Near the Hidden Door in the Crypt

The narrow passage outside the crypt’s ancient stone entrance lies bathed in the cold glow of the Cyber Leader’s torch. The air is thick with damp earth and the mineral scent of crumbling masonry, the ground uneven underfoot with scattered leaves and brittle roots creeping from the crypt’s mouth. The stone sarcophagus juts from the hillside like a broken tooth, its northern recess marked by the serpent carving Peinforte discovered. Shadows stretch long across the rough grass, betraying movement—Cybermen advance with methodical precision, their silver forms reflecting the dim light as De Flores struggles against Karl’s betrayal. The distant hum of the Cyberfleet’s engines underscores the urgency, the statuesque activation now the priority before destruction rains down.