y churned with gunmetal clouds, the air crackling with anticipation. A low rumble of thunder rolled across Nocturnis, as if the city itself exhaled

. The scent of wet earth and ozone filled her nostrils, both promise and warning. Her fingers brushed the hidden amulet, its warmth echoing with distant m

lley, carrying with it a single, cl

red. The walls on either side curved inward, narrowing until she found herself at the threshold of a grand, if forgotten, plaza. Granite pillars

cycles, each exhale a plume of vapor in the cooling air. Carefully, she drew the amulet from her cloak and held it aloft.

m above but from within her mind.

th, jagged geysers of steam

idian armor, raising flaming

rors reflecting impos

lowen's knees hit the stone. She gasped, clutching the amu

s edge, a voice drifted, soft a

u might com

ded so loud she was certain it carried acro

the old runes, t

dim light under the pillars. His cloak was soaked, yet he moved with unwavering purpose. Rain trailed down hi

r

was steady, even though her heart t

ight. "I could ask you the same thing." His gaze lifted to the frozen fountai

stone floor. "I needed to understand." She swal

'm not the only one who felt it." His eyes flicked to the shadow

er stomach. "The Sentin

Or their eyes and ears. You awakened s

at shook loose bits of stone from the pillars. Rain intensified, the plaza

r amulet. "It sings

d slide from its sheath and placed its tip gently on the fountain's rim. Sparks, like tiny fl

ge of the fountain, fingertips grazing cold

ed. "Or shatter

more like a living thing pressing in on them. Branches whipped against the stone

stepped closer, rain sliding off his shoulders. "I came because I b

unes, the distant thunder, blurred. All that remained was the flicker of

e whispered. "Teac

ips, fierce and hopeful. "I

brow ro

the wa

d. "They'll come for you. We need to find

ped into the torrent, robe drawn tight, face hidden in shadow. Rain dripped from the obsidia

rang out, clear as a chime despite the sto

t Aric. His grip tightened on he

hissed. "The

g of black runes that pulsed in time with the thunder. "Surrender the re

plastered her hair. Lightning flashed behind her, and she felt

stronger than she felt. "And see what

h elemental light. Elowen closed her eyes for a heartbeat, calling

plaza like a heartbeat made visible. The storm seemed to still

her eyes, the wo

cle of light, Elowen at its center, every rune on

ered back, eyes wi

" she said. "And I

ilver, lightning arced across the sky, and the

ming. Aric knelt beside her,

u...?"

nd on the still-warm amulet

resumed its rage, but now it felt diff

e on. We'll find a place to

ed streets, guided by the pulse of magic, and the pro