The march through the Sanctuary became a sprint.
Ancient corridors echoed with the sounds of distant battle.
Steel clashed.
Stone cracked.
The city that had slept for centuries was alive with war.
---
Asterion led from the front.
Not once did he hesitate.
Every turn.
Every passage.
He remembered them all.
---
"The Hall of Crowns is ahead," he said.
"If the Heart falls..."
He paused.
"The Sanctuary will collapse from within."
---
The group emerged into a vast circular chamber.
They stopped.
---
The Hall of Crowns was breathtaking.
Seven marble thrones stood in a circle around a massive crystal suspended above the floor.
The crystal pulsed with a soft silver light.
Countless streams of energy flowed from it into every corner of the Sanctuary.
---
Dmitri stared upward.
"So that's powering the entire city."
---
Caelum nodded.
"The Heart has protected this place since the First Family built it."
---
Suddenly...
An explosion shattered the silence.
The eastern wall collapsed.
Dust filled the chamber.
---
Black-armored Eclipse soldiers stormed inside.
Their commander walked through the smoke.
His silver mask reflected the crystal's light.
---
"So..."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"We've finally arrived."
---
Roman stepped forward.
"You won't leave with what you came for."
---
The commander tilted his head.
"I don't intend to leave empty-handed."
---
His gaze shifted.
Past Roman.
Past Viktor.
It settled on Artyom.
---
"The heir."
---
Without warning, dozens of Eclipse soldiers charged.
---
"Protect the Heart!" Asterion commanded.
---
The Guardians answered instantly.
Ancient shields locked together.
A wall of silver steel formed before the crystal.
---
Mikhail met the first wave head-on.
His punch sent one soldier crashing across the marble floor.
Another rushed him.
He threw them aside before they could raise their weapon.
---
Nikola disappeared into the battlefield.
Moments later, three Eclipse soldiers collapsed almost simultaneously.
No one had seen him move.
---
Yelena covered the eastern passage.
Her precise shots forced the enemy to retreat behind broken pillars.
---
Dmitri remained near the Heart, directing the Guardians.
"North entrance!"
"Two more on the balcony!"
"Watch your left!"
---
Viktor never strayed far from Artyom.
Every enemy who came close was met by his blade.
---
The commander watched calmly.
Almost...
Patiently.
---
Then he spoke.
"Activate Phase Three."
---
A hidden device rolled across the floor.
It stopped beneath the floating crystal.
---
Dmitri's eyes widened.
"No!"
---
The device unfolded.
Ancient runes and modern technology merged into one mechanism.
---
Caelum's expression darkened.
"They're trying to corrupt the Heart."
---
The silver crystal flickered.
Its light dimmed.
For the first time in centuries...
The Sanctuary trembled.
---
Cracks spread across the marble floor.
Several Guardians faltered.
Their movements became slower.
---
Asterion's grip tightened around his sword.
"If the corruption spreads..."
---
"The Guardians will fall."
---
Artyom looked at the struggling protectors.
At the flickering Heart.
At the people fighting to defend a home they had only just discovered.
---
He stepped forward.
"I can reach it."
---
Viktor immediately caught his arm.
"It's too dangerous."
---
Artyom met his gaze.
"If the Heart dies..."
He looked toward the ancient crystal.
"...everyone here loses their home."
---
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Viktor slowly released his arm.
---
"I'm coming with you."
---
Artyom smiled faintly.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The two of them turned toward the Heart as the battle continued to rage around them.