Ethan didn't respond. Behind the shield, his hand slowly tightened while his gaze stayed fixed on the clock whipping through the gale.
If he could take control of it, the temporal maelstrom might stop.
It was dangerous, but worth the risk.
As Vesperhart continued closing in, Ethan vanished from Andona's side.
Noxhart noticed at once. It slammed both front hooves down, and darkness spread from beneath them.
The shadows gathered into a surging river and raced through the void toward the clock.
Ethan had already reached it, but the oncoming black tide forced him to pull back. He slapped the energy sphere into his own body. White light flashed along his outline as his skin, bones, and clothing broke apart into countless black particles that scattered through the air.
The river of darkness swept between them without touching anything solid.
