Chapter 172: Eyes in the Sky
Draven left the roaring heat of the Dwarven commercial district behind. He stepped onto one of the massive, steam-powered mechanical lifts reserved for military personnel.
He pulled the heavy iron lever, and the platform began its long, grinding ascent toward the upper Elven canopy.
The transition between the realms was usually a relief. The stifling smell of coal gave way to the crisp, clean scent of high-altitude pine.
But as the lift passed the halfway mark, something went terribly wrong.
A sudden, blinding spike of agony ripped through Draven's chest. It felt as though a cluster of jagged glass shards had just detonated inside his lungs. His vision blurred violently. The strength completely vanished from his legs.
CLANG.
Draven collapsed to his knees, his heavy iron chainmail slamming against the metal floor of the lift. He gripped his chest, gasping for air. A harsh, violent cough tore out of his throat.
