The journey to the Glass Sea took ten days.
Sarah led the way, her hand on her sword, her eyes on the horizon. Elara walked beside her. Twenty soldiers followed—the best Ember's Rest had to offer. Kaela had refused to come. She was too old, she said. But she had given them a map.
The ritual is in the old temple, Kaela had said. The place where the void was born. The Deepening's followers will be waiting.
"Let them wait," Sarah had replied.
Now the salt flats stretched before them, white and blinding.
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The first attack came at dusk.
Deep Ones emerged from the salt—not the hollow servants of the Deepening, but the ones who had chosen emptiness. Their eyes were silver. Their hands crackled with cold fire.
"Archers!" Elara shouted.
The soldiers formed a circle. Arrows flew. The Dee
