The entire platform seemed to hold its breath as Strax approached the pillar of black ice.
The air grew heavier.
Denser.
As if every particle awaited his decision—or feared what was about to happen.
Mercedes felt her skin crawl immediately.
Her instinct screamed to retreat.
It wasn't just mana there.
It was essence.
Draconic essence.
Ancient.
Authoritative.
Alive.
The pillar vibrated like a sealed heart.
The black ice pulsed in gentle waves—thump…thump…thump…—a slow cadence, but so deep it seemed to reverberate within the bones.
Mercedes brought her hand to her mouth.
"This… this isn't an artifact. This is—"
"A reservoir." Strax finished, without even looking at her.
His voice sounded deep.
Concentrated.
Almost… anxious. As if he were facing something that finally demanded his true attention.
The pillar's surface reacted immediately when he stopped before it.
Runes, extinguished for centuries, lit up like eyes opening after an eternal sleep.
