ldn't have existed-a vast, sheltered basin hidden bet

A river of milky-blue glacial meltwater flowed silently. And the air hummed. The secondary rhythm Kae

whispered, his scribe-plate alive

thed, his technical zeal overriding his caution.

a city. An empire. This isn't a route through the mount

ice-axe. "Our mandate is

laim it." He signaled to the two hulking, silent guards he'd brought. Th

Song from within was mournful and majestic. It wasn't just energy. It was aware. He fel

ut his voice was l

moved to intercept, a blur of motion.

of. He slammed his listening-stone down o

SSSSSSH

of sacred harmony. The clear quartz exploded. The shockwav

ntain r

ground together above it, sealing it shut with a final, deafening boom, crushing Jaspar's guards withi