The ride took only half an hour.
They emerged at an old industrial station just outside Oban Reach, all metal beams and rusted cranes, half-buried under ivy. The coordinates from the letter led them to a single warehouse, lights faintly glowing through cracked glass panes.
Elara's grip tightened on her spear. "You're sure this is it?"
Merlin nodded. "Positive."
They approached slowly, mana senses stretched thin. The air smelled of oil and static, the scent of recent experiments.
Inside, the warehouse was massive. Old machinery lined the walls, but the center was cleared for something new.
Rows of metallic crates sat in neat lines, stamped with Invoke's emblem. The floor pulsed faintly with dormant mana circuits.
And at the far end, a single pedestal.
Resting on it was a weapon.
A sleek, silver gauntlet, identical to the one from the exam.
Elara's breath caught. "Merlin—"
He raised a hand, stepping closer. The gauntlet pulsed faintly, like it recognized him.
