Chapter 2: The Boy in the Ruins

Lyra wasn’t alone.

A young traveler named Cael had followed her underground.

“You touched the flower.”

“Yes.”

“What did you lose?”

“My mother’s laugh.”

Cael looked horrified.

“Why would you do that?”

“I didn’t know.”

He studied the garden.

“The old civilization used this place to create magic.”

“Can it restore magic?”

“Probably.”

“Then we can save the world.”

Cael shook his head.

“At what cost?”

Neither had an answer.