Silence consumed the prison.
No one moved.
No one dared.
The man standing beyond the shattered gate radiated an authority that needed no throne.
---
King Asterion.
The name alone carried the weight of forgotten centuries.
---
His crimson eyes swept across the chamber.
The ancient Guardians lowered their weapons.
One by one...
They knelt.
---
Roman's expression hardened.
"They're bowing to him."
---
Caelum didn't look away from Asterion.
"They were created to protect the King."
---
Asterion's gaze finally settled on Caelum.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"You've grown older, my friend."
---
Caelum lowered his head.
"I failed you."
---
Asterion shook his head.
"No."
"You survived."
---
Artyom stepped forward before anyone could stop him.
"Who are you... really?"
---
Asterion looked at him for a long moment.
Not as a stranger.
As family.
---
"I am Asterion Vesper."
"The first crowned ruler of the First Family."
---
His eyes softened.
"And your ancestor."
---
A quiet breath escaped Artyom.
"So everything... was real."
---
"It was."
---
Viktor remained at Artyom's side.
His hand rested close to his holster.
He trusted Artyom.
But he didn't trust a man who had spent centuries sealed beneath a mountain.
---
Asterion noticed.
"You protect him."
---
"I do."
Viktor's answer came without hesitation.
---
Asterion nodded once.
"Good."
"He will need someone who protects the person..."
A pause.
"...not the crown."
---
Before anyone could respond...
A loud explosion shook the Sanctuary.
Stone fell from the ceiling.
---
Dmitri's communicator crackled.
"The outer defensive barrier has collapsed!"
---
Yelena looked toward the prison entrance.
"They're inside."
---
Far above...
The Eclipse Order poured into the Sanctuary.
Black-armored soldiers clashed with the awakened Guardians.
Steel rang against ancient blades.
The city beneath the mountain became a battlefield.
---
The masked commander entered through the broken gates.
His eyes burned with purpose.
---
"Find the King."
---
"No matter the cost."
---
Back in the prison...
Nikola arrived, breathing heavily.
His coat was torn.
A thin line of blood crossed his cheek.
---
"The cloaked intruder escaped."
He looked at Asterion.
Then froze.
"So..."
"...they succeeded."
---
Asterion slowly turned toward the distant sounds of battle.
He closed his eyes.
For a brief moment...
He looked unbearably tired.
---
"When I was sealed away..."
he said quietly,
"...I believed it would save the world."
---
His crimson eyes opened again.
---
"It seems..."
---
"...I was wrong."
---
He stepped past the broken prison gate.
Ancient silver markings across his robes began to glow.
The air itself seemed to bend around him.
---
Caelum whispered,
"He's going."
---
Roman frowned.
"Where?"
---
Asterion looked toward the heart of the Sanctuary.
---
"To end the siege."
---