The Stolen Heir’s Bond

Kael's breath caught in his throat.

The tomb of the first king.

A place whispered about in legends. A burial ground so old that even scholars doubted its existence.

And yet—here it was.

The iron door loomed before them, covered in dust and deep cracks, but the ancient crest carved into its surface was unmistakable.

Kael turned to his father. "You've been here before?"

His father hesitated. Then, with a heavy breath, he stepped forward and ran his fingers across the sigil.

"I studied this place in my youth," he murmured. "Before the war. Before the throne was stolen." His voice dropped lower. "This tomb… it holds more than a king's remains."

Kael frowned. "What do you mean?"

His father's fingers stilled on the door.

"It holds his power."

Silence.

Elaria crossed her arms. "Alright. Let's assume this legend is real. What kind of 'power' are we talking about?"

Kael's father finally turned to them, his expression grave.

"The first king was said to have forged a weapon unlike any other. A sword bound to his very soul. A weapon that no ruler after him has ever wielded—because it was sealed with him, in this tomb."

Kael's pulse quickened.

A weapon strong enough to turn the tide against the king?

Before he could respond—

A deep, echoing thud.

The sound didn't come from the door.

It came from behind them.

The collapsed passage.

Kael whipped around. Dust sifted from the broken stones as something—**something massive—**began pushing against the rubble.

Elaria swore under her breath. "It's still there."

Kael's father's voice was urgent. "We don't have time. We need to open this door—now."

Kael turned back to the iron door, studying it fast. There was no obvious handle. No keyhole. Just the crest—

His gaze locked onto it.

A handprint.

Worn with time, but still visible.

Kael's father saw it, too.

"Only a rightful heir can open it," he murmured. Then, before Kael could respond, he pressed his palm against the mark.

The air shifted.

A deep, rumbling sound filled the chamber. Dust cascaded from the ceiling as ancient gears groaned to life.

Then—the iron door slowly began to open.

Beyond it—

Darkness.

Deep. Endless. And waiting.

Kael had only a second to react before—

The rubble behind them exploded.