The floor splits under Kynes’s stride. He leaps the widening fissure as dust pours from the ceiling, and Bren is already beyond the west arch, the glass key raised high in one hand.

A crack of stone answers her shout. Behind Kynes, the Old Hermit strains inside the cage of light, clawing at its bars as the tower groans around him.

A shadow lurches near the broken edge, then falters, the Hooded Stranger dragging themself upright with one shaking arm. Their gaze locks on the key in Bren’s hand.

The west arch yawns open to daylight and falling stone. Bren plants her feet just inside it, key lifted, waiting for Kynes to make the last leap before the summit gives way.

Kynes lands hard beside Bren, boots skidding on grit just inside the arch. The stone behind him gives a shuddering roar as another slab tears loose and vanishes into dust.

Bren snatches Kynes by the sleeve and yanks him fully through the opening. Cold daylight and wind slam into the summit, scattering the tower’s choking haze.

The Stranger lunges a step from the wrecked floor, then stops short as the edge gives another warning crack. Farther back, the Old Hermit drops to one knee inside the wavering cage, staring at the arch with raw dread.

Bren keeps the glass key raised, but her grip tightens. Beyond them, the west side of the tower begins to peel outward, stone groaning against stone.