The stone staircase spiraled downward.
Each step echoed through the silence.
The deeper Artyom descended, the colder the air became.
Yet the walls glowed with a gentle silver light, illuminating intricate carvings of crowns, lilies, ravens, and eclipses.
---
After several minutes, the staircase ended.
A pair of towering white marble doors stood before him.
Unlike every other door in the Sanctuary, these bore no lock.
Only an inscription.
> "Only those who carry both memory and compassion may enter."
As Artyom approached, the doors opened on their own.
---
The chamber beyond was breathtaking.
A circular hall stretched before him, its domed ceiling painted with constellations.
In the center stood a single throne.
Not the King's throne.
A Queen's.
Elegant, carved from white stone and adorned with silver lilies.
---
A soft breeze drifted through the chamber.
Then a familiar golden light gathered beside the throne.
It slowly took the shape of a woman.
Long silver hair.
Kind blue eyes.
A graceful white gown.
---
Elara.
---
She smiled gently.
"You've come farther than I expected."
---
Artyom stepped closer.
"I thought you were gone."
---
"I left only an echo of myself."
She touched the throne lightly.
"But some places remember those who loved them."
---
Artyom looked around the chamber.
"Whose throne is this?"
---
Elara's expression became solemn.
"It belonged to Queen Lysandra."
---
"The last queen of the First Family."
---
Images appeared around them.
A woman with a silver crown stood beside King Caelum.
She wasn't holding a sword.
She held the hands of frightened children.
Behind her, wounded soldiers found shelter within the palace.
---
Elara watched the memories unfold.
"History remembers kings for their victories."
A pause.
"But kingdoms survive because of their queens."
---
Another vision appeared.
The palace was under attack.
Flames consumed its outer walls.
Queen Lysandra stood before a hidden passage.
Families hurried through it.
Children cried.
She remained behind.
---
"She stayed so that thousands could escape."
Elara's voice softened.
"She knew she would never leave."
---
Artyom lowered his eyes.
"So she sacrificed herself."
---
"Yes."
Elara smiled sadly.
"And because of her... our bloodline endured."
---
The vision faded.
Only the empty throne remained.
---
Elara turned to Artyom.
"You've inherited more than blood."
---
"You've inherited their choices."
---
Artyom looked at the throne.
"I don't know if I can carry that."
---
"You don't have to become Caelum."
She smiled warmly.
"You don't have to become Lysandra."
---
"You only have to become Artyom."
---
For the first time since entering the Sanctuary...
Artyom felt a small part of the weight on his shoulders ease.
---
A faint chime echoed through the hall.
The silver lilies carved into the throne began to glow.
A hidden compartment slowly opened beneath the seat.
Inside rested a small silver pendant shaped like a lily.
Elara looked at it.
"That belonged to Queen Lysandra."
---
"It has been waiting for the next heir."