A heartbeat.
It echoed through every level of the Eternal Archive.
**THUMP.**
The sound was slow.
Ancient.
Powerful enough that the crystal walls vibrated with every pulse.
Far above, the dwarves defending the Grand Chamber suddenly stopped fighting for a brief instant.
Even the corrupted guardians hesitated.
Thargrum tightened his grip around his axe.
"What in the Forge Father's name was that?"
None of the scholars answered.
Instead, several of the oldest dwarven runes engraved into the chamber walls suddenly began to glow.
One elderly runesmith staggered backward, horror filling his face.
"I know these symbols..."
Everyone looked toward him.
"They're warning runes."
"What do they say?" another scholar asked.
The old dwarf swallowed.
"They say..."
He could barely force out the words.
"**Do not awaken the One Below.**"
Silence spread across the battlefield.
Then the corrupted guardians roared once more.
The assault resumed with even greater fury.
---
