The chamber's atmosphere grew thick with tension as the red stone embedded in the statue's chest began to glow brighter and brighter, casting an eerie crimson light across the room. Yome and Elara instinctively backed away from the statue, the intensity of the light making it difficult to look directly at it.
"Elara, what's happening?" Yome asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I don't know," Elara replied, her gaze fixed on the glowing stone. "But whatever it is, it's powerful. Stay back, Yome. I'll handle this."
Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice echoed throughout the chamber, filling the space with an otherworldly presence: "The one who wields the will of the hero… The one who unleashes the dragon… I shall guide you to the steps of the forgotten past."
The statue began to tremble violently, as if awakening from a long slumber. Before either of them could react, the red stone dislodged itself from the statue's chest and flew directly towards Elara. She gasped as it embedded itself into her necklace, which now held the glowing red stone at its center.
A window appeared before them:
Artifact Unlocked: Stone of the Flaming Dragon
- Type: Fire
- Power: Unknown
- Skill: Unknown
Elara stared at the stone in awe, her breath catching in her throat. "It… it's become part of my necklace," she whispered, touching the stone gingerly. "But what does it do?"
Driven by curiosity and a sense of urgency, Elara attempted to channel her mana into the stone to activate its power. However, as soon as she did, a sharp pain shot through her body, causing her to cry out in agony. The stone greedily drained her mana, and another window appeared:
You are too weak to use this artifact.
"Stop! Elara, stop!" Yome shouted, rushing to her side as she trembled in pain. He caught her just as her legs gave out, lowering her gently to the ground.
"I… I can't control it…" Elara gasped, her voice trembling as the pain finally subsided. The stone's glow dimmed, but it remained embedded in her necklace, a constant reminder of its mysterious power.
Yome quickly pulled out a health potion and a mana potion from his inventory, handing them to her. "Here, drink these. You need to recover."
Elara nodded weakly, accepting the potions with shaking hands. She drank them slowly, the effects gradually restoring her health and mana. Yome watched her closely, concern etched on his face.
After a few moments, she sighed deeply, feeling the potions' effects take hold. "Thank you, Yome. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have tried to use it."
"Don't apologize," Yome said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You couldn't have known what would happen. But we need to be careful with this artifact. It's clearly more powerful than we can handle right now."
Elara nodded, her expression somber. "You're right. We'll need to figure out how to control it, but for now… I'll keep it sealed."
They took a moment to rest and regroup, their bodies still weary from the intense battle and the strain of the artifact. Despite their fatigue, they knew they couldn't stay in the dungeon much longer. The ancient structure felt unstable, as if it could collapse at any moment.
"We should gather whatever loot we can and get out of here," Yome suggested, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
Elara agreed, and together they began searching the chamber for any valuables. The battle with the headless warriors had left the room in disarray, but they managed to find several items of interest:
- Enchanted Gear: A set of armor pieces imbued with protective magic, enhancing their defense and agility.
- Gold Coins: A sizable amount of gold, likely from past adventurers who had perished in the dungeon.
- Ancient Scripts: More pieces of parchment filled with unknown symbols and text, too old and faded to decipher.
- Health Artifact: A small amulet that passively increases the rate of health regeneration.
Yome carefully added the items to his inventory, ensuring they didn't miss anything valuable. "These should come in handy," he said, admiring the enchanted gear before storing it away.
Elara nodded, her strength slowly returning. "Yes, they will. But we should be quick. I have a bad feeling about this place."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the ground beneath them began to shake. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as the walls of the chamber started to crack.
"The dungeon's collapsing!" Yome shouted, panic rising in his chest.
Suddenly, a new window appeared before them:
Activating Safe Teleport…
Without warning, a soft glow enveloped both Yome and Elara. The light grew brighter until it consumed them entirely, and in the next instant, they found themselves standing outside the dungeon, at the entrance of the temple.
The artifact that had triggered the teleportation glowed one last time before disintegrating into nothingness, leaving behind only the faintest trace of mana.
Yome let out a long sigh of relief, his legs nearly giving way beneath him. "We're out… Thank the gods, we're out."
Elara, still shaken from the ordeal, nodded in agreement. "That was close. Too close."
They took a moment to catch their breath, the cool night air a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon. The city lay quiet around them, the ruins bathed in the pale light of the rising moon.
"We've been in that dungeon for a while," Yome remarked, glancing at the sky. "I lost track of time in there."
Elara agreed, her gaze fixed on the forest that lay beyond the city's borders. "Let's move. We need to put some distance between us and the dungeon."
The pair crossed the city's border, leaving the ruins behind as they entered the dense forest. The trees were tall and ancient, their leaves rustling softly in the wind. A strange energy permeated the air, the mana so thick that Yome could almost feel it pressing against his skin.
"This forest… it's leaking a lot of mana," Yome observed, a shiver running down his spine. "It's making me nervous."
Elara's expression grew serious. "This is an old forest, one that's been untouched for centuries. The mana here is dense because it hasn't been disturbed. It can be both a blessing and a curse."
They continued their journey in silence, the only sounds being the soft crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Despite the tranquility of the forest, Yome couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
He glanced at Elara and noticed the troubled look on her face. "Elara, are you alright? You've been quiet since we left the dungeon."
Elara hesitated before responding, her voice barely above a whisper. "When the stone embedded itself in my necklace, I saw something… something terrible."
Yome's brow furrowed with concern. "What did you see?"
Elara's eyes filled with a mix of fear and sorrow as she recounted her vision. "I saw a city in flames. Elves, humans… all screaming in fear and pain. Corpses littered the streets, their bodies torn apart by monstrous creatures. Children were running for their lives, but there was no escape. The monsters… they slaughtered everyone with no mercy."
Her voice trembled as she continued. "I saw an elf woman… She was bleeding heavily, one arm severed at the elbow. In her remaining hand, she held a broken sword, her eyes filled with despair. I think… I think it was a memory from the past. The past of the Demon King… but who was that woman? And why did the stone speak of a hero?"
Yome's heart ached for her as she struggled with the horrific vision. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice gentle. "Elara, I can't imagine what you saw, but we'll figure this out. We'll learn more about this stone and the past… but for now, try not to dwell on it too much. Focus on your goal—finding your lost tribe members."
Elara nodded, though her expression remained haunted. "You're right. I need to stay strong, for their sake. Thank you, Yome."
As they continued through the forest, they eventually came across a small clearing by a lake. The water was still and reflective, mirroring the bright, full moon that hung high in the sky. The sight was serene, offering a brief moment of peace after the chaos they had endured.
"This looks like a good spot to rest," Yome suggested, already feeling the exhaustion from the day's events weighing on him.
Elara agreed, and they set up a small camp near the lake's edge. The cool breeze off the water was refreshing, and the sounds of the forest at night provided a calming backdrop.
They sat by the campfire, eating a simple dinner of dried meat and bread. Yome's mind wandered as he chewed, replaying the events of the day in his head. The battles, the discovery of the red stone, Elara's vision—it all seemed too much to take in.
To distract himself, he opened his inventory and began checking through the items they had collected in the dungeon. The enchanted gear they had found would serve them well in the future, and the health artifact was already making a difference in his recovery.
As Yome scrolled through his inventory, a sudden rustling sound came from the nearby bushes, breaking the serene atmosphere of the night. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing in the direction of the noise. The fire crackled softly, but all other sounds of the forest seemed to fall silent, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
"Elara," Yome whispered, his voice low and tense. "Did you hear that?"
Elara, who had been lost in thought, instantly snapped to attention. Her hand instinctively went to her sword, and her eyes scanned the darkness surrounding their camp. The rustling grew louder, more insistent, as if something—or someone—was moving toward them with purpose.
Yome stood slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements that might provoke whatever was out there. "Stay close to the fire," he murmured, trying to keep his voice steady. "It might be just an animal, but we can't take any chances."
Elara nodded, her expression calm but focused. "We've been through worse," she said, trying to offer some reassurance. "But let's be ready for anything."
