Smacked in the middle of nowhere, lay ancient ruins that had an air of mystery and old magic. Vines grew over it, time slightly obscuring a site said to contain clues regarding a key to the legendary treasure. The night began to fall, casting its veil with long shadows across the ruins, heavy with dampened earth and old stone.
The Red Ravens came with a purpose. Still red-hot from his encounter with Arthir, their leader, Ta'ul, led them with practiced efficiency. This skill was evident as they traversed the dangerous landscape and studied the ruins for any sign of the key.
With them were three from the High Order, which included Viola, a young angel. A frail, ethereal presence that struck in great contrast with the surroundings of rugged and grim stone. Her hair glittering as silver as her eyes shone like a bright gold; Viola carried an air of youth and ancient wisdom both, her pointed elven ears twitching with magic stirring in the ruins.
As Arthir reached the ruins, he saw the Red Ravens and the representatives of High Order standing there. In their midst, his watchful eyes soon caught sight of Viola with curiosity and intrigue stirring within him. Interest of the High Order in this place, coupled with the presence of such a remarkable figure, spoke a lot about what was hidden here.
Carefully, Arthir made his way through the ruins, using his skills to avoid detection. He watched as the Red Ravens and the High Order representatives all worked in harmony with each other-their interactions showed the importance of their mission.
But Viola was the one who could hold his attention above all others. She walked with an assurance of gait, taut and lithe as if at any instance in time when the occasion called for such, her eyes set intent on studying ancient symbols and writings. For all her youth, there was something in her movements that spoke of maturity beyond that of a novice.
Arthir's mind turned to the Almanac, the fabled device they were all seeking. The map he held promised to lead him toward the same goal; he knew he would have to be careful not to show his hand too early.
He studied the map again, and Arthir found a more direct route to the first key of the Almanac, one much more dangerous. The path now seemed to wind through a series of deadly traps and obstacles that might just give him an advantage, if he could make it through.
The path was lined with markings of an ancient nature, to point out perils-like traps or puzzles-meant to deter enemies. Arthir knew through experience in treasure hunting that such risks were there to guard something amazing, but they also presented an opportunity if he could outsmart them.
As he moved, his senses took in every sound and every movement as Arthir made his way carefully toward the more hazardous route. He maneuvered through the first set of traps-pressure plates and hidden spikes.
The passage drew him deeper into the ruins, the air colder, the shadows darker. Ancient mechanisms and arcane symbols flared bright at his presence, revealing a network of passageways and hidden chambers.
Meanwhile, Viola and the others of the High Order, with the Red Ravens accompanying them, took their toll through the more conventional ruin exploration: carefully examining the artifacts and the inscriptions in minute detail lest a clue to the key should turn up.
Viola's golden eyes were aglow with determination and curiosity as she scrutinized some sort of intricate mural that apparently gave clues about the key's location. She knew how critical their mission could be and how dangerous it would be.
The tension was as thick as the air within the ancient ruins. Ta'ul collaborated grudgingly with Viola and the High Order; his dissatisfaction apparent in the grimacing scowl he wore, disgruntled with having to follow her lead.
Ta'ul wasn't thrilled about the setup. "Why must I follow this kid? If it weren't for the High Order's persistence, I'd be hunting this treasure on my own," he growled, ever so often casting a glare Viola's way.
Ta'ul was brutal, but Viola kept her eyes on the prize, calmly and serenely, whereas Ta'ul frustrated his way through. She proceeded to decode the clues and symbols with silent efficiency.
Deep in the dangerous path's heart, Arthir worked his way skillfully through a series of traps that were supposed to guard the key. His quick thinking and agility had kept him one step from danger, as he dodged pressure plates, swinging blades, and collapsing floors.
Arthir muttered to himself with a wry grin as he dodged around one particularly hazardous trap by a hair's breadth, "Well, this is just fantastic. Who needs enemies when you've got ancient deathtraps trying to make you their next meal?"
He dodged a retraction spike set, keeping his humorous remarks going. "If I survive this, I'm going to need a new set of nerves. And maybe a medal for not getting skewered by pointy metal things."
Finally, Arthir found the center of this treacherous path where the key to the Almanac was hidden. The room was filled with ancient mechanisms, and in the middle lay the key on a plain pedestal. At once, the simplicity of the pedestal raised suspicions. It strongly contrasted with the trap mechanisms he came across.
Huddled in a dark nook, Arthir peered towards the entrance of the room as the clanking of armor and muffled tones of conversation from Viola and the others drew near.
Viola and her team carefully made their way through the more conventional parts of the ruins as they were led, mural and inscriptions guiding them to the hidden chamber. Ta'ul grumbled some more, but he kept one foot forward and was ready for action.
