Loopshard

Adam and Kat sat in the garden, watching Meilo flit around and tend to the flowers. The moon’s silver light was the main illumination over the island, but Meilo’s inner glow helped make it easy to see what she was working on.

They had said goodbye to Beck, Lasse, and the rest. As much as he hoped to make it through the next stage, the farewells had felt final. Even Beck, though he wouldn’t admit it, hadn’t seemed certain about his odds. But with the wrath of two Absolutes aimed at them, what hopes did they truly have of surviving? The only saving grace was the safeguards the All-Seeing System had in place, but it was clear they were not as robust as they needed it to be.

Adam had tried to talk to Alivida about using the orb of insight again, but she said it wasn’t possible. The uncertainty of who he would be grouped up with in the Tower worried him.

“We don’t have that much time left,” Adam started, “but I want to tell you everything I know about the future stages, and, most importantly, the Self-Devouring Eye.”

Kat frowned. “Is that the relic that lets Beck go back in time?”

“It is.”

“Why would you tell me about it?” she asked.

“There’s no guarantee he’ll survive, so it’s better someone else knows, such that this universe can keep going. If no one loops again and the Trials remain unbeaten, this universe comes to an end. I’ve seen it happen and I’m trying to prevent it from happening again. I think you’re strong enough that you can make it there.”

“What about you?”