They came at midnight three nights later. Not in a wave, but in silence. Shadows that moved like smoke, slipping through the edges of the sanctuary, testing the boundaries of the light.
The keepers felt them first. Sira's fire dimmed where the shadows passed. Orin's stones grew cold. The twins' roots withered. Gar's starlight flickered. Echo's sounds grew muffled. Lux's light was swallowed. And Al's memories began to fade.
"They are here," whispered Al. "All of them."
Seong stood beneath the great tree. Around him, the people of the meeting places formed a circle. Not a circle of warriors, but a circle of protectors. Each holding not weapons, but memories. The strongest weapons they had.
"Remember," said Seong. "Remember who you are. Remember why you are here. Remember what we are protecting."
The shadows surged forward. And the battle began.