As Shivay made his way through the dense forest, the foliage began to thin slightly, making way for rough, ancient stone paths overgrown with vines and moss. The ruined temple he had seen on the map was still a good distance away, but he could feel an eerie energy in the air. It wasn't a negative energy, but it was old—very old. The trees around him seemed to lean closer together, as if hiding secrets from an era long forgotten.
He had questions. After all, this world he now inhabited was still mostly a mystery. His transformation into a Primal Ape, the existence of the system, and now the presence of a ruined temple—everything seemed connected somehow.
"Shunaya," Shivay called out, his tone curious, "do you know anything about this ruined temple? Or about the history of this place?"
There was a brief pause before Shunaya answered, her voice carrying a more thoughtful tone than usual. "Master, the temple ahead was once part of an ancient civilization that existed long before the current species you see now walked these lands. This civilization was advanced—both in magic and technology—and they built these temples as centers of power, knowledge, and spiritual significance."
"Advanced?" Shivay asked, intrigued. "How advanced are we talking? And what happened to them?"
Shunaya's voice softened, almost as if recounting a sad memory. "They were far beyond what the current species understand. They had the ability to manipulate ether directly, weaving magic into the fabric of the world itself. They created systems and artifacts that could influence life, death, and even time. It is said that their mastery over the physical and metaphysical planes was unrivaled."
Shivay's eyes widened slightly. "Sounds like they were almost godlike."
"In a way, they were. But as with all great civilizations, they fell. The reasons are lost to time, but some say they grew too ambitious. Others believe they meddled with forces they couldn't fully control, and that led to their undoing."
Shivay mulled over this, stepping carefully around a thick root that curled across the ground. The idea of a civilization with such immense power was both fascinating and troubling. If their magic could manipulate reality itself, what kinds of relics might still exist in the ruins ahead? And what could have possibly wiped out such an advanced people?
"Are there any remnants of their magic still around?" he asked. "Like, artifacts or technology?"
"There are whispers of ancient relics," Shunaya said. "Some are said to hold fragments of their power. However, many of these artifacts are dangerous and corrupt, as they've been left unguarded for millennia. Others have simply lost their potency, becoming little more than relics of a forgotten era."
Shivay walked in silence for a few moments, processing the information. "Do you think this temple has anything like that?"
"It's possible," Shunaya replied. "This temple was once a place of learning and magical experimentation. If there are any intact chambers, you might find remnants of their knowledge or artifacts. But be cautious, Master. Such places are often dangerous. Not just because of the creatures that may have taken refuge there, but because of traps left behind by the ancients to protect their secrets."
Shivay smiled to himself. "A good challenge, then."
As he moved forward, he noticed the trees around him gradually thinning out, giving way to large stone slabs half-buried in the ground. Vines crawled over the cracked stones, but even in their ruined state, the slabs were covered in intricate carvings. Glyphs, symbols, and images depicted scenes of ritual and magic—people standing before towering beings of light, runes spiraling into the sky, and creatures with shapes he couldn't quite identify.
"These carvings..." Shivay stopped to study one of the stones. "Are they from that civilization?"
"Yes, these are remnants of their written language," Shunaya confirmed. "It's a language that could carry both meaning and magic. These glyphs were used not just to record their history, but to channel ether itself."
Shivay traced his fingers over one of the symbols, but nothing happened. He could feel a faint energy lingering in the stone, but it was as if the magic had long since faded. "You said they used these glyphs to manipulate magic directly. Could I learn something like that?"
"There are possibilities," Shunaya said, her voice careful. "The ancients designed their systems to be accessible only to those who fully understood the language and the flow of ether. However, if you find a relic or fragment of their knowledge, you may be able to unlock similar abilities. But it won't be easy, Master. This civilization existed on a different level of understanding than what you or I can currently grasp."
Shivay considered this for a moment. He'd already unlocked powerful abilities with the system, but the idea of learning the magic of an ancient, advanced people stirred something in him. His journey had only just begun, but perhaps this ruined temple could offer more than just physical rewards. It could be a gateway to knowledge far beyond what he imagined.
"Then let's see what we can find in that temple," Shivay said, his steps quickening as he moved closer toward the ruins.
The stone path beneath him became more defined as he approached the temple. The towering structure, though dilapidated, still had an air of majesty. Massive pillars lay scattered, their once-pristine surfaces cracked and overgrown. At the temple's entrance, a grand archway stood tall, though parts of it had crumbled away.
But something else caught Shivay's attention.
Faint, ethereal lights flickered deep within the shadows of the temple, as if the ancient magic still lingered.
"I think this place still holds some of its power," Shivay muttered, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline at the possibility of discovering something hidden and powerful.
"Be careful, Master," Shunaya warned. "Ancient places like this are rarely dormant. Whatever magic remains may not welcome intruders."
Shivay nodded. He could sense that this temple wasn't entirely abandoned. Whatever secrets it held, he was ready to uncover them—whether they came with rewards, dangers, or something more mysterious.