Despite the natural features of the entrance, Kira suspected she was in the right place given the complicated set of carvings surrounding the mouth of the cave.
The symbols reminded her of the archways that dotted the surface of Ta Sa’Riel. The gates acted as a type of teleportation device, enabling those who stepped through to travel instantly from one point to the next.
It was a significant technological advancement that the Consortium was decades from replicating.
Kira couldn’t help admiring the cleverness behind its placement here. The gates would allow initiates and others access to the site for the duration of the adva ka while also denying them knowledge of the test’s exact location.
Its presence protected the site from those forces that might seek to take advantage of it.
The shadows stirred as an oshota appeared in Kira’s peripheral vision. Her synth armor proclaiming her as Roake.
The woman provided silent witness as Kira marched toward the mouth of the cave.
Kira stepped through.
A charge skated along the surface of her skin. The world tilted around Kira, depositing her into an immense corridor that reminded her of the architecture from humanity’s ancient history.
Many of those buildings had been destroyed in the war with the Tsavitee but Kira had seen pictures of them. Enough that she imagined those halls had once been infused with the same weight that came from centuries of use.
It was like a soul resided in this place. Fed by the thousands of visits from Tuann over the years. A feeling of community and connection wound through every inch of the space.
It was as comforting as it was intimidating.
A reminder that even as powerful as the Tuann were—or could be—they were still no more than a speck in the long existence of the universe. No more consequential than a tiny ant.
The floor of the hall was flat and glossy, echoing with Kira’s footsteps as she moved forward.
Columns ran the length of the avenue. Each one carved with a motif that Kira suspected belonged to a Tuann House.
Roake’s lu-ong wasn’t hard to spot among the various insignias.
Vaulted arches supported the high ceiling.
“Humans would call those a groin vault or a double barrel vault.” Amila’s voice came from the columns on the right side as she moved into view. “I always found it interesting how many terms they can use to describe the exact same thing.”
“You’re joking,” Kira said.
Amila shook her head, still staring up at the vaults in the ceiling. “You’d think but no. That’s really what they’re called. You can look it up.”
Kira narrowed her eyes at the oshota, moving further down the avenue as Amila strolled beside her. “I didn’t peg you as someone with an interest in architecture.”
The words made Kira realize how little she knew about the woman at her side.
In a strange sort of way, Kira considered Amila as a friend. Their acquaintance had been short—but memorable. The fact Kira hadn’t taken even a small bit of interest in Amila’s personal life made her realize the other might not feel the same about her.
“My family wasn’t always oshota. The first of our line helped build the Citadel and the Shining Palace.” Amila sent Kira a wink. “Humans would call this a hobby, I think. A pursuit I enjoy but not something I’d want to do every day.”
Kira returned Amila’s smile as they reached the end of the corridor. Amila nodded at the doors in front of Kira. “Your destination is through there.”
Kira started for the entrance.
Amila’s voice followed her. “There was a bet going on which initiate would be first through those doors this year. I’m happy to say Graydon and I won.”
Kira sent her a smile. “You know that means you owe me a drink later.”
Amila smirked. “Pass this and I’ll buy you all the keeva your body can handle.”
“Deal,” Kira said over her shoulder.
