[Silthara Palace — Malika's Private Courtyard — Night]
The coronation drums still echoed throughout the empire.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Like the heartbeat of a kingdom celebrating the rise of a false king. Meanwhile far beneath the palace itself, inside forgotten underground passages buried beneath the western dungeon, Raviel and Zyvera stood before an enormous ancient stone gate.
Golden serpent symbols glowed faintly across the walls. Ancient protection spells crawled like living veins over the stone surface.
Raviel stared down at the old map spread across his hands; rainwater still dripped faintly from his dark cloak.
"…I suppose we finally found it."
Beside him, Zyvera leaned closer immediately, her eyes widening slightly. "The secret tunnel leading toward Silthara Palace?"
Raviel slowly lifted his gaze toward the sealed passage ahead. Then softly he murmured, "…looks like it."
