Euphie sighed, letting her wings stretch lazily as she landed beside Purée, who was curled up mid-air in her usual half-asleep state in front of a shimmering, white Gate. The warm light of the Everhub cast gentle colors across them, flickering as different Gates faded in and out of focus. The air of the Everhub was unusually peaceful today. No flickering Gates, no creeping corruption—just warmth, stillness. It had been weeks since the last major incident, the memory of the frozen wasteland and the corrupted Gates lingering in the back of the Shard’s minds like a distant storm. But thanks to the chaos they had endured, something had changed since then—the Shards were finally starting to get along. Or at the very least, they weren’t actively trying to berate and kill each other anymore. With a concrete plan in place to monitor the Gates, the group had learned to handle anomalies with relative ease before they grew. For the first time since their creation, things had felt stable. Purée cracked an eye open as Euphie landed beside her, letting out a slow yawn. “Yeesh,” she muttered sleepily. “Took you long enough.” Euphie flinched slightly. “Oh um, sorry! I just wanted to make sure everything was in working order before we, um….” She trailed off, shifting awkwardly. “Where are we going again?” Purée exhaled a long-suffering sigh and stretched her arms over her head. “I told you, I found the best napping spot in *alllll* of the Gates. I think you need to see it.” Euphie tilted her head. “Why’s that?”  “I think it’ll do you some good after being in “save the Hub mode” twenty-four seven. It’s like you’ve forgotten how to have fun. If you ever knew in the first place.”  Euphie let out huff and pursed her lips. “Th- that's not true! I can still have fun.”  Purée looked contemplative. “Mmm…pressing F to doubt.” “I-“ “She has a point, Darling,” a sudden voice cut in, punctuated by the unmistakable humming of wings.  A blur of pink swooped in beside her, wings buzzing in a graceful arc before landing lightly at her side. Honey straightened with a dramatic flick of her hair, placing two hands on her hip as she smirked. “You have been a bit of a killjoy lately,” Honey teased. “All work, no play—you’re becoming more like that demon general every second.” Euphie frowned. “I *do* fun things!” “Really? Name one.” “I…. well, I went to a lovely beach the other day.”  Purée raised a sleepy hand. “Yeah, only because you thought you sensed the world dying or something…” Euphie huffed again. “Okay, well, *excuse* me for being so cautious. I have responsibilities! I can’t just drop everything to—” “Ohhh, but you can,” Honey interrupted, looping an arm around Euphie’s shoulders. “And you will, because *I* have something very special to show you both.” Purée yawned. “The napping spot?” Honey grinned. “Even better.” “Not possible,” Purée said flatly. Euphie shot Honey a suspicious look. “What are you planning?” Honey’s wings buzzed as she turned toward another nearby Gate, gesturing grandly. “You’ll see~.”  Before Euphie could protest further, Honey grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her forward. The Gate’s glow swallowed them whole, the warmth of the Everhub dissolving behind them.  And then they were somewhere new. The air was different here. A stiff, metallic breeze drifted through the open space. The sky stretched endlessly above them, painted in hues of soft pink and gold, the last remnants of sunlight. They stood between two buildings, an alleyway by the looks of it. And beyond the narrow path ahead a sprawling city could be seen. Its streets were lined with pink and blue glowing lanterns, their lights flickering like scattered fireflies. Elegant spires and archways reached toward the sky, their surfaces glinting with the last traces of daylight. Bridges wove between the buildings, connecting terraces filled with life—laughter, music, the hum of an evening crowd. Beyond it, a magnificent, metallic pyramid stood, overlooking everything under its gaze. The city was alive as buildings seemed to move, their lights stretching toward the stars. Euphie’s breath caught in her throat. “Wow…..” Purée, still floating lazily behind them, let out a soft sigh. “Okayyy…. pretty cool I guess.” Honey’s smirk widened, clearly pleased with herself. “Now, let’s go.” Euphie let herself be pulled along, glancing back at Purée with an apologetic look. But even Purée didn’t seem too upset, drifting after them at her usual unhurried pace as they made their way into the grand city. --- The air buzzed with activity. Lanterns swayed above narrow streets, casting pools of soft light against metallic pathways. Stalls lined the walkways, their vendors calling out in lively voices about trinkets machines that shimmered under the evening glow. The scent of roasted spices and sweet confections wove through the breeze, mingling with the salt from the