The sun hung low in the sky as Emerald's group stood before the entrance to the hidden passage.
Hidden beneath the ruins of an abandoned chapel, an ancient stone staircase spiraled deep into the earth. Moss covered the weathered walls, and faded symbols glowed faintly as if awakening after centuries of silence.
"This tunnel was built before the Hunters became what they are today," Darius explained, lighting an old lantern fixed to the wall. "Back then, our order existed to keep peace between the Human World and the Underworld—not to destroy either."
Noah looked at the carvings etched into the stone.
"What changed?"
Darius's expression darkened.
"Fear."
No one asked another question.
Varak entered first, his massive frame barely fitting through the passage. Emerald followed beside Elara, while Sara, Sam, Noah, Lyra, Kael, the remaining recruits, and the Hunters filed in behind them.
The heavy stone door closed.
Darkness swallowed the outside world.
Hours passed.
The tunnel wound deeper beneath the earth.
Ancient murals lined the walls, untouched by time.
Emerald paused before one depicting two figures standing together beneath a glowing tree.
One wore a crown of emerald crystal.
The other wore silver armor.
"They're standing together," Emerald whispered.
Elara smiled.
"The first Queen of the Underworld... and the first Hunter Commander."
Everyone stared.
"They were allies?"
"They were brother and sister."
The revelation stunned the group.
"The Hunters..." Sara said quietly.
"They were created by the royal family?"
Elara nodded.
"They were never meant to hunt royals. They were meant to protect the balance between both worlds."
Darius lowered his eyes.
"So everything we've believed..."
"...was built on a lie," Elara finished.
Noah looked toward Darius.
"Does your Order know this?"
"They destroyed every record that disagreed with their version of history."
A heavy silence followed.
The tunnel eventually widened into a vast underground chamber.
At its center stood a circular stone platform surrounded by eight towering pillars.
Each pillar bore the crest of an ancient royal house.
"This is the Hall of Oaths," Varak said.
"The final place where the kingdoms of the surface and the Underworld stood united."
The air felt different here.
Calm.
Sacred.
Emerald stepped onto the platform.
The moment her foot touched the stone—
A brilliant emerald light erupted beneath her.
Ancient runes spread across the floor in every direction.
The pillars began to hum.
One by one, ghostly figures appeared around the chamber.
Kings.
Queens.
Hunter Commanders.
None of them spoke.
They simply watched.
The recruits gasped.
"They're spirits..." Sam whispered.
"No," Elara corrected gently.
"Echoes."
One figure stepped forward.
He wore dark green armor trimmed with gold, and a crystal crown rested upon his brow.
His face was strikingly familiar.
Emerald's breath caught.
"My father..."
King Aldren smiled.
"My little Emerald."
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
"You know me."
"I always have."
She stepped toward him instinctively, but stopped, remembering what had happened with her mother's spirit.
"You aren't really here."
"No."
His voice was warm.
"But this message has waited sixteen years to reach you."
The chamber fell silent.
Aldren looked around at the people standing beside Emerald.
"You have chosen your companions wisely."
His gaze rested briefly on Noah, Sara, Sam, Lyra, Kael, and finally Darius.
"The road ahead will test not only your strength..."
"...but your heart."
Emerald swallowed.
"I don't know if I'm ready."
He smiled.
"You've been ready since the day your human parents chose to love you."
Emerald's eyes widened.
"You know about them?"
"I watched over you whenever I could."
Aldren's expression softened.
"They gave you something your aunt could never understand."
"What?"
"Compassion."
The king looked toward Varak.
"The Guardian serves the throne."
Then toward Darius.
"The Hunters were born to serve peace."
Finally, he looked back at Emerald.
"But neither can decide the future."
"Only you can."
The light around him began to fade.
"Father..."
Emerald reached out.
"I don't want to lose you again."
"You never will."
He placed a glowing hand over his heart.
"I live in every choice you make."
His form dissolved into countless emerald lights that drifted upward before disappearing.
The chamber returned to silence.
Emerald wiped away a tear.
Noah rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"He'd be proud of you."
She smiled faintly.
"I hope so."
Suddenly, Varak lifted his head.
His ears twitched.
"We're no longer alone."
Darius extinguished the lantern.
"Everyone... quiet."
The chamber fell into darkness.
Footsteps echoed through the tunnel behind them.
Not dozens.
Hundreds.
The rhythmic march shook the ground.
Then came a familiar voice.
Cold.
Elegant.
Filled with confidence.
"You've always been predictable, Varak."
Purple flames illuminated the tunnel entrance.
The False Queen stepped into the Hall of Oaths.
She wore black armor crowned with emerald jewels stolen from the royal treasury. A flowing crimson cloak trailed behind her, and in her hand rested a long obsidian staff pulsing with corrupted magic.
Behind her stood the Royal Legion, ranks stretching farther than the eye could see.
Her emerald eyes met Emerald's.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Then the Queen smiled.
"There you are..."
She descended the first step into the chamber.
"I've been waiting a very long time to meet my favorite niece."
Emerald stepped forward, her mark blazing brightly.
"You won't take the throne from me again."
The Queen laughed softly.
"My dear child..."
She raised her staff.
"I already have."
The chamber trembled.
The ancient pillars cracked.
And the Hall of Oaths began to collapse.