"You certainly are. But for the rest of us, that portal seems helpful. Barik, would you mind being the test run? We ought to tell the Iron Marshal what happened, and you can return - I think. I saw a portal like this, glowing, before we were sent up here."

"Certainly, Fatebinder. What should the message be?"

"That - hmm. That ending the Edict seems to have woken the Spire in some way, and under the circumstances I'm claiming it and the Hall itself, in the name of Tunon's Court. At least until we understand it better. Capturing the outer rings of the fortress were her work and those can of course be Disfavored territory if she or the General wish it. Details can be worked out later."

"I doubt she will be entirely pleased, but it seems a reasonable division. Very well, I will tell her." He starts to walk to the portal, but the light in it vanishes when he's two paces away.

"Ah. A problem."

"Looks like it doesn't like you."

Lantry slowly traces a large sigil in the air, then peers around. "No, I think it's something else. The energies are fading, drifting toward the center."

Kohl tilts his head, like he's trying to hear a distant song better. "And toward me, am I right? The statue is - singing." He takes a couple steps toward it.

(Celes doesn't actually have any special advantages in discerning magical flows. She'll just see how this plays out.)

Lantry nods. "I would advise caution. A great deal of magic is moving, here, and I understand almost none of it. On the other hand..."

"...should perhaps trust the new instincts? You may chronicle my explosion, if not."

He reaches out to the sculpture. "What is this thing?"

"...is this thing...", comes an echo, though who knows from where. It sounds a bit like there are multiple voices in faint harmony.

In a few moments of silence, the currents of magic swirl further, then with a pulse-

Kohl's eyes open, refocused. "I felt the Spire like my own body. And heard other Spires calling out to it."

The air has grown suddenly warmer and thicker, like it was merely the top of a hill, not twice the height of mountains. All the braziers on the low walls and small pillars that surround the Spire's top are lit, flickering, and so is the portal, much steadier than before.

Has the apparent distance to the ground changed if she looks over the side?

Not at all. When right at the edge, even tiny gusts of wind seem to bring air that's slightly thinner and chillier, though, 

Some kind of climate control enchantment, then. Maybe a security measure? Secondary check?

"Next time you'll know what to touch to keep the door open."

"I suppose I will. If they all have one of these."

"Shall I pass the message?"

"Please. But add that I seem to be bonded to the Spire in some way. Thank you."

He nods, and vanishes into the portal.

Captain Arri coughs, and spits blood. She's looking very close to death.

"...Our prisoners. If you surrender," Kohl tells her, "we could still heal you."

"Fuck that, tyrant. I'll die free."

"Better to wish to live free, I'd think. But if you'd prefer it this way, I can oblige." She strides over behind the kneeling woman and snaps her neck in a swift motion. Plucking a small knife from her sleeve, Celes thrusts it into the fresh corpse's chest with a crunching sound, through the heart. Withdrawing it, she brings the blade up to her face to admire for a moment, before licking the tip clean of blood.

"I've given you plenty of reason to kill me, but unlike the captain I'd rather serve than die. Spare me and I'll swear myself to you."