distant sea. Crowds ebbed and flowed through the streets, laughter and chatter rising and falling in waves. Some people wore flowing silks embroidered with circuitry motifs, while others had cybernetic attachments, their arms full of packages and market goods. A group of robotic musicians played along the steps of a nearby plaza, the strum of stringed instruments weaving into the city’s already bustling rhythm. Euphie took hesitant steps forward, her wings tucked against her back. The city was… far more alive than she had expected. “Nnhhgg… Purée’s groan was a dull drawl beside her. “Too loud.” She was right, it was… a lot. They weren’t used to this. Not just the noise, but the crowds as well. The press of voices, the movement, the life. It was overwhelming, like stepping into a world already in motion, one that didn’t stop for her to catch up.  Purée sighed again dramatically. “Honey, I dunno. I don’t like it. Maybe just take the L on this one.”  “You two don’t like anything that isn’t a nap or working,” Honey teased, barely glancing back as she weaved effortlessly through the crowd. “Whatever,” Purée muttered back. Euphie kept her gaze forward, trying to push down the strange unease rising in her chest. She wanted to enjoy this, wanted to appreciate what Honey was showing them—but there was something about all of it that made her feel small. Honey strode ahead, completely at ease in the shifting crowd. But as she glanced back over her shoulder, she caught sight of Euphie’s tense shoulders and Purée’s increasingly dramatic sighs. “Oh, relax, darlings. We’re almost there.” With a quick turn Honey veered to the right, slipping between two buildings into a much narrower passage. Euphie hesitated for only a moment before following, grateful when the clamor of the main street dulled behind them. The alley was quiet, the glow of the lanterns above casting long, soft shadows along the stone walls. The buildings here felt older, their architecture less polished, less chrome, but still full of character—arched doorways, hanging vines, and carved wooden signs that swayed gently in the breeze. The air smelled faintly of baked goods and steeped tea, a far cry from the bustling markets they had just left. And then, tucked away beneath a string of delicate fairy lights, was their destination. A small café sat nestled between the buildings, its exterior warm and inviting. The windows glowed softly with amber light, and the wooden sign above the entrance swayed slightly. A few potted plants sat along the doorstep, their leaves stretching toward the light. Through the window, the faint sound of soft music drifted outward, blending seamlessly with the quiet of the alley. Euphie blinked, shocked that such a place could exist in the sea of metal. Purée, who had been slouching dramatically just moments before, tilted her head. “Huh. Cute.” “Told you,” Honey said with a smile. She stepped up to the door, pushing it open with her hip. “Come on,” she said, her voice lilting with satisfaction. “Drinks are on me.” ☀︎ ☀︎ ☀︎ The scent of salt and a crisp sea breeze rolled in from the nearby coast, drifting through the humble, yet bustling, seaside town. Connie strode through the Night Market, her sharp amber gaze scanning the crowd, picking apart the ebb and flow of the bustling world around her. Stalls lined the narrow streets, their canopies stretched overhead in vibrant colors, shielding merchants and customers from the dim glow of lanterns strung between wooden posts. This place was a nation within one of the Grand Gates. Through their time in the Everhub they had learned that while every Gate led to a different world, some were more… interwoven than others. Like knots in a vast web, these larger Gates acted as anchors, their connections to the Hub more deeply ingrained. If a minor Gate collapsed, the damage could be isolated, repaired with enough effort. But if one of these key Gates fell—everything could spiral into calamity… While doing her usual rounds Connie thought she felt something… off upon entering this Gate.  She couldn’t explain it. No signs of corruption, no fractures in the Gate’s foundation—nothing. Just the faintest whisper of something out of place. A *presence*. Connie hated presences, and even more so, the unknown.  