Just as Lucius spoke, the waters began to bubble violently. A deep, resonant hum echoed through the room, and a glowing, golden orb rose from the center of the baths. The orb pulsed, sending ripples across the water. It hovered, then began to drift slowly toward a narrow archway at the far end of the baths. Lucius and reader exchanged a glance. "We should follow it," Lucius said, his curiosity overriding any fear. Together, they stepped carefully into the warm water, wading toward the archway. As they passed through, they found themselves in a cavernous chamber lit by the same golden glow of the orb. On the walls were mosaics depicting gods and heroes—Neptune with his trident, Jupiter hurling lightning, Minerva with her owl. In the center of the room stood an ancient pedestal, and on it, a small bronze key. The orb hovered above the key, its light growing brighter. "Do you think... it wants us to take it?" the reader asked. Lucius nodded. "A key must mean a door. Perhaps it’s a test." As they stepped closer, the ground began to rumble. From the shadows emerged a massive, serpent-like creature—its body made of flowing water, its eyes glowing with the same golden light as the orb. It hissed, coiling protectively around the pedestal. Lucius grabbed the reader's arm. "Stay behind me," he said, though he was just a boy. "If the gods brought me back, they won’t let me fail." The serpent lunged, and Lucius dodged with surprising agility. The reader spotted a broken mosaic tile on the floor and handed it to Lucius, who used it as a makeshift shield. The serpent struck again, but Lucius raised the tile, deflecting the watery blow. The reader, meanwhile, noticed the orb flashing rhythmically—three pulses, pause, three pulses again. "It's a pattern!" the reader shouted. "The orb is guiding us!"

Just as Lucius spoke, the waters began to bubble violently. A deep, resonant hum echoed through the room, and a glowing, golden orb rose from the center of the baths. "We should follow it," Lucius said, his curiosity overriding any fear.