Chapter717 163.1 - Sanctum


    Irina slowed her pace as they approached the museum, her hazel eyes lighting up with anticipation. The Stemare Museum, though modest in size, stood proudly with its clean stone facade and intricate carvings of suns and mountains decorating its pirs. She nced over her shoulder at Astron, her earlier frustration fading as her excitement bubbled to the surface.


    "This ce," she began, her voice carrying a sense of awe, "isn''t just another museum. It''s a connection to something far more extraordinary."


    Astron raised an eyebrow, his sharp gray eyes flicking over the building. "A connection to what?"


    "To Aurora Sanctum," Irina said, her tone reverent. "A ce shrouded in mystery and ancient traditions, far to the west, deep in the Targorian mountain range. It''s unlike anything governed by the Valeria Federation or any other known power."


    Astron''s expression remained calm, but Irina could tell he was listening intently. She continued, gesturing toward the museum as they stepped closer. "Aurora Sanctum is a nation that feels more like a legend than a real ce. The people there-the Srians -revere the sun as a deity. They believe it''s the source of all purity, enlightenment, and divine power. Their entire society revolves around that belief, and they''ve developed customs and hierarchies that we can''t even begin to understand."


    "And this muscum?" Astron asked, his gaze sweeping over the entrance.


    "It was founded by people who''ve had the rare privilege of visiting Aurora Sanctum or establishing rtions with them," Irina exined. "There''s a special exhibit here- artifacts, writings, and even replicas of their sacred items. It''s not much, but it''s the closest most of us will ever get to understanding that ce."


    She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "The Aurora Sanctum isn''t a ce anyone can just decide to visit. Even the most powerful states under the federation can''t dictate terms to them. They''repletely self-governed, and isted, and they only allow outsiders in under very specific circumstances. Most of what we know about themes from the few who''ve been invited-or the even rarer few who returned with their lives and memories intact."


    Astron nced at her, his interest piqued. "And why does this muscum matter to you?"


    Irina''s expression softened, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought. "Because it''s proof that there are still wonders in this world-things we don''t fully understand, ces that remain untouched by all the chaos and greed out here. The Aurora Sanctum represents a kind of purity, a way of life that''s entirely their own. And even if this museum is small, even if it''s just a glimpse into that world, it''s still worth


    preserving"


    They reached the entrance, where a modest que engraved with golden lettering read:


    Stemare Museum


    Dedicated to the History, Culture, and Mysteries of Aurora Sanctumn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Astron''s calm gray eyes flicked toward Irina, a faint glimmer of amusement dancing in them. "You got all of that from Julia, didn''t you?" he said, his tone more observational than usatory.


    Irina coughed, looking away toward the que as if suddenly fascinated by its engraving. "I... may have discussed it with her," she admitted, though she quickly straightened, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. "But that doesn''t mean I''m not. genuinely interested in Aurora Sanctum. It''s such a mysterious ce, you know? Their traditions, their istion, even their devotion to the sun-it''s all so... different. I just wonder what it''s really like there."


    Astron remained silent, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Sensing his pause, she turned back to him, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly. "What about you?" she asked, tilting her head. "Do you know anything about Aurora Sanctum?"


    He shook his head slowly. "Not much more than you already mentioned. Just that it''s a secluded ce, difficult to reach, and the people there are highly protective of their way of life. But..." He hesitated briefly before adding, "I''ve heard there are some strong individuals among them."


    Irina rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh. "Of course there are strong individuals. If they didn''t have the strength to back it up, the Valeria Federation would''ve crushed them ages ago. You think they''d just let a ce like that ''govern itself'' without reason?"


    Astron shrugged, his expression neutral. "True enough."


    With that, the two stepped through the museum''s arched entrance. The air inside was cool and filled with the faint hum of murmured voices. Disys lined the walls, each carefully curated to highlight different aspects of Aurora Sanctum''s culture. Artifacts rested on pedestals beneath protective ss, andrge ques offered detailed exnations in elegant lettering.


    As they moved further inside, Irina''s gaze darted from one disy to the next, her earlier frustration melting away into genuine fascination. The serene environment was almost meditative-until a cheerful voice interrupted their quiet.


    "Hello there! Wee to the Stemare Museum!"


    A young woman in a neat, modest uniform approached them, her bright smile suggesting she was ustomed to greeting curious visitors. "Are you here for the self-guided tour, or would you like a guide? We offer a volunteer service where our


    guides can walk you through the exhibits and share some additional insights. It''s all tip-based, so there''s no set fee."


    Irina nced around, noticing several other guides already speaking to small groups of visitors scattered throughout the museum. The sight reminded her of other tourist-heavy locations she''d visited-where such volunteer services weremon, if


    not expected.


    She turned back to the guide, her tone polite but firm. "We''ll take a guide. If we''re going to be here, we might as well get the full experience."


    The woman''s smile widened. "Wonderful! Let me just grab my notes, and I''ll show you around."


    Irina nced at Astron, who merely gave a small nod, his expression unchanged. The guide quickly retrieved a small booklet and gestured for them to follow.


    "This way, please," she said brightly. "We''ll start with the history of Aurora Sanctum


    and its founding myths. It''s truly fascinating, I promise!"


