THE HIDDEN CROWN

Chapter 22: Echoes of the Past

Victor walked through the bustling streets of the city, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The revelation of the unseen force manipulating the Guardian weighed heavily on him, casting a dark shadow over his every step. He had ruled in the shadows for centuries, guiding the world through turbulent times, but this challenge felt different—more dangerous, more insidious.

The city’s neon lights and towering skyscrapers contrasted sharply with the ancient memories that stirred within him. Each step he took seemed to echo with the past, reminding him of the battles he had fought, the sacrifices he had made, and the loved ones he had lost. But those memories also gave him strength. He had faced the darkness before, and he would face it again.

As he rounded a corner, he found himself standing before a small, unassuming building nestled between two towering office complexes. The entrance was marked only by a simple wooden door, worn with age and almost invisible among the modern architecture. T