The Road Of Stone

1:25 SPEAKER_02: Welcome to season four of Tiny Ninja The Hidden Lineage. The journey continues. Tiny Ninja and his companions survived the battle beneath the ocean, but victory came at a terrible price. Leviathan is dead, the tide sanctuary has fallen, and its keeper gave her life so that others could survive. Now, before Tiny Ninja, Akari, Cairo, and Ashara can continue their search for the remaining sanctuaries, there are people who need them. People without homes, people mourning everything they lost. And heroes who, for perhaps the first time in a very long while, need to remember what they're fighting for.

2:06 SPEAKER_02: The road to the stone sanctuary awaits. But first there is work to be done. This is Tiny Ninja the Hidden Lineage, Season 4, Episode 1, The Road of Stone. Morning sunlight stretched across the ocean. Tiny Ninja stood on the cliff overlooking the water. The sea was calm now. Nothing remained on the surface to show what had happened beneath it. No Leviathan, no Dominion Army, no tide sanctuary, only water. Tiny Ninja reached beneath his armor and removed the small blue crystal the keeper had left behind.

2:40 SPEAKER_02: He held it between his fingers. For a moment he remembered her final words. Tell its keeper that the tide endured. Tiny Ninja closed his eyes and his hand around the crystal. It endured, he said softly. Akari's voice came from behind him. And so did we. Tiny Ninja looked back. Akari approached carrying two small cups. She offered him one. Tiny Ninja accepted it. What is it? Something warm? That doesn't answer the question. I don't know what it is. Tiny Ninja stared into the cup. Akari smiled. One of the survivors made it.

3:22 SPEAKER_02: She said. And you drank it? Tiny Ninja replied. Yes. Voluntarily? Yes. Tiny Ninja cautiously took a sip. He stopped. Akari watched him. Well? Tiny Ninja took another. Actually it's pretty good. I told you, Akari replied. You said you didn't know what it was. I didn't. Tiny Ninja looked at her. That isn't the same thing. It worked. Tiny Ninja shook his head. Akari stood beside him. For a while neither spoke. They simply watched the ocean. Tanija eventually looked down at the crystal again. I keep thinking about going back.

4:05 SPEAKER_02: Akari's smile disappeared. To the sanctuary? What's left of it? Akari looked toward the ocean. You think she's still down there? Tinyja didn't answer immediately. No. He knew the truth. That what that was what made it difficult. I think part of me just wants to see it. Akari understood. To know for certain. Tiny Ninja nodded. Akari took another drink. You already know. I know, Tiny Ninja said. Now don't make yourself watch it again. Tiny Ninja looked at her. Akari's voice softened. She didn't save you, so you could spend the rest of your life standing here wishing she'd made a different choice.

4:54 SPEAKER_02: Tanija looked back toward the ocean. I didn't want her to die. Neither did she. Tiny ninja glanced at Akari. Akari continued. But she chose what mattered to her. Tanija closed his hand around the crystal. The people. Yes, the people. Taninja turned away from the ocean. Behind them those people were beginning again. What had started as a temporary camp was slowly becoming something more. Shelters had been constructed along the hills. Rebels carried timber between structures. Others repaired damaged equipment salvaged from the survivors.

5:36 SPEAKER_02: Tied sanctuary families worked alongside them. Children carried small supplies, while adults organized food and clean water. Tiny Ninja stopped when he saw one of the rebels attempting to build a wall. The wall leaned noticeably to one side. Tiny Ninja stared. The rebel noticed him. What? Tiny Ninja tilted his head. Nothing. The rebel looked at the wall, then back at Tiny Ninja. You think you can do better? Tiny Ninja looked at Akari. Akari immediately shook her head. Don't. Tiny Ninja handed her his cup.

6:11 SPEAKER_02: I can absolutely do better. Akari sighed. I knew you were going to say that. Tiny Ninja walked toward the wall. The rebel stepped aside. Go ahead. Tiny Ninja examined it and pushed against one section. The entire wall collapsed. Everyone nearby stopped. Tiny Ninja stared at the pile of wood. The rebel folded his arms. Okari covered her mouth. Tiny Ninja looked back. That's actually good. The rebel stared at him.

6:46 SPEAKER_01: How?

6:47 SPEAKER_02: Now we know what was wrong. What was wrong? Tinyja pointed toward the collapsed wall. That Akuri laughed. For the first time since leaving the Tide Sanctuary, Tiny Ninja laughed too. Not because something terrible had narrowly missed them. Not because he was trying to hide fear, just because something was funny. Ashara walked past carrying several wooden beams. She stopped. Look at that destroyed wall. And then looked at Tiny Ninja. What happened? The rebel pointed at him. He helped. Ashara nodded slowly.

7:26 SPEAKER_02: I see. Tiny Ninja defended himself. It wasn't structurally sound. It isn't structurally anything anymore, she replied. Akari laughed harder. Tiny Ninja looked toward her. You're supposed to be on my side. I am. She handed him his cup. From over here. Tiny Ninja shook his head. Then grabbed one of the beams. Fine. The rebel looked surprised. What are you doing? Fixing it. You don't know how. Tiny ninja looked at him. Then teach me. The rebel stared for a moment and smiled. Alright. By midday the wall was standing, mostly straight.

8:08 SPEAKER_02: Tiny ninja stepped backward. Akari examined it. Better? Better. She tilted her head. Much better. Tiny ninja nodded. I'll take it. Across the settlement, Cairo was helping several survivors establish a defensive perimeter. Ashara stood nearby speaking with a group of rebels. Tani Ninja and Akari approached. One of the rebels looked toward them. We've been discussing what happens when you leave. Tani Ninja stopped. When we leave? Ashara nodded. Not everyone is going. Akari looked around. Several rebels had gathered.

8:52 SPEAKER_02: Tani Ninja recognized many of them. They had fought beside the hidden lineage. Some had been there since the earliest days of the rebellion. Tanija looked at them. You're staying? One of the rebels nodded. These people don't have soldiers. Another spoke. They don't have walls either. The rebel who had built the questionable wall raised his hand. They have one. Akari smiled. Technically. Tiny Ninja looked toward the settlement. You don't know them anything. The first rebel shook his head. Neither did you.

9:30 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja fell silent. The rebel continued. You fought for people you didn't know. So did we. Another rebel stepped forward. You're searching for the sanctuaries. Tiny Ninja nodded. And somebody needs to protect what you leave behind. Cairo approached. They've made their decision. Tani Ninja looked at him. You knew? We discussed it this morning. Tani Ninja looked at Ashara. She nodded. Some of them want to build something instead of constantly running from the Dominion. Tani Ninja looked toward the survivors.

10:11 SPEAKER_02: People were working, talking, building. For the first time he realized this wasn't merely a refugee camp. It was becoming a town. A new community. Something the Dominion hadn't created, something the Dominion hadn't ordered, something people were choosing for themselves. Taninja looked back at the rebels. Then make it worth defending. The rebels smiled. That's the plan. That evening the settlement gathered around several small fires. Food was shared, stories were told. Nobody discussed Leviathan.

11:42 SPEAKER_02: Nobody discussed Abyssal Prime. Nobody discussed the Dominion. Not tonight. Tani Ninja sat beside Akari. Kairo sat across from them. Ashara lowered herself beside him. Tanija looked around. This feels strange. Unkari glanced at him. What does? Not being attacked. Ushara nodded. I've been suspicious of that all day. Kairo looked at them. You have all forgotten how to rest. Tani Ninja looked at him. You're one to talk. Kairo raised an eyebrow. I know how to rest. Ushara looked at him. When? Kairo opened his mouth.

12:29 SPEAKER_02: Then stopped. Tiny ninja smiled. Akari laughed. Ashara looked pleased with herself. Kairo sighed. I've reconsidered this conversation. Tiny Ninja leaned back. For once his sword wasn't in his hand. His amber wasn't burning. He wasn't listening for Dominion patrols. Akari was beside him. Cairo and Ashara were arguing about whether meditation counted as resting. People around them were laughing. Something about the moment felt almost unfamiliar, normal. Tiny Ninja looked toward Akari. She noticed.

