The tunnel fell silent.
Even the Custodians stopped moving.
The pale eyes in the darkness remained fixed on Artyom.
Watching.
Waiting.
---
Then...
Footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
Long black coat.
Silver hair streaked with white.
Pale eyes that seemed far older than his face.
He didn't look surprised.
He looked... relieved.
---
Lucien went completely still.
"No..."
---
The man stopped.
His gaze never left Artyom.
---
"Impossible," Lucien whispered.
---
The stranger finally looked at him.
"You've aged, Lucien."
---
The room froze.
Because the man spoke to him like an old friend.
Or an old enemy.
---
Lucien's voice was unsteady.
"You died."
---
The man smiled faintly.
"No."
A pause.
---
"I was hidden."
---
Artyom frowned.
Every sentence tonight sounded familiar.
Hidden.
Protected.
Secrets.
Lies.
---
The stranger stepped closer.
Not threatening.
Not aggressive.
---
His eyes softened.
---
"You look like your mother."
---
Silence.
Absolute silence.
---
Artyom's heart skipped.
"My... mother?"
---
Nobody had spoken about her.
Not once.
Not properly.
---
The man's expression changed.
He realized his mistake.
---
"You don't know."
---
Artyom's voice hardened.
"Know what?"
---
Before the man could answer—
The lead Custodian raised its weapon.
---
"Target confirmed."
---
It fired.
---
Everything happened at once.
---
Viktor moved.
Mikhail moved.
Nikola's knife flew.
---
But someone was faster.
---
The stranger.
---
He stepped in front of Artyom.
Raised his hand.
---
The bullet stopped.
In midair.
---
Silence.
---
Nobody breathed.
---
The bullet...
wasn't moving.
It simply hung there.
---
Dmitri stared.
"What...?"
---
Even Roman looked stunned.
---
The stranger lowered his hand.
The bullet fell harmlessly to the floor.
Clink.
---
The room remained silent.
---
The Custodians actually stepped back.
Afraid.
---
Afraid.
---
The stranger's eyes became cold.
For the first time.
---
"You dare?"
---
His voice echoed strangely.
As if another voice spoke beneath it.
---
The lead Custodian knelt.
---
Then another.
Then all of them.
---
Lucien looked horrified.
"No..."
---
Artyom looked between them.
"What's happening?"
---
Lucien swallowed.
---
"They recognize him."
---
"Who is he?"
---
A long silence.
---
The stranger turned toward Artyom.
For a moment—
He looked sad.
---
Then he answered.
---
"My name is Caelum."
---
Nobody reacted.
The name meant nothing.
---
Then Lucien spoke.
Barely above a whisper.
---
"Caelum Vesper."
---
Silence.
---
"The First Patriarch."
---
The room stopped.
---
Artyom blinked.
"No."
---
Lucien's face was pale.
---
"He founded the First Family."
---
A pause.
---
"He died over a hundred years ago."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
The stranger smiled.
---
"That is what everyone believes."
---
Nobody knew what to say.
---
Even Andrei's voice did not come through the speakers.
Even he was silent.
---
Caelum stepped closer to Artyom.
His eyes gentled again.
---
"I've waited a very long time to meet you."
---
Artyom didn't move.
Didn't speak.
---
Because nothing made sense anymore.
---
Then Caelum did something unexpected.
He bowed.
A deep, respectful bow.
---
To Artyom.
---
Everyone froze.
---
When he straightened, his voice was quiet.
---
"Welcome home..."
A pause.
---
"...my heir."
---