Lucas opens the vault.
He twists the handle and pulls it open.
We step through the door and enter the vault.
The room is massive. The ceiling rises far above us and the walls extend out to encompass what could be an entire treasury, and yet it's all barren and empty, crackling with so much magic even I can feel it.
A pedestal rises from the center of the chamber, marble and gold, ornate and beautiful. As if this were more altar than prison.
Floating above it, shining with pure light, is a crystal teardrop the size of a man's head. Its faceted edges reflect the light emanating from it, scattering it in rainbow patterns across the floor and ceiling.
My jaw drops as I stare at it in awe.
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
It pulses softly with light as it spins. None of us seem capable of speaking.
Without really realizing it, I find myself walking forward, a hand reaching out toward it.
