Julian felt the distinct, powerful pulse of the Aetherium Eye emanating from beneath the Sealing Stone. It was a magnet to his Core, a promise of vast new power, but also a terrifying risk. He knew the Konsili would extract it. And he knew he could not let that happen. He watched the stone, feeling the Eye's presence growing, a silent, powerful call from the depths of the earth, just waiting to be unleashed.
Elara’s voice, a tight whisper, broke through the thrumming Aetherium in his ears. "They're almost through, Julian. Markov is pushing them hard. Another five minutes, perhaps, and they'll expose it completely."
Julian's gaze flickered from the huge, circular Sealing Stone at the bottom of the trench to Dr. Markov, who stood at the trench's edge, her silhouette sharp against the flood
