At no point in the original story was a ruin mentioned. However, by that time of the championship, Lucian had become used to discoveries that seemed to be omitted from the main lines of the plot. The pieces of a larger puzzle began to emerge, and he could not ignore them.
Skyler and Magnus, accompanied by a fleet of temple guards and the Grimwood, took Lucian to the mysterious location. The ruin was a few kilometers from the main gates of the imperial capital, in a region of difficult access. The carriage ride was quiet to some extent, but they soon had to deviate from the main road, following a nearly non-existent trail. The terrain became increasingly rugged, swaying the carriage to the point that it was impossible to proceed on wheels.
So they left the vehicles and followed on horseback. The silence between them was only broken by the sound of hooves in the dry leaves and the occasional cracking of branches. The path became increasingly narrow and surrounded by dense trees that seemed to watch their movements. The sun's rays struggled to penetrate the closed canopy of the forest, plunging the environment into a gloom that left Lucian restless.
Mounted with Magnus, the prince felt the familiar tightness of his husband's waist, but this did not relieve the growing anxiety in his chest. Each time they went deeper into the forest, Lucian felt an uncomfortable pressure on his head, as if something was watching them from afar. Finally, they reached a clearing where the trees opened to reveal an unexpected vision.
Before them was the entrance to ruin: an ancient stone staircase that descended into the depths. The walls were covered with moss, and the atmosphere there was dense and heavy, as if the air itself had become thicker.
"We will leave the horses here" Skyler announced, in a firm but low voice, as if he wanted to respect the surrounding ancestral environment. "The entrance is just below."
Magnus gave orders for four guards to remain on the surface, ensuring safety and alerting in case of any problems. The rest of the group, led by Skyler, began to walk down the stairs. Lucian, increasingly immersed in a sense of foreboding, felt the steps under his feet being swallowed by darkness as they went down.
The temperature dropped rapidly, and the air became moist and stagnant. Lucian smelled the wet earth mixed with the unmistakable smell of ancient stone, untouched for centuries. The walls, lit only by torches carried by the guards, revealed time-worn engravings depicting symbols that Lucian could not decipher.
"What do you expect to find here?" asked Lucian, trying to ward off the growing discomfort.
Skyler, ahead, turned slightly, his face partially lit by the flame.
"Ancient temples like this are found occasionally, but this is unusual. There are signs of practices dating back ages long before the cult of Kronosis" he said, his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. "The history that is buried here may reveal secrets we lost long ago."
Skyler's vague answer didn't do much to calm Lucian's mind. The priest seemed more interested in the mysteries of ruin than the risks involved. With each step, Lucian felt as if something invisible followed them, like a shadow moving out of his field of vision.
Finally, they reached the end of the staircase, and the vision that was revealed ahead left them speechless.
They entered a vast underground chamber. The high ceiling was cracked in several parts, with thick tree roots seeping through the openings. Huge columns, some fallen and others still standing, were scattered in the environment, covered with moss and parasitic plants. In the center of the hall, a circular area marked by drawings of moon and stars in shades of red and blue captured everyone's attention.
"What a incredible... place" whispered Lucian, watching the crimson throne that stood in the middle of the circular area, flanked by two stone statues. They seemed to watch the throne like ancient guardians, untouched by time.
Magnus approached the throne, analyzing the patterns on the floor with a curious expression.
"We seem to have found something very old. You should make the temple more interesting, like this one" he joked, looking at Skyler.
"Of course that Your Grace would be enchanted by a forbidden altar" mocked Skyler, though his eyes remained fixed on the mural that stood behind the throne. The panel was covered with old inscriptions and symbols that shone subtly, as if they contained some latent power.
Lucian approached Skyler, admiring the panel but not understanding anything he saw.
"Can you read that?"
"Not completely" replied Skyler, fascinated. "But it is a prayer, something very old. It matches some of the symbols I saw in the Emperor's book. This... is older than we thought."
Lucian watched the inscriptions, but it was like looking at a lost language. Even so, the feeling of something powerful and dangerous hovered over the place. He could not explain, but there was something on that altar that seemed to call for him.
After exploring the ruin, Skyler turned to the couple.
"It's time. We must begin the ritual before dark" he said with a tone of urgency. "We don't want to run the risk of being interrupted by looters."
"And how is that going to work?" asked Magnus, crossing his arms.
Skyler gestured for the throne.
"His Holiness should sit there. I will make a small cut so that the blood runs through the water channels around the altar. This will activate whatever is asleep here."
Magnus frowned, clearly not liking the idea.
"Will you shed the blood of a Grimwood?" he growled.
"The blood of our Saint" corrected Skyler, only to provoke Magnus.
"Tsk. If I feel any funny, I'll get rid of you."
Despite Magnus's objections, Lucian nodded and took his place on the throne. The seat was cold and hard, physical discomfort combined with nervousness that consumed him. Skyler made a cut on his hand using a sharp blade, letting the blood drip into the surrounding canals. The blood mixed with water, activating a faint glow in the inscriptions on the floor.
Skyler began to chant words in an ancient language, his voice reverberating through the chamber with a shuddering intensity. The words, though incomprehensible, sounded like a dark melody, imbued with deep power.
The alpha closed his eyes slowly, breathing deeply to do the meditative exercise to which he was already accustomed. Brought to his mind the image of the statue of the goddess holding a mirror, reflecting the future he needed to see. Witnessed death itself, now accustomed to the discomfort and pain it caused to his spirit.
He followed all the way that he has been doing for all those months in the temple. Although the pain remained uncomfortable in his illusions, Lucian was no longer dying.
Then he saw the Eighth Prince again, holding the bloody sword and watch given to him by Stephen. But this time something was different. Lucian felt a strange peace, as if he was in tune with that moment. And then, the prince took a step back, opening the way for Lucian to see what was beyond: the same scenery, the Consort crying under the rain, the defeated Emperor in the background... but this time, there was something else.
"Go back... to the cradle that should have never left."
"I'm gonna need more than that, you know?"
"Go back..."
"For the cradle, huh?" Lucian muttered thoughtfully, trying to demystify the meaning behind that so symbolic phrase "Cradle is where babies sleep, but also refers to the origin... Are you asking to come back to my world?"
The figure of the prince, so melancholic and lifeless remained silent like a ghost. Lucian began to feel uncomfortable as if he were living in a horror story. But before the cowardice pushed away the courage he had just acquired, Lucian stepped forward into the mirror.
"Tell me, was it you who brought me to this world?" However, the reflection remained silent. Lucian clenched his fists around the sword and frowned "Answer me! Did you bring me to this world?!"
Lucian felt a cold shiver through his spine, and before he could react, the figure of the Eighth Prince touched the mirror, forcing Lucian to do the same. It was as if his hand moved on its own, touching the reflection. At the same time, the clock in his other hand began to make the familiar ticking sound, each second resounding louder.
"We are one."
"Lucian!!!"
Magnus' voice pulled him back to reality. Panting, Lucian opened his eyes, feeling the cold sweat run down his forehead. Skyler was passed out on the ground, surrounded by the knights of the temple, while Magnus held him with a mixture of relief and despair.
"Damn... don't scare me like that" whispered Magnus, hugging him hard.
Lucian allowed himself to relax for a moment in the arms of his husband. Still panting and with his mind spinning, he clung to the only comfort he had in the midst of that chaos. He felt the pulse of something greater within himself, but at the same time knew that he had made a crucial discovery.
A clue that could change everything.