The pressure from the door increased all at once.
Kael felt his fingers sink several millimeters into the stone while the two slabs tried to close over his hand. It was not only the weight of the structure. The runes spread across the entrance had recognized the mark on his arm and were now pulling his mana into the tower, trying to turn his own body into part of the mechanism.
He planted his feet more firmly on the ground.
Cracks spread beneath his boots.
"Elion."
His mother did not raise her eyes from the instruments attached to the sides of the entrance.
"I am working."
"How long?"
"Thirty seconds."
"You have ten."
"Then stop talking."
Kael gave a small smile despite the pressure. The answer was exactly what he had expected from her.
