Ren steadied his breathing as he crossed the chamber. The two monumental doors stood right ahead, becoming more imposing with each step he took toward them.
The door to the left was darker in tone, built from heavy wood reinforced with iron around the edges. Every line carved into it was perfectly measured, with no pattern out of place. The geometric design reminded him of the kind of logic puzzles he used to play as a kid with Haruki. Simple on the surface, but demanding patience and focus to uncover what truly lay beneath.
The door to the right was entirely different. It was patterned in places with patches of gold, and the carvings that ran along its surface had no straight lines at all. They bent like smoke or fire, curling into shapes that suggested movement. Each time his eyes gazed in a different direction, those swirling patterns would change as well, never once keeping the same shape.
That was peculiar indeed, he thought.