She stopped beside a vendor roasting skewers over an open flame. The merchant, a broad-shouldered man with a weathered face and purple hair, looked up as she approached. “You,” she said, cutting straight to the point. “Has anything strange happened here recently?” The man gave her a wary look. “Strange how?” “Unusual weather. Strange colors in the sky. Hissing noises coming from nowhere,” Connie listed off, folding her arms. The merchant’s frown deepened at Connie’s question. He set down his skewer, wiping his hands on a rag before leaning in slightly, lowering his voice. “Well… nothing like that, but….” he muttered, “there’s been talk. Villages going quiet. Smoke on the horizon. Distant booms echoing from the distance. A great influx of new residents to this town.” “Raids?” she asked, voice even. “Could be,” the man admitted, glancing around as if ensuring no one was listening in. “Bandits, maybe that damn cult. The whole region’s been tense lately. People are on edge, even if they don’t want to admit it.” Connie exhaled sharply through her nose. This wasn’t what she was looking for. Just a conflict contained within this realm given through generic NPC banter. Her concern was the Everhub itself. The Merchant glanced at Connie’s blade. “So are you an adventurer?”  She turned back to the merchant, dismissing his concerns. “No.” The man blinked at her, looking slightly taken aback. “Oh then—?” She was already moving, striding toward the town’s border. She’ll regroup with the others, then— Suddenly there it was again, the presence.  Connie halted mid-step. The night market’s warmth and noise faded into the background as something cold crawled up her spine. The air shifted, the sea breeze carrying an unnatural chill that bit at her skin. And then—just for a second—her ears rang with a sharp, static hiss. She turned her head slightly, her hand reaching back for her sword’s hilt. It came from the coast. Slowly, she pivoted, her gaze locking onto the dark horizon where the ocean met the sky. The waves lapped gently against the distant docks, the rhythmic motion steady, calm, unnerving. Connie exhaled through her nose and stepped forward, moving swiftly down the winding stone path that led toward the shoreline. --- Connie’s boots pressed firmly against the stone path as she moved toward the shore, each step calculated, her breath even despite the gnawing tension in her chest. But the closer she got to the water’s edge, the more things… normalized. The static in her ears faded, the unnatural chill dissipated. Her eyes narrowed. *No*. She scanned the empty shoreline, the moonlight casting long shadows across the sand. The sea stretched endlessly before her, dark and unbothered. No figures in the distance. No shifting presence. Nothing. For a long moment, Connie stood still, her fingers flexing against the hilt of her sword. Had it escaped? Then—she saw it. A blotch of something dark staining the pale sand near the waterline. It was hard to see in the cover of night, but she could *feel* it. An unnatural pit in her stomach.  Connie frowned, stepping forward, boots crunching against the shifting grains as she neared the mark. It was small, irregular, like something had been spilled—inky black, absorbing what little light touched it. She crouched, reaching out. The moment her fingertips brushed the substance, a sharp sizzle burned against her skin. Connie jerked her hand back, gaze darkening. Was this corruption? So far the corruption they had encountered had been erratic, flickering dozens of colors at once. This substance was anything but; a black void that absorbed all color and stared into her very soul. And though the presence was gone, the air around her still held the faintest, lingering crackle—like an unfinished thought, like an echo of something that had just been here. She exhaled sharply through her nose. *Tch. Coward.* Connie stood and stomped the dark splotches with her boot, covering it in sand. Whoever—whatever—had been here… it had already slipped away, already left its mark. But next time? Next time, it wouldn’t. ☀︎ ☀︎ ☀︎ The shift came and went as smoothly as ever, reality bending around her like a ripple through glass. No matter how many times Blue had used the mirror she still emerged disoriented—dizzy—as she found herself in new worlds, stepping through one reflection after another. Searching. Waiting. Hoping. And yet, every time, she was met with the same overwhelming *nothing*. This was her eighth world now—each untouched, pristine, more beautiful than the last. She could hardly believe it. Worlds beyond her wildest imagination. Worlds she had only glimpsed through shards of broken reflections. Worlds she was never meant to step into. They were so bright. So whole. So *alive*. Her grip tightened around the mirror. She didn’t belong here, she had known that from the start. And yet… the longer she stayed, the warmer she felt. It seeped into her skin, curling around her edges, whispering something soft and comforting. Light. She stumbled slightly as the world settled around her, her form flickering before stabilizing. Beneath her, a soft layer of grass replaced the damp grains of sand she had left behind. The air here was different—cooler, crisper, carrying the scent of something fresh and green. A forest. It stretched endlessly around her, trees rising high into a dappled canopy. Leaves shifted lazily in the breeze, golden light filtering between them, scattering across the dirt path ahead. Somewhere in the distance, birds called to one another, their songs bright and carefree. Unbothered, untouched by anything unnatural. Blue was suddenly pulled out of her enamorment as she felt a thick, cool liquid trickling down her wrist. She glanced down. A familiar, inky black substance dripped from the Mirror’s golden frame, slipping over her skin like oil. It always did this—bled like an open wound every time she used it. The sensation was cold, but familiar.  