Another Moon Altar in the sky vanished.
The flower petals continued to wither and fall.
Mo Ling reached out, trying to grasp the scattering motes of light, but they slipped through his fingers like quicksand.
They swirled and froze once more. The faint sound of conversation drifted to his ears again.
"General, we still haven't replaced the eternal one." This time, the other voice spoke without waiting for Jeff to ask.
"I know," Jeff said calmly. "What's the status on component wear?"
"The wear is worse," the other voice replied. "Every time we approach awakening, the fog comes surging back. It seems to have figured out our pattern."
"Did the Chali Race have no effect?"
"Not much of one. The Chali must know we're trying to use them to attract the fog. The moment they return to their normal state, they immediately separate again. It only buys us a little time."
