Kael and Lira were led into another chamber — quieter, cleaner, lit with floating memory crystals. This one wasn't made for torture.
It was made for truth.
A mural lined the far wall, painted in gold and ink: dozens of faces, all versions of Kael, spanning ages, kingdoms, and lifetimes.
Each one ended in fire.
A projection lit up — not a memory, but a holographic echo recorded by the original Kael.
> "If you're hearing this…
you've remembered enough to be dangerous."
> "I left pieces of myself locked in this place. Powers. Fail-safes. Warnings."
> "But if you came this far…
it means someone has awakened the Core without your consent."
Lira stepped forward. "You left this for yourself."
Kael turned to her, voice low.
> "I think… I'm not the last Kael either."
Suddenly — the crystal shattered.
The walls pulsed red.
And the door exploded inward.