The bronze coin blazed with life.
Clek stood in the garden, the shard of black crystal in one hand, the coin in the other. The cold darkness of the crystal warred with the warm light of the coin, two forces that had defined his entire existence. The messenger's words echoed in his mind. *The Keeper's power is not gone, Clek. It's just dormant.*
He had given up his power. He had severed his connection to the Heart of the World. He had sacrificed everything to save the world. And now, the power was returning.
Aria's presence flickered in his mind, sharp with concern. "Clek. What's happening? I can feel something changing."
"The power," he said, his voice flat. "It's coming back."
"Coming back? How? You gave it up. You severed the connection."
"I know." He looked down at the coin, its s
