The final chain trembled.
A single crack echoed through the chamber.
Then another.
And another.
Golden light seeped through the fractures like liquid fire.
---
The cloaked intruder didn't move.
One gloved hand still rested on the ancient chain.
Behind the gate...
Something breathed.
Slow.
Patient.
Alive.
---
Above the prison...
The Sanctuary shook violently.
Crystal chandeliers swayed.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
---
Dmitri stared at the crystal console.
His voice was tense.
"...The seventh seal is destabilizing."
---
Roman's expression hardened.
"How long?"
---
Dmitri looked at the rapidly fading symbols.
"Less than five minutes."
---
Without another word, Roman turned.
"We're going down."
---
Viktor looked at Artyom.
"You stay behind me."
---
Artyom nodded once.
"I will."
But his eyes remained fixed on the glowing staircase leading into the depths.
Something...
Was calling him.
---
Far below...
Nikola moved silently through the dark corridor.
The whisper had vanished.
Only silence remained.
---
Then...
Footsteps.
Not running.
Walking.
Calm.
Confident.
---
Nikola tightened his grip on his knife.
"Show yourself."
---
A figure stepped from the darkness.
Still hidden beneath a black cloak.
Their face remained concealed.
---
"You've come too late," the stranger said.
---
Nikola's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
---
The cloaked figure laughed softly.
"A servant."
---
"Of whom?"
---
The answer came without hesitation.
---
"Of the King beneath the mountain."
---
The chamber exploded into motion.
Nikola lunged.
Steel flashed.
The stranger slipped aside with impossible speed.
Their hand struck Nikola's wrist.
His knife clattered across the stone floor.
---
For the first time in years...
Nikola was forced backward.
---
Elsewhere...
The ancient Guardians continued their march.
Hundreds of armored protectors descended toward the prison.
Not a single one spoke.
Only the sound of metal boots echoed through the halls.
---
Caelum watched them pass.
"They remember their duty."
---
Lucien lowered his head.
"I only hope we're not too late."
---
At the heart of the prison...
The final chain shattered.
CRACK!
Golden fragments scattered across the chamber.
The massive circular gate slowly began to open.
A wave of ancient power surged through the mountain.
Every light inside the Sanctuary dimmed.
---
Artyom suddenly stopped walking.
His heart pounded.
He heard a voice.
Not with his ears.
Inside his mind.
---
"My descendant..."
---
He looked around.
No one else reacted.
---
"Do not fear."
---
The voice was neither cruel nor kind.
It was... weary.
---
Viktor noticed Artyom had frozen.
"Artyom?"
---
"I'm hearing someone."
---
Before Viktor could reply...
The ground shook with terrifying force.
The prison gate opened completely.
Darkness poured from the chamber like living smoke.
---
Then...
A silhouette stepped forward.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Wrapped in torn white robes marked with ancient silver symbols.
Long silver hair reached his waist.
His crimson eyes slowly opened.
---
He looked around the prison.
Then smiled.
Not with joy.
With relief.
---
"So..."
His voice echoed through every level of the Sanctuary.
"...the world still exists."
---
Everyone stopped.
Even the Guardians.
---
Caelum stared at the man.
His face drained of color.
---
"No..."
---
Lucien whispered the name that history had erased.
---
"King Asterion."
---
Silence.
---
The silver-haired man lifted his gaze.
His crimson eyes found Artyom.
He studied him quietly.
Then...
He smiled.
---
"You have your mother's eyes."
---
Artyom's breath caught.
"You... knew her?"
---
Asterion's smile faded.
---
"I knew every child of my blood."
---
Then his expression became unreadable.
---
"And now..."
He took one slow step forward.
---
"Tell me..."
---
"Who imprisoned their king?"
---