The upper levels of the tower were nothing like the depths below.
Where the lower floors had been heavy, suffocating, and crushing, the upper structure felt sharp and alert, like a watchful mind that had not yet realized its heart was already dead. Corridors branched endlessly and open void gaps that looked out into the war-torn sky beyond the core layer.
Steve moved at the front, sword resting casually on his shoulder as if this were a stroll instead of an enemy stronghold.
"So," he said while turning a corner at full speed, "anyone want to bet on how long before we accidentally blow up something important?"
Mazikeen snorted. "You already are something important. Unfortunately."
Knight said nothing. His body flashed in and out of various chambers trying to locate the runic inscription and instructions for the anchors.
They were not sneaking around.
They were hunting.
Phantoms emerged from the corridors. The first one barely finished arriving before Steve moved.
