ISLAND OF DESIRE: REJECTED HEIRESS
Above it hung an opening like eye‑window, where faint beam of sky‑light fell straight down.
Around it, the floor formed three equal curving paths meeting exactly at base.
And waiting there the strongest guardians yet.
They stood taller than any before: built like pillars of living granite, arms thick as tree‑trunks, eyes burning deep fiery‑orange instead of yellow. Beside them swarmed dozens of Smoke‑Stalkers, sliding like dark ribbons, filling every shadow.
“Chamber of Balance,” Kael identified gravely. “The hardest test.”
They did not rush they advanced slowly, methodically, intending to wear us thin.