In the vast space with no visible boundaries, countless roots extended in every direction and disappeared into the stone walls, which were densely covered with holes of every size.
At the center of the space hung an enormous sphere several kilometers in diameter. Like a cracked, shriveled walnut, its surface was covered in countless folds.
Deep within those folds, a dim crimson glow pulsed between brightness and darkness, as though it were breathing.
Gilena stood below, craning her head to look at the core hanging in midair, until the pressure it exuded forced her to lower her gaze.
"How are the preparations?"
"Everything is ready."
Another member of the Tide made an OK gesture.
Behind them stood a structure built from transparent crystal, shaped like a slender tower. Streams of light flowed slowly through the crystal, giving off a pleasant hum like wind chimes.
At the very center of the tower was a silver-white ring, roughly five or six centimeters in diameter.
They had arrived here several days earlier.
Their purpose was simple: to build this facility and calibrate the system operating within it until it reached the most perfect frequency.
Since the core was asleep, they would keep it asleep.
Even normal people woke from nightmares in a state of panic and confusion, let alone something this huge. If it were awakened directly, it would undoubtedly spell disaster for the city aboveground.
Lullaby.
That was what the Tide called it internally.
Gilena did not have much time to rest before she received a communication from Ausia.
"Yes... understood... everything is proceeding according to plan... there are no problems!"
The light screen before her faded away, and Gilena let out a soft breath.
Although everything that needed to be prepared was already in place, now that the moment had truly