The roar echoed through the ancient city.
Not once.
Not twice.
Again.
Deeper this time.
As though the mountain itself had awakened.
---
The golden lights of the Sanctuary dimmed for a brief moment before returning to normal.
No one spoke.
Every instinct in the room screamed that whatever lay beneath them...
was alive.
---
Artyom looked toward Caelum.
"You said the Sanctuary wasn't built to keep enemies out."
His voice was steady.
"It was built to keep something in."
"What is it?"
---
Caelum remained silent for several seconds.
Then he answered.
"A mistake."
---
Roman frowned.
"The First Family made mistakes?"
---
Lucien let out a quiet breath.
"Even the greatest empires do."
---
Caelum turned toward the center of the hall.
"Long before the Volkovs, the Sokolovs, or the Morozovs existed, the First Family united nations through trust rather than fear."
"We believed peace could last forever."
---
His expression darkened.
"We were wrong."
---
Another tremor shook the city.
Dust drifted from the ceiling.
---
Dmitri checked the Sanctuary's ancient control panel.
Lines of unfamiliar symbols continued to appear across the crystal display.
"The defensive barriers are weakening."
---
Nikola looked toward the sealed entrance.
"They're making progress."
---
"They won't enter easily," Caelum replied.
"But every attack weakens the mountain."
---
Valentin stepped beside one of the glowing crystal pillars.
His reflection shimmered across its surface.
"These people..."
He looked at Caelum.
"Did they know this would happen?"
---
Caelum nodded.
"They chose to protect the Sanctuary with their final breath."
---
Silence settled over the chamber.
---
Mikhail folded his arms.
"So what's the plan?"
---
Roman answered first.
"We find whatever the Sanctuary has been hiding."
---
"And secure it before anyone else does."
---
Elara's spirit looked toward Artyom.
"There is a place only you can enter."
---
The walls behind the throne slowly shifted.
Ancient stone moved with a deep grinding sound.
A hidden passage revealed itself.
Unlike the rest of the Sanctuary, this corridor was untouched by light.
Only faint silver markings glowed along the floor.
---
"The Hall of Memories," Caelum said quietly.
"It records the history of every heir."
---
Artyom stepped toward the entrance.
Viktor followed without hesitation.
---
Caelum raised a hand.
"Only the heir may enter."
---
Viktor stopped.
His eyes remained fixed on Artyom.
---
Artyom turned back.
"I'll be fine."
---
Viktor gave a single nod.
"I'll be waiting."
---
Artyom crossed the threshold.
The passage sealed behind him with a low rumble.
Darkness surrounded him.
Then, one by one, silver flames ignited along the walls.
Ancient murals stretched into the distance.
Kings.
Queens.
Warriors.
Children.
Every generation of the First Family.
At the very end of the corridor stood a single door.
Unlike the others, it bore no symbols.
Only one inscription.
"To know the future, you must first accept the past."