The narrow stone ledge trembled under Marcus Gray's boots as another heavy crash echoed through the falling vault chamber. Clouds of white dust and gray ash rolled past them, making it hard to breathe. Marcus kept one arm wrapped tightly around Martha, shielding the old archivist from the sharp bits of stone falling from the collapsing ceiling.In front of them, the main vault floor was gone, replaced by a wide opening filled with twisted iron beams, broken glass, and rising chemical smoke. Behind them, the newly shattered wall revealed a cold stone staircase winding down into a dark, unknown depth.Standing on the third step of the dark staircase was a tall man clad in thick gray armor. His head was covered by a smooth steel helmet with no eye slits, and in his right hand he held a long, double-edged sword that burned with a harsh, crimson system light. The red glow cast sharp shadows against the damp walls of the hidden stairwell."Unregistered record bearer," the armored knight spo

The heavy mechanical crossbow remained pointed straight at Marcus Gray's chest, its sharp steel bolt reflecting the soft yellow glow of the nearby lanterns. The young woman with the silver scar stood perfectly still on the wooden platform outside the drainage grating, her dark cloak fluttering in the cool breeze that blew from the subterranean district.Below the log, the deep river water churned wildly as the Red Enforcer thrashed against the iron cable hooked around his neck guard. The heavy steel knight let out a muffled growl, his glowing crimson blade cutting through the water as he tried to find a footing against the slippery concrete wall of the tunnel.Marcus kept his hands visible, his right hand resting flat against his knee while his left hand held the primary ledger firm against his side. He looked the young woman in the eyes, noticing the sharp, calm focus in her stance. She was not a corporate soldier. Her clothes were made of thick canvas and dyed dark green, free from