Four quiet days melted into the basalt shadows of the underground refinery.
Outside, the Sector Four coal depot remained completely deserted. Deputy Warden Vorg and his soot-stained enforcers were still three miles away in Sector Six, aggressively dismantling merchant warehouses in search of imaginary rebels.
Down inside the dry lava tube connecting Sector Four to Sector Two, the air was warm, dry, and thick with the faint scent of sulfur ash.
Princess Valeria led the way through the narrow volcanic tunnel.
Her royal guard captain and Elder Sterling flanked her on either side, moving in low crouches with their breath held steady. Behind them walked Sera Thorne, carrying a light wicker hamper, and Kaelen Vance, who strolled along with his hands tucked into the deep pockets of his faded cotton bathrobe.
Beneath his black silk blindfold, Kaelen yawned softly.
His Fallow Slate hovered in his quiet sea of consciousness.
[STAGE 3 ACTIVE TRACK ACCUMULATION REPORT] [TRACK 1 (CULTIVATION VESSEL): 1,201h 09m (12,020x, 7,210x MILESTONE SEAL LOCKED)] [TRACK 2 (MARTIAL COMBAT): 1,212h 10m (12,130x, 7,210x MILESTONE SEAL LOCKED)] [TRACK 3 (ALCHEMY & COMPREHENSION): 236h 00m (237x)] [STATUS: True Fallow State ACTIVE] [COUNTDOWN TO 240h MILESTONE SEAL: 4 HOURS 00 MINUTES]
