The gate slid open with a dull sound, like the sigh of aged metal. A cold white smoke poured from within, carrying the scent of ozone and... memories. Kael stepped inside, his footsteps echoing in the huge hallway lined with dark alloy, where the ceiling lights flickered as if waking from a sleep that lasted generations.

On the walls were slowly glowing symbols – not writing, but a code, like a heartbeat slowly stabilising. Kael looked around, whispering:

"Is anyone here?"

The answer came not from one person – but from all directions at once. A voice, neutral and emotionless, echoed in his head as if from inside his skull:

"Activation cycle complete. Designation: Kael Vireon. Bio-joint Blood Mark 99.87%. Access: Inheritance Level – Initiate."

Kael paused.

"Inheritance? I... don't understand..."

A section of the wall in front of him transformed into a giant screen, projecting a virtual image: ancient cities submerged under water, thousands of people in hard hats working around giant machines, and in the center... a woman with silver hair and ashen eyes like Kael's.

"Mother?" Kael exclaimed.

"She's the ARK Chief Creator. Codename: Aelira Vireon. She left you a message – to be opened only if you make it here alive."

The voice was silent for a moment, then the woman's image began to move. This wasn't a video – it was a living memory, recorded with technology that didn't exist on Skyholm.

"Kael... if you're seeing this, I can't come back. But that means you've chosen the truth. And you have to pick up where I left off."

"The world above is a lie. Skyholm is not a safe place – it is a prison. Beneath the water, the truth lives – and waits to be awakened."

Kael clenched his fists.

"I need to know the truth. About Skyholm. About my mother. About myself."

The AI's voice echoed, deeper now – almost wistful.

"Then enter the Root Chamber. But be careful – the truth has no fixed form. It changes to protect itself."

Another portal opened, larger, darker. Inside was the Root Chamber – the heart of Project: ARK.

Kael stepped in. And the world was no longer the same.