Everything happened swiftly. In the few minutes since the Great Sun had dimmed, sudden changes swept through the streets of Clockwork City.
A vast Spirit Realm Overlay spread like a tide from every dark corner, like some terrible corrosion or ripple, like drops of ink falling into a clear pond. Many terrified residents had not even made it home before the buildings on either side of the streets began taking on the appearance of the Spirit Realm.
The paving stones began peeling away, replaced by broken roads steeped in blood.
And the overlay was not limited to the First Layer.
The yellow sands of the Second Layer had already begun blowing along the edges of Clockwork City.
In some areas, the buildings had even become twisted, malformed constructs of flesh, one after another. That was the Spirit Realm Overlay of the Third Layer.
Panicked screams, the trampling of fleeing feet, sobs, and wails resounded throughout Clockwork City.
"Master!"
Mirror looked urgently toward Lin En beside her almost the instant it happened.
But Lin En remained standing in the middle of the street. The surging Spirit Realm Overlay kept transforming the surrounding landscape, and the street that had been bustling just moments earlier was now deserted.
"All right."
Lin En's gaze flickered.
"The timing isn't great, but it really is time for me to put on my shaman act."
He strode toward the tall Tower on Clockwork Street.
The closer he came to the center, the more panicked residents he encountered. But he did not pause. Holding down his hood, he pushed against the surging crowd and climbed step by step to the top of the towering structure.
And it was here.
He saw the enormous Spirit Bell that had rung beneath the Red Moon when he first descended.
Its ringing