The approach to the Cathedral was deceptively easy. There were no walls, no guard towers, no magical barriers humming in the air. The path was lined with white flowers that smelled sickly sweet—Funeral Lilies.
"No guards," Seraphina's voice whispered in Alvian's ear via the communication crystal. She was scouting ahead, invisible. "It's wide open. The front doors are unlocked."
"It's a trap," Valeria muttered, walking beside Alvian. She had drawn her claymore now, the blade resting on her shoulder.
"It's arrogance," Alvian corrected. "He believes he is untouchable. He believes his 'flock' protects him."
They reached the grand steps of the Cathedral. The structure was magnificent, a testament to what magic could build in a short time. White marble pillars soared a hundred feet into the air. But as Alvian got closer, his [Tablet of the Earth Core] passive vibrated violently.
He touched a pillar.
[System Analysis: Material Scan.]
