Book One – Chapter 9

The darkness lingered. How could he have slept during the witching hour? His stiff fingers retrieved the Timegiver, an ornate artefact bearing two strands of Yves’ own heartstrings, one from each heart.

When activated through raw energy and triggered by the veil of Teharun, the Timegiver created a resonating pulse exclusive to the perception of the bearer; a phantom heartbeat that safeguarded against the dangers of unintentional sleep during the witching hour, be it from fatigue, injury, or any other cause. The sensation was subtle yet powerful, a rhythmic reminder that cut through a wizard’s dreams and anchored his mind back to wakefulness. Yet, it had not stirred Yves. On this disquieting occasion, the pulsations remained silent. Yves examined the crystal-encased heartstrings, finding them intact but devoid of their rhythmic vitality, signifying that the witching hour had already passed. What time was it? Had he fallen asleep after the witching hour? If so, why persisted the profound darkness that so much resembled the veil of Teharun?

Yves deactivated the Timegiver and struggled to his feet. With two odd steps, he reached the entrance. He stared over the sled and surveyed the desert and debris landscape. No rain, no storm, no clouds. First sight offered no sign of Teharun, and second sight failed to unveil any traces of its veil. The witching hour had ended, yet an impenetrable blackness enveloped the sky. Inexplicable. No storm loomed overhead, no distorted energies writhed through second sight, not even a hint of mist lingered in the air. This marked the first instance in almost three months when the sky remained entirely clear. However, this newfound clarity offered no revelation. Sey and Burs, the moon and her child, along with all celestial bodies, were conspicuously absent.

Dread seized Yves as he entertained the specter of illusions or a potential intrusion, a malevolent manipulation of his mind or senses by an unseen adversary. Yet, he sensed nothing, and his Ardimian chain remained silent. Then again, if he was already under the influence of a Transcender or witch or specter —

No. The truth was much simpler and much more terrifying.

The sky was lost to Yves. The sky was dark because his first sight could no longer grasp the moons and the stars.

It was a harrowing realisation.

For a very long time, Yves just stood and stared.