Nobody moved.
The underground chamber remained perfectly still.
The torches burned quietly.
The rift was gone.
Selene was gone.
And yet.
It somehow felt as though something still lingered.
A memory.
An afterimage.
The feeling of having stood beside something vast and unknowable.
Thomas sat down.
He looked tired.
Not physically.
Spiritually.
“I miss when our biggest problem was monsters.” Nobody disagreed.
Processing Lancelot slowly removed his hand from his sword.
He looked toward the place where the rift had disappeared.
Then at Arthur.
Then back again.
“…Did all of that actually happen?” Morgan looked equally pale.
“I sincerely hope not.” “It did.” Eidra said quietly.
Silence.
That somehow made it worse.
Jakel finally spoke.
“We have new information.” Everyone looked at him.
He crossed his arms.
“The villagers are alive.” Silence.
“They can be rescued.” Another pause.
“And we have an enemy.” A final pause.
“We’ve had worse.” Thomas stared.
“…Have we?” Jakel considered.
“…Not personally.” “Then why would you say that?” “It sounded reassuring.” “It wasn’t.” Thomas replied.
Eidra’s Unease Eidra had not spoken much.
Arthur noticed immediately.
“Eidra.” She looked at him.
“Are you really okay?” Silence.
Then: “…No.” Again.
That was becoming concerning.
She looked toward the place where the rift had opened.
“I’ve met ancient beings.” Silence.
“I’ve met powerful beings.” Another pause.
“But that…” She frowned.
“It felt…” She struggled for words.
Then: “Older.” Silence.
Older than what?
Nobody wanted to ask.
The Mural Arthur looked toward the mural again.
The king.
The castle.
The people.
And the little girl beside him.
Hana.
After everything that had happened.
The mural felt comforting.
Simple.
A dream.
People standing together.
A kingdom.
A promise.
No impossible entities.
No folded realities.
Just people.
For some reason.
He smiled.
Lancelot noticed.
“…Why are you smiling?” Arthur blinked.
“I don’t know.” Silence.
He looked at the mural again.
“It just feels nice.” Nobody knew what to do with that answer.
More Writing Morgan brushed away additional dust.
More words emerged.
Ancient.
Damaged.
Barely readable.
She slowly read aloud.
Though I could not save everyone… Silence.
Another line.
I pray those who come after me continue trying.
Another.
A kingdom is not stone.
And another.
It is people.
The chamber became quiet.
Even Thomas looked thoughtful.
Arthur read the words again.
Then again.
And once more.
Finally: “…I really would have liked him.” Lancelot smiled.
Small.
But genuine.
“I think he would have liked you too.” This time.
He meant it.
The Mission Jakel cleared his throat.
“The village.” Everyone looked at him.
Right.
The reason they were here.
Lancelot nodded.
“Selene said they’re alive.” Morgan frowned.
“But where?” Silence.
Then: “Elsewhere.” Thomas answered.
Everyone looked at him.
“What?” “That’s literally all we know.” “…Fair.” Arthur admitted.
Thomas looked proud of himself.
A Theory Evangelos finally spoke.
“There may be a way.” Everyone looked at him.
He looked around the ancient chamber.
“This tower is much older than the ruins above.” Morgan nodded.
“Significantly.” “It may have been built for a purpose.” Silence.
He looked toward the place where the rift had appeared.
“Perhaps it wasn’t simply a watchtower.” Silence.
Morgan’s eyes widened.
“Oh.” “Oh no.” Arthur blinked.
“What?” She pointed around the room.
“This place might be connected.” “Connected to what?” She looked disturbed.
“Folded spaces.” Silence.
Nobody liked that answer.
At all.
The Hidden Mechanism Then— Click.
Everyone froze.
Morgan slowly looked downward.
She had stepped on another loose stone.
Silence.
“…Again?” Thomas asked.
“I have excellent instincts.” Morgan replied.
Part of the wall trembled.
Stone shifted.
Dust fell.
And a hidden passage slowly opened.
Cold air drifted outward.
The passage descended even deeper beneath the earth.
Darkness swallowed everything beyond the entrance.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Morgan looked very pleased with herself.
“I knew it.” “You absolutely did not.” Lancelot said.
“I sensed something.” “You tripped.” “I prefer my version.” Nobody had the energy to argue.
The Decision Arthur looked into the darkness.
The cold air continued drifting upward.
It almost felt like the passage was waiting.
Calling.
Inviting.
He took one step forward.
Then smiled.
Lancelot closed his eyes.
“No.” Arthur blinked.
“What?” “I know that look.” “You do?” “Unfortunately.” Arthur looked back toward the passage.
Then at everyone.
“I think we should go down there.” Of course he did.
Of course.
Thomas sighed.
Morgan looked excited.
Jakel nodded.
Eidra smiled softly.
Even Evangelos looked interested.
Lancelot looked toward the ceiling.
Briefly.
As though asking the heavens why this was happening to him.
No answer came.
With a sigh.
He drew his sword.
“Fine.” Arthur grinned.
Then.
Together.
Arthur.
Thomas.
Morgan.
Jakel.
Eidra.
Evangelos.
And Lancelot Caer Lerion.
Began descending into the darkness below.
Unaware that beneath the ancient watchtower rested another secret.
One left behind by a king who had dreamed of uniting people.
End of Chapter 24