Page 127 of An Archer's Reckoning

Still nothing.

I gathered my strength and staggered across the bridge toward the eastern side of town. On weary legs, I shuffled more than ran until I reached the eastern gate.

No guards stood watch.

No soldiers barred entry or exit.

I leaned against the open gate and stared into the distance. A blue flame streaked across the sky leagues away.

I slumped against the wood of the gate and watched, transfixed, as the flame soared ever eastward.

Tears filled my eyes.

My head fell into my hands.

And then it happened.

I looked up to see Órla circle high in the distance, then dive toward the ground. She was too far away for me to see when she struck.

A great thunderous pulse of magic, the explosion of a sun, exploded out from where the blue streak fell.

A mighty plume of iridescent flame filled land and sky.

Shock waves of air and magic roared across the land.

The world shuddered, the wall shook, barricades fell, and wounded buildings collapsed.

I watched as the distant glow across the horizon began to fade.

“Órla?”

Deep within, my soul shuddered with the opening of a void.

“Órla! Spirits, say something. Please.”

Emptiness threatened to overwhelm me.

I fell to my knees.

Desperate, I dove within myself and gripped my Light as if clutching a rope while tumbling from a cliff. It was as bright and strong as ever, yet something was absent.

It feltincomplete.

My chest seized.

My Light slipped from my grasp.

Realization assaulted my mind.

I gripped my Light once more, pouring my will and heart into its chasm.

The emptiness refused to fill.

The broken link failed to mend.

The Kingdom forces had been obliterated.

I could not explain my certainty, but I knew it to be true.

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