Sir Hiss and Waldemar – Part 1 The Black Heart Awakens

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Deep beneath the ruins of the old chapel, the vault lay as still as a forgotten tomb. Cold water dripped from the ceiling, echoing through the endless shadows of the ancient chambers. The smell of damp stone and decay hung heavy in the air. The torches of Robin and his men cast flickering circles of light across the walls covered with strange symbols. With his bow drawn, Robin stood directly in front of Sir Hiss. "This time it's over," Robin said in a harsh voice. "No more tricks. No escape." But Sir Hiss didn't seem defeated. He stood perfectly still. Almost majestic. His narrow eyes gleamed in the flickering torchlight. Then he smiled slowly. "You still don't understand why you're here." Beside him stood Penelope. She had hardly spoken a word so far, but her gaze nervously scanned the ancient symbols on the walls. Waldemar suddenly noticed that something had changed. The air grew warmer. Too warm. As if a fire were burning deep beneath them. One of the torches suddenly began to flicker wildly. "Robin..." Waldemar murmured nervously. "The walls." Slowly, the ancient symbols began to glow red. Robin's men stepped back in alarm. "What the hell is this?" one of them asked, his voice trembling. Penelope slowly approached the wall. Her fingers slid carefully over the ancient symbols. And suddenly, she spoke words in a language no one understood. A dull rumble filled the vault. The floor began to shake. Dust trickled from the ceiling. Robin looked at her, startled. "How do you know these symbols?" Penelope was silent for a moment. Fear was visible in her eyes. Then she answered softly, "My family guarded this place many centuries ago." Sir Hiss slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. As if he had waited years for this very moment. "Finally," he whispered. With a tremendous crash, the floor in the middle of the vault suddenly ripped open. Robin's men cried out in alarm and stumbled back. A second chamber slowly opened beneath them. Much larger. Much older. Black stone pillars rose from the darkness like the bones of a forgotten giant. Narrow channels of water ran between them, from which cold mist rose. And in the middle of this vast hall, something pulsed. A black mass of stone and shadow. Like a gigantic heart. With each slow beat, the air vibrated. Waldemar immediately felt a painful tug in his head. Then he heard the voices. Soft at first. Almost like wind. Robin doesn't trust you… You're weak… He'll sacrifice you… Waldemar clutched his head in alarm. "No… stop…" Robin immediately grabbed him by the shoulder. "Waldemar! What's wrong?" But Waldemar couldn't tear his gaze away from the Black Heart. It was as if the darkness lived within it. As if it were watching him. Penelope slowly backed away. "It mustn't awaken," she whispered, filled with fear. Sir Hiss stepped to the edge of the vast chasm and looked down.