The stars did not dim after Elara touched Midnight's hand.
They listened.
That was somehow more unsettling.
The Seventh Archive remained open above Black Hollow, a silver wound in the sky connecting countless worlds.
And for the first time since the Archive had awakened, nobody was looking at the impossible doorway.
They were looking at Elara.
At the girl who had crossed realities.
At the girl who had spent twelve years searching for proof that somewhere, somehow, hope had won.
Elara didn't let go of Midnight's hand.
Not because she was afraid.
Because she wasn't sure this was real.
Midnight understood that feeling better than she wanted to.
The throne beneath Draven Ridge pulsed.
Softly.
Gently.
A welcome.
Elara laughed through her tears.
"It does that."
The statement wa