It reminded her why she was here, what she was fighting for. They were depending on her. *She* was depending on her. If she succeeded then… maybe they could all feel this way, this warm.  Maybe they could all be whole. Taking a deep breath, she floated forward through the forest. *Please*… she thought. *Let there be something. Anything.*  --- Minutes stretched into hours, hours stretched into days, yet Blue continued drifting, her hope withering with every passing second. She didn’t stop, she couldn’t stop. The sun never seemed to move in this world, always resting in its golden descent, casting warm light across the treetops. It was beautiful—achingly so. But the longer she floated through it, the more suffocating it became. Every rustling leaf, every distant chirp, every lazy shift of the wind—none of it bore the telltale crackle of static. There was no wrongness here. No corruption. No purpose.  Blue pressed forward, the trees blurring together, the path stretching endlessly.  Nothing. Just like the last world. Just like all the worlds that came before. They were perfect. Time continued to slip through Blue’s fingers like sand, impossible to grasp, impossible to measure. She searched *everywhere*, scoured every inch of the worlds she found herself in, but there was nothing. Her body flickered, the static stuttering. Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. Pandæmonium had made a mistake. She could already hear Vireen’s voice in her head—mocking, cruel. *Useless. Pathetic. A waste of space.* And she was right. The longer she stayed here the more that fact was clear and the worse the reality became. The warmth of this place *hurt*, the light becoming overwhelming, burning, as if it knew she didn’t belong. A hollow, broken sound escaped her lips. A laugh, maybe, or a sob. She curled around the mirror, shoulders shaking. Maybe she should just stop. Maybe it would be easier to just— A sudden crunch of leaves echoed throughout the forest. Everything inside her went still. It was far too loud to be any of the small forest critters that resided here. Not only that, but Blue could *feel* it. A presence. It slithered over her skin like unseen hands, its touch burning like fire. A weight against her static form, heavy and relentless. She didn’t recognize it. It wasn’t Pandæmonium, nor was it Vireen. Blue wiped her eyes hurriedly, straightened, and turned toward the feeling. Her gaze darted between the trees, the golden hues now tinged with unease. The feeling was getting stronger; whatever was here was getting closer. Panic jolted her into action. Her grip on the mirror tightened, her fingers slick with the inky black. She had wasted too much time already. Without hesitation she raised the mirror, forcing herself to focus. The ink swirled, and once again, she vanished. But as she did, just before the world dissolved around her, she swore she heard footsteps. ☀︎ ☀︎ ☀︎ A loud clank echoed through the quiet corner of the café as Honey slammed down her empty glass, laughter bubbling from her lips. “And then—and then—he turns to me, dead serious, and says, *“Madam! This is a respectable establishment!”* Honey wheezed, wiping a tear from her eye. “As if I didn’t just watch him swindle three people out of their wallets not ten minutes prior!”  Euphie giggled, though hers was softer, more out of secondhand amusement than true understanding. “Oh wow that’s… something.”  Purée, sprawled across the table with her chin resting in her palm, blinked slowly. “Yeah…riveting.”  Honey smirked and nudged Purée’s arm. “Oh, but ladies, I didn’t even get to the best part.” With a dramatic flourish, she produced a small, palm sized, silver sphere, extending it toward them as if presenting a priceless artifact. Euphie squinted at it, tilting her head. “Um… what am I looking at?” “This,” Honey declared, twirling the sphere between her fingers, “is what those fools bought from that swindler. Piece of junk if you ask me.” Purée’s eyes followed the sphere with the first hint of genuine intrigue she’d shown all evening. “So you… *bought* one?”  Honey gasped, placing her hand over her chest in faux offense. “Darling, *please*. My hard-earned money wouldn’t be wasted on such garbage. I swiped in when he wasn’t looking. Deserved, if you ask me.”  Euphie leaned in slightly, eyeing the sphere with curiosity. “Is it… magical, or something?” Honey hesitated. “I—well, no, I don’t think so anyway. I believe it’s just a… *thing* to make people who have it feel cool.” Purée blinked at her. “So? *Do* you feel cool?”  