The Warden let out a silent scream that reverberated directly in Eureka's mind, threatening to sever the soul link. The Peer Fortress was batted aside like a toy, its wooden limbs splintering against the wall.

They hadn't gone far when the air grew cold. From the shadows ahead, a swarm of Biters—grotesque, floating eyeballs surrounded by gnashing teeth—materialized. Form up! Eureka commanded through the soul link.

Hold on! Eureka cried out in her physical body, gripping the edges of the table as her nose began to bleed from the mental strain. Don't let go!

As the Aster Crow reached out to claim the artifact, the ground began to shake violently. The walls peeled back like skin, revealing a massive, towering guardian made of fused stone and discarded puppet parts—a Labyrinth Warden.

Let’s go, Eureka thought, her consciousness linking with the Wandering Soul as it possessed the puppet brigade.

The soul pulsed with a warm, blue light, signaling its readiness.

Madame Marta’s voice cut through the damp air from the top of the stairs. Stop whispering to that junk and get to work, girl! The Curio won’t find itself!