***
The heavy stone door groaned as it slid open, revealing the cavernous chamber beneath the sanctuary. Anneliese stepped forward, her lantern casting a golden glow that danced across the walls. The air was thick, almost oppressive, carrying the faint scent of old magic.
Hugo followed close behind, his blade drawn and his eyes scanning the room for threats. “You sure this is safe?”
“Safe? No,” Anneliese replied, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders. “Necessary? Absolutely.” She added with a knowing grin as she noticed the tension in Hugo's face.
The chamber’s walls were lined with shelves carved into the stone, holding relics that seemed untouched by time. Scrolls, vials of shimmering liquid, and fragments of weapons glimmered faintly in the lantern’s light.
At the c
