, Aava."
"The androids were not to fight you—"
"Yet they did."
Thor checked, peered closer. The purple hue of the ruby was fading. The gem was tenantless. Aava was gone.