Owen was in the middle of reviewing patrol routes when Frauja arrived. He felt her before he saw her—the shift in dimensional pressure, the weight of a being who had existed before the tier system was even conceptualized.
She materialized in the courtyard without a gate. Just there. Standing among the flowering vines that Odessa had planted years ago.
"Your son is accelerating too fast," Frauja said. No greeting. No pleasantries.
Lord came out of the palace. He had sensed her too.
"The reshaping is accelerating itself," Lord said. "I am just trying to keep up."
Frauja's ancient eyes studied him. "You are trying to save everyone. That is admirable. It is also impossible."
"I know."
"Then why are you doing it?"
Lord walked toward the edge of the courtyard, his small footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone. Beyond the palace grounds, countless floating islands drifted through the endless sky, suspended between shimmering currents of cosmic energy.