13:10 SPEAKER_02: What? Nothing. You're staring. I wasn't staring. Yes you were. Tiny Ninja looked toward the fire. Akari smiled. You're terrible at lying. I wear a mask. It doesn't help as much as you think. Tiny Ninja laughed quietly. Then Akari leaned slightly closer. It's okay, you know. What? To enjoy this. Tiny Ninja looked around. The survivors, the rebels, his friends. People rebuilding instead of fighting. I know. Akari looked at him. Do you? Tiny Ninja was quiet, then he nodded. I'm learning. Akari smiled.

13:57 SPEAKER_02: We could. Across the fire, Ashara looked toward Kairo. Kairo was already watching Tiny Ninja and Akari. Ashara whispered Don't. Kairo looked at her. I didn't say anything. You were about to. I was not. Ashara smiled. You absolutely were. Kairo sighed. Tiny ninja looked across the fire. What are you two talking about? Nothing, Ashara answered. Kairo nodded. Nothing. Tiny Ninja narrowed his eyes. Akari laughed. For one evening there was no war. Later that night, Tiny Ninja walked through the settlement alone.

14:44 SPEAKER_02: He checked the perimeter, old habits. He passed the new wall, still standing. Tanyinja tapped it, solid. Not bad. He continued walking. Near the edge of camp he saw Ashara sitting alone. Tiny Ninja approached. Can't sleep? Ashara looked toward him. Could I ask you the same thing? Tiny Ninja sat nearby. For a moment they watched the stars. Ashara finally spoke. Kairo thinks we should leave in a few days. Tiny ninja nodded. The stone sanctuary? Yes. Tiny Ninja looked toward the distant mountains. They were barely visible beneath the moonlight.

15:31 SPEAKER_02: Do we know where it is? Not exactly. That sounds familiar. Ashara smiled. The keeper left us and us enough information to begin. Tiny Ninja touched the blue crystal beneath his armor. Then we begin. Ashara looked at him. After we rest. Tiny Ninja sighed. You and Akari have been talking. We have. That worries me. It should. Tiny Ninja laughed. Then Ashara became serious. Tiny Ninja. He looked at her. You don't have to carry everyone. Tiny Ninja's smile faded. I know. No. Ashara shook her head. You know the words.

16:22 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja looked away. Ashara continued. You're carrying the keeper. He touched the crystal. Episode Prime. He low his eyes lowered. The sanctuary.

16:40 SPEAKER_02: Everyone we've lost. Tiny Ninja stared toward the mountains. Ashara's voice softened. Eventually carrying the dead becomes so heavy that you forget you're walking beside the living. Tiny ninja looked toward the settlement. Akari was still near the fire. Kairo was speaking with several rebels. People were laughing, living. Tiny Ninja nodded. I'll try. Ashara smiled. That's enough for me. Tiny Ninja stood. You should rest. Ashara looked at him. So should you. I will. She raised an eyebrow. Tiny Ninja paused.

17:30 SPEAKER_02: Eventually. I'll tell Akari. Tiny Ninja immediately stopped. That isn't necessary. Ashara smiled. Good night, Tiny Ninja. He walked away. Good night, Ashara. The next morning, Tiny Ninja woke to someone kicking the bottom of his boot. His eyes opened. Akari stood over him. Morning. Tiny Ninja sat up. What? You overslept? Tiny Ninja looked around. Sunlight covered the camp. People were already working. He immediately stood. Why didn't anyone make me? Akari smiled. We tried. Tiny Ninja looked suspicious.

18:13 SPEAKER_02: How many times? Three. He stared at her. I don't sleep that deeply. You do when you're exhausted. Tiny ninja looked toward Kairo. The old master was drinking something beside the fire. Kairo raised his cup. Good morning. Tiny ninja narrowed his eyes. You let me sleep. Yes. Why? Kairo took another drink. Because you were sleeping. Tanija looked at Akari. She shrugged. Hard to agree with that.

19:28 SPEAKER_02: Tani Ninja sighed. Then he noticed something. Near the center of the settlement, supplies were being organized, weapons, food, water, climbing equipment, maps. Tani Ninja approached. Ashara was standing over a rough map. He looked at her. Already? Ashara shook her head. Not today. Tani Ninja looked down. A route stretched from their position toward the mountains. Akari came beside him. Tiny ninja traced the path with one finger. The stone sanctuary. Cairo joined them. According to the keeper's records, the entrance lies somewhere beyond this mountain range.

20:14 SPEAKER_02: Tani Ninja studied the map. How far? Several days.

20:23 SPEAKER_02: And this is where things become difficult. Tiny ninja looked. Why? Kairo answered. The Dominion controls the northern passage. Ukari looked toward the mountains. Of course they do. Tiny Ninja smiled beneath his mask. Cairo noticed. Nope. Tiny Ninja looked at him. I didn't say anything. You didn't need to. Ukari laughed. Tiny Ninja looked toward the mountains again. Somewhere beyond them. Another sanctuary waited. Another keeper. Another piece of the hidden lineage. But not today. Today they would help finish the shelters.

21:08 SPEAKER_02: They would eat with the survivors. They would train with the rebels who had chosen to remain. They would rest. They would remember the keeper. And they would spend one more day together without running toward the next battle. Taninja looked at Akari. Come on. Where? He pointed toward the construction site. We still have houses to build. Akari stared at him. You destroyed the first wall you touched. It was already bad. That's your defense? Yes. Kari smiled. Fine. They walked toward the others. Taninja looked once toward the mountains.

21:49 SPEAKER_02: The stone sanctuary could wait a little longer. For the first time in a long time, Taninja understood that moving forward didn't always mean leaving immediately. Sometimes moving forward meant helping others stand again. And when the time came, they would walk the hidden path together.

22:17 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja looked once toward the mountains. The stone sanctuary could wait a little longer.

22:29 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja picked up another wooden bean. Akari watched him carefully. Nope, Tiny Ninja stopped.

22:37 SPEAKER_01: What?

22:38 SPEAKER_02: You're holding it wrong. He looked down at the beam. It's wood. Yes. And I'm holding it. Yes. Then how am I holding it wrong? Akari pointed toward the other end. You're about to hit that man. Tiny Ninja turned. A tide survivor stood directly behind him. Tiny Ninja froze. The man stared at the beam inches from his face. Tiny Ninja slowly moved it away. Sorry. The man nodded. Thank you. Akari smiled. Tiny Ninja looked at her. You could have told me sooner. I did. You said no. It did work. Tiny ninja shook his head.

23:19 SPEAKER_02: I miss fighting monsters. Akari laughed. No, you don't. Tiny Ninja considered it. No.

23:29 SPEAKER_02: He smiled beneath his mask. I really don't. Together they carried the beam toward one of the unfinished shelters. Around them the settlement continued taking shape. Yesterday there had been tents. Today there were walls, storage areas, cooking stations, a small medical shelter. Rebels had begun building defensive positions along the outer edge. The survivors of the tide sanctuary weren't merely waiting to be rescued anymore. They were rebuilding their lives. Tiny Ninja noticed an older tide survivor, carefully placing a small blue crystal into the entrance of one of the shelters.

24:12 SPEAKER_02: He stopped. What is that? The woman looked at him. A remembrance stone. Tiny ninja approached. The crystal was much smaller than the one the keeper had left him. From the sanctuary? She nodded. We recovered several before we escaped. Akari joined him. The woman touched the crystal gently. Every family placed one near their home. Tiny ninja looked around. Now that he knew what to look for, he saw them everywhere. Small pieces of blue. Crystal, some beside doorways, some tied to wooden posts, others resting on stones.

