As soon as the medallion was placed on the altar, the entire platform began to tremble, like the stirring of an ancient giant, awakening from a deep slumber.
They all had different reactions to this phenomenon. Some, like Astrid, Emily, and Alice, quickly prepared themselves for anything as they gazed around with cautious frowns. Erik, Emma, and Elora, in contrast, were calm, and simply curious to witness this ancient mechanism at work.
Naturally, Emma's calm came mostly from her proximity to Erik, while Erik simply refused to believe that whatever his mother had left him would cause them harm.
Either way, however, anticipation hung heavy in the air.
After a few moments of shaking, a deep rumbling echoed from below, and the platform suddenly began to move.
Or, rather, it began to sink.
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