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To begin, Lyra proposed to her six amorous friends that they swear an oath to each other. They agreed. All seven swore to cherish, support, and protect each other-no matter what. The friends called themselves the «crazy seven» and even wanted to come up with a motto. But they quickly gave up this childishness… Childhood years were over, it was time to act.

So, there was no way back – and the «crazy seven» set off over the horizon… They wandered through the northern suburbs for three long years. They worked as guards, did dangerous jobs for food, and didn’t shy away from stealing. They tried to find supporters, made speeches… Nobody listened. They couldn’t save any money, either. «The Crazy Seven had become a regular gang of vagrants, and looked the part…

Lyra was almost desperate, and began selling her soul and body to the Green Serpent. Tough as an oak trunk, the character gave way to cracks. It turned out that the tree had weak roots, and a gut riddled with fears. Friends-lovers shared with Lyra all the hardships and hardships, protected her and cared for her-but could not restore her faith in herself. For there was little faith left in themselves. One day the girl awoke in the middle of the night, pale with nightmares, and looked at the moon. It was red as blood-a lunar eclipse, and a total one at that. Lyra cried. Her friends tried to comfort her, but she hugged them one by one, thanked them warmly for their friendship – and declared that she wished to die. «I will love you even after death. Go and find your happiness. Promise me you will find it. I dragged you into this story, I ruined my native village, I did not do my father’s will… I’m sick of it. But you must live – it is my last will. Well, farewell! Don’t say goodbye…» Matach, the smartest and calmest of the seven, said: «You can’t be late to the cemetery. So why rush? Think hard. As long as a man is alive, all is not lost for him. Give yourself another chance.» Lyra looked up at Matah with an infinitely sad look, and said: «if I live another year – I might make new mistakes. Why? Tired… Mat! Don’t blame yourself for my death. I’m making you senior in the squad. Take my ten coppers, all I could save, and use them wisely. Take care of your friends, and let them take care of you. Well, farewell! May all be well with you…» But the boy did convince the girl to live another month. «What if fate smiles? Let’s give ourselves one last chance.»