It was only then that they entered the chamber. Stepping forth, her golden eyes intently took it all in, bewildered yet acutely determined. She noticed the pedestal, and how there seemed to be no immediate danger, further entrenching the suspicion within her that the retrieval of the key wasn't so easy.
With caution, Viola approached the pedestal and studied it very carefully, with subtle patterns and markings that there was more to retrieving the key safely than met the eye, a required sequence or action. Her knowledge of ancient puzzles and mechanisms then started coming into play as she began trying to decipher the clues.
"This has to be some sort of mechanism that ensures only those who are worthy or knowledgeable get the key," Viola said softly to her team. "We have to find the right sequence of setting these so we don't accidentally spring any traps."
Ta'ul still grumbled, hanging back with a watchful eye. "If this takes too long, we could have more trouble than we bargain for," he grumbled but did not get closer, wary of the potential traps.
The now-frantic Viola and her crew were trying to figure out the puzzle on the pedestal. Ta'ul finally turned a deaf ear to the cautionary approach, growling in a visibly angry manner, "Enough of this! Let's just take it already!" And before he was told anything else, he lunged towards the pedestal and grasped the key.
The moment Ta'ul touched the key, a plethora of mechanisms ground into action with ominous clanking. The pedestal slid, the floor started to shake, and great stone blocks began sliding into place to seal off the exits, collapsing ground and all.
Now, Arthir watched the whole commotion from his hiding place. His instincts came into play as he jumped out from behind the rocks, yelling at the top of his lungs, "You idiot! Look what you've done!"
The ground began to tear apart and give way, the chamber collapsing. Debris began falling from above, turning what once was a stable environment into a hazardous maze filled with falling rocks and shifting earth. The trapped group scrambled to react, with their immediate priority now turning to survival.
Viola's eyes widened in alarm at the gravity of the situation. Her mind quickly judged the danger, and then she tried to guide her team to a safer area. "Everybody, move fast! We must find the exit route before this place buries us alive!"
Ta'ul was frantic at this point, his face a mask of anger and despair as he turned to Arthir. "This isn't over, Arthir! You'll pay for this!" He said, yet his main concentration was finding a way out.
He knew he had to be quick. Ruins collapsing leave little time for indecision. Arthir searched the chamber for anything that resembled a way out or some sort of weakness in the collapsing structure. Part of his mind was channeled into how to get himself out, while the other tried to judge the situation of Viola and her group.
With the chamber collapsing around him, Arthir saw Ta'ul and his men scrambling for the door, pushing everyone out of their way. He saw that one of them pushed Viola to the ground, struggling to get up in the mayhem. Despite the danger, and the slipping away of the valuable artifact, Arthir made a vital decision.
He rushed back into the chaos, dodging falling debris and avoiding crumbling areas of the floor as he made his way to Viola. He did so in very little time, checking what condition she was in, and then pulled her out of harm's way. Casting one last look at the now-collapsing chamber, he swiftly made his escape through collapsing ruins, carrying Viola with him.
The ground opened up, and Arthir and Viola plunged into the grinding waters of an underground river. The storming waters swept them down, churning and whirling them through some winding, dark tunnels. Arthir battled the water to keep his head above it and held tightly to Viola as they tumbled down-creek with the current.
The river, eventually, just dropped them off at a quiet, secret exit into an incredibly beautiful scene. There, the scene spread itself out starkly contrasting to the mayhem they had barely escaped from the river opened into a lush, green valley with rolling hills and vibrant flora.
Exhausted but relieved, Arthir laid Viola gently down onto the grass. He started searching her body for any injuries; she was unconscious, but for him, she was breathing steadily. He gathered some branches and started a fire using his skills to keep them warm and dry.
Save for the sound of crackling fire, when night began to fall, Arthir sat down beside Viola, his mind working. He could not help but notice her strength and determination during this ordeal, that she never relented, even when all seemed lost. His gaze fell upon her quiet face, and he felt a rise of respect that he didn't expect.
With such a rocky introduction and the idea that more conflict could arise, Arthir couldn't help but find this growing admiration for Viola. Knowing full well that they were after the same goal, a part of him couldn't help but want to see where their journey might lead, even if it meant encountering more danger along the way.
He sat by the fire, letting his mind wander back to the chaos that they had just managed to slip away from. Ta'ul and the Red Ravens now had a key to the Almanac, and with it, things would be considerably more difficult in time. But for now, all that mattered was securing Viola's safety and plotting their next move.
Arthir's eyelids grew heavy at the soft crackle of the fire in the cool night air. He knew that the journey was far from over, yet for this moment, he allowed himself rest and watch over Viola while the stars twinkled above him and the valley's serene beauty offered an elusive escape from the dangers they were hostage to.