Level Eleven: Crucible of Mirrors - 543 Meters to Center
Step. Step. Step.
The rhythm of their movement created patterns in the acoustic map—click-splash-click—four sets of footfalls against liquid-solid surface that shouldn't exist. Yoo's enhanced perception tracked each person through sound alone:
Han: three meters behind, left flank. Breathing elevated but controlled. Heart rate: 89 bpm. Blade drawn.
Kairos: two meters right. Massive bulk creating acoustic shadow. Scales scraping against mirrors as he navigates tight corridors. Heart rate: 34 bpm (draconic baseline).
Corvus: four meters behind, center. Breathing: too controlled. Forced calm. Heart rate: 112 bpm. Whatever he's carrying on his back shifts weight with each step—metallic scraping sounds.
And me: eyes closed, doubled pupils spinning behind eyelids, processing the heartbeat's echoes.
THUMP-THUMP. THUMP-THUMP.