25:01 SPEAKER_02: The tide survivors have brought pieces of their sanctuary with them. Tanyininja touched the creeper's crystal beneath his armor. The woman noticed.

25:15 SPEAKER_02: Tanya looked at her. The keepers? Yes. Tanyinja removed the crystal. The woman stared at it, her eyes filled with emotion. She chose you. Tanya shook his head. She saved all of us. That is not what I meant. Tanyanja looked at the crystal. The woman continued. The keeper's crystal was not merely part of her weapon. Akari's expression changed. What was it? A symbol of her office. Tiny ninja looked toward the woman. The keeper's mark? She nodded. It belonged to every keeper of the tide who came before her.

26:00 SPEAKER_02: Tiny ninja stared at the crystal differently now. She never told me. The woman smiled sadly. She rarely explained herself. Tiny ninja smiled faintly. That sounds like her. The woman looked toward the ocean. She believed actions carried more truth than words. Tiny Ninja closed his hand around the crystal. Why give it to me? The woman looked directly at him. You have to discover that yourself. Tiny ninja sighed. Everyone keeps saying things like that. Nukari smiled. Maybe there's a reason. I prefer answers.

26:43 SPEAKER_02: We know. Tiny ninja returned the crystal beneath his armor. The woman bowed her head slightly. Thank you for bringing it back to us. Tanyinja shook his head. I didn't bring it back. He looked around the settlement. She did. Later that morning, Kairo stood near the edge of the settlement with several rebels. Wooden training weapons had been placed on the ground. Tanyinja approached with the Kari. What are you doing? Cairo looked toward him. Teaching. Tanyinja glanced at the rebels. They already know how to fight.

27:21 SPEAKER_02: Some do. Cairo pointed toward a larger group. Tide survivors stood among the rebels. Farmers, craftspeople, scholars, ordinary people. Tanyin understood. You are training the survivors. Cairo nodded. They cannot depend entirely on the rebels. One of the survivors raised the wooden sword awkwardly. Cairo immediately corrected his grip. Not so tight. The man loosened his hands. You control the weapon. Kairo adjusted his stance. The weapon does not control you. Ashara approached carrying several practice staffs.

28:02 SPEAKER_02: You're being gentle today. Kairo looked at her. Tanininja coughed. Akari looked away. Ashara stared at Kairo. Kairo frowned.

28:16 SPEAKER_00: What?

28:17 SPEAKER_02: Tanija shook his head. Nothing. Kairo looked at Akari. She shook her head too. No nothing. Ashara smiled. Definitely nothing. Kairo sighed. I regret teaching any of you. Tanininja picked up a wooden sword. No, you don't. Kairo looked at him. No, you're right. His expression softened. I don't. Taininja tossed another joining weapon to Akari. She caught it. What are you doing? Helping. Akari looked suspicious. You're going to hit me with it. Only if you're slow, Akari smiled. Oh. She stepped into a fighting stance.

29:03 SPEAKER_02: So that's how today is going. Tiny Ninja raised his weapon. Apparently. Kairo looked between them. This is supposed to be instruction. Tiny Ninja nodded. We're demonstrating. Musharro folded her arms. This should be educational. Kairo sighed. Tiny Ninja attacked. Akari blocked. The wooden weapons collided. Tiny Ninja moved left. Akari anticipated him. She countered. Tanija ducked. Several survivors began watching. Tiny ninja attacked again. Akari blocked again. He tried to faint. Akari didn't fall for it.

29:41 SPEAKER_02: She tapped him across the shoulder. Tiny ninja stopped. Akuri smiled. Slow. Several rebels laughed. Taninja looked around. I was demonstrating what happens when you become overconfident. Akari lowered her weapon. Of course you were. Important lesson. Very convincing. Tinyja raised his sword again. Best two out of three. Kairo took the weapon from his hand. No. Tiny Ninja stared at him. Cairo, teach. Tinyja sighed. Yes, master. Kairo handed the weapon back. Usharo smiled. Still works. Tinyja looked at her.

30:24 SPEAKER_02: Unfortunately. The training continued through the afternoon. Tininja worked with several younger adults from the sanctuary. He didn't teach them complicated techniques. He taught them how to stand, how to move, how to protect someone beside them. How to escape if the fight couldn't be won. One man looked disappointed. When did we learn to fight like you? Tiny Ninja paused. You don't. The man looked confused. Tiny Ninja continued. You learn to fight like yourself. He pointed toward Cairo. He taught me that.

31:03 SPEAKER_02: Cairo overheard. Tiny expected some wise response. Instead, Cairo said eventually. Tinyja looked toward him. Eventually? You were extremely stubborn. Ashira laughed. Tiny Ninja shook his head. I walked into that. Mukari nodded. You did. The survivor smiled. Tiny Ninja returned his attention to him. The point isn't becoming the strongest person in the room. He gestured toward the settlement. The point is making sure these people are still here tomorrow. The man looked toward his family, then nodded.

31:42 SPEAKER_02: I understand. Good. Tiny Ninja handed him the training sword. Again. As evening approached, the rebels gathered near the central fire. The rebel commander stood over a rough map of the settlement. Tiny ninja, Akuri, Cairo, and Ashara joined him. The commander pointed towards several locations. North side gets a watchtower. He moved his finger. South entrance gets reinforced. Another point. Food storage stays here. Taninja looked at the map. You've thought this through. The commander looked at him.

32:19 SPEAKER_02: I occasionally think. Tinyja nodded. Good to know. The commander ignored him. We've got enough people staying behind to keep a rotating card. Ushura looked around. How many? Enough. Pero folded his arms. That wasn't the question. The commander sighed. Twelve rebels. Tiny ninja looked at him. Twelve? And several tide survivors who want to join the guard once they're trained. Tiny ninja studied the settlement. Will that be enough if the Dominion finds them? The commander didn't answer immediately.

32:58 SPEAKER_02: No. Tiny ninja looked at him. The commander continued. But twenty wouldn't be enough either. He pointed toward the mountains. Neither would fifty if the Dominion decides this place matters. Ankari frowned. So what do they do? Make sure it doesn't matter. Tiny understood. Stay small, stay quiet, Kairo nodded. No large energy signatures, no broadcasts. Rishara added. No unnecessary fires after dark. The commander nodded. And scouts on the mountain routes? Tiny ninja looked toward him. You're staying.

33:39 SPEAKER_02: The commander smiled. Not a chance. Tiny ninja tilted his head. The commander pointed toward one of the rebels. He's in charge here. A veteran rebel stepped forward. Tiny Ninja recognized him from several battles. Men nodded. We'll protect them. Tiny Ninja looked at him. You sure? I spent most of my life destroying things. The Dominion told me we were enemies.

34:08 SPEAKER_01: He looked toward the settlement.

34:10 SPEAKER_02: I'd like to try building something. Tiny ninja held out his hand.

34:15 SPEAKER_01: The rebel took it.

34:17 SPEAKER_02: Then build something good. We will. That night the survivors held a meal, not a ceremony.

34:30 SPEAKER_01: Just a dinner.

34:32 SPEAKER_02: Everyone brought something. Some of it was good. Some of it was questionable. Tinyja stared at something on his plate. Akari looked at him. Eat it. What is it? No idea. This happened yesterday. And you survived. Tinyja poked it. It moved. Akaria looked closer. It did not. It absolutely moved. Ashara sat down across from them. What's the problem? Tiny ninja pointed. That. Ashara took a bite from her own plate. It's sea root. Tiny ninja looked relieved. Good.

35:16 SPEAKER_02: Ashara continued. Fermented sea root. Tiny ninja stopped. Nakari laughed. Kairo sat beside Ashara. You've eaten worse. Tiny ninja looked at him. When? Kairo thought. The tunnels beneath the ember sanctuary. Tiny ninja remembered. That's what that was? Cairo nodded. Tiny ninja slowly pushed the plate away. Ashara Akari pushed it back. Eat. Tiny ninja stared at her. You're enjoying this very much. He reluctantly took a bite. Everyone watched. Tiny ninja chewed, stopped, and took another bite. Akari smiled.

