A Fracture in the Bedrock

Midday heat penetrated the dry-stone wall foundation. The copper lines grew hot to the touch, vibrating with the closed current. I drove my claws into the silt pocket directly behind the hematite nodule, clearing packed clay segment by segment. A distinct click echoed. The earth fell away beneath my snout, opening into a vertical hairline fissure split cleanly through the limestone base. Through the gap, a pale violet shimmer flickered from deep within the substrate, casting faint geometric shadows against the loose gravel. Excavation target confirmed. The seam leads deeper.