Emery stepped closer, lifting a hand toward the pendant and channeling his spirit energy into it.
The pendant pulsed with a dim violet glow. Its shape unraveled, shifting and unfolding until it became a mechanical cube—each face divided into nine squares, six sides totaling fifty-four pieces.
He exhaled slowly, bracing himself.
"Let's break another level today."
The moment he started, the mechanical cube shifted into motion. Every small square rotated, folded, and slid underneath others, turning the cube into a chaotic, interlocking mass of constantly changing constructs. Emery narrowed his eyes, pressing his mental will against the patterns. One square lit up. Then another. Then another.
Within minutes, nearly half of them were glowing—yet progress suddenly plummeted. Every new attempt to activate a square caused another one to flicker and die.
"Tch—again."
Emery pushed harder.
