The next morning, Joe and the group woke up early and got ready to explore the ruins. They had a quick breakfast and packed their bags. They left their camp and entered the forest.
They searched for the ruins in the area, Joe went ahead of them as a scout.
They walked for about an hour until they reached a clearing in the forest. They saw a large stone archway, covered with vines and moss. It was the entrance to the ruins.
Joe and the group were amazed and curious. They wondered what was inside and what secrets it held.
They decided to go in and find out.
Joe couldn't believe that he would be in the group that found the rumored ruins. It's all because John's father had found the required information, being rich really makes things easy in a way.
They walked through the archway and entered the ruins.
They saw a complex of stone buildings, corridors, and chambers, some of them intact and some of them collapsed. They saw statues, paintings, and carvings, depicting people, animals, and symbols. They saw pots, tools, and weapons, made of metal, wood, and bone. They saw books, scrolls, and tablets, written in a language they did not understand.
They felt a sense of awe and wonder. They felt like they had stepped into another world and another time.
They decided to explore the ruins and see what they could discover.
They split into two groups: Joe and John in one group, Leo, Mia, and the guards in another group.
They agreed to meet back at the entrance in two hours.
They went their separate ways and explored the ruins.
Joe and John went to the left side of the ruins, where they saw a large temple. It was a rectangular building with a domed roof and four towers. It had a grand staircase leading to a double door. It had windows with stained glass and columns with carvings.
Joe and John were impressed and excited. They wanted to see what was inside the temple.
"Cool place right, Hey let's see what's inside," John said to Joe.
They climbed the staircase and opened the door.
They entered the temple and saw a huge hall with a high ceiling. It had a mosaic floor with geometric patterns and a chandelier with candles. It had benches with cushions and tables with offerings. It had statues of gods and goddesses with crowns.
Joe and John were stunned and fascinated. They wanted to see what was behind the statues.
They walked towards the back wall of the hall, where they saw a large altar with a stone throne. It had a curtain with embroidery and a pedestal with a book.
Joe and John were curious and intrigued. They wanted to see what was in the book.
They approached the altar and lifted the curtain.
They saw a skeleton sitting on the throne, wearing a robe and a crown. It had a staff in one hand and a ring in another. It had a necklace with a pendant and earrings with gems.
Joe and John were shocked and scared. They wondered who it was and what it was doing there.
They decided to check the book on the pedestal.
They opened the book and saw that it was written in the same language as the other writings in the ruins. They could not read it or understand it.
After looking at the book for a while Joe decided to leave the place because it creeped him out.
Joe took the book and said to John.
"John come on let's leave. This place is really weird".
John nodded and they started to leave the room.
But then they heard a voice behind them.
It was a deep and raspy voice that said:
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Joe and John were startled and frightened by the voice. They turned around and saw that the skeleton on the throne was moving and talking. It had glowing eyes and a sinister smile. It looked at them with curiosity and malice.
Joe took John's hand and ran towards the door but the door was closing and they did not have the required time.
He really should have brought some guards with them. But John wanted to explore the ruins alone and Joe agreed to accompany him.
Suddenly Joe grabbed John's hand and threw him out and shouted at him to call the guards for backup.
The doors closed and Joe was inside the room with the crazy skeleton.
He activated his power and turned into light.
The skeleton laughed and said.
"I'm the king of this land, or at least I was. I ruled this place with wisdom and power until I was betrayed and killed by my enemies. They buried me here, in this temple, with my crown and my staff and my book. But they did not know that my book contained a spell that kept me alive, even after death. I've been waiting here for centuries, for someone to come and free me from this prison."
Joe was surprised and curious. He wondered what kind of spell it was and how it worked.
It got up from its throne and attacked Joe with its staff and ring. It shot beams of dark energy at him.
Joe dodged its attacks with his light speed, moving around the room.
Joe shot light beams towards the skeleton but there was no effect.
He made a sword out of light and attacked the skeleton but the skeleton reattached itself.
Suddenly Joe remembered that skeletons and Lich kings store their souls in a container that could be a vase or any object.
He then took out the book he got from the room.
The skeleton gasped and said.
"What? You have my book? How dare you? Give it back to me".
He reached and took out the book. He ignited it with fire magic, making it burn with flames.
The skeleton screamed and said.
"Noooo My book My Life Stop it Stop It"
It begged Joe to spare it and its book.
"Please Please Don't do this Spare me Spare my book! I'll give you anything you want Money Power Knowledge Anything"
Joe ignored its pleas and continued burning its book.
"Sorry, but you're out of luck".
He finished burning its book, making it disappear completely.
The skeleton felt its soul leaving its body as its book vanished. It felt nothing else as it died for good.
It collapsed on its throne, turning into dust.
Joe stood over its remains and searched for any items. But by mistake, he pressed a hidden lever in the throne and a new passage opened behind the throne.
I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter.