Ostarius
The gateway peeled open like a page turning through space, shimmering with a low hum that faded as they stepped through.
In one moment, they were in the forest.
In the next—
—stone arches, silver walls, and the vast, empty interior of Ostarius.
Still.
Quiet.
Echoes stretching like soft ghosts across the floor.
Eli stumbled slightly as the world settled back into real motion, blinking at the vast chamber around him. His brother was still in Aurora's arms—unconscious, breathing softly.
They were alone. Or so it seemed.
Eli looked up at her. "Where… is this?"
Aurora didn't answer right away. She just kept walking forward, her bare feet tapping gently on the stone. Her dress still drifted like it wasn't bound by air. She moved like someone who had done this a hundred times before—no hesitation.