Honey smiled, tucking the strange object away from whatever unknown space she had pulled it from. “Darling, I *always* do.”  Purée’s eyes lingered where the sphere had vanished, a faint flicker of life in them just for a second before she returned to her slumped posture. Euphie smiled awkwardly. “Well, it sure is… something?”  Hony groaned, rolling her eyes. “Ugh, you two need to get out more.”  Euphie chuckled, opening her mouth to respond—but before she could, a faint pulse of orange light from her wrist interrupted her. Honey groaned again, this time more dramatically. “Let me guess, *The General is calling. Again*.” Euphie frowned, looking down at the glow. “This is the second time she’s called,” she murmured. “Maybe something’s wrong…”  Honey waved a dismissive hand, reclining further into her seat. “Connie always thinks something’s wrong. It’s practically her whole personality.”  Purée let out a low hum of agreement. “Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s just mad about a door squeaking the wrong way…”  Euphie hesitated. “Still… what if—”  “Nope,” Honey cut in, leaning forward and tapping a finger against Euphie’s wrist. “We’ve been working our *asses* off lately, and we deserve a break. You *especially*.” She gestured around them. “We’re just finishing up anyway. Ignore her.”  Euphie chewed her lip, clearly conflicted.  “She’ll survive,” Honey added, giving Euphie a charming smile. “And if it *is* a world-ending disaster, well… then she can yell at us in person. Not like she doesn’t do that already.” Purée finally sat up slightly, stretching her arms over her head. “Y’know…. for once, I kinda agree with Busybee over here…”  “Oh my, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Honey said dramatically. “Don’t get used to it.”  Euphie sighed, her wings twitching anxiously. This *exact* kind of attitude was what nearly cost them a Gate before. Something still didn’t feel right, it hadn't for a while. “...Okay. *Fine*. But we’re finishing up *now*. And if she calls again, I’m answering.” Honey groaned but raised a hand to call over the waiter, who handed her the check. She then produced a small wad of cash, lying it over the check gingerly. Euphie tilted her head. “By the way, where are you even *getting* money? Do you have a… job?”  Honey smirked. “Oh, *goodness* no. We all have the power of creation to some extent, don’t we? I simply make it appear.” Euphie and Purée exchanged glances. “Honey,” Euphie said carefully. “I… I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”  Honey’s smile faltered. “What?”  Purée blinked at her. “Yeah, no, like… I don’t think you can do that.”  Before Honey could respond, the floor beneath them gave a sudden, violent tremor. A cracking hiss split the air from outside, like the sound of static surging through reality itself. The three of them froze. Euphie’s stomach twisted, the uneasy feeling from earlier returning tenfold.  Euphie cast a quick, pointed look at the other two—one the very clearly screamed I told you so—before bolting towards the exit, her wings flaring as she rushed outside. Her heart pounded as she darted down the alley. The moment she stepped onto the main street, her breath caught. The city stretched out before her… untouched. The sky was speckled with stars now, a beautiful, dark sheet of night covering the world. The streets bustled as they did before, the distant murmur of conversation and music filling the air. No cracks. No corruption. No world-ending calamity unraveling before her. Just… nothing. And yet, her chest ached. The hollow sensation gnawed at her insides, deep and consuming. She clutched at her heart as if that would steady the erratic thrum beneath her ribs, but it only made it worse. She recognized the feeling—the same emptiness that had slithered into her thoughts when she stared into the mirror. The one she found in the shattered wasteland beyond the Gate. The feeling had haunted her since, her mind desperate for answers. And now, here it was again. Was the feeling an omen of disaster?  Before her thoughts could spiral, the click of heels down the alley signaled Honey’s arrival as she walked to Euphie’s side.  She looked around the street, obviously confused. “I’ll be honest dear, based on your reaction I expected something more… well, anything really.” So had Euphie. And yet, the feeling persisted. “I told you there was nothing to worry about. We’ve been doing a good job,” Honey continued as Euphie looked out at the city, still perplexed.  “Actuallyyyy,,” Purée murmured, drifting behind them. “The light levels are dropping. Like, *really* fast.” She stretched her arms before they drooped before her.” Dunno why…” She blinked, gaze shifting down the street. Euphie’s attention snapped to the distant streets. If the light was fading… if the emptiness wasn’t just something that she was feeling, but came from the world itself… “We need to find the source,” she said firmly. “Now.”  