Volume 2 – Chapter 19
The chamber fell into complete darkness.
Only two crimson eyes remained visible.
Watching.
Waiting.
Neither blinking nor moving.
Finn slowly leaned toward Kael and whispered,
“…Can we pretend we didn’t see that and go home?”
Kael kept his shield raised.
“If it lets us.”
“I wasn’t asking you.”
Raimer tightened his grip on his sword.
The golden aura from the Mark of Unity faintly illuminated the room.
“Alyra.”
“What do you sense?”
She closed her eyes.
“…It’s alive.”
A pause.
“But…”
“It isn’t attacking.”
The crimson eyes slowly drifted forward.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber.
Thud…
Thud…
Thud…
A colossal figure emerged from the shadows.
It stood over three meters tall, cloaked in ancient black robes.
Rusted chains hung from its wrists, and a cracked iron mask concealed its face.
Across its chest was the faded emblem of the old royal family.
Mira gasped.
“That’s…”
“A royal crest.”
The figure stopped several meters away.
Then, to everyone’s surprise…
It knelt.
Its deep voice echoed through the ruins.
“Those who bear the Mark of Unity…”
“…have passed the First King’s trial.”
Finn blinked.
“Wait…”
“You’re not trying to kill us?”
The giant slowly tilted its head.
“I was created…”
“…to judge.”
“Not to slaughter.”
Kael lowered his shield slightly.
“That’s… refreshing.”
The guardian rose to its feet.
“My name has long been forgotten.”
“For five hundred years, I have protected this sanctuary.”
Raimer stepped forward.
“Who sealed this place?”
The Sentinel remained silent.
Then it answered.
“A king.”
“One who feared what slept beneath these mountains.”
Raimer frowned.
“What’s beneath us?”
The Sentinel looked toward the sealed stone doors at the far end of the chamber.
“A fragment.”
“Nothing more.”
“But even a fragment…”
“…can consume nations.”
The Sentinel led them through a narrow passage lined with ancient murals.
The walls depicted the history of the kingdom.
The First King.
The rise of the royal bloodline.
Great battles against creatures of shadow.
Then…
One mural caught Raimer’s attention.
A warrior stood beside the First King.
His face had been deliberately scratched away.
Only his sword remained visible.
“Who was he?” Raimer asked.
The Sentinel stopped walking.
“The Forgotten Hero.”
“He gave everything to protect the realm.”
“History erased his name.”
“Why?”
The Sentinel’s voice grew quieter.
“Because some truths…”
“…are too dangerous.”
They reached a massive circular chamber.
At its center floated a black crystal, suspended above an ancient stone altar.
Dark mist spiraled around it.
The moment Raimer stepped closer…
The crystal pulsed.
A sharp pain shot through his chest.
He stumbled.
“Raimer!” Alyra rushed to his side.
“I’m okay…”
But he wasn’t.
For just a heartbeat…
He saw another place.
A battlefield covered in ash.
A man wearing golden armor stood with his back turned.
Before Raimer could call out…
The vision disappeared.
The Sentinel looked directly at him.
“It has chosen you.”
Raimer looked confused.
“What has?”
Instead of answering, the Sentinel approached the altar and removed a small wooden box hidden beneath it.
Inside rested five silver pendants, each engraved with a different symbol.
“A shield.”
“A bow.”
“Two crossed daggers.”
“A crescent moon.”
“And a sword.”
“These belonged to the First King’s companions.”
“They fought beside him until the very end.”
The Sentinel handed one pendant to each member of Squad Seven.
“Carry them.”
“So long as they remain together…”
“You shall never fight alone.”
Finn held up his pendant.
“…Does this mean we’re officially important now?”
Kael laughed.
“You’ve been important.”
“You’re just still annoying.”
“That’s fair.”
Even the Sentinel seemed to pause, as though amused by their banter.
Without warning…
A deafening explosion echoed from somewhere above.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
The Sentinel’s expression changed for the first time.
“…Impossible.”
Another explosion.
Then another.
Someone…
Was attacking the ruins from the outside.
The Sentinel turned toward the squad.
“You must leave.”
“They have found this place.”
“Who?” Raimer asked.
The Sentinel looked toward the ceiling.
“The ones who worship the darkness.”
“The Black Crows.”
A section of the ceiling collapsed.
A masked figure landed gracefully in the center of the chamber, surrounded by swirling black feathers.
Slowly…
The intruder clapped.
“How touching.”
“The heirs found the sanctuary before we did.”
The masked stranger drew a crimson blade and pointed it at Raimer.
“Our master…”
“…has been waiting for you.”
End of Chapter 19