Darin and Mira had just left the Forgotten Forest when they heard the screech.
"Behind us!" Mira shouted.
Darin turned—and saw a shadow speeding toward them. It looked like smoke mixed with metal, with glowing red eyes and long claws.
"A Time Wraith!" Mira yelled. "Run!"
They ran through the open fields, heading toward a giant bridge made of gears and pipes. It stretched high into the sky, turning slowly with loud clanks.
Darin's heart pounded. "We're going up there?!"
"It's the only way to the next shard!" Mira called back.
They jumped onto the bridge. The gears beneath their feet spun and clicked. The metal path shook, making every step tricky.
"Careful!" Mira warned. "Some gears speed up time. Others slow it down!"
Suddenly, the air shimmered around Darin. Everything around him started moving faster—Mira, the Wraith, even the wind.
"Whoa!" he said, stumbling.
Then he remembered the speed charm on his belt. He grabbed it and pressed the symbol. A zap of energy filled his legs, and time returned to normal—for him.
"I can do this," he said to himself.
The Time Wraith reached the bridge, claws scraping the metal.
Darin spun around, raising his wrench.
"Get back!" he yelled.
The Wraith lunged, but Mira threw something—another gear charm. It exploded with a burst of light, sending the creature flying backward.
It vanished into smoke.
Darin panted. "That... was too close."
Mira smiled. "Good job. You're getting stronger."
They crossed the rest of the bridge and reached a platform high in the sky. In the middle was a small glowing pedestal.
Darin stepped forward. The second Time Shard floated above it, spinning slowly.
He reached out and took it.
Two shards now.
"We're one step closer," Darin said, proud.
"Yes," Mira said, "but the next realm is even harder."
Darin looked out at the clouds in the distance.
"I'm ready."