Honey groaned. “Ugh, really?” But Euphie was already moving.  Her wings glowed as she launched into the air, the city shrinking as she soared higher. The streets stretched out in all directions, flickering lanterns and glowing windows illuminating the winding paths below. The people had no idea what was happening. They laughed, lived, talked—completely unaware of the growing void swallowing their light. Euphie’s pulse hammered in her ears as she flew faster, scanning every street, every alley, every rooftop. She dove low, weaving through the towering spires and twisting bridges, her iridescent glow casting fleeting streaks of light against the chrome city. But no matter how far she flew, how many blocks she scoured, she found nothing. The ache in her chest deepened, the light continued to fade. Euphie hovered midair, breath shallow, her eyes darting over the endless sprawl of buildings. The realm was massive. There was no way she could search it all, not like this. Then—the static hiss returned and a sharp chill ran down her spine. She turned her head sharply, a flicker of movement in the corner of her eye.  For a split second she swore she saw something in the distance. A shadow flickering between rooftops, barely there, but unmistakable moving. And then, a low rumble shook the air. Where she saw the movement, the surrounding world began to fracture. A crack of twisting, multicolored energy split through buildings, through the air itself, jagged and violent, like glass shattering in slow motion. The world beneath her trembled, lanterns swaying as structures groaned under the weight. The corruption twisted unnaturally, cracks spiraling outward like reaching hands, devouring everything in its path, dividing space itself. Gasps turned to screams as people scrambled away, the corruption crawling hungrily toward them. Euphie’s wings snapped back.  She was too late. ☀̷︎̷ ̵☀̴︎̸ ̷☀̷︎̶ Connie knelt in the underbrush, her fingers brushing against the damp earth where the inky substance stained the grass. The surrounding area had been drained of color, as if the substance was devouring the light itself. Leaves once vibrant, hung limp and pale. The soil, once rich and damp, had dulled to an ashen grey. It spread in uneven trails, like something had been dripping—no, bleeding—as it moved. The dark liquid absorbed the golden light filtering through the forest canopy as if it were a black hole. It was fresh. Connie gritted her teeth. This was the fourth Gate along her route she found this substance, each containing traces of corruption. Four Gates with corruption in a single day was far from the norm. Whatever was causing this was calculated, *deliberate*. As she followed the marks forward, tracing their erratic path deeper into the woods, the ink began to thin. Then, abruptly, it stopped.  Connie narrowed her eyes, scanning the ground. There was no sign of struggle, no indication of where the source had gone. The trail simply…vanished. Like whoever had left them had disappeared into thin air. Static crackled at the edges of her hearing.  *Escaped again.*  Connie turned on her heel in a fury, marching through the forest and back toward the Gate. The Everhub’s light engulfed her as she returned, her eyes flicking to the orange glow on her wrist. The notifications of her unanswered calls. She exhaled sharply, irritation curling deep in her chest. She expected this from *them*, but Euphie?  Euphie, who always made a point to reach out, to listen, to *care*?  Maybe Connie had been mistaken. Maybe she had been foolish to put any trust in her at all. Her fingers curled into a fist, her wings flexing as she strode forward. Fine. If no one else was going to take this seriously, she’d just handle it herself. Like she always did. Connie was already moving, about to continue her route, scanning for any sign of disturbance. But then— A sudden shift. Something within the Everhub lurched, a feeling so faint yet so wrong it sent a ripple to Connie’s very core. A hollowness—familiar, gnawing, lingering.  She stopped mid-step, her wings twitching as she turned her head toward the sensation. It was close by, near one of the Grand Gates. Connie’s eyes narrowed as she shot forward, the wind whipping against her as she followed the pull.  It led her to a Gate—not one of the major ones, nothing vital. It was a smaller, newer Gate nestled within the Central Cluster. Connie gritted her teeth.  This was it. Whatever was lurking here, whatever was disrupting her order—it ended *now*.  Without a second of hesitation, Connie flew forward, vanishing into the Gate’s glow. --- [[04 Crossroads|Chapter Four: Crossroads]] → ← [[02 Fragmented Shards|Chapter Two: Fragmented Shards]]