The sky continued to brighten as time passed, far beyond what any of them expected in this higher zone.
At first, it had only been a subtle shift. Something easy to ignore under the lingering haze of Ether that always clouded this zone.
But now the light had grown sharper and almost piercing, cutting through the mist in a way that didn't feel natural at all in this zone. It spread unevenly across the sky as if something above had changed rather than the light itself.
They slowed their steps.
Ethan raised his arm, shielding his eyes as he looked up with a deep frown.
"What's going on?" Ethan asked, squinting slightly. "Why is the sky so bright now?"
No one answered him. Not because they didn't want to, but because none of them had any answer to give.
Victor narrowed his eyes as he stared upward for a moment longer before lowering his gaze again, his expression became solemn slightly.
