---
The queen's herald struck a gong carved from a seashell. "By decree of Queen, retrieval expedition to void-phenomenon commences. Travel under royal aegis. Return with relics, knowledge, and the essence pool, if one truly forms. May the Ever-Spiral guide your mandibles."
Stone gates rumbled open. A tunnel mouth yawned into the dim world beyond the same eastern route Kai now marched.
Mia glanced sidelong at Thea. "Tell Your squad to keep their distance otherwise."
Thea's eyes shone like moonlit ice. "Little sissy, Distance vanishes in the dark."
They crossed the threshold together, yet very much opposed, the air tingling with the promise of blood and treasure.
From the ramparts, lesser soldiers watched the torch-lines diverge: one veering high along the obsidian ridge, the other plunging into crystal tunnels far below. Both trails pointed toward the silver scar blinking on the horizon.
