They flew until the stars disappeared.

Kael was an excellent pilot.

Lyra hated that.

He knew how to read the currents.

He knew how to navigate through cloud formations.

He even knew how to make the Starling's broken engine behave.

"How did you learn to fly?"

"Military."

"Of course."

"I was a royal sky guardian."

Lyra looked at the insignia around his neck.

"I guessed."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Did you?"

"You have the personality."

"What does that mean?"

"Like a man who has been told he's important since childhood."

He laughed.

It was the first genuine laugh she had heard from him.

It changed his face.

For one second, the cold stranger disappeared.

There was a boy underneath.

Then the expression vanished.

Lyra looked away.

"So you were a guardian."

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Fifteen years."

"You started young."

"Too young."

She studied him.

"Why?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he pointed ahead.

"There."

A floating island emerged from the mist.

Ruins covered it.

Stone towers.

Broken bridges.

A forest growing through the remains of an ancient palace.

At the center stood a circular tower.

Lyra recognized it.

"The Archive."

Kael nodded.

"What is it?"

"Old records."

"About the Heart Lantern?"

"About everything."

They landed.

The island was silent.

Too silent.

No birds.

No insects.

No wind.

Lyra climbed down.

"Where is everyone?"

"There is no one."

"Then why is the archive still here?"

"Because nobody has found a reason to destroy it."

Inside the tower, thousands of books filled the walls.

Maps.

Scrolls.

Crystal tablets.

Lantern records.

Lyra's eyes widened.

"This is incredible."

Kael walked to the center.

"There."

He pointed toward a locked cabinet.

Lyra approached.

The lock bore the symbol of the Lantern Keepers.

She touched it.

The lock opened.

Inside was a single book.

The title had been burned away.

Lyra opened it.

The first page contained one sentence.

THE HEART LANTERN DOES NOT CREATE LIGHT.

She turned the page.

IT REMEMBERS IT.

Another page.

AETHERIA FLOATS BECAUSE ITS PEOPLE REMEMBER WHY THEY BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER.

Lyra frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Kael didn't answer.

She turned another page.

A drawing appeared.

The Heart Lantern.

Beneath it:

Every memory surrendered becomes a flame.

Lyra's heart sank.

"People's memories..."

"Yes."

"They're being used."

Kael nodded.

"That's why the lanterns are dying."

"Because people are forgetting."

"No."

He pointed toward the black sky.

"Because something is taking the memories."

Lyra suddenly heard whispering.

She looked around.

The lanterns hanging in the archive were speaking.

Thousands of voices.

Help me.

Remember me.

Don't forget.

Please.

Lyra covered her ears.

Kael grabbed her shoulders.

"Lyra."

She looked at him.

"Listen to me."

The whispers became louder.

"Lyra."

"What?"

"Don't listen to them."

"Why?"

"Because some memories aren't yours."

The lanterns began flickering.

One by one.

The voices became distorted.

Then one lantern whispered clearly:

"Your mother is waiting."

Lyra froze.

"Where?"

The lantern went dark.

Kael pulled her away.

"We leave."

"No."

"Lyra."

"My mother is alive."

"We don't know that."

"The lantern said..."

"Lanterns lie."

She stared at him.

"You told me they contain memories."

"They do."

"Then why would that one lie?"

Kael looked uncomfortable.

"Because someone can put a false memory inside a lantern."

Lyra stared at the dead flame.

"Who?"

Kael looked toward the western sky.

"The people who built the Heart."

A sound came from the doorway.

Footsteps.

Both turned.

A figure stood in the darkness.

Wrapped in a gray cloak.

Face hidden.

Kael drew his sword.

"Who are you?"

The figure lifted one hand.

A black feather fell to the floor.

Then the figure vanished.

Lyra stared at the feather.

"What was that?"

Kael's sword remained drawn.

"The first warning."

"Warning of what?"

He looked at her.

"That we're already too late."