Chapter 108

*Elora*

The ritual chamber was built into the heart of the mountain—older than the Haven-Ruin, older than Kezar. No doors led to it. Only descent. Step by step, breath by breath, into stone and shadow and heat. The flames along the walls burned blue here, flickering along veins of molten rune-light etched into obsidian columns. It felt like standing inside a heartbeat.

Or a tomb.

Kezar walked ahea