Space folded and collapsed around it as it hurtled toward its target, carrying with it enough power to unmake existence itself.
Julian stood perfectly still, watching the approach of annihilation with eyes that held no fear—only a strange, almost curious calm. Annie screamed beside him, her voice lost in the roar of approaching doom, but Julian didn't move to protect her or himself.
The ground beneath their feet began to crack and crumble. The very atoms in the air started to tear apart.
Then, just as the orb of absolute destruction was about to make contact—when it was close enough that Julian could see his own reflection distorted in its surface—everything suddenly froze.
Not just the sphere, but everything.
