I stood before the seal and asked in my mind, "How do I use it, Echo?"
"Visualize a gauntlet," Echo said. "Something solid and heavy, built for striking.
Form it from light in your mind, then send that image into Ouroboros. The mark will shape the magic into something you can use."
I closed my eyes and tried to focus. The outline of a gauntlet began to take shape in my mind. The mark hissed faintly in the back of my thoughts, like a whisper pressed against my ear.
Light started to form around my hand, faint at first, then solidifying into a hard, glowing shape that wrapped tightly around my fingers and palm.
"Now," Echo said, his voice steady. "Break it."
I stepped forward and drove the glowing fist into the center of the seal.
BAM!!!
My punch sent a ripple through the wall. Cracks spread outward, the light in the runes shattering before the entire barrier broke apart in a single sharp burst.
Beyond it, another passage opened. I didn't wait. I grabbed Elara's hand and pulled her with me, both of us moving fast into the narrow corridor.
We didn't get far. Less than thirty steps in, the path ended in a solid block of collapsed stone.
I complained sharply toward Echo. "You didn't know about this?"
"…"
"You've seen this place before. You should have known there was another barrier here," I said, frustration tightening my voice.
Still, Echo gave no answer.
I let out a slow breath and turned back the way we had come. The sound of bone scraping against stone was already moving closer.
Shapes appeared in the dim light, more than before. The nearest ghoul's uneven arms scraped along the walls, leaving deep marks as it advanced.
Elara's back pressed against the rubble next to mine. The ghouls closed in, the tunnel filling with the smell of decay and the flicker of shadow and light across their bodies.
There was no space left to move, and they showed no sign of stopping.
The ghouls were almost within reach when the air behind us shifted. The barrier shimmered, light and shadow weaving together across its surface.
The ground under our feet gave way. Elara and I fell backward through a sudden gap in the rubble. A strong hand caught my arm, pulling both of us through.
The barrier surged upward again, sealing the gap behind us. The ghouls struck it with clawed hands, but the surface held firm, rippling slightly with each impact before settling.
I turned quickly, ready to face whoever had pulled us clear. Seren stood there, lowering her hand.
"You were about to get torn apart," she said, her voice calm.
Elara straightened, brushing dust from her robes. "You saved us. Thank you."
I kept my eyes on Seren. "You just happened to be here?" My voice stayed flat.
She met my gaze without flinching. "Or maybe I was following you."
Elara stepped between us before I could respond. "Whatever the reason, she's here now. We need all the help we can get."
I didn't argue, but the suspicion stayed. Seren's sudden appearance didn't feel like luck.
Seren looked toward the blocked tunnel. "If you want answers, you won't find them here."
"Let's get out of here first," I said, "Do you know the way?"
Seren nodded once.
Elara looked between us. "Then let's move."
"Follow me," Seren said. She turned and started down a narrow side passage, the dim light from the barrier fading behind us.
We walked in silence for several minutes, the tunnel winding upward. Eventually, a faint draft reached us.
The air smelled damp, mixed with putrid smell. A few turns later, we stepped out into the open.
Lowrise District. The cramped streets and worn buildings stood in sharp contrast to the polished white spires far above.
I glanced at Seren. "Why were you there? And how did you know that path?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but a scream cut through the air from a nearby alley.
"Help! Please, someone help me!"
Elara was already moving toward it before either of us could speak. Seren followed immediately.
I started after them, but pain shot through my body. My veins felt like they were burning.
The side effect was catching up to me. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to move.
I followed, the narrow street twisting until it opened into a small courtyard between crumbling stone buildings.
Two men in worn but well-kept robes stood over a boy no older than ten. The child was on his knees, clutching a small satchel to his chest.
One of the men had a hand wrapped in faintly glowing light, the kind used in enforcement spells, while the other kicked the boy's shoulder to knock him off balance.
"Unlicensed copying of verses," the one with the glowing hand said coldly. "Even a child should know that's heresy."
The boy shook his head, trembling. "It's not… I was just…"
A sharp backhand cut him off, sending him to the ground.
Elara stepped forward, voice firm. "Stop. He's just a child."
The two men turned toward her. One looked her up and down, noticing the robes and insignia. "Stay out of this. It's official business."
I want to interfere, but Echo's voice came quickly in my head.
"You've burned through your blessing. Try forcing it, and it'll tear your mana channels apart.."
I kept my hands at my sides, forcing my voice to stay calm. "Then what you suggest just watch?"
The man with the glowing hand didn't answer. He just shifted his stance, ready to use force again.
Seren moved slightly to Elara's side, her eyes fixed on the men, while Elara crouched to help the boy up.
Echo's voice came again. "Say exactly what I tell you. Use the names Hugh Mardane and Oradien Veynar.
Mention the stolen tithe gold, the false healing reports, and the deaths they covered up.
Claim you have proof. Remind them that corruption can be judged as heresy. Make it clear they can still walk away."
I took a step forward, keeping my tone even. "Hugh Mardane. Oradien Veynar.
I know about the tithe gold you skimmed from the west gate collections. I know the healing reports you filed for the Lowerrise quarantine were faked, and I know the names of the children who died because of it.
I have proof. Corruption like that isn't just a crime, it's heresy.
You can be judged the same way as any heretics. So you'd better leave now."
The man with the glowing hand froze mid-step, his face draining of color. "You're bluffing," he said, but the words lacked force, and his eyes flicked toward his partner in unease.
"Then do you want to test it out?" I asked, my gaze never leaving his.