Seris led them through a narrow corridor behind the temple.

The passage was barely wide enough for two people.

Kael walked behind Lyra.

Seris led.

Stone walls pressed close on either side.

Ancient symbols glowed faintly beneath their feet.

Lyra whispered:

"Where does this lead?"

"Below."

"Below what?"

"The world."

Lyra frowned.

"That's not particularly helpful."

Seris glanced back.

"You ask many questions."

"I've had a very confusing two days."

"You haven't seen anything yet."

Kael chuckled.

Lyra looked over her shoulder.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing."

"You laughed."

"I breathed."

"With amusement."

"Perhaps."

She shook her head.

"You are impossible."

"And yet you keep following me."

Lyra stopped.

Kael nearly walked into her.

She turned.

"I'm following her."

"Of course."

Seris smiled.

"I like her."

Kael sighed.

"Don't encourage her."

"Too late."

For a moment, the three of them almost seemed like ordinary travelers.

Then the temple shook.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

Seris's smile vanished.

"We're out of time."

They ran.

The passage opened into a vast cavern.

A small skyship waited below.

Lyra stared.

"That's impossible."

Seris climbed aboard.

"Most interesting things are."

Kael followed.

Lyra stepped onto the deck.

The ship was unlike anything she'd ever seen.

Black wood.

Silver sails.

Hundreds of tiny lanterns built into the hull.

A glowing symbol burned on the bow.

A crescent moon surrounded by seven stars.

Lyra touched it.

A voice whispered:

"Welcome home."

She pulled her hand away.

"What was that?"

Seris looked at her.

"The ship recognizes you."

"Why?"

"Because it belonged to your mother."

Lyra stared.

Kael quietly said:

"We need to go."

A roar echoed above.

Royal ships had reached the temple.

Seris released the moorings.

The ship dropped.

Lyra grabbed the railing.

Then the sails opened.

The vessel shot through the cavern.

Up.

Down.

Sideways.

Through a tunnel beneath the floating island.

They emerged through a waterfall of clouds.

Lyra looked back.

The Temple of First Light disappeared behind them.

She turned toward Seris.

"Where are we going?"

Seris smiled.

"To the city that Aetheria forgot."