36:01 SPEAKER_02: You like it? No. You took another bite. I was confirming my opinion, and Tiny Ninja took a third. Still investigating, Akari laughed. Around them, other people laughed too. Tiny ninja looked across the settlement. For a moment he thought about how different this was from the Dominion cities. People there had survived. These people were living. There was a difference. Tiny Ninja finally understood why Ashara had told him he couldn't carry only the dead. The living needed space inside him too. Much later, Tiny Ninja found Cairo standing alone near the edge of camp.

36:50 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja approached. You're doing it too. Cairo glanced at him. Doing what? Not sleeping. Cairo smiled faintly. I never claimed to be a good example. Tinyja stood beside him. The mountain stretched across the horizon. Stone sanctuary. Cairo nodded. Stone sanctuary. Tiny ninja looked at him. What do you think we'll find? A keeper, hopefully. Tiny Ninja touched the blue crystal. And if we don't? Cairo looked toward him. Then we deal with what we find. Tiny Ninja was quiet. Cairo? Yes. Do you think every sanctuary ends like this?

37:41 SPEAKER_02: Kairo understood what he meant. The amber sanctuary, the tide sanctuary. The people lost along the way. No. How do you know? I don't. Tiny ninja looked away. Kairo continued. But fear of losing something cannot become the reason we stopped trying to save it. Tiny ninja nodded slowly. You always have an answer. No. Kairo smiled. I simply wait until I have something worth saying. Tiny ninja looked at him. I should try that. Yes. Tiny ninja laughed. Walked into that one too. You did. The next morning Tiny Ninja woke before Akari could kick his boot.

38:38 SPEAKER_02: He sat up proudly. Akari was already standing nearby. She looked disappointed. Tiny Ninja smiled. Too slow. I wasn't going to kick you. Yes you were. Akari shrugged. Well maybe. Tiny Ninja stood. Something felt different today. The settlement was almost finished. Not complete. It would take months to truly become a home, but it could survive without them now. The rebels who were staying had already taken their positions. The tide survivors had organized themselves. Guards trained near the perimeter.

39:21 SPEAKER_02: Food was being prepared. Shelters stood where tents had been. Tiny ninja looked toward the ocean one last time. Then toward the mountains. Akari stepped beside him, thinking about leaving? Soon. Today? Tiny ninja shook his head. No. Akari smiled. You're learning. Tinyja looked at her. Tomorrow? Akari's smile faded slightly. So soon? Tanya looked surprised. I thought you wanted to leave. I do. She looked around the settlement. I just didn't expect to miss this. Taninja understood. Neither did I. Ashara approached.

40:14 SPEAKER_02: Cairo wants everyone together. Tanyinja looked toward her. Why? He found something. The three walked toward the central shelter. Kairo stood over the keeper's old records. The rebel commander was beside him. Tiny Ninja entered. What did you find? Kairo pointed toward the map. A route toward the stone sanctuary had been marked, but that wasn't what concerned him. Another symbol had appeared along the route, a dominion symbol. Tiny Ninja leaned closer. Outpost? The commander shook his head. No. What?

40:53 SPEAKER_02: Cairo answered. A mining complex.

40:58 SPEAKER_02: Ashara looked toward the mountains. What are they mining? Cairo looked at Tiny Ninja. Stone. Tiny Ninja waited. Kairo continued. Not ordinary stone. He placed one of the keeper's records beside the map. An ancient symbol matched the location of the Dominion mine. Tiny Ninja's expression changed. The sanctuary? Kairo shook his head. Not necessarily. Then what? Kairo looked toward the mountains. Something connected to it. The room became quiet. Akari folded her arms. So the Dominion got there first.

41:42 SPEAKER_02: Tanin just stared at the map. Maybe. He looked toward the settlement behind them, then toward the road ahead. Their rest was almost over. Their friends were safe. The survivors were rebuilding. Some rebels would remain behind to protect what had begun there, and somewhere beyond the mountains, the Dominion was digging into something ancient. Tanyinja placed his finger on the marked location. Tomorrow Kiro looked at him. Tanininja's eyes narrowed. We leave for the stone sanctuary tomorrow.

42:29 SPEAKER_02: Tomorrow. Kara looked at him. Tinyja's eyes narrowed. We leave for the stone sanctuary tomorrow. For several moments nobody spoke. Tinyinja kept his finger pressed against the Dominion mining complex marked on the map. Akari moved closer. If they're mining something connected to the stone sanctuary, they may already know it's there. Or they're searching for it, Ashara said. Cairo nodded. That distinction matters. Tiny ninja looked at him. How? If the Dominion already knows the sanctuary's location, we're racing against them.

43:16 SPEAKER_02: Cairo tapped the mining complex. If they don't, Nakari understood, we could lead them straight to it. Taninja slowly removed his hand from the map. That would be bad.

43:36 SPEAKER_02: Oshira looked at him. An unusually sophisticated analysis. Taninja glanced at her. Thank you. That wasn't a compliment. I've decided to pause. Nukari smiled. Cairo ignored them and studied the keeper's records. The stone sanctuary was deliberately concealed. Its location isn't marked directly on any of these maps. Tanininja frowned. Then how are we supposed to find it? Kairo touched several symbols. The same way the hidden lineage always protected its most important places. Tiny ninja waited. Cairo looked at him.

44:15 SPEAKER_02: They're making certain that only someone who understands what they're searching for can reach them. Tiny ninja sighed. Another trial? Probably. Ancient riddles? Possibly. Something trying to kill me? Akuri answered before Kairo could. Definitely. Tiny Ninja nodded. Good, at least something about this is predictable. The rebel commander leaned over the table. I'll send scouts ahead. Tiny immediately shook his head.

44:44 unknown: No.

44:45 SPEAKER_02: The commander looked at him. No. If the Dominion is already operating in those mountains, a large group will attract attention. Scouts aren't a large group. They're still people we don't need to risk. The commander folded his arms. And you're planning to walk into a Dominion mining operation with four people. Taninja glanced at Akari, Kairo, and Ashara. It's worked before. Ashara shook her head. Your definition of worked is generous. We're alive. That's an extremely low standard. Tinyja smiled beneath his mask.

45:22 SPEAKER_02: Still counts. Kairo stepped between the argument before it could grow. We won't attack the mining complex. Tiny Ninja looked at him. Yet. Kairo stared. Tiny Ninja raised his hands. I said yet. That is exactly the word concerning me. Akari laughed. The commander pointed toward the map. If you're not attacking it, what's the plan? Cairo answered. Observation. Tiny Ninja nodded. Determine what they're mining. Akari continued. Find out whether they know about the sanctuary. Ashara added, and if they don't, make certain we don't change that.

46:05 SPEAKER_02: The commander considered it, then nodded. Fine. He looked at Tiny Ninja. But if things go wrong, they won't. Everyone looked at Tiny Ninja. Tiny Ninja paused. Fine. He corrected himself. When things go wrong, the Kari smiled, much better. We'll handle it. The rest of the day passed differently. Everyone knew what tomorrow meant. Supplies were packed, weapons inspected, armor repaired. Food divided between those leaving and those staying. Tanya just sat outside one of the shelters with his katana across his knees.

46:43 SPEAKER_02: The blade had survived the tide sanctuary, but barely. He ran a cloth along its edge. A small chip remained near the center. Akari sat beside him. Her own katana rested across her lap. You missed the spot. Tiny ninja looked at his blade. Where? Akari pointed. There. Tiny ninja inspected it. I don't see anything. Exactly. Tiny Ninja stared at her. Akari smiled. Tiny Ninja shook his head. That was terrible. You smiled. I did not. Your eyes did. I wear a mask, specifically to prevent conversations like this.

