A wave of Quylla’s hand conjured the partial schematics of the six-winged form of the Prime Engine.

“How come the tower knows how to deal with the powers of an evolved human? How come the surface of the Engine turned emerald green exactly like it happened to Morok’s and Ryla’s skin?”

“Damn, you’re way smarter than I thought, Quylla.” Lith sighed. “And I already thought quite highly of you. Sadly, this is not my secret and it’s not mine to share.”

Everyone turned to Ripha. Lith’s influence may have modified the tower’s enchantments, but it was the First Ruler of the Flames who had laid their foundations. Without her, none of what Lith had achieved would have been possible.

’Mom, I know that Uncle Val was your friend, but these people are our friends. We can trust them. Also, you’ve heard Quylla. After witnessing the Engine’s full power, they no longer believe our cover story for our theory of how humans are supposed to channel Spirit Magic.

’I know we were supposed to keep the Prime Engine’s pseudo-apex form a secret, but we didn’t reveal it on purpose. We had no idea the tower could reach that level without using Extinction, nor that it would react to Ryla’s eyes.’

’Nor did I, and I’m the one who created the tower.’ Menadion inwardly sighed. ’I’m not blaming you, Epphy, it’s just that I don’t want to taint the memory of Valeron the First. There is a good reason he never appeared in public in his apex form.