"Seven depths," Chen Wei read. "The Serpent moves through seven layers of reality."
"And we're in the seventh," Ji-yeon whispered. "The surface world, that's us, that's where we live."
"Which means it's coming from the other six," Yoo traced the circles. "Not summoned from outside, but rising from below, climbing through layers until it reaches here."
Min-seo leaned over to look and her finger hovered over the central point where all seven circles met. "What's this in the middle?"
Yoo looked closer.
The central point was darker than the rest, not just a marking but a void, a place where the mark seemed to consume light, and when he focused his enhanced perception on it the world tilted sideways and he saw—
A well.
Descending forever.
And at the bottom something vast and patient waiting for the right moment to rise.
