The expedition column ascended a long, rolling ridge where wild grey moss blanketed the bedrock like an ancient carpet.
Near the crest of the hill, the subterranean highway intersected an ancient transit outpost half-buried beneath centuries of undisturbed soil.
A low granite knoll jutted from the hillside, revealing a thick circular hatch embedded directly into the foundational masonry.
Flanking the circular hatch were three empty sockets carved into the bedrock, their smooth interior contours entirely free of rust or decay.
Aria's analytical interface chimed softly across Hajin's wrist console, scanning the dormant architectural relics with clinical precision.
[Custodian station detected, separated orbit sockets present, infrastructure state incomplete]
The summoner knelt beside the weathered hatch, noticing immediately that the station possessed zero central locks or mechanical keyways.
