They ascended the spiraling bone staircase, the silence heavy between them. Mela was the first to speak, her voice a sharp hiss in the quiet.
"So, human, what is the plan for the next room? Are you going to swing from the ceiling again, or do you have an even more idiotic trick this time?"
Nox did not look back at her. 'She's still annoying. At least she's consistent.'
"My plans work," was all he said.
Serian moved a little closer to him, her voice quiet. "Nox, that power you used… the way you changed. It was not just an upgrade, was it? Something fundamental is different about you."
He just shrugged. "The System rebooted. It's more efficient now."
They reached the top of the stairs and stepped into the third chamber. It was a perfect, circular room, completely empty. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all made of the same polished black stone, featureless and smooth. The only object was another iron door on the far side.
