Morning in Karak-Zorn was never a matter of silence. The city existed in a perpetual state of industrial resonance—the rhythmic, thunderous thuds of pneumatic sledgehammers from the lower districts and the constant, high-pressure hiss of steam escaping from gargantuan brass valves created an eternal, mechanical orchestra. It was the "Stone Breath," a reminder that the heart of the mountain never stopped beating. However, inside the lavishly carved guest suite reserved for the "Honorary Guest," the silence was thick, cold, and heavy with unspoken tension.