47:23 SPEAKER_02: It isn't working. Tiny ninja returned to cleaning his sword. Akari's smile remained. Then she became quieter. You nervous? Taininja stopped. About tomorrow? Akari nodded. A little.

47:43 SPEAKER_02: She seemed surprised by the answer. You admitted it. Taninja looked at her. I've been learning things. Resting. Apparently. Building walls. Let's not discuss the wall. Akari laughed. Then Taninja looked toward the settlement. I don't want to leave them. Akari followed his gaze. Neither do I. Tanyinja looked at her. You? Akari shrugged. I got used to everyone being around. You got used to fermented sea root? Don't change the subject. Tinyja smiled. Akari continued. You spent so long trying to keep these people alive.

48:28 SPEAKER_02: Leaving feels wrong. Hello. Tiny ninja understood.

48:34 SPEAKER_01: But if we stay forever, Akari nodded.

48:37 SPEAKER_02: We'll never reach the other sanctuaries. Tiny ninja looked toward the mountains. The tetekeeper knew that. Akari glanced at the blue crystal beneath his armor. She did. Tiny ninja removed it. The crystal caught the afternoon sunlight. Blue light moved faintly within it. I still don't understand why she gave me this.

48:59 SPEAKER_01: Akari leaned closer.

49:01 SPEAKER_02: Maybe you weren't supposed to yet. Tiny ninja groaned. You sound like Kairo. Akuri smiled. Might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me. It wasn't meant to be. Across the settlement, Kairo called out. I heard that. Tiny ninja looked over. How? Kairo continued walking, draining. Ashara followed behind him. No, he's nosy. Kairo looked offended. I am observant. Ashara nodded. Professionally nosy. Tiny Ninja and Akari laughed. Kairo muttered something neither could hear. Akari leaned toward Tiny Ninja.

49:43 SPEAKER_02: I think she's winning, Tiny Ninja nodded. Definitely. As sunset approached, several tide survivors gathered near the edge of the settlement. Tiny Ninja noticed them while carrying supplies. The older woman who had explained the remembrance stones stood among them. She motioned for Tiny Ninja to come closer. He approached. Is something wrong? No. She smiled. We wanted to speak with you before you leave. Tiny Ninja looked around. There were dozens of them. Families, workers, people he had fought beside during the final escape.

50:22 SPEAKER_02: People the keeper had died to save. Tiny Ninja suddenly felt uncomfortable. He was much better at fighting monsters than standing in front of grateful people. The woman seemed to notice. You don't enjoy attention. No. It's good. Tiny ninja blanked. It's good? Her keeper didn't either. Tiny ninja smiled faintly. The woman held out a small object, a cord. At its center was a smooth piece of blue stone. Tiny ninja looked at it. What is this? A piece of the sanctuary. Tiny ninja shook his head. I already have.

51:10 SPEAKER_02: The keeper's crystal belongs to her legacy. The woman placed the cord in his hand. This belongs to ours. Tiny ninja looked down. We can't repay what you and your friends did. You don't have to. We know. Tani Ninja looked at her. She continued. That's why this isn't repayment. The survivors behind her lowered their heads. It is remembrance. Tanija was silent. The woman looked toward the mountains. When you reach the stone sanctuary, tell them something for us. Tani Ninja nodded. What? The woman smiled.

52:00 SPEAKER_02: Tell them the people of the tide survived. Tanyinja closed his fingers around the stone. I will. And tell them her voice trembled. Our keeper kept her promise. Tiny Ninja swallowed. He nodded. She did. The woman looked into his eyes. And so must you. Tiny Ninja understood. Find the sanctuaries, protect their people, keep moving. I will. That evening everyone gathered together one final time. There were no speeches. Tiny Ninja had specifically requested that. The rebel commander had immediately threatened to give one anyway.

52:50 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja threatened to leave early, so they compromised. Food, stories, laughter. And one final night together. Tiny Ninja sat beside Akari. Across from them, Cairo and Ashara spoke quietly. The commander sat nearby with several rebels. One of the rebels who had chosen to remain raised his cup. Do not dy. Tiny ninja raised his. Finally a philosophy I understand. Akari raised hers. To rebuilding. Ashara lifted hers. To whatever weights beyond those mountains, regretting the day it meets us. Tiny Ninja looked at her.

53:36 SPEAKER_02: That was surprisingly aggressive. Ashara drank. I've been resting. Cairo raised his cup. To those who remain. Everyone became quieter. And those who continue. Tiny Ninja looked around the fire, then lifted his cup. And those who got us here. For a moment nobody moved. Tiny Ninja touched the keeper's crystal. Akari understood immediately. Everyone raised their cups. To the keeper. The words moved through the settlement. To the keeper Tiny Ninja looked toward the ocean. The tide endured. Much later, after most of the settlement had gone quiet, Tiny Ninja sat beside the dying fire.

54:27 SPEAKER_02: Akari remained beside him. Neither had spoken for several minutes. Tiny Ninja finally broke the silence. Do you ever think about what happens after all this? Akari looked at him. After the sanctuaries? After the Dominion. Akari was quiet. I try not to. Why? Because for most of my life there wasn't an after. Tiny Ninja looked at her. Akari stared into the fire. There was survival. Tomorrow? Then another tomorrow. She smiled faintly. I never really thought further than that. Tiny Ninja nodded. Neither did I. Akari looked toward him.

55:17 SPEAKER_02: What about now? Tiny Ninja thought. I don't know. He looked around the settlement. But this changed something. Akari waited. I want there to be an after. Her expression softened. So do I. Tiny Ninja looked at her. For a moment neither looked away. The fire cracked between them. Tiny Ninja felt strangely nervous. You had faced Dominion hunters, Abyssal Prime, Leviathan. Yet sitting beside Akari suddenly seemed considerably more dangerous. Akari smiled slightly. What? Tiny Ninja immediately looked toward the fire.

56:02 SPEAKER_02: Nothing. You were staring again. I wasn't. You were. Tiny Ninja sighed. You're never going to stop doing that, are you? No. Tiny Ninja smiled. Good. Akari went quiet. Tiny Ninja realized what he'd said. He looked at her. Akari was still smiling. Neither said anything else. They didn't need to. Not tonight. Before sunrise, Tiny Ninja woke. This time without being kicked. He dressed quietly, fastened his armor, wrapped the red scarf around his neck, secured his katana, then placed both pieces of tied crystal beneath his armor.

56:53 SPEAKER_02: One belonged to the keeper, one belonged to the people she had saved. Outside, Akari was already waiting, pink scarf moving gently in the morning wind. Tiny ninja looked at her. You always wake up first. Usually. That's annoying. I know. Kairo approached with his supplies. Ashara followed. The rebel commander appeared behind them. Tiny Ninja looked at the commander. You're coming? The commander stared at him. Someone has to keep you alive. Tiny Ninja looked at Cairo. I thought that was his job. Kairo shook his head.

57:32 SPEAKER_02: I retired from my responsibilities several near death experiences ago. Tinyja looked at Akari. You? No. Ashara? Absolutely not. Tinyja sighed. Good to know. They walked toward the edge of the settlement. The rebels staying behind were waiting. So were many of the tide survivors. Tiny ninja stopped. I said no speeches. The veteran rebel smiled. This isn't a speech. Good. It's a warning. Tiny ninja tilted his head.

58:05 SPEAKER_01: Come back.

58:07 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja's expression softened. That isn't much of a warning. It is if you don't. Tiny Ninja held out his arm. The rebel clasped it. We'll keep this place standing. Tiny Ninja looked toward the wall they'd built together. You'd better. The rebel smiled. We might rebuild your wall. Tiny Ninja immediately pointed at him. There's nothing wrong with that wall. Akari walked past. Except the wall. Tiny Ninja looked after her. Whose side are you on? Still mine. Tiny Ninja shook his head. The survivors laughed, and Tiny Ninja realized something.

