The staircase continued downward.
And downward.
And somehow.
Further downward.
Thomas frowned.
“How deep does this thing go?” Nobody knew.
Morgan looked delighted.
“I love ancient ruins.” “We’re under a watchtower.” Thomas replied.
“We’re under history.” Morgan corrected.
Nobody knew what that meant.
Not even Morgan.
The Air Changes Eventually.
The air became warmer.
The cold disappeared.
A soft breeze drifted through the darkness.
Then— light appeared.
Golden light.
Faint.
Far below.
Everyone slowed.
Arthur frowned.
“Do you see that?” “Unfortunately.” Lancelot answered.
They continued.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Then.
The staircase ended.
Silence.
An enormous chamber stretched before them.
Nobody spoke.
Because it was beautiful.
Massive stone pillars supported the ceiling.
Ancient murals covered the walls.
Golden vines had somehow grown through cracks in the stone.
At the center stood a crystal.
It glowed softly.
Warm.
Gentle.
Like sunlight.
No one moved.
For some reason.
The room felt peaceful.
As though it had waited.
For a very long time.
The Crystal Morgan immediately walked toward it.
“Morgan.” Arthur said.
“I know.” She continued walking.
“Morgan.” “I heard you.” She kept going.
“Morgan.” “I am exercising restraint.” She touched it.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
Morgan blinked.
“…I expected more.” Thomas sighed.
“You always do.” Ancient Writing Evangelos approached the crystal.
Writing had been carved into its base.
Ancient writing.
Older than the tower.
Older than the ruins above.
He knelt.
Began reading.
Then frowned.
“What?” Arthur asked.
Silence.
Finally: “It mentions pathways.” Everyone looked at him.
“Pathways?” Lancelot asked.
Evangelos nodded.
“It says…” He examined the inscription again.
Then read: When people become lost… The light shall remember the road.
Silence.
Another line.
Those who seek to protect others may walk between places.
Silence.
Morgan looked excited.
“Oh.” “Oh, this is definitely magic.” Nobody doubted that.
Familiar Arthur approached.
For some reason.
The crystal felt familiar.
Warm.
Comforting.
Almost… Welcoming.
He slowly placed his hand upon it.
Nothing happened.
Then.
The crystal suddenly brightened.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
The golden light became stronger.
Then stronger.
Then brighter.
Until the entire chamber glowed.
“Morgan.” Thomas said.
“I didn’t do anything.” “Are you sure?” “Surprisingly, yes.” The crystal continued shining.
Then.
A beam of light emerged.
It crossed the chamber.
And struck the far wall.
Stone trembled.
Dust fell.
A hidden doorway slowly opened.
Silence.
Everyone looked at Arthur.
Arthur looked at everyone.
“…I touched it.” A Strange Feeling Lancelot looked at the crystal.
Then at Arthur.
Then back again.
This was now the second time.
Twice.
Ancient things had reacted to Arthur.
And somehow.
That no longer felt like coincidence.
He looked toward him.
Arthur was currently apologizing to the crystal.
“I’m sorry if I startled you.” Silence.
Lancelot looked away.
Perhaps he was simply tired.
Probably.
The Hidden Chamber The group entered.
Unlike everything else.
This room was untouched.
No dust.
No cracks.
No damage.
At the center stood a circular stone table.
Everyone froze.
Because it looked… Perfect.
As though time itself had never entered.
Atop the table rested two objects.
A wooden box.
And a pendant.
The pendant bore a symbol.
A dragon.
Curled around a rising sun.
Nobody recognized it.
Except— Inside Aethelion.
Leona froze.
“…That symbol.” Arthur blinked.
“You know it?” Silence.
“…No.” Another pause.
“But I feel like I should.” The Letter Arthur slowly opened the box.
Inside rested a letter.
Ancient.
Yet perfectly preserved.
At the top were simple words.
To those who found this place.
Silence filled the room.
Arthur continued reading.
If you are reading this… Then people still seek to protect one another.
Silence.
Then hope still survives.
Another line.
Good.
Silence.
If that is true… Then perhaps Camelot deserves to exist once more.
Nobody moved.
Another line.
A kingdom is not stone.
Silence.
It is people.
Another.
Protect them.
Another.
Trust them.
And finally: Do not carry everything alone.
Silence.
The chamber became perfectly still.
At the bottom.
One name remained.
Rayleigh.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Arthur stared.
His chest suddenly felt warm.
Like sunlight.
Like home.
Like hearing a story he had forgotten.
Then— the pendant glowed.
A soft golden light.
The crystal answered.
The entire chamber illuminated.
And for the briefest moment.
A figure appeared.
A man.
Long silver-blond hair flowed down his back.
Golden eyes resembling the dawn itself.
He wore regal clothing unlike anything they had ever seen.
Despite the image being faint.
Despite it lasting only a few seconds.
He carried an overwhelming sense of warmth.
And kindness.
And grief.
A small smile rested upon his face.
Then— he looked directly at Arthur.
Silence.
For a moment.
Arthur forgot how to breathe.
Because somehow.
The stranger felt… Familiar.
Like hearing a forgotten lullaby.
Like remembering a place he had never seen.
Like looking at someone he should know.
Then— the image vanished.
The chamber returned to normal.
Silence remained.
Nobody moved.
Finally: Thomas blinked.
“…Did everyone see that?” “Yes.” Lancelot answered.
“Unfortunately.” Arthur remained staring at the pendant.
At the place where the image had stood.
Because for reasons he couldn’t explain— he suddenly wanted to know who Rayleigh was.
End of Chapter 25