"Are you ready?"
The Baron asked, his back still turned to the group as he stood before the reinforced obsidian door. His hand rested against the cold metal, fingers flexing in grim determination.
"Yes."
The reply came in unison, sharp and decisive.
Behind him, the assembled guards, scouts, and Resonators stood in formation, their breaths misting in the chilled air of the castle's hidden side exit.
They had already simulated this three times. Almost every step, every contingency, every possible threat had been accounted for.
The Baron exhaled, his breath a white plume in the dim torchlight.
"Then, let's begin."
With a grunt of effort, he pushed the massive door open. A slight force met his resistance, the accumulated snow of the ceaseless blizzard pressing in from the outside. But he persevered, and with a creak and a groan, a sliver of the raging storm was exposed.
