"He didn't have to."
Kira paused, taking in his stiff expression.
"You're the other patient he treated forkipoisoning," she said in realization.
Wren held still for several seconds, before finally unbending enough to nod. "Indeed. That's how I know you're making a mistake. You're talented, probably one of the best I've ever seen. With time and training, you could be a force to be reckoned with—but only if you resist the urge to take shortcuts."
Not an option. Her mission had already been delayed enough.
Kira faced forward, her back and shoulders straight. "No."
Wren's advice held merit. Regardless of that fact, Kira was still going to ignore it.
He opened his mouth to argue, but a steady glow along the carving's lines interrupted him. Identical looks of surprise filled their faces as the blue filled more and more of the lines, the hard surface of the wall beginning to fade.
"That was quick," Kira said. She'd expected to be waiting hours. Everything she'd been able to gather about the test said it took time to complete. Devon had likely only stepped through the wall a few minutes before Kira appeared.
"Too quick," Wren agreed.
The same oppressive feeling from earlier spilled out as the wall disappeared, revealing the darkness beyond. Fingers of dread and self-doubt wrapped around Kira's heart and squeezed.
"Where's Devon?" she asked, not seeing him appear from the darkness.
Wren shook his head, his body tense as he stared into the abyss.
Kira took a step, only to find her way blocked by Wren's arm.
"Something is wrong," he said, not looking at her. His forehead furrowed as he frowned at the spot where the wall had been. "Theuhva nadoesn't open like this."
She paused as she gazed uncertainly into the room beyond. "All the more reason to investigate, isn't it?"
His expression was grave as he shook his head. "Interfering with another's trial might result in the Mea'Ave refusing you entry when it comes time for your own."
Meaning if she did this, she might not get a second chance until the next time the House trial was administered, which could be years.
Choices. Choices.
Kira stepped past the line marking the wall's previous existence. "If I turned back now, wouldn't it mean I didn't deserve to ascend anyway?"
Faint approval lingered on Wren's features as he joined her. "As long as you understand the risks."
"Don't worry. I won't blame you if anything goes wrong," she said dryly.
"No, because the only one who would be to blame is you and your damnable curiosity," Jin whispered in her comms.
Kira grimaced. He had a point.
There was a low hum as the wall coalesced into existence.
Wren touched it, seeming disturbed.
"I guess that settles the question of what we should do. Our only option now is forward," Kira said, somehow unsurprised to be cut off from their path of retreat.
It seemed fitting somehow—though she was hard-pressed to say why.
Kira started moving; Wren slow to follow. Their footsteps echoed in the cavernous space. The chamber was Tuann made, the same stone that formed the rest of the fortress had been used to create this place as well.
That was where the resemblance ended.
