The realization settled heavily over the chamber, and Kael's expression darkened as he looked around the underground room.
"Then this shrine really is only part of the process."
"Yes."
Kade stepped away from the wall and turned toward the commander. "Photograph every symbol before anything is moved. I want copies sent to the Royal Archives and to the scholars who specialize in ancient inscriptions."
"Yes, Royal Alpha."
Before the guards could continue, another voice came from the opposite side of the chamber.
"We found something else."
Kade turned and saw another guard kneeling beside one of the stone pillars, where several thin lines had been uncovered beneath the moss and dirt. As the surrounding surface was cleared, the lines gradually connected into another symbol, and Kade immediately recognized its shape.
It was almost identical to the mark he had found beneath the statue.
"That's the same symbol," Kade said, his expression becoming colder.
