Chapter 13 - THE VAULT OF THE FIRST FOUNDING
The subterranean vaults beneath the Newport estate were carved directly into the ancient granite bedrock, dating back to the late seventeenth century. Torches flared along the damp stone walls, casting long, dancing shadows over iron-reinforced doors.
It was past midnight when the heavy emergency alarms began to shriek through the lower corridors.
Olivia woke instantly in her chamber, Vesper already perched on her chest, its golden eye glowing with urgent amber light.
Incursion, Vesper’s voice echoed sharply in her mind. In the lower catacombs. The Prime Vault.
Olivia didn't hesitate. She threw on her dark wool coat, strapped a ceremonial silver blade to her belt, and bolted from her room.
When she reached the subterranean landing, she found Master Rowan and two royal guards already engaged in a fierce skirmish. Mercenaries wearing tactical gear and black masks were swarming the corridor, armed with high-frequency acoustic disruptors designed to disorient dragon nervous systems.
"Princess!" Rowan shouted over the ringing noise of an acoustic pulse. "They breached the upper security seal using forced lineage DNA! They are trying to reach the Prime Vault!"
Olivia surged forward. As she entered the fray, a wave of golden energy radiated outward from her palms, shattering the acoustic disruptors in the mercenaries' hands with a deafening burst of static.
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From the shadows of the vault entrance, Lord Marcus Vale stepped forward, dragging a bound and gagged cousin who had betrayed the family seal for money. Marcus held a glowing, jagged piece of ancient silver metal—the cracked shell of the Prime Egg.
"Stay back, Olivia!" Marcus screamed, his voice echoing frantically off the stone walls. "One step closer and I shatter the Prime Relic! Without it, your precious connection to the dragons will snap!"
