Nikola moved silently through the corridor.
His footsteps blended with the distant tremors shaking the Sanctuary.
The fresh footprints continued ahead.
Whoever had entered...
They knew exactly where they were going.
---
Meanwhile, Artyom felt the Guardian's Key vibrate in his hand.
Instead of pointing toward the prison...
It pointed east.
Toward a section of the Sanctuary hidden behind a collapsed wall.
---
Caelum noticed.
"The Key is guiding you."
---
"To where?"
Artyom asked.
---
"The Hidden Library."
---
Lucien's eyes widened slightly.
"It still exists..."
---
Orion nodded.
"It holds every record the First Family refused to destroy."
---
Roman looked at Artyom.
"Go."
"We'll hold the Sanctuary."
---
Viktor stepped beside him.
"I'm coming."
---
This time, Caelum didn't object.
"The Library recognizes the heir."
He looked at Viktor.
"And those the heir trusts."
---
The two walked through a narrow passage illuminated by silver crystals.
Ancient bookshelves slowly emerged from the darkness.
They stretched endlessly in every direction.
Thousands upon thousands of books rested untouched by time.
Some were bound in leather.
Others in silver metal.
None showed a trace of dust.
---
Artyom whispered,
"This place..."
---
"...contains the history of the world."
Orion finished quietly.
---
As Artyom stepped deeper inside, a crystal sphere floated down from the ceiling.
It stopped before him.
A soft female voice echoed through the Library.
---
"Identity recognized."
"Guardian Artyom Sokolov."
"Access granted."
---
One bookshelf slowly slid aside.
Behind it was a small chamber.
Unlike the rest of the Library...
It held only one book.
Resting alone upon a marble pedestal.
---
Its cover was black.
Across it was engraved a silver eclipse.
---
Viktor frowned.
"That symbol again."
---
Artyom carefully opened the book.
The pages were blank.
Until his fingers touched them.
Silver words slowly appeared.
---
The Birth of the Eclipse.
---
His eyes widened.
---
"It isn't about the Order..."
---
"It's older than that."
---
The first page turned by itself.
An illustration appeared.
It showed the First King standing beside another man.
Not an enemy.
An ally.
---
Both wore the same royal crest.
---
Artyom frowned.
"There were two founders?"
---
Caelum's face paled.
"No..."
---
"That page was supposed to be destroyed."
---
At that very moment...
Elsewhere in the Sanctuary...
Nikola finally caught sight of the mysterious intruder.
The figure stood before an ancient control pillar.
Without hesitation...
The stranger placed a crystal key into its center.
The pillar began to glow red.
The inner security seals started unlocking.
Nikola's hand immediately moved to the knife at his side.
The traitor had finally revealed themself.