The hidden corridor remained quiet as Aurelian and Astra followed Eirenne deeper beneath Sanctuary Ardent.
The walls were smoother than the upper levels, with no signs of repair work, damage, or later construction.
Pale lights ran along the ceiling at even distances, and the air carried the clean, dry smell of an area that had remained sealed for a very long time.
Several doors lined the passage, but none opened as they passed.
Eirenne moved ahead as a small projection, checking every system that became available.
"The archive is still refusing remote access," she said. "It will respond to your presence, but it won't allow me to enter its core network."
"That was probably intentional," Aurelian replied.
"It was. The sanctuary's designers expected its main systems to be attacked or captured. Important command records were separated from the general network."
Astra glanced at one of the sealed doors.
"Can anything inside threaten us?"
"I haven't detected active weapons."
