Silence filled the command hall.
Dmitri's words echoed through the Sanctuary.
> "The Sanctuary was built around the prison."
No one spoke.
Even Roman remained still.
---
Caelum slowly closed his eyes.
"He's right."
---
Lucien lowered his head.
"The Sanctuary was never meant to be a palace."
"It was built to be a seal."
---
Far below...
Artyom stared at the black crystal.
The cracks continued to spread.
Very slowly.
Very steadily.
As if time itself was working against them.
---
Viktor stepped between Artyom and the crystal.
"Then we destroy it."
---
"No."
Caelum's voice was immediate.
"If the crystal is destroyed now..."
He looked toward the broken chains.
"...the prison will open completely."
---
Another tremor shook the chamber.
One of the stone pillars collapsed.
Dust filled the air.
---
Suddenly...
A silver light appeared at the far end of the prison.
Unlike Elara's gentle glow...
This light was sharp.
Brilliant.
Almost blinding.
---
A figure slowly emerged.
An elderly man dressed in white and silver robes.
His long white hair reached his waist.
His silver eyes carried centuries of wisdom.
---
Caelum immediately bowed his head.
---
"Guardian."
---
Lucien did the same.
---
The old man looked at Artyom.
"So..."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"The last heir has finally arrived."
---
Artyom frowned.
"Who are you?"
---
"My name is Orion."
---
"I am the last Guardian of the Sanctuary."
---
He walked toward the black crystal.
The prison seemed to grow quieter with every step he took.
---
Orion gently placed one hand upon the crystal.
The silver light around him spread through the cracks.
For a brief moment...
The shaking stopped.
---
Viktor watched carefully.
"You've been here all this time?"
---
Orion nodded.
"Someone had to remain."
---
"To watch."
---
"To wait."
---
"And to make sure the seal survived long enough for the heir to return."
---
Artyom stepped closer.
"You've been alone..."
---
"For a very long time."
Orion smiled peacefully.
"But loneliness matters little when duty remains."
---
The smile slowly faded.
---
"I wish I could say we still have time."
---
He looked directly at Artyom.
---
"But my strength is fading."
---
The silver light surrounding him flickered.
His hand trembled against the crystal.
---
"The seal no longer answers me."
---
"It answers only you."
---
Silence settled over the prison.
---
Artyom looked at the crystal.
Then at Orion.
---
"I don't know what to do."
---
Orion reached into his robe.
He withdrew an ancient key forged from silver and white crystal.
Its shape matched the lily pendant around Artyom's neck.
---
He placed it into Artyom's hands.
---
"This is the Guardian's Key."
---
"It opens every chamber within the Sanctuary."
---
"But it also carries my responsibility."
---
Artyom looked at the elderly guardian.
"What responsibility?"
---
Orion's expression became solemn.
---
"To decide..."
---
"...whether this prison should remain sealed..."
---
"...or whether the truth inside deserves to be set free."
---
The Guardian's Key began to glow in Artyom's hands.
Across the prison...
The black crystal answered with a pulse of silver light.
The connection had begun.