Seeing that he really could interfere with the hands, Shade used the thaumaturgy Contact with the Tree Father's Shadow to confirm the exact time, then moved the three hands into their proper positions.
Sure enough, the light on the holy emblem became more distinct. Shade looked at it again and said softly:
"May the World Tree bless me throughout Infinite Time."
As soon as he finished speaking, the three hands within the holy emblem began spinning at once. The hour and second hands turned clockwise, while the minute hand turned counterclockwise. When all three overlapped at the very top, the stone door that could not be pushed open no matter what silently opened a crack.
Shade smiled and slipped sideways through the gap. Beyond the door was not a treasure chamber, but a spiraling staircase leading downward, just like the Tree Hollow in the Time Temple in the forest.
He summoned the Silver Light Orb to illuminate the area around him, first using an illusion to conceal the entrance behind him, then completely sealing it with Moonbeam Thorns. Only then did he descend the stairs. Before long, he reached the bottom. The space at the bottom of the hidden chamber was not large, and three heavy chests sat against three walls.
"The layout is rather simple. I thought it would be more extravagant."
A stone slab stood in the center of this foyer-sized space. Although Shade did not know the language, he could understand it:
A gift for those who come after. I hope you enjoy the elves' songs.
At first glance, the three chests appeared to be made of stone, but upon closer inspection, they were clearly fashioned from a special kind of wood that felt like stone. None of the ancient chests were locked, and Shade could open