    As they followed, Irina leaned slightly toward Astron, whispering, "She seems enthusiastic."


    Astron''s gaze followed the guide for a moment before he leaned slightly toward Irina, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "She''s trying to impress us. That''s essentially how


    this works."


    Irina raised an eyebrow, ncing at him. "Trying to impress us? You mean for the


    tip?"


    He nodded slightly. "Exactly. She''ll make as much effort as she can, sharing detailed insights and going above and beyond. If we don''t tip at the end of the tour, she can still use the situation to ''guilt trip'' us-or, in other words, y on our conscience." Irina blinked, her lips twitching into a smirk as she considered his analysis. "What if we''re ruthless?" she asked, her voice low but tinged with amusement.


    "Then it''s a pity," Astron replied evenly. "Her day will be ruined because of that, most likely."


    Irina chuckled softly, her hazel eyes darting toward the guide, who was busy flipping through her notes a few steps ahead. "Is it just observation again?"


    "It''s just observation indeed," Astron said, his tone nonchnt. "It doesn''t take much to understand motivation when it''s this transparent."


    Irina rolled her eyes, though her smirk remained. "And here I thought you were just


    being cynical."


    "Not cynical," he corrected, his gaze steady. "Practical. If she does her job well, she deserves the tip. If not, she''ll have to reflect on why."


    Irina hummed thoughtfully, a hint of mischief sparking in her expression. "So, what.


    you''re saying is, we''re her test today?"


    "Call it what you like," Astron said calmly, his focus shifting back to the guide as she turned to address them.


    "Are you both ready?" the woman asked brightly, her voice brimming with


    enthusiasm.


    "Ready as we''ll ever be," Irina replied, ncing at Astron with a teasing glint in her


    eye.


    The guide smiled and gestured toward arge disy depicting a carved sun surrounded by intricate golden patterns. "We''ll start here with the founding myths of


    Aurora Sanctum. The Srians believe the sun is a divine force, and their entire society revolves around its worship. Let me exin..."


    As the guide began her detailed exnation, Irina leaned slightly closer to Astron, whispering just loud enough for him to hear, "Let''s see if she earns that tip." Astron''s lips twitched faintly, the closest thing to a smirk she''d get from him. "We''ll


    see."


    The tour began with the guide leading Irina and Astron to therge disy of the carved sun. The intricate golden patterns shimmered faintly under the museum lights,


    giving the piece an almost ethereal glow,


    "The Srians believe the sun is the ultimate source of purity and enlightenment," the


    guide began, her tone animated yet reverent. "It''s not just a deity to them-it''s the very foundation of their existence. Every ritual, every celebration, everyw they have ties back to the sun''s cycles. This carving is a replica of what they call the Radiant Crest, a sacred artifact housed in their capital, Radiant Citadel."


    Irina tilted her head, studying the detailed patterns. "The Radiant Crest... what does it


    do?"


    The guide smiled, clearly pleased by the question. "It''s said to be a focus for their divine energy, used in ceremonies to connect the people to the sun''s power. The


    original is made from a rare metal known as srite, which supposedly absorbs and amplifies sunlight."


    Astron''s sharp gray eyes flicked to the carving. "A focus for divine energy-or perhaps an advanced form of mana maniption," he mused softly.


    The guide hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering slightly at his pragmatic tone.


    "Well, the Srians would certainly call it divine," she said, recovering quickly. "But yes, it''s possible there''s a more practical, magical exnation. Much of what we know about their artifactses from merchants or high-ranked Awakened who''ve had brief interactions with Aurora Sanctum."


    As they moved deeper into the museum, the guide led them to a disy of weapons


    mounted on the wall. Each weapon was crafted with an elegant yet unfamiliar style- des with sunburst motifs, bows with strings that shimmered like threads of sunlight, and shields etched with intricate geometric patterns. "These are replicas of Srian weapons," the guide exined, gesturing to the disy. "Their artistry is unmistakable. The Srians incorporate their reverence for the sun into every aspect of their lives, including their weaponry. See the grooves along the de of this sword? It''s designed to reflect and channel sunlight, blinding opponents


    duringbat."


    Irina''s hazel eyes sparkled with fascination as she leaned closer to examine the details. "That''s... beautiful. Even their weapons are like works of art." The guide nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed. It''s said that every Srian weapon is crafted with precision and care, and many are infused with srite to enhance their


    effectiveness."


    Astron''s gaze lingered on the shield. "Artistic, but functional," he remarked. "They''re not just for disy. These designs suggest practical application inbat." The guide brightened at his observation. "Exactly! The Srians are known for blending form and function seamlessly. Their weapons are as deadly as they are


    beautiful." They moved on to a series of ss cases containing smaller artifacts-pendants, ceremonial masks, and scrolls filled with intricate calligraphy. The guide pointed to a particrly ornate pendant shaped like a sunburst, its center a radiant yellow gem. "This is a replica of a Srian talisman," she said. "These are believed to protect the wearer from darkness and corruption, both physically and spiritually."


    Irina reached out, her fingers hovering just above the ss. "So much of their culture


    seems centered on light and purity. I wonder what they think of ces that don''t revere the sun."


    It was just a question....


    At least it looked so.


    But Irina asked it not without a reason. ''Something.....Why does this feel like it?" Something.


    She felt it.