"We found it!"
In a desolate island north of the thousand caves canyon, is the McCreedy Citadel. Built 300 years ago by the elf named McCreedy Nicholas, it is now in a state of dilapidation. The white stone walls stand tall except for her north wall, which collapsed under its own weight.
Her green mesh roofs have gaps every ten steps, letting the light rain from outside seep into the floor, which is covered in dust, stone, and glass shards.
She is a remnant of a bygone era, when empires stood, when kingdoms lasted, when humans still roamed the central continent, ruled over by the mighty elves.
Wars have never stopped watering the soil with red and purple blood, and ruins like these will only increase. Atop the Citadel's highest room, the Crome hall, near the glass observatory, a pair of 5 year old elves stand side by side before a large telescope.
The two are standing at 103 centimetres tall (3ft 4.5in), standing atop a stool is a little elf named Detlev Urban.
"I've found the Corona Laboratory, Lord Crome…"
The other 5 year old nods. "Excellent work, Detlev. The Corona Laboratory was a crucial part of our research into the ancient technologies of the dwarves. It is imperative that we recover any remaining artefacts or knowledge from that facility."
The articulate Crome Tesant speaks.
The pair has lived in the dilapidated McCreedy Citadel for 5 years. Growing up alone in this island, the two naturally made the island liveable, hunting by themselves, and even exploring the neighbouring island.
The pair walks through the dilapidated McCreedy Citadel, their footsteps echoing through her empty halls. The white stone walls seem to loom larger with each step, their age-old grandeur faded under layers of dust and decay.
Outside of the Crome Hall, and the glass observatory to the west wing of the Citadel is the bridge connecting it to the annex building, the armoury.
The two elves, Detlev Urban and Crome Tesant, continue their discussion about the Corona Laboratory while walking through the McCreedy Citadel. Their footsteps echo softly off of the white stone walls as they discuss the importance of recovering any remaining artefacts or knowledge from the facility.
Slowly they reach the important hall where the weapons of old were kept, and on a wooden stake totem, is a sword.
"Namikaze Hall…" Crome Tesant mutters, staring at the sword… or is it a scythe leaning on the wooden totem.
"We will go hunting first, Urban. To hone our skills." Tesant turns to his friend, who nods in acquiescence.
He walks over to a chest and opens it, revealing a set of ancient armour. "Put this on, Urban. We don't know what we might encounter in the Corona Laboratory." Tesant hands the armour to Detlev.
Detlev gingerly takes the ancient armour from Crome, examining it with awe. He nods, understanding the importance of being prepared for whatever they might encounter in the Corona Laboratory. As he dons the armour, he feels a strange energy coursing through him.
As the pair slips into the armour, they grab simple swords for their weapons and head down the stairs, exiting through the Armoury building's doors.
In front of them is an ancient forest with either whitened or blackened tree trunks, and dark green foliage, the copse casting long thick shadows on the ground. In the centre is a dirt path escorted by wooden palisade fences, painstakingly let down by the pair, letting the road by unobstructed as it snakes through the forest.
As Detlev and Crome step onto the dirt path, their footsteps crunch against the dry leaves and twigs littering the ground. The ancient forest surrounding them is eerily quiet, save for the occasional creaking of trees in the distance.
Detlev takes a deep breath, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he looks around cautiously. "Let's head towards the Corona Laboratory, Crome. We need to retrieve those artefacts." He says softly, his voice echoing through the stillness of the forest.
After walking for a few kilometers, they finally see the entrance of what is a dimly lit cave.
The entrance is small, barely large enough for one person to pass through comfortably, but the two elves do so anyway. Detlev carefully pulls open the gate, holding it until his partner steps inside. Then he follows him through, shutting the gate behind him.
They enter a small room that holds several tables and shelves, some piled high with papers, some neatly arranged.
Then in the middle of the Laboratory are tubes full of what seems to be genetic material from the old inhabitants of this island.
The tubes look very fragile. Detlev picks one up, noticing that the liquid inside is not solid. "It doesn't seem too dangerous," He says to Tesant. His eyes follow the tube, noticing how the liquid within it seems to shimmer, and swirl, and then become one thing, forming a shape that Detlev does not recognize.
"This stuff should be safe," Detlev continues, "If it weren't for the fact it's coming from the bodies of the old inhabitants of the island…" He mutters as he looks at the plaque telling him exactly what it is.
Tesant puts down his sword, approaching the tubes curiously. "What exactly is this liquid?"
"I'm not sure," Detlev replies thoughtfully, "But it's certainly not water."
He pauses, staring at the tubes with renewed interest, as if he can see something moving within them.
He takes another piece of parchment, and examines it carefully. "You know... I think these are the notes of a scholar named Nicholas McCreedy... I wonder why it would appear here." "Who knows. Maybe he came here after all,"
Tesant answers, picking up a piece of paper and scanning it for himself.
A sudden crash breaks through their conversation. Detlev quickly whirls around to face the source of the noise, but there is nothing. "Was that something?" He asks.
Tesant just shrugs. "Could've been a deer. You know how much noise there is around here…"