The guard led them through the narrow entrance of the watchtower without wasting time. Inside, the space was tighter than Trafalgar expected, built more for function than comfort.
Stone walls rose in a clean circle around a central platform set into the floor, its edges lined with runes that gave off a faint, cold shimmer whenever the light struck them at the right angle. Beside it stood a waist-high mechanism made of dark metal and mana crystal, smooth at the surface where a hand was clearly meant to rest.
The guard stopped beside it and bowed lightly. "Please, go ahead. You first."
Trafalgar stepped onto the platform with Lysandra beside him. The guard joined them a moment later, then turned toward the mechanism and placed his palm against the crystal plate.
Mana flowed from his hand. The runes along the platform brightened at once as a low hum rose from beneath their feet and the entire structure began to ascend with steady, controlled motion.
