Chapter 24 Secrets of The Ruin
Elias stood before the entrance of the ancient ruins, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and the echo of distant, unseen creatures. Moss-covered stones rose like ancient sentinels, marking the threshold to a world of forgotten magic. A chill ran down his spine—not from fear, but from the weight of the opportunity that lay ahead. Today marked a pivotal moment in his journey, one that could reshape his destiny.
He glanced back at Riven, who stood watchfully beside him, his expression a mix of determination and caution. The remnants of their last encounter still lingered in Elias's mind—the fierce battle against the rival mage and the magical beast. It was a reminder that each step forward came with its own set of dangers. Elias took a deep breath, steeling himself for what awaited them.
"Remember, Riven," Elias said, adjusting the strap of his pack. "We go in quietly. I don't want to attract any unwanted attention."
Riven nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, a silent affirmation of their shared understanding. Behind them, a small contingent of Elias's undead shuffled, their presence a necessary reassurance. They had lost several of their number during the last fight, but he felt the remaining undead were capable enough to assist him, even if they lacked the intelligence to strategize on their own.
As they entered the ruins, the light dimmed, the thick stone walls swallowing the daylight. Dust motes danced in the narrow beams that filtered through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating intricate carvings that hinted at the magic that once thrived within these walls. Elias felt a flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension as he led the way deeper into the structure.
Navigating the winding corridors, they came upon a large chamber at the heart of the ruins. It was filled with shattered stone pedestals and remnants of ancient artifacts, each bearing the scars of time. In the center of the room, glowing faintly, was a pedestal that housed the artifact Elias sought—a shimmering orb pulsating with energy. He could feel its allure beckoning him closer.
Suddenly, the air crackled with tension. A low growl resonated from the shadows, followed by a figure stepping into the light—a wolf-like magical beast, its fur glistening like the night sky. The creature's eyes glowed with a fierce intelligence, and it barred Elias's path, snarling as if to warn him away.
"Stay back!" Elias commanded, raising his hands defensively as he prepared to call upon his magic. Riven moved to his side, ready to engage the beast should it attack.
Before they could react, another figure emerged from the shadows—a rival mage, cloaked in dark robes, his eyes filled with ambition. The mage grinned, clearly relishing the confrontation. "Looks like we have some competition," he taunted, glancing at the beast beside him. "You'll need more than just bravado to claim the artifact."
Elias's heart raced as he assessed the situation. "We're not backing down. This is our claim," he shot back, a spark of defiance igniting within him.
"Foolish boy," the mage sneered, raising his hands to summon his own spells. "You'll regret challenging me."
With a flick of his wrist, the rival mage unleashed a torrent of fire, illuminating the chamber in a blazing inferno. Elias instinctively conjured a barrier of water, deflecting the flames as they scorched the stone around him.
"Riven!" he shouted, directing the warrior to flank the mage while he focused on the beast. The wolf lunged at him, its fangs bared, but Elias sidestepped, summoning flames to engulf his hand. "Let's see how you handle this!" he yelled, casting a fireball toward the beast.
The magical wolf dodged with impressive agility, its movements fluid and instinctual. Just as it lunged again, Elias shifted tactics, directing a stream of fire in a wide arc. The flames grazed the wolf's side, and it yelped in pain, momentarily staggering.
Riven engaged the mage, their magic clashing in a spectacular display of power. Spells ricocheted off the stone walls, creating a cacophony of sound that echoed throughout the chamber. Elias felt the heat of battle coursing through his veins, but he could not lose focus. The artifact was within reach.
"C'mon!" Elias urged himself, his eyes flicking between the combatants. He had to end this quickly. He concentrated on his fire magic, focusing his energy into a final spell.
The wolf recovered, eyes blazing with fury as it prepared to pounce again. Just as it leaped, Elias released his spell—an enormous fireball surged forward, hitting the creature squarely. The blast sent it crashing against the wall, and it lay still, smoke rising from its singed fur.
With the beast incapacitated, Elias turned to find Riven in a fierce struggle against the mage. Riven swung his sword, but the mage countered with a spell that sent a shockwave of force. Riven stumbled but quickly regained his footing.
"Elias! Now!" Riven shouted, sensing the tide turning.
Seizing the opportunity, Elias directed his remaining undead forward, their bodies crashing into the mage. The mage's concentration faltered, and Elias took the moment to launch another fire spell, catching the mage off guard.
With a roar of anger and desperation, the rival mage unleashed a final barrage of energy, but it was too late. The combined efforts of Elias, Riven, and the undead overwhelmed him, and he fell to the ground, defeated.
Panting, Elias stood over the mage's corpse, the glow of the artifact beckoning him. "We did it," he murmured, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration coursing through him.
"Let's claim our prize," Riven replied, sheathing his sword and stepping aside as Elias approached the pedestal. He reached out, fingers brushing against the surface of the artifact.
Before he could grasp it, Cinder emerged from Elias's side, a soft glow illuminating the cube as it hovered in the air. "I sense powerful magic," Cinder's child-like voice resonated in Elias's mind. "We should be careful."
Elias hesitated, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"There is much we do not understand," Cinder replied, its tone both innocent and wise. "We should examine it closely before claiming it."
Elias nodded, feeling a strange sense of trust in Cinder despite its newfound presence. "Alright, let's take a look," he said, examining the artifact with renewed caution.
After a brief moment of consideration, he decided to leave the mage's corpse behind. He knew the guild would likely send an investigation team to the ruins soon. If the body were missing, it could raise suspicion about his involvement.
"Let's go," Elias said, glancing at Riven. "We need to leave before anyone else arrives."
As they prepared to exit, Cinder shifted, its form vibrating with energy. "I have a storage space in my magical core," it announced. "I
Chapter 24 Secrets of The Ruin
can hold the wolf's corpse for now."
Elias's eyes widened. "That would be perfect! Thank you, Cinder." He turned to the wolf's body, which lay still. "You'll be useful to me, even in death."
With a wave of his hand, Elias directed the corpse into Cinder's magical storage, feeling a sense of satisfaction as the creature vanished from sight.
As they made their way out of the ruins, Elias couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. With Cinder by his side, and the power of the artifact at his fingertips, he was stepping into a new chapter of his journey—one filled with greater challenges and moral dilemmas that awaited him.