The Door of Serpents
His breath eased in and out, slow and controlled, his chest rising like someone preparing for a quiet storm.
"So… this is the treasure of former Vellore," Leon murmured. His voice barely carried, yet the words sank deep into the stone corridor.
Behind him, both guards stayed kneeling. Not ordered to. Not commanded. They simply couldn't stand straight in front of a moment this heavy. This was the threshold of legends. A place sealed from the eyes of common men for centuries.
Leon stood in front of the massive door, letting the silence breathe for a long heartbeat. The serpents carved into the stone seemed to watch him, moonstone eyes glowing faintly as if sensing the presence of a king.
Finally, he tilted his head slightly toward the guards.
"Open the treasury."
The words struck the air like a blade being drawn.
