Chapter Three: Light Sent Seven Years Ago

An old man sat beside the exit gate. He had no features. A crumpled missing-person notice bearing Xingyao’s face covered his own. “Night Keeper,” Li Wu whispered. “Don’t look at his face.” The man pointed at Shen Yan. “You owe this place one night.” Every light went out. Starlight poured through the damaged dome, illuminating a giant sundial. Each beam carried blurred images: Xingyao arguing at a control panel, Zhou Jibai locking a silver box underground, a young Shen Yan crying beside the sundial. That was impossible. Seven years ago, he had been twenty-two. Why did the child have his face? “Don’t touch it!” Li Wu shouted. His hand was already on the sundial.