Using the map they got from the quest approval section in the adventure guild, Velgrim led the team to the ruins, located on the farthest edge of the bustling city. The path to the ruins is a winding, narrow trail flanked by dense forests and overgrown with wild vines as if nature itself is trying to reclaim the very area. The government of Dragonicania has left the area from being developed as the ruins serve as the center of natural resources for the kingdom. Registered adventures explore these ruins.
The reconnaissance team of the elite squad is stationed around the area to prevent unnecessary entry of unregistered or rogue adventurers. Reaching the less dense front edge of the ruins area, Velgrim saluted and gave the nearest elite member the team's adventurer pass; a card owned by a registered adventurer team leader, granting access to ruins, after being granted access, they continued their quest. As the adventurers approached, the air grew cooler and carried a faint, eerie whisper, the forest denser.
"That's why I hate exploring S rank ruins," Vespera said irritatedly, as she moved through the narrow path while avoiding the wild vines from tangling her legs.
"It can't be helped, we need money after all"
Replied Velgrim.
This area is almost as dense as the jungle, so this is how ruins are like
Xerves thought, scanning the area around him as they moved deep through the paths.
What the heck! Xerves flinched, looking down at his legs scrutinizingly.
it seemed as though the vines moved for a split second, he rubbed his face
maybe it was an illusion.
But almost everything here feels alive, but how could a plant possibly move. He brush off the idea while avoiding the wild vines from tangling his legs, dense molecular energy feels the air, buzzing and humming.
"You had better hurry" Velgrim called out to him.
He was the only one at the back.
The three were transversing the path quickly as though they were used to being there.
As expected of S-rank adventurers
he mused.
"Aye...!" Xerves answered indifferently.
What a hassle, well maybe I'll earn some cool money from this.
As they went deeper, the path became narrower, with little space to thread on. After about several minutes they reached the ruins.
The ruins stand in stark contrast to the vibrant cityscape, their dark, crumbling stone walls reaching toward the sky like skeletal fingers grasping for salvation. Moss and ivy blanketed the ancient structures, giving them an otherworldly appearance.
Making their way to the entrance, with eyes darting around the surroundings, they soon entered the ruins.
The entrance to the ruins was marked by a colossal archway, half-collapsed and imprinted with glowing words that said 'Doom ruins' glimmering faintly in the dim light.
"What the hell does that mean"
"Strange indeed, no ruins ever had its name inscribed on it," said Velgrim disturbingly, with finger stroking the middle of his eyeglasses.
Weird, I'm more concerned with the glowing letters tho. Xerves mused puzzlingly.
Inside, the labyrinthine corridors are illuminated by the occasional beam of sunlight piercing through cracks in the ceiling, casting long, dancing shadows on the stone floor. The jagged walls covered by thick moss, had gems embedded on their surface. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, mingled with the faint, metallic tang of long-forgotten blood.
"This ruins is creepier than any other ruins we ever explored" Velgrim said with fingers stroking his glasses, his voice echoing through the surface of the inner stone walls of the ruins.
Does his hand ever leave those glasses?
Xerves wondered.
"You are right, it creeps with precious crystals" Vespera said, her voice carrying every hint of excitement, her bright eyes darting around at the gems embedded in the jagged walls, with unconstrained excitement, she ran hugging the walls.
"My my cute cute crystals"
"Crystals or gems? Shut your crude language idiot Vespy!" Velgrim retorted.
"My my, what is the difference?" Vespera replied laughingly.
Although Vespera isn't wrong here as gems are also crystals; A solid composed of an array of molecules possessing long-range order and arranged in a pattern that is periodic in three dimensions, that is why molecular energy is needed to activate them, but in Dragonicania, the term has been considered crude and uncouth over the years.
"Don't get carried away Vespera" a thick voice echoed in the almost dark space, though lit enough to see the way.
Xerves flinched and almost jumped up before realizing it was Eric.
Hey! Big man don't scare the hell out of me.
"Tsk! Why the hell are you at the back?" he shouted disturbingly.
Wanna backstab me huh?! He thought inwardly.
The burly teen now moving at the back replied.
"That is how we always do when exploring, Velgrim the team leader leads, while I watch our back". His thick voice echoing.
Aye aye, but I will watch mine myself .
Xerves thought sarcastically inwardly
Can't have one burly teen and two psycho arguers watch out for me tho.
The four continued, each with a common goal, that is, money.
Moving deeper into the cavern, they soon reached an inner archway almost on the verge of crumbling, the archway corridor stretched slopely downwards with jagged steps, resembling the maw of some monstrous beast, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"Shall we?" Several feet at the front Velgrim beckoned, holding an orb-shaped gem that glows with bright blue light that he took from a rectangular case; an adventure kit, he held.
"Wow! I bet there are tons of treasures inside the cavern" Vespera exclaimed.
The gem glows brighter, illuminating the almost dark space.
"What does that mean" Xerves asked.
"That gem is a tracking-type artifacts, it glows when valuable and rare-type artifacts are near, so in that cavern at the end of these stairs, there are tons of artifacts!" She exclaimed joyfully.
Velgrim took the lead, descending the jagged steps with practiced ease. The deeper they went, the colder it became, the chill seeping into their bones. The air was thick with an ancient, oppressive energy aura that would crush the soul of an ordinary teenager, except they weren't ordinary teenagers, the three were veteran adventurers with Xerves, the odd one, the first and only teenager to have mastered the First State.
The walls of the corridor were lined with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of battle and sacrifice, their details eroded by time but still hinting at the ruin's dark past.
Now halfway down the stairs. "Keep your eyes peeled," Velgrim warned. "These ruins are known for their traps, Vespera, hold this kit case, and keep the disabler gem at the ready"
Disabler gem; a gem that can be used desable traps.
No sooner had he spoken than a click echoed through the corridor. Velgrim froze, his eyes narrowing. "Everyone, stop!" he commanded.
What the heck! Don't scare me like that Xerves flinched.