58:52 SPEAKER_02: That was how he wanted to remember this place. Not collapsing, not drowning, not burning beneath Leviathan's rage like this. Alive. The heroes began walking. Tiny Ninja, Akari, Cairo, Ashara, and the rebel commander. Behind them stood the beginning of something new. Ahead of them rose the mountains. For the first hour nobody spoke much. The settlement slowly disappeared behind the hills. Tiny Ninja resisted looking back. And he finally did. Akari noticed. They'll be okay. Tiny Ninja nodded. I know.

59:31 SPEAKER_02: Cairo walked ahead. The first passage begins several miles north. Ashara checked the map. If we're fortunate, we'll reach the lower mountains before nightfall. Tiny Ninja looked toward the enormous peaks. And if we're not fortunate, the commander answered. We'll probably get shot at. Tiny Ninja nodded. There's the journey I remember. Makuri smiled. They continued. Hours passed. The coast disappeared. Green hills became rocky terrain. Trees grew thinner, the air became colder, and eventually Tiny Ninja saw something.

1:00:12 SPEAKER_02: He raised his fist. Everyone stopped. Macuri immediately lowered herself.

1:00:17 SPEAKER_01: What?

1:00:18 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja pointed. Far ahead. Something rose from between the mountains. Smoke. Not campfire smoke, industrial smoke. Asharo pulled out the map. A mining complex? Cairo studied the distant mountains. We shouldn't be able to see it yet. The commander looked toward him. Why? According to the keeper's records, it's another day's travel. Tinyinja stared at the smoke. Akari moved beside him. So either the map is wrong, Ashara finished, or the Dominion operation is much larger than we thought. A low vibration moved through the ground.

1:01:00 SPEAKER_02: Tiny ninja felt it through his boots. Everyone froze. Another vibration, deep, heavy. Tiny Ninja crouched and placed his hand against the earth. The amber within him stirred, but something else answered. Not Ty, not Dominion, something ancient. Tanyininja's eyes widened. Akari noticed. What is it? Tiny Ninja kept his hand against the ground. I don't know. Another pulse traveled through the stone. This one stronger. The keeper's blue crystal beneath his armor suddenly grew warm. Tanyininja pulled it free.

1:01:39 SPEAKER_02: Blue light moved through it. Cairo stared. The tide crystal. Tiny ninja looked toward him. Why would it react here? Cairo slowly turned toward the mountains. It isn't reacting to the tide. Ashara's expression hardened. Then what? Cairo looked at the stone beneath Tiny Ninja's hand. The sanctuaries were never truly separate. Tiny Ninja remembered. Ember, tide, different powers, different teachings, but part of something larger. The ground pulsed again. This time a second force answered inside Tiny Ninja.

1:02:19 SPEAKER_02: His ember. Orange light moved faintly beneath his armor. Blue tide crystal, orange ember. And beneath them the mountain. Tiny Ninja slowly stood. Akari looked at him. Tiny Ninja? He stared toward the distant smoke. The stone sanctuary nose were coming. Then another sound reached them. Not from the mountain, from above. The commander looked up. His expression changed. Move. Everyone scattered. The Dominion Reconnaissance craft swept over the ridge. Tanininja and Akari threw themselves behind a rocky formation.

1:03:01 SPEAKER_02: Cairo and Ashara disappeared beneath another ledge. The commander crouched nearby. The craft passed overhead. Tiny Ninja remained completely still. The machine continued toward the coast, toward the settlement. Tiny ninja's eyes widened. No. He started to rise. Akari grabbed his arm. Wait. They're heading toward the survivors. We don't know that. Tiny Ninja looked at her. They're heading toward the coast. The commander crawled closer. Recon craft. Tiny Ninja looked toward him. Can it detect a settlement?

1:03:37 SPEAKER_02: Maybe. Tiny Ninja immediately reached for his sword. The commander stopped him. And what exactly are you planning to do? Stop it. With a sword? Tiny Ninja looked at him. I've done stranger things. Tiny Ninja. Kairo's voice was calm but firm. Tiny Ninja looked toward him. Cairo watched the aircraft disappear. If you attack it, the Dominion will know someone is here. Tiny Ninja's hand tightened around his sword, and if we don't, Cairo didn't answer. Tiny Ninja looked back toward the direction of the settlement.

1:04:12 SPEAKER_02: The people they had just left, the rebels who had stayed behind, the homes they'd built. Akari placed a hand on Tiny Ninja's shoulder. We trust them. Tiny Ninja looked at her. Akari's eyes were steady. That was the whole point. Tiny Ninja slowly understood. They had spent days preparing those people to stand without them. He if he ran back the moment danger appeared. He hadn't truly left them anything. He had only made them dependent on him. Tiny Ninja slowly released his sword. We trust them. Akari nodded.

1:04:50 SPEAKER_02: We trust them. Tiny Ninja looked toward the mountains.

1:04:58 SPEAKER_02: Then another vibration moved beneath his feet. Much stronger. Dust fell from the rocks. The Dominion mining complex continued pumping smoke into the sky. Something was happening beneath that mountain. Something the Dominion had disturbed. Tiny Ninja looked at his companions. The survivors have their fight. He turned toward the mountains, and we have ours. Cairo nodded. Tanyinja tightened his scarf. Let's find out what the Dominion is digging up. Together the heroes moved deeper into the mountains.

1:05:32 SPEAKER_02: Behind them lay the people they had helped rebuild. Ahead lay the mystery of the stone sanctuary, and beneath their feet something ancient had begun to awaken.

1:06:00 SPEAKER_02: Together the heroes moved deeper into the mountains. Behind them lay the people that had helped rebuild. Ahead laid the mystery of the stone sanctuary, and beneath their feet something ancient had begun to awaken. Tiny Ninja moved first. Akari stayed close behind him. Cairo and Ashara followed, while the rebel commander watched the ridgeline behind them. The vibration came again. Tiny Ninja stopped. This time everyone felt it. Loose stones trembled across the ground. Ashara looked down. That isn't machinery.

1:06:35 SPEAKER_02: The commander shook his head. No. Cairo knelt and pressed his palm against the earth. Tiny Ninja watched him. Well Cairo closed his eyes. Another pulse moved through the mountain. Cairo opened them. The Dominion is disturbing something. Tiny Ninja touched the keeper's crystal beneath his armor. It was still warm. Something connected to the sanctuary? Possibly. Tiny ninja looked toward the smoke. Then we're going the right way. Ashura adjusted her staff. That has never reassured me when you've said it.

1:07:12 SPEAKER_02: Tiny ninja smiled beneath his mask. It's supposed to. It doesn't. Akari stepped between them. Can we argue after we find somewhere less exposed? The commander looked toward the sky. She's right. Tiny Ninja nodded. Move. They traveled toward the and they traveled until the terrain narrowed into a rocky passage. The path became steep. The jagged cliffs rose on either side. The distant industrial smoke disappeared behind the mountains. Tiny Ninja slowed. Something bothered him. He raised his fist. Everyone stopped.

1:07:48 SPEAKER_02: Akari whispered, What? Tiny Ninja listened. Nothing. That was the problem. No machines. The commuter nodded. No patrols either. Ashara looked toward the cliffs. No wildlife either. Cairo studied the stone. We've crossed into something. Tiny Ninja looked at him. What? I don't know. Tiny Ninja sighed. Another answer I don't like. Cairo smiled faintly. You've survived all the others. Tiny Ninja continued forward. The path ended at a massive stone wall. Tiny ninja stopped. Akari came beside him. Dead end.

1:08:31 SPEAKER_02: The commander unfolded the map. No. He looked again. This path continues. Ashara examined the wall. Not anymore. Tiny ninja approached it. The stone appeared natural. No door, no symbols, no cracks. He placed his palm against it. Nothing happened. Akari looked at him. Worth trying. I was hoping for something dramatic. Mushara stepped closer. You touched a wall. I've had stranger things happen. That is unfortunately true. Tiny Ninja removed his hand. Then something beneath his arm repulsed. He froze.

