The door slid open with a faint hum, revealing a chamber unlike anything Lira had ever imagined. She stepped in cautiously, and to her astonishment, the water of the lake had vanished here. The space was filled with breathable air, warm and slightly tinged with the scent of ozone and magic. Light shimmered through cracks in the ceiling, casting dancing reflections on the walls that were covered in intricate carvings, luminous glyphs, and paintings that seemed to glow from within.
Serelyth, in her human form with porcelain skin and white hair, floated in easily, adjusting to the strange air currents as though they were natural. Her red eyes swept across the room, sharp and aware. "I've seen many hidden places in my long life," she said softly, "but this… this is extraordinary. Someone maintained it with care. And somehow… it feels connected to you, little flame."
