More complicated.
Five rings instead of three.
“Okay,” Bron says quietly. “Strategy time.”
I study the pattern.
My brain starts mapping possibilities.
“Outer two rings clockwise,” I say slowly.
He moves them.
The symbols align halfway.
“Middle ring counter.”
Click.
The gate shudders.
“Inner rings—both left.”
He twists them simultaneously.
For a moment nothing happens.
Then the lock releases with a deep mechanical thud.
The final climbing panel slides open.
Bron grins.
“Nice.”
We scramble up the last section together.
The finish platform sits just above us.
Bron reaches it first and swings himself over the edge.
Then he leans down and extends a hand.
“Come on.”
I take it.
His grip is firm, steady.
He pulls me up onto the platform.
The horn blasts.
The scoreboard lights up.
First place.
The crowd erupts.
