FRACTURED TRUTHS

The council chamber was dimly lit, its walls lined with ancient symbols etched into polished stone. A faint hum filled the air, the sound of the Loom's presence resonating through the core of the citadel. Mildred stood at the center, her shard flickering faintly at her chest as she faced the assembled council members.

Each figure sat in an arched seat, their faces partially obscured by shadows. Lysander stood beside her, his arms crossed, a silent pillar of support.

"Mildred," began Saphira, the High Keeper, her silver hair catching the light of the central brazier, "we've read your report on the severed realm and the restoration you achieved. It is no small feat."

"But it came at a cost," interjected another council member, a stern-faced man named Torran. "The shard's power is nearly depleted, and the void's presence remains a threat. Have you considered the long-term consequences of your actions?"

Mildred squared her shoulders, meeting Torran's piercing gaze. "The cost was necessary. That realm was on the brink of collapse. If I hadn't acted, we might have lost it forever. And I learned something important—something that could help us understand the void's nature."

Saphira leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Explain."

Mildred hesitated, the memory of the shadowed figure lingering in her mind. "I encountered a remnant," she began. "A being that severed themselves from the Loom to survive the void. They told me the void doesn't simply hunger for light—it hungers for those who carry it. The stronger the connection, the greater the void's pull."

A murmur rippled through the council, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

"And this remnant aided you?" Saphira asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

"They did," Mildred said firmly. "Their light was faint, but it was enough to help me weave the threads back into place. They regret what happened to their realm, and they want to see it healed."

Torran leaned back in his chair, a skeptical frown on his face. "You're suggesting we seek out these remnants? Creatures who abandoned their connection to the Loom? That's a dangerous path, Guardian."

"It's the only path," Mildred countered. "The void is older than the Loom. It's not just an absence—it's a force, with intent. If we don't understand it, we'll never be able to stop it. The remnants might hold the key to unraveling its secrets."

Saphira exchanged a glance with Lysander, who gave a subtle nod. "You propose a bold course of action, Mildred," she said. "But boldness alone will not suffice. If we are to sanction this endeavor, we need assurance that it will yield results. What do you plan to do next?"

Mildred took a deep breath, her voice steady. "The remnants are scattered across the realms. Some may have hidden themselves in severed threads, others in realms on the verge of collapse. I'll need to explore those places, find them, and learn what they know."

"And the void?" Torran asked. "What if it follows you? What if it consumes another realm in your wake?"

Mildred met his gaze, unflinching. "That's a risk I'm willing to take. But I won't be reckless. The shard may be weakened, but I can still use it to weave barriers and protect the realms I travel through."

The chamber fell silent, the weight of her words settling over the council. Finally, Saphira spoke, her voice carrying the authority of her station.

"Very well. The council grants you leave to pursue this mission. But you will not go alone. Lysander, you will assemble a team of Guardians to accompany Mildred. This is not a task for one person, no matter how capable."

Lysander inclined his head. "As you wish, High Keeper."

Saphira turned back to Mildred. "Gather what you need and prepare for departure. You carry the hopes of the Loom with you, Guardian. Do not falter."

Mildred nodded, a mixture of relief and determination coursing through her. "Thank you, High Keeper. I won't let you down."

As the council dispersed, Lysander placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've taken the first step, but this journey will test you in ways you can't imagine. Are you ready for that?"

Mildred glanced at the glowing strands of the Loom visible through the chamber's skylight. "I don't know if anyone's ever ready. But I'll do whatever it takes."

"Good," Lysander said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Because the void won't wait for us to catch our breath."

Together, they left the chamber, the echoes of the council's decision fading behind them. Beyond the citadel's walls, the realms awaited—fractured, fragile, and

full of secrets.

And Mildred would face them all.