The prison chamber remained silent.
Artyom steadied himself, his breathing finally slowing.
The vision still lingered in his mind.
A broken crown.
A burning throne.
A voice warning him not to break the final seal.
---
Orion studied him carefully.
"The Sanctuary only reveals such visions when danger is near."
---
Artyom looked up.
"So it wasn't just a memory?"
---
Orion slowly shook his head.
"It was a possibility."
---
"Whether it becomes reality..."
He looked directly at Artyom.
"...depends on the choices you make."
---
Above them...
The Sanctuary's alarm crystals suddenly changed from crimson...
to deep violet.
---
Dmitri frowned as symbols flashed across the control panel.
"This isn't another attack."
---
Roman stepped beside him.
"What is it?"
---
Dmitri enlarged the ancient map.
Several glowing points had appeared beyond the mountain.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
---
His expression darkened.
"They've brought reinforcements."
---
Outside the Sanctuary...
The Eclipse Order had transformed the valley into a fortress.
Armored vehicles lined the mountain roads.
Observation towers rose from the snow.
Supply convoys continued arriving without pause.
---
At the center of the encampment stood a massive black command tent.
Inside...
The silver-masked commander knelt before a large holographic map.
---
A woman entered quietly.
She wore a white military uniform marked with the silver eclipse.
Her black gloves were stained with ash.
---
"The western batteries are in position."
---
The commander nodded.
"And the excavation teams?"
---
"They've reached the outer foundation."
---
A faint smile appeared beneath the silver mask.
---
"Excellent."
---
"The Sanctuary won't remain hidden much longer."
---
Back inside...
Viktor looked toward Orion.
"If they can't breach the gates..."
---
"Why aren't they leaving?"
---
Orion answered without hesitation.
---
"Because they aren't trying to enter."
---
Silence.
---
"They're trying to collapse the mountain."
---
Every face in the chamber hardened.
---
Caelum closed his eyes.
"If the mountain falls..."
---
"The Sanctuary will be buried forever."
---
"And so will everyone inside."
---
Mikhail clenched his fists.
"So they plan to destroy everything."
---
Lucien nodded grimly.
"They've realized they cannot take the heir."
---
"So they'll erase his inheritance instead."
---
Artyom looked around the prison.
At the ancient chains.
The black crystal.
The Guardian's Key in his hand.
---
He finally understood.
The Sanctuary wasn't simply a place.
It was history.
It was proof that the First Family had once existed.
---
If it disappeared...
So would the truth.
---
Artyom met Roman's eyes.
"We can't stay here."
---
Roman gave a single nod.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
---
Viktor stepped beside Artyom.
"Then we fight."
---
For the first time since entering the Sanctuary...
Artyom didn't hesitate.
He tightened his grip on the Guardian's Key.
---
"We protect this place."
---
"Together."