Chapter 245: Into the Labyrinth
The waiting room floor rumbled, vibrating with the collective roar of three hundred thousand throats.
"Thirty seconds!" the announcer's voice boomed, amplified by magic so that it rattled the teeth in my skull. "Teams, prepare for injection!"
We stood on a circular elevator platform, the twelve of us arranged in a tight defensive circle. The air was thick with nervous energy. Even Leon, usually vibrating with excitement, looked grim. He was gripping the hilt of his sword so hard his knuckles were white.
"Remember the plan," Arthur said, his voice cutting through the noise. He looked regal, the perfect picture of a leader, but his eyes flicked briefly to me. "We move as a unit. No heroics unless necessary."
"Does that apply to Leon?" Eric squeaked, adjusting his glasses.
"Especially Leon," I muttered.
"I heard that!" Leon snapped, though he didn't turn around.
Hiss.
The hydraulic locks disengaged.
"Injection in 3... 2... 1..."
