Chapter 263: Dark before Dawn
The Eagle of the north shrieked as one of his feathers fell off. It landed on the peak, destroying it. Its shriek echoed for a while in the frozen lands.
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The World Tree shuddered as its leaves discolored. The few who noticed it went insane, except the shamans. The wise ones turned somber. Leaves showed only changes at the end of an Age. But they never threatened to fall off like this.
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The High Altar gazed at the stars overhead. A smile crept on her face. Just a while longer and she would meet the one she and her predecessors before her had been waiting for.
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Strange phenomena filled the nooks and crannies of the world. Only those at the peak saw the trend and threat of the times to come. Some rejoiced, others feared it.
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"Keep it steady!"
Cella shouted at her team. She steered the boat to the best of her abilities, which weren’t much in the field of sailing. Despite her desperate tries, she still looked over her shoulder. The cloud of dust blotting the distant sky weighed heavy on her heart.
She saw Bert trying to put his hand on her shoulder, but she winced. She didn’t look at him. She didn’t dare to. Anything with emotions would burst her open. It was hard enough to keep her eyes dry.