White-gold residue inside the avatar pin weakened while Ferra held it above the prayer-case recess. Its downward lean remained fixed through the shelf base, ignoring Gazel's fitted oath channel plus every preservation line around it.
"This trace belonged to the dead core, not the royal metal," she said, closing four disconnected faces around the pin, "when it crumbles, we lose the direction it still remembers."
Both recorders sealed a continuation receipt before moving the evidence from its inspected position. The commission mark opened only the relevant western route beneath the archive.
Hajin followed beside Ferra with Divine Eye narrowed upon the fading residue. His strapped right arm kept Phase Lock unavailable throughout the entire descent.
Juna cleared the lower stair while Eirwen stayed with Didi at the restricted foundation boundary. Vella joined the recorders because the route crossed the infirmary level holding the child's treatment trace.