1:09:09 SPEAKER_02: The blue crystal. Tiny Ninja pulled it free. It glowed faintly. Cairo's expression changed. Hold it closer. Tiny Ninja moved the crystal toward the wall. The light intensified. Akari looked between the crystal and the stone. The tidekeeper knew. Tiny Ninja nodded slowly. This is why she gave it to me. Cairo shook his head, perhaps partly. Tiny Ninja looked at him. There's more? Almost certainly. Tiny Ninja sighed. Of course there is. He placed the crystal against the wall. Nothing. Tiny Ninja waited.

1:09:46 SPEAKER_02: Still nothing. The commander folded his arms. Very dramatic. Tiny Ninja looked over his shoulder. Give it a second. Ashora raised an eyebrow. How many? Then the mountains answered. A deep pulse travelled through the ground. The wall trembled. Tiny Ninja stepped back. Thin lines appeared across the stone. Akari drew her sword. Tiny Ninja did the same. The lines spread. But instead of breaking, they formed a symbol, a circle. Within it were several ancient markings. Tiny Ninja recognized two. One resembled flame, the other resembled a wave.

1:10:23 SPEAKER_02: Cairo approached slowly. Ember. Akari pointed. Tide. Two more markings surrounded them. One looked like a mountain. Another resembled swirling air. Ashara studied them. Stone. Cairo nodded. And sky. Tanininja noticed another marking beneath them. A branching symbol. Garden? Kairo stared. Yes. Five sanctuaries, five symbols. Connected by a single circle. Tiny ninja looked at him. You said the sanctuaries weren't separate. They aren't. Cairo touched the markings. They never were. Tiny ninja looked at the symbols.

1:11:00 SPEAKER_02: Ember, tide, stone, sky, sanctuary. Different sanctuaries, different keepers, different teachings, but one purpose. Akari looked toward the tide symbol. It knew the keeper's crystal. Kairo nodded. Perhaps the sanctuaries were designed to recognize one another. Tiny Ninja looked toward the stone symbol. Then maybe this is part of the road. He placed his hand over it. The mountain pulsed, but the wall remained closed. Tiny ninja frowned. Akari moved beside him. What if it isn't a door? Taninja looked at her.

1:11:33 SPEAKER_02: Then what is it? A marker? Sha nodded. She's right. The commander checked the map again. This passage shouldn't exist according to our newer maps. Cairo looked toward him. But it appears in the keeper's records. The commander unfolded the older map. His eyes narrowed. Yes. Tinyinja looked back toward the wall. A hidden road. Cairo nodded. Or what remained of one. Another vibration passed through the mountain. This time the symbol stone glowed faintly. Tanyinja stepped back. The glow moved through the lines, then stopped.

1:12:11 SPEAKER_02: Tinyja stared. The stone symbol pointed downward, Ashara noticed. Not through the mountain. Tanyinja looked at the ground. Under it. They searched the surrounding rocks. Akari found the entrance. A narrow opening hidden beneath fallen stone. Behind fallen stone. Here. Tiny Ninja joined her. Cold air flowed from the darkness. The commander looked inside. That's inviting. Tiny ninja smiled. You first. Absolutely not. Ashara moved past them. Children. Tiny ninja looked at the commander. She meant you.

1:12:48 SPEAKER_02: The commander stared at him. She meant both of us, probably. Kairo followed Ashara. Tiny Ninja looked toward Akari. After you. Akari smiled. Scared? No. Then you first. Tiny Ninja sighed. Fine, he entered. The passage descended steeply. Tiny Ninja could barely see. He allowed a small amount of amber energy to form around his hand. Orange light illuminated the tunnel. Akari looked at him. Useful. Tiny Ninja smiled. I had my moments. Ashara looked at the walls. Look. Tiny Ninja raised his hand. Carvings covered the stone.

1:13:26 SPEAKER_02: People, mountains, sanctuaries. Tiny figures appeared traveling between them. Cairo moved closer. This is old. How old? Tiny Ninja asked. Older than the Dominion. That doesn't narrow it down much. Cairo continued studying the wall. Possibly older than the cities that existed before the War of the Machines. Tiny Ninja's expression changed. The carvings continued. One showed several figures standing together. Above them were five symbols Ember, Tide, Stone, Sky, and Garden. Akari traced the air near them without touching the wall.

1:14:03 SPEAKER_02: They worked together. Cairo nodded. The keepers weren't guardians of isolated temples, Ashara understood. They were part of an order. Tanyinja stared at the figures. A network. Cairo looked toward him. Yes. Tanyinja's ember flickered. For a moment he imagined the world before everything had fallen apart, before the Dominion, before humanity had forgotten the sanctuaries. Keepers traveling between them, people learning from them. Hidden lineage warriors protecting them. A world connected by something other than machines.

1:14:39 SPEAKER_02: Tanyinja touched the tide crystal. We're putting it back together. Cairo looked at him. Perhaps. Tanyinja shook his head. No. Everyone looked at him. We are. His voice was quiet but certain. The ember sanctuary taught us something. He touched the blue crystal. The tidekeeper died protecting something. Tiny ninja looked at the ancient symbols. If these places were meant to work together, then we're not just finding sanctuaries. Makari smiled slightly. We're reconnecting them. Tiny Ninja nodded. Exactly.

1:15:14 SPEAKER_02: Kaira looked proud. Ashara noticed. Don't say it. Kaira looked at her. I wasn't going to. You were. Tiny Ninja turned. What? Nothing. Ashara said. Tiny Ninja stared at them. You two are becoming annoying. Ashara smiled. Becoming? Akari laughed. The tunnel continued for nearly an hour. Eventually the heroes saw daylight. Tiny Ninja extinguished the ember around his hand. They emerged onto a narrow ledge and stopped. The Dominion mining complex stretched across the valley below. Tiny Ninja's expression hardened.

1:15:54 SPEAKER_02: It was enormous. Excavators cut into the mountain. Dominion machines transported stone along the elevated tracks. Enforcers patrolled platforms. Large drilling towers had been driven directly into the mountainside. The commander crouched. This isn't a mining operation. Mashamra joined him. What is it? The commander pointed toward the largest drill. Excavation. Tiny Nunja narrowed his eyes. They're looking for something. Kairo studded the mountain. The sanctuary. Akari looked toward him. You said they might not know where it is.

1:16:32 SPEAKER_02: They may not. Tiny Ninja understood. They know something is here. Kairo nodded, but they haven't found it. Tinyja smiled beneath his mask. Then we're ahead. The commander looked toward hundreds of Dominion machines below. By how much? Nobody answered. Then the mountain shook. A massive drill activated. Its mechanical head rotated. Tiny Ninja felt the vibration through the ledge. The drill drove forward. Stone shattered. Tiny Ninja's ember reacted violently. He grabbed his chest. Akari immediately turned.

1:17:12 SPEAKER_02: Tiny Ninja? He dropped to one knee. The tide crystal flashed blue. The amber beneath his armor burned orange, and something else filled the tunnel. A deep golden light. Not from Tiny Ninja. From the mountain. Cairo stared. Stone energy. Tiny Ninja looked toward him. It's reacting to the drill. No. Cairo's expression became serious. It's resisting it. The drill pushed deeper. The mountain shook harder. Then the drill stopped. The minion workers below began moving rapidly. The machine tried again.

1:17:50 SPEAKER_02: Nothing. A fracture appeared across the drill head. Tiny ninja watched. The metals split. The enormous drill broke apart. Pieces crashed onto the mining platform. The commander smiled. I like this mountain. Ashara nodded. Finally, something sensible. Tiny ninja stood. The golden light faded, but the mountain continued vibrating. Akari looked toward him. You felt that? Tiny Ninja nodded. It was angry. Kaira looked at him. Stone does not anger easily. Tiny ninja looked toward the mining operation.

