The vale lay shrouded in the argentine hush of early morning, the shattered modes and jagged terrain etched in murk that sounded nearly alive. Mist wound through crannies, entwining over debris and bumps, softening the edges of destruction while revealing subtle beats of residual energy. Maya squinched at the edge of a collapsed crest, tablet pressed tightly to her casket. Its sanguine gleam palpitated noiselessly, nearly
