The first chamber of L-03 was almost completely dark. The three lights that had appeared in the corridor cast a faint glow across the stone walls. No one spoke. Kael walked at the front. Darius followed a few steps behind, one hand close to his weapon. Ethan stayed on the other side. Lysandra was a few steps farther back. Behind them, Adrian, Noah, Aldren, and the others were still waiting near the entrance. The Imperial Knights guarded the passage. Kael suddenly stopped. Darius immediately halted. “What is it?” Kael looked at the floor. A nearly invisible line crossed between the stones. “Don’t step there.” Darius lowered his eyes. “Why?” Kael remained silent for a moment. “I don't know.” He crouched down. His fingers followed the line without touching it. “But I know it isn't safe.” Darius studied him. “You're sure?” Kael nodded. “Yes.” He stood and walked around the marking. Darius followed. Ethan looked at him. “How can you possibly know that?” Kael said nothing. Then he answered: “I don't know.” Ethan frowned. “That’s becoming a habit.” Kael ignored him. They continued. A few seconds later, a small piece of stone fell from the ceiling. It struck exactly where Kael had just told them not to step. Noah, who had been watching from the entrance, widened his eyes. “Okay.” Adrian looked at the fallen stone. “He was right.” Noah looked at Kael. “You really knew.” Kael turned toward him. “Apparently.” “Can you do that with everything?” “No.” “Shame.” Lysandra smiled. “You probably couldn't keep a secret around Noah anyway.” “I could learn.” Adrian calmly replied: “No.” Noah stared at him. “Thanks for the confidence.” --- After several minutes, they reached a large circular chamber. The walls were covered in ancient inscriptions. A slightly raised platform stood in the center. Kael stepped inside. He immediately stopped. His eyes moved across the room. Then he walked toward the left wall. Darius followed. “What are you looking for?” Kael ran his hand over several inscriptions. “I don't know.” He stopped in front of a series of markings. “But this…” He frowned. “I know these.” Ethan stepped closer. “Do you remember something?” Kael closed his eyes. A memory appeared. His father. The same room. A table. Documents. And Kael, sitting on a chair that was far too big for him. His father was speaking. “You need to learn to look before you act.” Young Kael crossed his arms. “I am looking.” His father smiled. “No. You're observing.” The memory disappeared. Kael opened his eyes. He slowly placed a hand against the wall. “He was teaching me how to read these inscriptions.” Ethan fell silent. “At your age?” Kael nodded. “Yes.” Darius studied the symbols. “Can you still read them?” Kael thought for a moment. “Some of them.” He followed the first line with his finger. “This means passage.” Then another. “This one… lock.” A third. “And this…” He stopped. His expression changed. “Heir.” Everyone fell silent. Aldren approached. “You're certain?” Kael nodded. “Yes.” He looked toward the center of the room. “This chamber wasn't only used for training.” “Then what was it for?” Ethan asked. Kael studied the platform. “To pass something on.” Darius frowned. “What?” Kael didn't answer. He was already walking toward the center. --- As soon as he stepped onto the platform, several inscriptions lit up. Dark blue light spread across the walls. The Imperial Knights immediately went on alert. Alaric raised a hand. “No one move.” Kael stared at the inscriptions. A sentence appeared. THE HEIR HAS RETURNED. Then another. MEMORY AVAILABLE. Kael stood completely still. “A memory?” Ethan whispered. Kael didn't answer. The light in front of him intensified. An image appeared in the air. A man. His father. Kael froze. Ethan suddenly inhaled. “Dad…” The image looked old. Kael's father stood in the center of the same chamber. He was looking at something outside the frame. Then his voice echoed through the room. “If you're seeing this, then you've returned.” Kael didn't move. His father continued. “I don't know how old you'll be when you see this.” The image flickered slightly. “But if the system recognized you, then you're probably old enough to understand some things.” Kael clenched his fists. The voice continued. “L-03 isn't a weapon.” Aldren frowned. “Then what is it?” No one answered. The message continued. “It's a memory.” The image disappeared. The chamber fell silent again. Kael remained motionless. Darius approached. “Kael.” He didn't answer. Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” Kael looked down. Then slowly raised his eyes. “He knew.” “What?” “He knew I'd come back.” Lysandra watched Kael in silence. She noticed something the others might have missed. Kael wasn't only shaken. He was focused. As though every word from his father was awakening something inside him. --- A door appeared at the far end of the chamber. It hadn't been there a few seconds earlier. Kael stared at it. Then walked toward it. Darius took a step forward. “I'm coming.” Kael shook his head. “No.” Darius stopped. “Why?” Kael looked at the door. “I think it'll only open for me.” Darius frowned. “And if it doesn't?” “Then I'll come back.” Ethan stepped forward. “I'm coming with you.” Kael turned toward him. “Ethan—” “No.” His brother crossed his arms. “You're not walking into an unknown room alone after everything we've just discovered.” Kael remained silent. Then sighed. “Fine.” Darius smiled slightly. “I knew you weren't going to win that argument.” Kael gave him a look. “Don't start.” Darius raised his hands. “I didn't say anything.” Ethan walked past them. “Come on.” Kael followed. But after a few steps, the door lit up. An inscription appeared. ACCESS — HEIR ONLY. Ethan stopped. “Well…” Kael placed his hand against the door. It opened. Ethan sighed. “I hate it when ancient machines are right.” Noah burst out laughing behind them. “Me too.” Kael turned around. “You're staying here.” Noah put on an innocent expression. “Why?” “Because I said so.” “And what if I refuse?” Adrian answered before Kael