The group continue up the tower, following a ramp leading up from the eastern archway. The ramp climbs in a spiral and then opens up into five immense vertical chambers fanning out from the core, filled with a complex latticework of crystals. Eric climbs into the weave and nearly passes out. Meyer leads the group further up the central ramp.

At the top of the chambers, the walls close in again, the spiral ramp continues up another 30 feet and then the walls fall away again into a large room. There are several side chambers, which Meyer says should be checked. The large chamber has several panels, some in the decadent style showing some kind of ritual, and more recent panels that show the story of ’Lake’s Elder Ones’ including a picture of a plane.

One of the side chambers has many skeletons filling it, the oldest ten thousand years, but some more recent. On top are some very recent glistening male human bones. But no skulls.

In another side chamber is a slab that slopes into a tub that contains some faintly slopping liquid. Meyer strides forward to have a look and goes to take a sample of the liquid. He then throws himself back as the surface surges upwards, a huge sinuous tongue riddled with eyes and tiny screaming mouths reaches out towards him, and then slides back into the tub. Meyer is very shaken by this and cowers on the floor.

Another chamber has tools and bowls in it.

The group decides to continue up.

The ramp makes several spirals before opening out once more into the bottom of another set of tall angular chambers. One side filled with another crystal matrix, the other lost in a fleshy chaos of alien jungle. The floor is littered with piles of crystal shards and fallen rubble.

There is a trail leading from the ramp into the jungle, which the group follows. Eric collapses while examining a plant, just as the group reaches an open area where the jungle plants are knotted together and vines climb crystal struts. In and around the might plants, rising beyond sight into the mists, is a massive structure of crystal, stone and living tissue. The hideous artefact stares at the intruders from thousands of dead staring eyes.

Embedded in the fleshy frame are a great number of heads. Some are animals – birds, seals, walruses, but many are men. Most are little more than grinning skulls, but some show faint signs of life. In the centre at eye level is all that is left of James Starkweather. His lips purse and twitch in time with the pulsing of the plant. Next to it the head of Doctor Green is in a similar condition.

Lexington says “We can’t leave him like that”. Asmund agrees and raises his shotgun, shoots, and Starkweathers head is no more.
At the shot, Meyer runs away screaming, Lexington runs after him. Eric runs babbling towards the wall of heads seems to be attempting first aid. The entire jungle shudders and twitches violently. The remaining heads silently scream. The darkness overhead is filled with creaks and rustles, whistles and trills as a shoggoth throws itself through the jungle towards the intruders.