The crystal's light spread across the chamber.
One by one, the thousands of floating crystals dimmed until only a single path remained illuminated.
Artyom followed it in silence.
At the end of the Hall of Memories stood a circular room unlike the others.
There were no murals.
No statues.
Only a stone pedestal.
Resting upon it was an ancient journal bound in white leather.
Its cover bore the same symbol that had appeared beneath Artyom's feet when his power awakened.
---
As he reached out, the journal opened on its own.
The pages turned rapidly before stopping at the first entry.
The ink shimmered with silver light.
Then a voice echoed through the chamber.
Calm.
Steady.
Ancient.
---
"If these words have reached you... then my blood still lives."
---
Artyom looked around.
There was no one.
Only the voice.
---
"I am Caelum Vesper, the First King of the First Family."
"If you stand here today, then our greatest fear has come to pass."
---
Images appeared above the journal.
A vast kingdom stretched across mountains and rivers.
People from different lands lived together within its walls.
There were no banners of war.
No armies marching.
Only peace.
---
"We built this kingdom not through conquest, but through unity."
"For generations, our bloodline was entrusted with preserving balance among the great families."
---
The peaceful vision slowly darkened.
Smoke rose in the distance.
Cities burned.
War spread across the land.
---
"Power attracts those who seek to control it."
"Some believed our blood should rule the world."
"Others believed it should be erased forever."
---
The vision changed once more.
Several noble figures stood in a grand hall.
Their faces were hidden by shadows.
They argued fiercely.
One of them slammed a hand onto a stone table.
Another quietly walked away.
---
"The greatest threat to our family did not come from outsiders."
"It came from those who once called themselves our allies."
---
Artyom frowned.
"So the betrayal began inside the kingdom..."
---
The journal's pages turned again.
---
"When the war became impossible to stop, I divided our legacy."
"The Sanctuary would guard our history."
"The bloodline would disappear into the world."
"One day... the last heir would return."
---
The final page remained blank.
Until Artyom placed his hand upon it.
Silver light flowed from his fingertips.
Slowly...
New words appeared.
---
"Artyom Sokolov."
"Last Heir of the First Family."
"The Testament has accepted its successor."
---
A low rumble echoed through the chamber.
Behind the pedestal, another hidden doorway opened.
Unlike every passage before it, this one descended deeper into the mountain.
Cold air drifted upward.
Along with a strange feeling...
As though something below had been waiting.
Artyom took a slow breath.
Then stepped toward the staircase.