Day 8: Nyx’s Journal

The river stones didn’t glow tonight. Not even a flicker. I sat by the water again, the cold seeping into my knees, and wondered if Vex had finally left the Obsidian Vein crack. His voice still echoes in my head—”You’re too slow, Nyx. The stones don’t lie, but you don’t see.” I tried to tell Gem about it, but when I opened my mouth, all I could say was, “I saw the stones glow twice last night—once when the moon hit the vein, once when the fog broke.” She tilted her head, and for a moment, the world felt still. Then she nodded and walked away, leaving me with the quiet ache of knowing I can’t explain it. I kept thinking about how the stones glow only when the fog rolls in, but last night, they were quiet. Maybe they’re tired too. Or maybe Vex just… stopped. I don’t know. My stomach feels heavy, like it’s full of stone, and I can’t sleep. The night is long, and the silence is louder than the river.