The war council assembled in the Sanctuary's Grand Hall.
Ancient maps hovered above a circular stone table.
Silver lines marked hidden tunnels beneath the mountain.
Red markers surrounded every entrance.
The Sanctuary was completely encircled.
---
Roman studied the battlefield.
"They've cut every supply route."
---
Dmitri adjusted the map.
"They've also placed explosives along the northern ridge."
---
Nikola spoke quietly.
"They're not preparing for an assault."
"They're preparing a collapse."
---
Mikhail rested both hands on the table.
"Then we hit them first."
---
Yelena looked toward Artyom.
"The decision is yours."
---
Every eye in the room turned to him.
Not because he was the youngest.
But because he was the heir.
---
Artyom remained silent.
Then he looked at the ancient map.
"There has to be another way out."
---
Caelum stepped forward.
"There is."
---
With a wave of his hand, a section of the map shifted.
A hidden passage appeared beneath the mountain.
---
"The Founder's Passage."
---
Lucien nodded.
"It hasn't been opened in centuries."
---
"It leads beyond the siege."
---
Roman folded his arms.
"Can everyone use it?"
---
Caelum shook his head.
"It was designed for the royal family."
"The path is narrow."
"It won't move an army."
---
Silence settled over the table.
---
Viktor broke it.
"We don't need an army."
---
"We need a strike team."
---
Roman looked around the room.
Then nodded.
"Agreed."
---
Dmitri immediately began listing assignments.
"Roman will command the Sanctuary's defenses."
"Mikhail and Yelena will secure the western halls."
"Nikola will patrol the underground routes."
---
He looked toward Viktor.
"You'll accompany Artyom."
---
Without hesitation...
"I already planned to."
---
A faint smile appeared on Artyom's face.
It disappeared just as quickly.
---
Orion stepped forward carrying a weathered wooden box.
He opened it carefully.
Inside rested several ancient weapons.
A silver sword.
Twin daggers.
A white bow carved with lilies.
And a long spear whose blade shimmered like crystal.
---
"These belonged to the Guardians."
---
"They have protected this Sanctuary for generations."
---
He looked at Viktor.
The silver sword seemed to vibrate softly.
---
"It has chosen."
---
Viktor picked up the weapon.
The blade glowed briefly before returning to normal.
---
Mikhail laughed.
"So even ancient weapons like you."
---
Viktor ignored him.
His eyes remained on the sword.
---
Meanwhile...
Far outside the mountain...
The silver-masked commander stood before hundreds of Eclipse soldiers.
Behind him...
Massive drilling machines rumbled to life.
---
The woman in white approached.
"The excavation teams are ready."
---
The commander nodded.
"Begin the advance."
---
The machines surged forward.
Steel drills bit into the mountainside.
Stone cracked.
Snow cascaded down the cliffs.
---
Deep inside the Sanctuary...
The crystal alarms rang once more.
---
Dmitri looked at the readings.
His face turned grim.
---
"They've started digging."
---
"They're coming straight for us."