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Light, discovered by Maxwell, behaves differently in different media. In a new study, researchers simulated a two-dimensional crystal that absorbs light and has magnetic properties. In it, light waves behave like passengers on a one-way escalator: they relentlessly move toward edges and corners, where they accumulate. The energy flow (described by the Poynting vector) is so robust that disturbances can't throw it off — the crystal structure sets the direction. Paradoxically, it's the energy losses that make light concentrate at the boundaries rather than scatter. The crystal acts like a funnel for photons, gathering them at the edges. Measurements of light intensity at the edge show a sharp increase. Previously, such effects were studied only in theory, but now this is a real object. Since light travels at a slower speed in the crystal than in a vacuum, engineers will be able to create optical chips, ultrasensitive sensors, and lasers without mirrors. Moreover, the frequency spectrum of the waves (the set of colors) is protected from distortions, confirming the unusual properties.