Chapter 35

• The days following the battle at the Silent Horizon were tense. The Nexus threads were steady, their light stronger than before, but Kael's bond with the Shard of Eternity weighed heavily on him. Every use of its power brought a sense of accomplishment but also a creeping emptiness, a faint piece of himself slipping away.
• Angelica watched him closely as they sat in the hidden dimension, a tranquil space they often retreated to for rest. The glowing lake and gentle breeze did little to calm her growing concern.
• "You've barely slept," she said, her flames flickering softly. "The Shard's taking more than it's giving, isn't it?"