"My grandmother says you’re the only one who can help," she whispered. "She says you know how to hold onto the light."

Elias froze. This was a nighttime request brought into the harsh reality of the . "I’m just a clockmaker, child," he said, his voice cracking. by-day

Elias looked at his shop. The sunlight was indeed pouring in, unnaturally bright, bleaching the wood of his counter. He realized then that the balance was shifting. By hiding his magic only in the shadows, he had allowed the daylight to become hollow—a mere waiting room for the night. "My grandmother says you’re the only one who

By-day -

"My grandmother says you’re the only one who can help," she whispered. "She says you know how to hold onto the light."

Elias froze. This was a nighttime request brought into the harsh reality of the . "I’m just a clockmaker, child," he said, his voice cracking.

Elias looked at his shop. The sunlight was indeed pouring in, unnaturally bright, bleaching the wood of his counter. He realized then that the balance was shifting. By hiding his magic only in the shadows, he had allowed the daylight to become hollow—a mere waiting room for the night.