The dragon engraved across the doors opened its eyes.
Gold spread through the carving in a slow, carefully crafted line, filling the scales, the claws, and the curve of its wings before sinking into the imperial crest beneath it.
The first lock released.
Then the second.
The sound traveled through the doors like a deep mechanical breath.
Layer after layer disengaged, thirty-two wards unfolding in precise sequence around Arik's hand. None resisted him. None hesitated. The sovereign ether moved through them as though it had never been absent.
Liam leaned closer.
"They are not merely recognizing your signature."
Arik glanced at him. "What are they doing?"
"Updating around it."
Severin's expression sharpened.
The final ward dissolved.
The doors opened to the inside, the rooms behind it looking like Goliath never left.
