#kindredlore

The next chamber is pitch-black. Suzana lights a magic lantern given her by Maximillian.

Suzana’s magical lantern flares to life, revealing stone figures—lesser deities bowing toward a central statue of Our Lady Tiam’el, encircled by a crystal ring

"These aren’t just memorials... they’re servants. Look—this one’s holding a dragon scale." (Points to a stela.) "Tiam’el... Kupala... Mardukai. Dragons? And a Dragonslayer."

"Behold is Mardukai, slayer of Tiam'el and Kupala! Creator of the Starblood Ritual! Learned to transmute draconic blood into crystals!

"'Tiam’el’s heart where crystal roots drink blood.’ Charming."

"That sigil on the woman statue isn’t decoration—it’s a door!"

(They deduce the circle must be activated with blood—Suzana pricks her palm and drips vitae onto it. The portal ignites, swirling with blue light.)

"This place is so pretty! It's like a forest made by crystals"

"These crystals... they emanete raw Energy. No wonder Marcus hid the crown here."

(The final chamber holds a white coffin and Eleanor Ravensong, cloaked in black.)

Eleanor:

"Took you long enough. I thought you’d be cleverer."

"We know about the crown. And the experiments."

"Oh, pet, you don’t know half of it."

(Gestures to the pedestal)

"But take it. See how long you last."

"Finally. Something worth the dry-cleaning bill."