the sun burns (8)

The last carving showed the spiral symbol alone, surrounded by jagged lines that resembled cracks or lightning. At the bottom of the staircase, she found a door. It was made of a strange, black metal that seemed to drink in the torchlight.

In its center was the spiral-and-rays symbol, etched deep into the surface. There was no handle, no visible mechanism to open it. Nadia pressed her palm against the symbol, half-expecting nothing to happen. The metal was warm under her touch. Then hot.

She jerked her hand back, but the symbol began to glow, lines of light spreading outward like veins. The door shuddered, a low hum filling the chamber.