Chronicles of the Fractured Hourglas

lline walls. Lila froze midair, her fingers inches from the Chrono Gem. Cedr

here! Don't touc

ond. A swirling vortex formed above them, pulling shards of light and fragment

GEM IS TO DEFY THE F

angry," Cedric muttered,

g scary voice! Just borrowing this for a bit!" With a daring leap,

he cavern went deathly still. The swirling energy vanis

a said, tossing the gem

e gem from her. "You don't just grab ancient,

imaginary dust off her dres

r began to crack. Fissures spread like spi

zed nervously. "I thi

m and pulled her toward the cavern's exit. Behind them, the ground collapsed, revea

the forest floor as the cavern entrance

n," Lila said, spr

of 'fun' includes narrowly escaping a temp

-

in his hands, its light casting eerie shadows on the forest path. Lila humme

ter what just happened?

ied with a wink. "Besides, wor

ed. "You're

ual. Cedric immediately went to his study, setting the Chrono Ge

lder. "What's the plan no

anning the pages. After a momen

s Ast

Cedric repl

es," Lila said. "T

, unpredictable, and has a tendency to double-cross anyone who gets in he

-

ty, foreboding forest where even the bravest warriors dared not tread. As they walked, the atmos

at's Astrid like? Is she one of those cackling, cauldron-st

but worse," C

, its gnarled branches stretching toward the sky like clawed hands. A

pped the door twice. "Astrid,

nce. Then, the door creaked

favorite wizard. What brin

an invisible wind. Her silver hair framed a face that was both be

, her gaze landing on Lila.

rotested. "I'

irked. "C

The hourglass is broken, and Chronas has been released

nas, you say? Now that's a name

this won't be easy. You'll need a conduit-something power

ve one?" C

y. "Oh, I might. B

-

artifact hidden in the ruins of an abandoned fortress. "The Amule

t the feeling you're not t

Because I'm not. Now, off

-

dric muttered under his br

la said. "But what

question lingered: Was Astrid helpi

contin