The silence hit them like a wall when they entered the chamber.
Dust particles drifted through thin beams of light that leaked down from cracks somewhere high above, creating pale streaks across the carved stone floor. Everyone just stood there, frozen.
Then heads started tilting back. Jaws dropped,eyes went wide.
Even Arthur, who never showed much of anything, let his face betray a hint of wonder as he took in the walls.
This place was alive.
Murals covered every surface like brilliant rivers stopped mid-flow, their colors still vivid after all these centuries.
Entire stories played out before them: armored soldiers marching in formation, massive ships cutting through rough seas, crowds bowing before towering statues, councils of robed figures radiating power, kings on golden thrones gripping scepters that seemed to glow with painted light.
Each wall held a different chapter of some vast civilization's story.
Professor Adrian finally snapped out of it first.
