The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 18: Kai
Overview
Baz rewinds the Hourglass, opening Dovermere’s door, and the group steps onto a star-lit path between worlds. Vera’s family compass activates, aligning with the song only Kai hears. A crowned umbra ambushes them, claiming Kai as “Fear Eater/Nightmare Weaver,” revealing the nightmare sovereign seeks freedom—escalating the cosmic stakes.
Summary
With the tide low, Kai, Baz, Nisha, and Vera enter the Dovermere caves, pressed by necessity despite the dangers of world-crossing. Baz warns that only Tidecallers survive such travel, while Vera produces Adriana’s Veiled Atlas compass as a hoped-for talisman. Kai resists being treated as their safeguard.
At the Belly of the Beast, Kai bolsters Baz’s confidence. Baz manipulates time around the Hourglass, rewinding it to when it was unlocked. The doorway splits into a star-strewn void, confirming Baz’s control and opening passage to other worlds.
Kai, drawn by a haunting song only he can hear, leads them onto a luminous path above flowing water. Vera’s compass activates, pointing the same way, lending credence to their course even as unease builds.
Shadows suddenly engulf Kai. An immense, crowned umbra seizes him, choking him with darkness. Speaking mind-to-mind, it calls Kai “Fear Eater” and “Nightmare Weaver,” asking if he has come to free it.
Kai realizes the entity from his nightmares is real—a sovereign of the sleepscape that the umbra obey. Its clear objective is to escape its prison, turning their crossing into a direct confrontation with the nightmare’s king.
Who Appears
- KaiDrawn by Dovermere’s pull and a haunting song; leads the group; seized by a crowned umbra calling him Fear Eater/Nightmare Weaver.
- Baz (Brysden)Timeweaver who rewinds the Hourglass to unlock the door; conflicted protector, bolstered by Kai’s faith.
- VeraInsists on coming; wears Adriana’s Veiled Atlas compass, which activates and guides their route.
- NishaDetermined to accompany the crossing, arguing necessity despite risks.
- Crowned umbraShadow sovereign that ambushes Kai; communicates telepathically; seeks to be freed from its confinement.