The corridor beyond the Chamber of the Preserved sloped steadily downward. Unlike the upper tunnels, the stone here had changed.
The black rock threaded with crimson crystal gradually gave way to smooth walls of dark gray stone polished so perfectly that they reflected the faint glow of Lilith's crystal.
There were no signs of tools, chisel marks, or seams between blocks. It looked as though the passage had been formed from a single piece of stone.
Neither ruler spoke. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed through the endless corridor as they descended further beneath the mountain.
The whispers returned almost immediately. At first they remained little more than distant murmurs carried upon an invisible breeze, then they grew louder. Every dozen steps made the voices clearer.
Lilith frowned but continued walking. The whispers reached her ears, yet they failed to stir her emotions. She recognized them for what they were, attempts to draw attention.
