The Tower of Breath rose from the pale grass in deep crimson stone that seemed to breathe with a slow, independent rhythm.
Orin stood at the base and spoke the first law clearly enough for every member of the core to hear.
"The air inside grows denser with every chamber. You cannot climb on individual strength. Each level demands a different combination of the physiques present. Fail to combine correctly and the chamber will not open upward. Fail too many times and the tower will expel the entire group or worse. There is no time limit except the one your lungs impose."
She looked at me once, silver eyes calm, then stepped aside so the carrier of the advanced Cursed Nebula Physique entered first.
