The fire was ash when they rose. No sound but boots on stone. The Cathedral hadn't let them go. Kael felt it in his chest, like a chain tugging every step.
The system whispered at the edge of his mind:
[Debt to Cathedral: Active] Interest rising. Return expected.
Riven cursed under his breath. "Figures. You can't skip church here. They drag you back by the throat."
Seren scribbled on a scrap, sharp and quick: It won't stop until we answer. She pressed the note into Kael's palm. Her eyes were steady.
They walked, corridors bending toward the same weight. No matter which seam they chose, the Compass twitched them back. The Labyrinth was folding them inward.
They passed other Walkers. A pair sat slumped against a wall, eyes hollow, tokens scattered like bones. One muttered, "Paid once. Not enough. Never enough." The other just stared at the stone like it would speak back.
Kael didn't slow. If he looked too long, he'd see himself there.
The corridor widened again. Bells hung high, chains wrapped like vines. At the far end, the same altar gleamed faintly, waiting. The bridge they'd built before was gone, crumbled into the pit. Only the plate remained, hungry.
Riven groaned. "Round two. Lovely."
The system etched its message again:
[The Silent Cathedral Demands] Options: — 4 Tokens (doubled debt) — 2 Memories — 1 Name Condition: Refusal = Warden arrival
Kael's chest tightened. His pouch was almost empty. He couldn't even remember what he'd given last time. That was the cost — he couldn't recall.
Seren scribbled fast: Tokens first. Stretch them. Name never.
Riven threw down his last coin. "Fine. One step. My soul better be worth at least that much."
The bridge shivered, grew a little. Not enough.
Kael pulled the Compass free. It quivered, then spun, then pointed straight at the altar. The Key in his fist burned cold, begging to be twisted.
He knew what it would do. Lower the tide, buy them steps. But the cost would spread.
Seren's hand brushed his wrist, her note already written: If you use it, share the pain. Don't carry alone.
He looked at her, at Riven's tired grin, at the pit yawning below. The Cathedral's bells swayed, waiting for an answer.
Kael pressed the Key into the seam and twisted.
The bridge groaned forward, stone cracking like bone. Pain ripped through his chest, his throat raw, but the others staggered too. Burden shared.
The system hissed:
[Tide bent] Bridge extended. Echo -1 (group) Debt not cleared.
The altar still glowed. Still waiting.
From the shadows above, statues shifted. One leaned forward, mouth opening in silence.
Then the gong tolled.
BOOOONG.
It rattled the chains, shook the bells, and pressed down like a hand on the back of Kael's neck.
The Cathedral was awake now. And it wanted more.