The earthquake hit Ember's Rest at midnight.
Not a natural tremor—something else. The ground split in the town square, and silver light poured from the crack. The Deepening had found a new way to strike.
Sarah ran from the farmhouse, her sword in her hand. Elara followed. Lyra stood in the doorway, her old eyes wide.
"What is it?" Sarah shouted.
The Deepening is forcing its way through, the void said. Not with servants. With itself.
"Can it do that?"
It will destroy itself trying. But it will also destroy the town.
Sarah looked at the silver light pouring from the crack.
"Then we stop it."
---
The creature that emerged from the crack was not like the others.
It was massive—twice the height of a person—with too many limbs and too many eyes. Its body flickered between solid and em
