The gates slammed shut.
The thunder echoed through the Sanctuary.
Dust drifted from the ancient ceiling as the last ray of daylight disappeared.
They were sealed inside.
---
Dmitri checked every access panel.
Nothing.
"No signal."
He frowned.
"They've jammed every external frequency."
---
Roman walked toward the massive stone gate.
He placed a hand against it.
"It won't open."
---
Outside...
Thousands of soldiers surrounded the mountain.
Inside...
Only silence remained.
---
Artyom stood before the glowing throne.
His eyes never left Elara.
His mother.
Or rather...
the echo she had left behind.
---
"I have so many questions."
---
Elara smiled sadly.
"I know."
---
"But time is something we no longer have."
---
The golden light surrounding her flickered.
Her form became slightly transparent.
---
"This Sanctuary is powered by memory."
---
"The longer I remain..."
---
"The weaker it becomes."
---
Artyom took a step forward.
"Don't leave."
---
A mother's expression crossed her face.
Warm.
Heartbreaking.
---
"I never truly stayed."
---
Silence.
---
Viktor quietly moved beside Artyom.
Without saying a word, he rested a hand on Artyom's shoulder.
Grounding him.
Reminding him he wasn't alone.
---
Caelum approached the throne.
"It has begun."
---
Everyone turned.
---
"The Sanctuary has awakened."
---
The marble floor trembled.
Ancient gears hidden beneath the city slowly began to move.
One by one...
Thousands of crystal lights illuminated the underground metropolis.
Bridges.
Libraries.
Training halls.
Gardens untouched by time.
Everything came alive.
---
Yelena looked around in amazement.
"This place..."
---
"...is an entire civilization."
---
Lucien nodded.
"The last capital of the First Family."
---
Meanwhile...
Deep within the Sanctuary...
A massive circular chamber unlocked.
Doors untouched for centuries slowly opened.
---
Inside stood hundreds of crystal pillars.
Each contained a sleeping figure.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Perfectly preserved.
---
Valentin's expression changed.
"They're..."
---
Caelum answered quietly.
"The last citizens."
---
"They chose eternal sleep rather than surrender."
---
Artyom stared silently.
This wasn't just history.
These had been real people.
Families.
Children.
A kingdom.
---
Suddenly...
A sharp alarm echoed through the Sanctuary.
Not mechanical.
Ancient.
---
A crystal above the throne glowed crimson.
---
⚠ WARNING ⚠
Outer Defensive Barrier: 12% Integrity
---
Dmitri looked up.
"They're attacking already."
---
Roman's expression hardened.
"They're trying to break into the mountain."
---
Caelum shook his head.
"They're not attacking."
---
Everyone looked at him.
---
"They're breaking the seal."
---
Silence.
---
"The Sanctuary was never meant to keep enemies out."
---
A pause.
---
"It was built to keep something in."
---
The room went cold.
---
Artyom slowly turned.
"What do you mean?"
---
Before Caelum could answer...
A deafening roar shook the mountain.
Not from outside.
From somewhere beneath the city.
---
Every crystal in the Sanctuary flickered.
---
Elara's smile disappeared.
For the first time...
Fear crossed her face.
---
"It's awake..."
she whispered.
---
Artyom frowned.
"What is?"
---
Caelum slowly closed his eyes.
His voice was barely audible.
---
"The last prisoner of the First Family."
---