could. “You won't.” Noah looked at him. “Why?” “Because you're scared.” “I am not scared.” “Then stay here.” Noah thought about it. “Actually, I might be a little scared.” Ethan shook his head with a laugh. --- The door closed behind Kael and Ethan. On the other side was a much smaller room. There was no dust. No furniture. Only a circle carved into the floor. Kael stepped forward. Ethan looked around. “That's it?” “I don't think so.” Kael knelt in front of the circle. He placed his hand in the center. A light appeared. Then another image. This time, his father was sitting in front of him. But young Kael was there too. His hair was shorter. His red eyes looked even larger on his child's face. His father spoke gently. “You need to remember this place.” Young Kael nodded. “Why?” “Because one day, you might forget.” The child frowned. “I won't forget.” His father smiled sadly. “I hope not.” The image flickered. Then his voice continued. “If you forget, don't try to force your memories back.” Adult Kael felt his chest tighten. “They'll return when they're ready.” The image disappeared. Ethan remained silent. Kael didn't move. “Kael…” “I remember.” Ethan looked up. “Remember what?” Kael stared at the circle. “He told me not to be afraid if I couldn't remember.” He ran a hand through his hair. “He knew something was going to happen.” Ethan frowned. “You think someone erased our memories?” Kael remained silent. “I don't know.” Then he added: “But I think my father was afraid someone might try.” --- Outside, Lysandra remained near the door. Noah and Adrian had joined Darius. Aldren was speaking with Alaric. The knights continued watching the corridors. Lysandra stared at the door. Darius approached. “Are you worried?” “A little.” “He'll come back.” Lysandra nodded. “I know.” She looked at the door again. “But he's different here.” Darius looked at her. “What do you mean?” “Outside, Kael thinks before every move.” She paused. “Here, he acts as if he remembers everything.” Darius remained silent. Then he answered: “Maybe part of him really does.” Lysandra looked at him. “Do you think his father prepared all of this for him?” “I don't know.” He smiled slightly. “But if anyone knew Kael well enough to predict what he'd do years in advance…” Darius looked at the door. “It was probably his father.” Lysandra lowered her eyes. She didn't answer. --- A few minutes later, Kael and Ethan came back out. Lysandra immediately looked up. Kael seemed calm. But something had changed. He no longer looked lost. Darius approached. “So?” Kael looked at the others. “We need to go farther.” Noah sighed. “Of course.” Kael looked at him. “You can stay here.” “I'm coming.” “Why?” Noah hesitated. “Because…” He thought about it. “Because I'd rather be with you guys.” Kael remained silent. Then a small smile appeared. “Okay.” Noah smiled. Adrian looked at Kael. “Did you find something?” Kael nodded. “Memories.” “Yours?” “Yes.” Lysandra stepped closer. “Do you want to talk about them?” Kael looked at her. For a few seconds, he seemed unsure. Then he answered: “Not now.” Lysandra simply nodded. “Okay.” Kael gave her a faint smile. “Thank you.” --- A little later, Darius and Aldren left to inspect the secondary passages with the knights. Alaric escorted the Imperial group toward another section of the building. Adrian followed Ethan to examine the inscriptions in the first chamber. Noah immediately joined them. “I'm coming too.” Ethan looked at him. “Why?” “Because you're probably going to find something.” “And?” “I want to be there when you do.” Adrian sighed. “At least he's honest.” Ethan smiled. “Fine. But don't touch anything.” Noah raised a hand. “Promise.” They left together. Kael remained alone in the corridor. Well, almost. Lysandra was still there. She approached quietly. “Do you want to walk for a bit?” Kael looked down the passage. Then at her. “Yes.” They moved away from the others. For the first time since arriving at L-03, Kael wasn't immediately looking for an answer. He was simply walking. Lysandra stayed beside him. After a few seconds, she asked: “You really came here as a child?” Kael nodded. “Yes.” “You didn't remember.” “Not until today.” “And now?” Kael looked ahead. “Now I feel like everything is coming back in pieces.” Lysandra remained silent. Then she asked: “Does it scare you?” Kael thought about it. “A little.” Lysandra turned toward him. Kael gave her a faint smile. “You're the first person I've told.” She smiled softly. “Then I'll keep it to myself.” Kael looked at her. “I know.” They continued walking. After a while, they reached a large broken window overlooking the forest. Sunlight filtered through the branches. Kael stopped. “It's strange.” “What?” “I thought remembering things would help me understand my father.” Lysandra waited. “But the more I remember…” He looked toward the forest. “The more I feel like pieces are still missing.” Lysandra answered softly: “Then you'll find them.” Kael turned toward her. “You're sure?” “No.” She smiled. “But I know you well enough to know you won't stop.” Kael remained silent. Then a small smile appeared. “Probably.” They stood beside each other for a few quiet moments. Then a dull sound echoed from somewhere in the distance. Kael immediately turned his head. Lysandra did the same. A red light had appeared in a distant section of L-03. Kael frowned. “That wasn't there before.” Lysandra looked at him. “What does it mean?” Kael stared at the light. “I don't know.” He paused. “But I know where it leads.” Lysandra looked at him in surprise. Kael turned toward her. “And this time, I remember the way.” At that exact moment, from the other side of the complex, Noah shouted: “ETHAN!” Then another voice rang out. “DON'T TOUCH THAT!” Kael closed his eyes. Lysandra sighed. “They found something.” Kael looked toward the sound. “Of course they did.” Then he started walking. Lysandra followed. And, for the first time since they had arrived at L-03, Kael no longer needed to search for his way. He knew exactly where to go.

What Kael Knew