The group moved onward.
Toward the Star Dais.
The spiral walk narrowed again until it was barely more than a tight ribbon of light, just wide enough for a single pair of feet.
There was no space for retreat. No space for hesitation.
One step at a time, they advanced.
None of them dared look back.
Eventually... the narrow path opened into a small platform suspended above the mirrored cosmos, a lonely island of starlight encircled by a translucent barrier.
No other practitioner had reached this height.
Eirene lifted her gaze toward the runes drifting above the platform:
[ WHEN MOTION AND SELF CANNOT AGREE,
THE BODY SHALL BE STILL UNTIL THEY DO. ]
A soft, collective breath left them.
Just then—
Lucien's reflection trembled beneath his feet…
…and rose.
Another him stood before Lucien.
It did not lunge.
It didn't bare fangs, didn't attack, and didn't distort into something monstrous.
It simply stood.
