The trio entered the ruins cautiously, their eyes scanning every shadow, every corner. The ancient structures loomed around them, their walls etched with faded symbols and runes that hinted at a long-forgotten past. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird. It was as if the ruins themselves were holding their breath, waiting for something—someone—to disturb their slumber.
They moved in closer formation, their footsteps echoing off the broken stone walls. The air was thick with the remnants of old magic, and the shadows seemed to shift and move of their own accord, a trick of the light—or something more sinister. Sylvie could sense the lingering energy, the traces of powerful spells that had once been cast here, now warped and tainted by time.
As they ventured deeper into the ruins, the ground became cracked and uneven. The path led them into a large, open courtyard. Symbols carved into the ground glowed faintly with an eerie, greenish light, casting an otherworldly glow across the ancient stones.
"What do you think this is?" Haruto asked, stepping closer to the light. His voice echoed slightly in the vast, empty space, heightening the tension.
Sylvie examined the carvings, her brow furrowed in concentration. "These symbols… they're ancient. Older than anything I've ever seen. They're definitely magical in nature, but I can't tell what kind of magic it is."
Bane circled the courtyard, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. "It feels like a ritual site. Whatever was done here, I cannot tell if it was good or bad." His voice was low, barely above a whisper, as if he feared waking something that should remain asleep.
Haruto reached out, his hand hovering over the surface. He could feel the residual magic pulsing beneath his fingertips, a dark and malevolent energy that made his skin crawl. "This place… feels like it's been tainted. We need to be careful."
The tension in the air thickened as they moved cautiously, their senses on high alert. Every step felt like a gamble, as if the very ground beneath them could betray them at any moment. The symbols on the courtyard floor seemed to pulse in rhythm with Haruto's heartbeat, their glow growing stronger as if reacting to their presence.
"Something isn't right," Sylvie muttered, her voice tinged with unease. "This magic—it's alive but twisted."
They pressed on, their unease growing with every step. The air felt heavier, the shadows darker. The path led them to a large chamber, its walls lined with the same glowing symbols. In the center stood a massive stone obelisk, its surface covered in ancient runes that pulsed with the same, eerie glow. Haruto felt an inexplicable pull toward it, like a whisper in the back of his mind, urging him to come closer.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, a low rumble that grew louder with each passing second. The symbols on the obelisk flared to life, their glow intensifying as the air around them crackled with magical energy. The tremors increased, sending small stones and debris cascading from the walls. The ancient magic was awakening.
"What's happening?" Sylvie asked, her voice tinged with panic as she looked around, trying to find the source of the disturbance.
The symbols on the obelisk blazed with light, and the air was filled with a deep, resonant hum. Then, as suddenly as it started, the ground stilled, and the symbols' glow dimmed, but something had changed. The air felt charged with energy, and the atmosphere was heavy with anticipation.
"Be ready," Bane whispered, his grip tightening on his Hydra blade. The tension in the chamber was palpable, every breath a struggle as they waited for whatever came next.
"This place… it feels like a tomb," Sylvie whispered, her voice barely audible as the oppressive silence returned.
"That's because it is," came a deep, resonant voice from the shadows.
The trio spun around, weapons ready, as a figure stepped out from the darkness. Cloaked in black, the figure's face was obscured by a hood, only the faintest glint of pale skin visible beneath it. The air around them seemed to crackle with dark energy, and a sense of overwhelming power radiated from their presence, suffocating and absolute.
"Who are you?" Bane demanded, his grip tightening on his Hydra's blade, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
The figure chuckled softly, the sound echoing eerily off the walls of the chamber. "Names are of little importance. What matters is the message I bring—and the opportunity I offer."
Haruto narrowed his eyes, his mind racing as he tried to gauge the figure's intent. He could sense the immense power emanating from this individual, a power that felt ancient and dark. "What do you want?"
The figure tilted their head slightly, as if considering how to answer. "I've been watching all of you from the moment you set foot here. Watching and waiting. You all possess rare gifts, ones that could change your fates… or condemn them. Such potential has not been seen in generations."
Sylvie stepped forward; her voice laced with suspicion. "You didn't answer the question."
The figure turned its hooded gaze toward Sylvie, and though she couldn't see their eyes, she felt the weight of their stare. "I have guided events and people in ways that most cannot comprehend. As for trust… that is something you must decide for yourselves."
The figure's laugh was chilling, a sound that sent shivers down their spines. "A means to an end. Chaos, destruction—these are necessary evils in the grand scheme. But I am not your enemy. I am merely offering you a choice. Resentment or Enlightenment? One will give you your wildest dreams. The ability to shape the future, to protect those you care about from what is coming. The other… will damn you."
Haruto's patience frayed. "Give us a straight answer! What are the Ruins of Kahl?" he demanded, tired of the cryptic riddles.
The figure seemed amused by the question. "Ruins? Is that what you see?" As if on cue, the surroundings began to shift before their eyes. The decayed walls and broken stones of the ruins faded, replaced by pristine marble pillars and floors gleaming with polished stone. The air was suddenly fresh, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted, replaced by a sense of awe and wonder.
"Welcome to the Trial of Kahl," the figure intoned, their voice echoing through the now majestic chamber.
Sylvie's eyes widened in recognition. "This is just like the GuildMaster's Domain magic," she whispered.
The figure's interest was piqued. "Domain magic, you say? A mere child's play compared to this. An infant's understanding of something vast and unyielding. This… is true magic. Power beyond comprehension."
The weight of the figure's words hung in the air, heavy with the implications. Haruto, Bane, and Sylvie exchanged glances, each of them understanding that they were standing on the precipice of something far greater than they had anticipated.
"Beware the path you tread," the figure warned, their voice growing colder. "When the time comes, you will face a choice that will determine the fate of your friends. Choose wisely."
As the figure faded into the shadows, the chamber around them reverted to its decayed state. The grand pillars and polished floors crumbled back into the broken ruins they had first encountered. The weight of the moment lingered as the figure's final words echoed in their minds.
"Wait, what is it we're supposed to do? Bane rushed forward. The figure was already gone.
The trio was left standing in the silence of the ruins, the once glowing symbols now dark and lifeless. The encounter had left them shaken, their minds racing with questions and uncertainties. The promise of power, the warning of a choice to come—it was all too much to process.
"What do we do now?" Haruto asked, his voice shook slightly as the reality of the situation began to sink in.
Bane looked at Haruto, his expression grim. "We press on. Whatever that figure was, they're not done with us. But we can't let them dictate our actions."
Sylvie just shook her head in disbelief. "It was really that simple and yet somehow no one figured it out." They looked at her inquisitively.
"Don't you guys get it? The strange occurrences, the missing people. A B-Ranked Mission to explore ruins?? Why didn't I piece it together before."
"Uh Sylvie, are you going to let us in on the secret?" Bane asked.
Sylvie looked at both with disbelief and excitement. "Guys, this is a Dungeon!"