Storms whispered across the dead oceans as word of Anara's awakening traveled faster than shadow. In the iron citadel called Blackglass Spire, the Dimming stood before her seven generals—each once a guardian of light, now cloaked in betrayal.
Their gathering was known in secret texts as the Eclipse Accord.
"We underestimated her," one rasped, encased in ice-veined steel. "She carries more than shards now. She carries belief."
The Dimming's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Then let belief be broken."
Meanwhile, Anara and Cael left the Hollowgreen by moon-root tunnels, light still crackling from Anara's fingertips as if her veins remembered starlight. But something shifted in Cael. He grew quieter, watching the horizon with a storm behind his gaze.
When they camped near a forgotten skyship, Cael finally spoke. "There's something I haven't told you."
Anara turned, alert.
"I was trained under the Accord."
Silence.
"They took orphans. Promised power. Purpose. I was one of them until… I saw what they did to the Lightbearers who failed. I ran. I've been running ever since."
Anara stared into the fire. "Why tell me now?"
"Because the Accord is not hunting us."
He looked up, eyes like lightning before the storm. "They're waiting. For you."
Above them, the sky trembled. One by one, stars b
linked out—not from distance, but from design.
A new constellation began to form: a mark unseen for generations, etched only in the vaults of the first age.
Liraen arrived hours later—her cloak dusted with Hollowgreen spores, eyes wide with revelation.
"They've begun the Eclipse," she whispered. "A ritual to collapse the remaining shards… and harvest them to fuel a false sun. One they control."
Anara clenched her fist, the merged shards glowing fiercely. "Then we don't just need to gather the rest."
She looked toward the Spire on the horizon, where lightning kissed its tallest peak.
"We need to stop the Accord."
The stakes just got higher. Shall we head into Chapter 11—perhaps to the ruins of Sol's Cradle, where the original sun was born? Or follow the enemy's agents as they begin the hunt for Cael's forgotten name? The final arc is dawning… ☀️🖤