1:18:29 SPEAKER_02: Apparently the Dominion found a way. They remained hidden until darkness. Tiny Ninja watched patrol patterns. Akari counted guards. Ashara studied routes through the valley. The commander identified supply points. Kairo studied the mountain. Eventually, Tiny Ninja moved away from the ledge. We don't attack. The commander looked surprised. I wasn't expecting to argue with you about that. Tiny ninja smiled. I'm learning. Akari nodded very slowly. Tinyja ignored her. If the Dominion doesn't know exactly where the sanctuary is, we keep it that way.

1:19:12 SPEAKER_02: Cairo nodded. Our priority is finding another path. Ashara looked toward the ancient tunnel. The old keeper reads. Tiny Ninja glanced back. Exactly. The commander pointed toward the mining complex. And them? Tiny Ninja looked at the Dominion machines. We learn what they know. Akari smiled. And then Tiny Ninja rested his hand on his katana. Then we decide how much of their mining equipment gets to survive. Kairo stared at him. Tiny Ninja shrugged. I said we weren't attacking tonight. Ashara laughed quietly.

1:19:50 SPEAKER_02: I'll accept the progress. They returned deeper into the hidden passage. The tunnel widened into a small chamber. For the night it would be enough. Tiny Ninja sat against the stone. Akari saddled nearby. The commander took first watch. Kairo studied the ancient carvings. Ashara eventually walked over and sat beside him. Tiny Ninja watched them. Akari noticed. Staring again, Tiny Ninja whispered. Not at you this time. Akari looked toward Kairo and Ashara. Ashara was pointing towards something in the carvings.

1:20:26 SPEAKER_02: Kairo leaned closer. They began quietly arguing. Tiny Ninja smiled. Akari whispered. They're getting close. Tiny Ninja looked at her. So are we. Akari froze. Tiny Ninja froze. Neither spoke. Tiny Ninja slowly looked away. I'm in the sanctuary. Akari smiled, of course. Tiny Ninja pulled his scarf higher over his face. Akari laughed quietly. Your mask still doesn't help, Tiny Ninja muttered. I need a better mask. Eventually the others slept. Tiny Ninja couldn't. He sat near the entrance to the chamber.

1:21:07 SPEAKER_02: The keeper's crystal rested in his palm. Blue light barely moving inside it. Tiny Ninja whispered. He made it to the mountains. Silence answered him. He didn't expect anything else. We helped your people. Tiny ninja looked toward the distant tunnel. Some of the rebels stayed. He smiled faintly. They'll protect them. Tiny ninja closed his fingers around the crystal. And we're going to find the stone sanctuary. For a moment nothing happened, and the crystal warmed. Tiny ninja opened his hand. A tiny blue glow appeared.

1:21:46 SPEAKER_02: Tiny ninja smiled. The tide enters. He returned the crystal beneath his armor. Then a vibration passed through the chamber. Taininja looked down. Different from before, not violent, not angry. Slow, rhythmic, almost like a heartbeat. Tiny ninja stood. Akari woke immediately.

1:22:06 SPEAKER_01: What happened?

1:22:08 SPEAKER_02: Tinyja raised his hand. Listen. Akari stood. Cairo opened his eyes. Ashara sat upright. The commander reached for his weapon. Another pulse. The stone beneath them glowed faintly gold. A line appeared across the floor. Tiny ninja stepped back. The line traveled to the chamber. Then up the wall. More lines followed. They formed another symbol. The symbol of stone. Tiny ninja approached. Beneath it, ancient words appeared. Cairo stood beside him. Tiny ninja looked at him. Can you read it? Cairo stared at the inscription.

1:22:47 SPEAKER_02: Slowly, his expression changed. Yes. What does it say? Cairo looked toward Tiny Ninja. Those who seek strength will find only stone. Tiny Ninja waited. Cairo continued. Those who seek dominion will be buried beneath it. The commander smiled. I definitely like this place. Tiny ninja looked at the final line. In that, Cairo's expression became more serious. Only those strong enough to kneel may stand before the keeper. Silence filled the chamber. Tiny Ninja stared at the words. Akari moved beside him.

1:23:26 SPEAKER_02: A trial. Tiny Ninja nodded. Ashara looked toward the mountain. Not a trial of strength. Kairo smiled faintly. No. Tiny Ninja thought about the words. Only those strong enough to kneel. He remembered the tidekeeper, her sacrifice, the survivors, the rebels who had chosen to stay. The wall he'd helped build. The people he'd drained. All the things they'd done during the past several days that required no sword at all. Tiny ninja looked toward Cairo. Humility. Cairo nodded. One of the sacred virtues.

1:24:04 SPEAKER_02: Tiny ninja looked back at the glowing symbol. Then the stone beneath it moved. A hidden doorway slowly opened. Cold mountain air flowed through the chamber. Beyond it stretched an ancient staircase descending deeper into darkness. Tiny ninja drew his sword. Akari looked at him. I thought the lesson was humility. It is. Tani Ninja looked into the darkness. I can be humble with a sword, Ashara sighed. That isn't how humility works. Tani Ninja smiled, still learning. Kairou stepped toward the entrance.

1:24:39 SPEAKER_02: Tanija looked once toward the distant Dominion excavation. They were digging from the outside, trying to break the mountain open, trying to conquer it, trying to force stone to surrender its secrets, and they were failing. Tiny ninja torn toward the ancient staircase. The hidden lineage would enter another way. Not through conquest, through understanding. Tiny Ninja touched the keeper's crystal. Ember had taught him to awaken. Tide had taught him to flow. Now, stone would teach him something new.

1:25:14 SPEAKER_02: He looked at Akari. Ready to drew her katana. Always. Tiny Ninja looked at Cairo. The old master nodded. Ashara raised her staff. The rebel committer checked his weapon. Tiny ninja turned toward the darkness. Far below them, something moved. Not dominion, not machinery. Stone grinding against stone. Ancient, massive and awake. Tiny ninja's eyes narrowed. So much for a quiet first day. Akari smiled. You'd be disappointed if it was. Tiny Ninja laughed. Probably. Together they stepped through the doorway.

1:25:55 SPEAKER_02: Behind them the mountain sealed itself again. Ahead. The ancient road descended toward the unknown. Toward another keeper. Toward another lesson. Toward the stone sanctuary. And somewhere far beneath their feet, the mountain remembered the hidden lineage.

1:26:16 SPEAKER_02: Thank you for listening to Tiny Ninja The Hidden Lineage. The survivors of the tide have begun rebuilding. Some of the rebels have chosen to stay behind, protecting the new settlement and helping its people build a future beyond the ruins of their sanctuary. And after taking time to rest, recover, and remember those they lost, Tiny Ninja, Akari, Cairo, Ashara, and the Rebel Commander have begun the next chapter of their journey. The Stone Sanctuary awaits. But the Dominion is already digging into the mountains, and something ancient beneath the stone has begun to awaken.

1:26:55 SPEAKER_02: If you've been enjoying Tiny Ninja the Hidden Lineage, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help support the podcast, help new listeners discover the story, and help the hidden lineage continue to grow. You can also find us on YouTube at Tiny Ninja the Hidden Lineage for character shorts, visual moments from the story, and more from the world of the hidden lineage. And while you're there, please like the videos and subscribe to the channel. Every like and subscription helps support the show and helps more people discover Tiny Ninja's journey.

1:27:32 SPEAKER_02: If you'd like to support the podcast even further, you can find the support link in the channel description. Tiny Ninja The Hidden Lineage is a free podcast. Donations are never required. But if you choose to donate, your support is sincerely appreciated. It helps keep the show going and allows me to continue improving and expanding the world of the Hidden Lineage. Thank you. Your support means a great deal and helps this story continue to grow. Season four has begun. The tide endures, and now Stone awaits.

1:28:08 SPEAKER_02: Until next time, walk in harmony, protect with compassion, stand with courage, lead with humility. Where hope endures, the hidden lineage lives.