The three mouths closed.
Stone hissed. Veins of obsidian lit from within.
They waited for dust that didn't rise.
A pane slid across the dark like a lid.
[Corridor Toll]
[Balance due: 3 victories]
[Payment accepted: Memory, Skill Charge, Title Effect, Fear Fragment, Oath]
No one spoke.
Ace set the butt of his spear down and listened to the floor. The hum under the stone felt patient.
"It wants a price," he said.
Seraphina watched the glow gather in thin lines. "What kind."
[Payment must be something you keep]
[Payment must be something that keeps you]
Tyler rubbed his jaw. "I can loan time. [Command: Borrow.] Interest later."
He drew the sign. The air took it and pushed it back.
[Payment rejected]
[Reason: Borrowed things return to their owner]
Something stepped out of the left wall. It had Tyler's outline and nobody's face.
[Interest Collector spawned]
