The elevator doors opened not into another sky-plate or shattered ruin.
But into a citadel.
Built into a mountainside that seemed to stretch forever into the clouds, Floor 504 resembled the heart of a war-scarred empire—massive stone keeps, dark iron bridges, and banners too tattered to bear names. At the center stood a towering hall, its gates left open… as if someone knew they were coming.
Kael looked around as they stepped out. "This place is fortified. Shielded. Every structure's layered in old sigils."
Aris rested a hand on her blade. "That means someone's still maintaining them."
Leon said nothing, but he could feel it—eyes.
Watching.
Judging.
