The prison doors stood open.
King Asterion walked through them without haste.
Every step echoed across the ancient corridors.
Behind him, hundreds of Guardians fell into formation.
Not a single command was spoken.
They simply followed.
---
The Sanctuary responded to its king.
Crystal lanterns blazed brighter.
Ancient runes awakened along the marble walls.
Dormant mechanisms, untouched for centuries, began to turn once more.
---
Artyom watched in silence.
"So... this is what the Sanctuary was waiting for."
---
Caelum stood beside him.
"It never waited for a king."
He looked at Artyom.
"It waited for the bloodline to return."
---
Viktor glanced at Asterion.
"I still don't trust him."
---
Roman nodded.
"Neither do I."
"He may be your ancestor, Artyom, but we don't know why he was imprisoned."
---
Asterion continued walking as if he had heard every word.
Without turning around, he spoke calmly.
"You are right not to trust me."
The corridor fell silent.
"Question everyone."
"Even history."
---
The Volkov siblings exchanged brief glances.
No one expected that answer.
---
Far above...
The battle had already begun.
Guardian blades collided with Eclipse rifles.
Ancient warriors moved with precision despite centuries of slumber.
The Eclipse Order answered with disciplined formations and advanced weapons.
Neither side gave ground easily.
---
The masked commander stood at the center of the battlefield.
"Advance."
"No matter how many Guardians stand in your way."
---
Explosions echoed through the city.
Fragments of marble scattered across the streets.
Ancient statues toppled.
The Sanctuary, hidden from the world for generations, was becoming a battlefield.
---
Dmitri monitored the Sanctuary's crystal network.
"The eastern district has fallen."
He shifted another display.
"The western archive is holding."
---
Yelena reloaded her pistol.
"They're spreading too quickly."
---
Nikola stepped beside her.
"They're searching."
---
"For what?" Yelena asked.
---
Nikola's eyes narrowed.
"They aren't attacking the city."
"They're looking for something inside it."
---
Meanwhile...
Asterion stopped before an enormous circular chamber.
The doors were engraved with seven crowns surrounding a single tree.
He placed his hand against the stone.
The chamber opened immediately.
---
Inside...
Hundreds of ancient weapons rested upon crystal stands.
Swords.
Spears.
Bows.
Armor untouched by rust or time.
---
Asterion walked past every weapon.
He stopped before a simple silver sword.
No jewels.
No decorations.
Only a single line engraved along its blade.
---
Caelum smiled faintly.
"You kept it."
---
Asterion lifted the sword.
"It was never mine."
He turned toward Artyom.
"It belongs to the one who chooses to protect."
---
Artyom hesitated.
"I've never used a sword."
---
Asterion gave a small smile.
"Then today is the first lesson."
---
Viktor folded his arms.
"He isn't fighting alone."
---
"I know," Asterion replied.
Looking directly at Viktor, he added,
"And that is why he still has a future."
---
For the first time since meeting the ancient king...
Viktor's expression softened ever so slightly.
Not trust.
But respect.
---
Outside the armory, another explosion shook the Sanctuary.
The battle was drawing closer.
Time was running out.
Asterion tightened his grip on the silver sword.
"The Sanctuary has protected our history long enough."
He looked at Artyom.
"Now..."
"It's time we protect our people."