Voren's smile disappeared.
"So..."
"It really exists."
His voice echoed through the Forgotten Vault as he stepped across the shattered doorway. The Black Blades fanned out behind him with practiced discipline, their iron masks reflecting the pale silver lights drifting through the ancient hall.
No one moved.
The Vault itself seemed to hold its breath.
Captain Darius planted his shield before the group.
"This is as far as you go."
Voren looked at him almost sympathetically.
"You are a brave man."
"But this battle was never yours."
He lifted his greatsword.
"It belongs to the Keeper."
Veyra stepped beside Darius.
"Then he'll never face it alone."
Her soldiers answered without hesitation.
Steel left its scabbard.
Spears lowered.
Lyra drew another arrow.
Merek twirled his twin blades.
Ellis and Tovin formed a shield wall beside their captain while Garron, though still wounded, rested his axe upon one shoulder.
Years of fighting together had made words unnecessary.
They already knew their places.
Voren sighed.
"I was hoping to avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
Captain Darius laughed.
"You came with an army."
"You gave up that choice."
The giant nodded once.
"Fair enough."
He raised his sword.
The Black Blades charged.
Steel crashed against steel as the Vault erupted into chaos.
Ellis met the first assassin head-on, his shield slamming into the man's chest before his sword finished the strike.
Merek vanished into the melee like a shadow, his twin daggers flashing between gaps in armor.
Lyra climbed a stone pedestal, sending arrows deep into the advancing ranks.
Every shot found its mark.
Garron roared as he swung his axe in a wide arc, forcing three assassins backward despite the pain etched across his face.
The ancient library became a battlefield.
Scrolls scattered through the air.
Books tumbled from towering shelves.
Fragments of history fell among living men.
Voren ignored everyone else.
He walked directly toward Uriel.
"You still don't remember."
Uriel raised his sword.
"No."
"But I will."
Their blades collided.
The impact shook the marble beneath their feet.
Voren attacked with overwhelming strength, each swing capable of splitting stone. Uriel matched his movements with speed rather than power, narrowly avoiding the crushing blows.
The Keeper's Mask grew warmer.
Then—
A whisper.
"...Beyond the dragon..."
Uriel's vision blurred.
The Vault disappeared.
...
Warm sunlight.
The scent of blooming ash trees.
Children laughing.
A younger Uriel raced through the gardens of the Citadel, wooden sword tucked beneath one arm.
Behind him came two familiar voices.
"Slow down!"
Young Veyra laughed as she chased after him.
Young Kaelen easily caught up, tackling Uriel into the grass.
The three burst into laughter.
"You cheated," Uriel protested.
Kaelen grinned.
"I adapted."
"That's still cheating."
"It isn't if I win."
Veyra folded her arms.
"You both lose."
The boys looked up.
"Master Arcturus is waiting."
Their smiles faded instantly.
The three hurried across the gardens toward a circular training courtyard.
Dozens of children practiced with wooden weapons under the watchful eyes of elderly instructors dressed in white robes.
At the center stood Master Arcturus.
Tall.
Silver-haired.
Calm.
His gaze rested on the three children.
"Late again."
Kaelen bowed.
"Our fault, Master."
"No."
Arcturus smiled faintly.
"Your youth."
He handed each of them a wooden practice sword.
"Begin."
The duel started immediately.
Kaelen fought with precision.
Veyra with discipline.
Uriel with instinct.
Their wooden swords clashed beneath the morning sun while the other students gathered to watch.
Master Arcturus remained silent throughout.
Only when the duel ended did he finally speak.
"As always..."
His eyes settled on Uriel.
"...you listen."
Young Uriel frowned.
"Listen?"
"The sword speaks."
Arcturus touched the boy's forehead gently.
"Most people never hear it."
"But you..."
"You were born listening."
The vision shifted.
Days became weeks.
Weeks became years.
The three children grew stronger together.
Training.
Laughing.
Competing.
Dreaming.
There was no hatred between them.
No darkness.
Only friendship.
One evening, the three sat atop the highest tower of the Citadel, watching the sunset paint the sky in crimson and gold.
Kaelen stretched lazily.
"When we grow up..."
"I'm becoming the greatest swordsman alive."
Veyra rolled her eyes.
"You say that every week."
"It's still true."
She looked toward Uriel.
"And you?"
He thought for a long moment.
"I don't want to become famous."
Kaelen blinked.
"You don't?"
Uriel smiled.
"I just want everyone to live peacefully."
Silence followed.
Then Kaelen laughed.
"That's impossible."
"Maybe."
Uriel looked toward the distant mountains.
"But someone should still try."
Veyra extended her hand.
"Then let's promise."
The boys looked at her.
"No matter what happens..."
"We protect this kingdom."
Kaelen placed his hand over hers.
"I swear."
Uriel followed.
"I swear."
Above them...
A dragon-shaped cloud drifted across the evening sky.
The memory fractured.
Darkness returned.
Uriel stumbled backward into the present.
His sword nearly slipped from his grasp.
Voren saw the change immediately.
"The Vault is showing you."
Uriel's breathing had become uneven.
"I remember..."
Veyra fought off two assassins before looking toward him.
"What did you see?"
"You."
"And Kaelen."
"When we were children."
Her eyes widened.
"You remembered..."
Before she could finish—
Maera shouted from across the Vault.
"Uriel!"
She stood beside an enormous stone arch hidden behind the mural of the Twelve Keepers.
Ancient symbols glowed across its surface.
At its center...
Twelve porcelain masks had been carved into the stone.
One space remained empty.
The exact shape of the Keeper's Mask.
Maera's voice trembled.
"I found it."
"The Hall of Faces."
The entire Vault shook violently.
The ancient arch answered the Keeper's presence.
Golden light spread through every carved mask.
The symbols awakened.
The Keeper's Mask fused to Uriel's face began to burn brighter than ever before.
The whisper returned.
Clearer than it had ever been.
"...come home..."
The stone arch slowly began to open.
Beyond it lay only brilliant white light.
Voren's confident expression vanished.
For the first time...
Fear filled his eyes.
"No..."
He took a step forward.
"You must not enter."
His voice was no longer calm.
"It wasn't supposed to awaken yet."
The light beyond the Hall intensified until no one could see what lay inside.
Then another voice emerged.
Older than the Gate.
Older than the Vault.
Older than memory itself.
"Keeper..."
"Your oath awaits."