The ancient bronze altar at the center of the ziggurat stood cold beneath the vaulted ceiling.
Ye Chen walked to the foot of the sovereign's throne, stepping over the shattered basalt tiles left from the battle.
In his right palm, the ancient bronze key hummed with a warm, violet pulse that vibrated in rhythm with the subterranean ley lines below.
He reached out and inserted the key into the geometric slot carved into the central dais.
CLACK.
He turned the bronze key three times to the left, channeling a subtle pulse of his kinetic fire into the ancient mechanism.
BOOM!
A heavy, echoing rumble vibrated through the foundation of the subterranean vault.
The basalt floor around the throne split along four clean seams, slowly descending into the dark depths below like an earthen elevat
