Silence settled over the ruins.
The great gap in the metal doorway still stood open.
Cold air flowed steadily from within, carrying the scent of ancient stone buried beneath the weight of decades.
The faint light deep inside the passage had drifted farther ahead.
Yet it had not vanished.
It glimmered dimly through the dark.
Like a guide.
Or perhaps…
A lure.
Kael stared into the corridor for a long moment.
Then he let out a heavy breath.
"I already know how this ends."
Ragnar glanced at him.
"How?"
"We go inside."
"That much is certain."
"We find something that changes everything."
"Usually the way it goes."
"And afterward, we can never rest easy again."
Ragnar gave a quiet laugh.
"That is also usually true."
Kael pointed a finger at him.
"That is exactly what worries me."
Aurelia shook her head, a faint smile touching her lips.
Though the mood felt light…
Every one of them understood that their next step carried immense weight.
