The antechamber. Brass balance scales line the walls. Behind the crew, the fog slides over the staircase — and the way back is gone.

THEOEvery scale in here is an equation — a statement that two sides are equal. The pedestal wants a key.

ZARASo we test keys the way I test bolts. One at a time, no guessing twice.

MAYAPractice plate: n + 2 = 6. Only n = 4 keeps it true — 4 + 2 really is 6.

VEXCorrect. A solution is the value that makes the statement TRUE. A wrong key is a lie. The fog likes lies.

An equation says two things are equal. A solution is the value that makes it true. Substitute, then check.

TheAntechamber

The
Antechamber