The rain still fell, but neither Aeron nor Cassian spoke of it as they stood before the Vault's trembling door. The thunder rolled in the distance—louder now, as if the world was responding to something far more ancient than their conflict.
Aeron's gaze flickered to Cassian, his posture rigid, but his gaze unyielding. There was a moment of silence, thick with tension.
Cassian took a slow breath, still eyeing the door as though it would give them answers. "You think we're part of this… key?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
Aeron's jaw tightened. He didn't want to believe it, didn't want to admit that whatever bond had tied them all together—Liara, himself, and Cassian—was part of something bigger. Darker.
But as the Vault's stone door whispered in the quiet of the night, Aeron's instincts pushed him forward. "I don't know," he said grimly. "But I know it's no coincidence."
Cassian took a step closer, his expression sharp. "The Vault is more than just a seal, Aeron. It's alive. It's reacting to… something. And Liara—she's the trigger."
Aeron's gaze hardened. "No. It's not just her. The Vault isn't responding to her alone. There's something—someone—else." His hand went instinctively to the hidden mark on his chest, the symbol that had appeared just days ago, still burning beneath his skin. He could feel it now, pulsing with magic as it resonated with the Vault.
Cassian's brows furrowed. "You've felt it too."
"Yes. I don't know what it means yet—but I know it's connected to the Vault."
There was a moment of stillness, then Cassian's voice broke the quiet. "You think we're part of the key."
The air crackled with a strange energy. The wind howled outside, and the stone walls of the Vault groaned under the weight of ancient power. The door, covered in runes, now hummed with life—like the Vault itself had sensed their presence, as though waiting for them.
Aeron stepped closer, his hand tracing the symbols etched into the door.
"We are part of the key," Cassian repeated, the words weighing heavy. "Not just Liara."
Aeron nodded, his mind racing. "We're connected to her—all of us—but there's more to it. The magic... it ties us together."
Suddenly, the Vault trembled.
Cassian took a step back, eyes widening. "What the hell—?"
Aeron gritted his teeth. He stepped forward, feeling the magic surge through him like a pulse through the earth. His mark burned hotter against his skin. "We have to understand it. Whatever this is… it's awakening."
The door before them trembled and shifted, revealing cracks of light from within. The very air inside felt alive—pulsing with energy. It was the kind of magic that made the ground beneath their feet feel unstable.
"You're part of the key," Aeron muttered, realizing the horrifying truth. "Both of you. Cassian… you're tied to this too."
Cassian blinked, but before he could respond, the Vault groaned louder, and the stone door shifted further open with a deep, ancient sound. Aeron's eyes narrowed as he caught the glint of something inside.
It was the first time they had fully unlocked this level of the Vault. And yet, it wasn't the Vault's core that was reacting—it was them.
Something deep in Aeron's gut told him they weren't just protectors. They were part of the mechanism that kept the Vault from shattering.
And with Liara awakening… the balance was starting to tilt.
The Vault door opened wide, revealing a cavernous chamber within. Flickering, glowing runes lined the walls, casting shadows that danced like firelight. But at the center, on a pedestal, was a single artifact—a stone sphere, cracked and glowing faintly.
"Is that…" Cassian began, trailing off.
Aeron stepped forward, eyes locked on the sphere. He knew the truth before the words fully left his mouth. "It's the core of the Vault. The power source."
As his hand reached for the sphere, a surge of energy rushed through the room. It felt like the ground was shaking beneath him, but Aeron stood firm. The stone beneath his fingers was cold—so cold—but as his hand hovered near it, it responded to his touch.
It was like the Vault knew him.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the chamber.
"You are part of the key."
Both men froze, their heads snapping toward the source of the voice. It was low, ancient, and carried the weight of centuries.
Aeron's heart raced. "Who's there?" he demanded.
The voice whispered again, but this time, the words seemed to come from everywhere at once.
"The key is not just a person… it is those bound to her. Bound by fate. By magic. You, Aeron. You, Cassian. You have both been touched by the Vault's will. And now you must decide… Will you keep her safe? Or will you let her fall into the abyss?"
The words hung in the air like smoke, suffocating them both.
Aeron looked at Cassian, and for the first time, there was no certainty in his gaze—only the understanding that they were part of something bigger, something that neither of them fully understood.
But they had to protect her. And whatever this was, they were no longer just her guardians—they were the key to the very fate of the Vault.