The Shattered One's song was beautiful, but something was wrong.
Julian felt it the moment he woke—a discordant note in the harmony of creation, a thread that was fraying at the edges. The song was still there, still weaving reality into being, but it was weaker than before. Diminished. As if something was draining its power.
Sarah felt it too. She sat up beside him, her face pale in the morning light. "Julian. The song. It's changing."
Julian nodded. "I know. Something's wrong. Something's draining the Shattered One's power."
They dressed quickly and hurried to the plaza. The Shattered One was there, its form shimmering in the dim light. But it was different—its surface was duller, its light dimmer, its song fainter.
"What's happening?" Julian asked. "What's wrong?"
The Shattered On
