Chapter 8: The Shattered Clock
The sky turned dark.
Caliah raised her staff, and the three fragments lifted from Mara's hands, spinning in a circle of glowing energy. They flew higher—toward the broken Clock of Elmridge above them. Its face was cracked, its hands frozen at *12:01*.
"The First Clock remembers everything," Caliah whispered. "Including what he tried to erase."
The masked figure appeared on the far side of the field. He stepped forward—slow, calm, dangerous.
"So you found your fragments," he said. "But you're still just a girl chasing shadows."
"No," Mara said, standing tall. "I'm a girl who *remembers*. And that's more powerful than anything you stole."
The masked one lifted his hand—and time around them warped. Trees twisted, sky bled gold, gravity flipped.
"You think you can stop me?" he shouted. "I *am* time!"
"No," Caliah said quietly from behind Mara. "You are fear."
And with that, she thrust her staff into the ground.
*The First Clock ignited.*
The fragments merged—gears spinning, light bursting across the sky. The sound of ticking returned. Loud. Strong. Alive.
The masked figure roared, throwing a wave of dark energy toward them. Mara raised her hands—but it was *the clock* that blocked it. A glowing shield of memory and light.
Suddenly, Mara saw *everything*. Her life. Her choices. Her strength. And she saw *him* too.
The Masked One—once Elias.
"What…?" she gasped.
Caliah nodded. "He was the first Time-Touched. But he lost himself… trapped in regret. That's what twisted him."
Mara stepped forward. "Elias… it's not too late. Let it go."
His mask cracked. Just a little. A tear slipped down his cheek.
"I… I can't," he whispered. "Time won't forgive me."
"Then I will."
She placed her hand on his.
The light from the clock exploded—washing over them both.
***
When Mara opened her eyes, the sky was whole again.
The clock ticked peacefully. Time was flowing.
And Elias was gone. Just a feather on the wind.
***
Caliah stood beside her. "You did what no one else could—you healed time with forgiveness."
Mara looked at her hands, glowing faintly.
"Now what?"
Caliah smiled. "Now… you become the new Guardian of Time."