The bushes rustled again, this time accompanied by a low growl. Yome tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. They had fought off goblins, headless warriors, and who knew what else in that dungeon. But out here, in the open, with their energy still sapped from the day's battles, the situation felt different.
Elara shifted her stance, positioning herself between Yome and the direction of the sound. Her presence was both comforting and commanding, a silent reminder of the strength she possessed even after all they had endured. Yome, feeling a rush of determination, stood beside her, ready to face whatever emerged from the darkness.
The growl grew louder, more menacing, and then, without warning, a figure burst out of the bushes—a large, wolf-like creature with eyes that glowed an unnatural red. Its fur was matted and dark, and its fangs gleamed in the firelight as it snarled, baring its teeth at the two adventurers.
"A Bloodwolf," Elara hissed, recognizing the beast. "It's still lingering from the Blood Moon."
Yome's heart pounded in his chest. The last time they encountered these creatures, they had barely escaped with their lives. He quickly glanced at his mana reserves, knowing they were still low from the day's trials. There wasn't much left to draw from, but he had no choice.
"Elara, we need to take it down fast," Yome said, his voice firm despite the fear gnawing at him. "We can't afford a prolonged fight."
Elara nodded, already preparing herself for the battle. "Stay behind me and strike when you see an opening. I'll try to weaken it."
The Bloodwolf lunged, its claws extended and its jaws snapping with deadly intent. Elara was quicker, her enchanted sword blazing as she met the beast head-on. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, and the Bloodwolf howled in pain as Elara's blade sliced through its fur.
Yome circled around, looking for an opportunity to strike. The wolf's movements were swift, almost too fast for him to keep up with, but he knew he had to act. With a surge of determination, he activated his "Wind Step", using the burst of speed to close the gap between him and the creature.
"Wind Blade!" Yome shouted, slashing at the Bloodwolf's side with all his strength. The gust of wind cut through the beast's flesh, drawing a deep wound that caused it to stagger.
But the Bloodwolf wasn't done yet. It turned on Yome with a vicious snarl, its glowing eyes filled with fury. Before it could strike, Elara was there, her sword flashing in the firelight as she delivered a powerful blow to the creature's head.
The Bloodwolf howled in agony, its body convulsing before it finally collapsed to the ground, defeated. Yome stood over it, breathing heavily, his heart still racing from the intensity of the fight.
"Is it dead?" he asked, not daring to lower his guard just yet.
Elara knelt beside the beast, inspecting it closely. After a moment, she nodded. "Yes, it's dead. But we need to stay vigilant. There could be more nearby."
Yome nodded, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. "That was close… too close."
Elara placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You did well, Yome. We both did."
They took a moment to catch their breath, the tension slowly ebbing away as the adrenaline wore off. The campfire crackled softly, its warm light a stark contrast to the darkness that surrounded them.
"What do you think it was doing here?" Yome asked, breaking the silence. "I thought the Blood Moon's effect was over."
Elara shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "The Blood Moon may have passed, but some creatures are more resilient. They can linger for days, especially if they're particularly strong or stubborn. We need to be careful."
Yome nodded, grateful for her wisdom. "We should get some rest. We've been through a lot today, and we'll need our strength for whatever comes next."
Elara agreed, though she kept a wary eye on the forest. "We'll take turns keeping watch. Just in case."
They settled back by the fire, the tension from the battle still lingering but gradually fading into the background as the night wore on. The forest around them remained quiet, the only sound being the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
As Yome lay down, trying to relax, he couldn't help but replay the events of the day in his mind. The dungeon, the red stone, the vision Elara had seen—it all felt like pieces of a much larger puzzle, one that they had only just begun to unravel.
He glanced at Elara, who was keeping watch with a calm but vigilant expression. Despite everything, she remained a steady presence, a beacon of strength and determination. Yome felt a deep sense of gratitude toward her, knowing that without her, he wouldn't have made it this far.
As he drifted off to sleep, Yome couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only going to get more dangerous from here. But for now, at least, they were safe. And that was enough...