The ash-laden wind carried a foreboding chill as Kalem ventured into the dormant area of the valley. This section had been eerily quiet for days, untouched by the chaos that had engulfed the rest of the region. The ground beneath his boots was cracked and scorched, as if frozen in the aftermath of a fiery storm.
Kalem's grip tightened around his new straight sword, its faint hum of power reassuring him. Though the creatures had retreated, the oppressive silence weighed heavily on him. It felt unnatural, almost calculated.
He wasn't alone on this expedition. A small group of scouts and miners accompanied him, their unease evident in their darting eyes and hushed whispers. But Kalem had volunteered to lead, his instincts pushing him to uncover the truth behind the strange behavior of the valley's creatures.
As the group pressed further into the dormant zone, the landscape grew stranger. Large, jagged obsidian shards jutted from the ground like the broken ribs of some ancient beast, their edges gleaming with an unnatural sharpness. The air felt heavier, tinged with an electric charge that made the hair on the back of Kalem's neck stand on end.
"What is this place?" one of the scouts muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kalem didn't respond immediately. His focus was drawn to the ground—a faint trail of soot and ash that seemed to pulse with light, as if guiding them toward something. He motioned for the group to follow, and they did so reluctantly, their steps cautious and deliberate.
Then they saw it: a jagged outcrop of obsidian rising from the earth, its surface etched with glowing, intricate patterns. The structure loomed over them like a sentinel, its presence both awe-inspiring and foreboding.
"Hold," Kalem commanded, raising a hand. The group halted, their eyes fixed on the strange formation.
"What is that?" one of the miners asked, his voice trembling.
Kalem approached the structure cautiously, the energy emanating from it prickling at his senses. It wasn't just magical—it was alive, pulsating with an ancient rhythm. He recognized the style of the runes immediately. They were similar to the ones he had studied while crafting his latest weapons.
"This is elven," Kalem murmured, his voice tinged with both awe and unease.
"Elven?" The scout furrowed his brow. "But there haven't been elves in this region for—"
"Centuries," Kalem finished, his gaze fixed on the runes. "These aren't remnants, though. This magic is active."
He traced a finger over one of the symbols, and the rune flared to life, casting an eerie blue light across the area. The group stepped back instinctively, their unease growing.
"What does it mean?" a miner asked, his voice tinged with both fear and curiosity.
Kalem didn't answer immediately. He could feel the energy coursing through the runes, resonating with a purpose he couldn't yet decipher. It was as if the ruins were part of a larger mechanism, one designed to influence the valley itself.
The discovery left Kalem restless. Upon returning to the Ironworks, he sought out Vornar, the stoic leader of the settlement. Vornar was in the forge, as always, overseeing the repair and creation of weapons and tools.
"Kalem," Vornar greeted, his tone gruff but not unkind. "What brings you here?"
Kalem hesitated for a moment, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "I found something," he began. "In one of the dormant zones. A set of elven ruins."
Vornar's hammer paused mid-swing. He set it down carefully, turning to face Kalem. "Elven ruins?"
"They're not dormant," Kalem said, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "The magic in them—it's active. It feels… connected to everything that's been happening."
Vornar's expression darkened. "And you're sure of this?"
Kalem nodded. "The runes—they're similar to the ones I studied while crafting my weapons. But they're far more complex. They're doing something to the valley, Vornar. I don't know what, but it's not natural."
Vornar frowned, his gaze distant as he considered Kalem's words. "You think the Augury knows about this?"
Kalem hesitated. "I don't know. But if he does… he hasn't said anything."
"That's a serious accusation," Vornar said, his tone measured. "You're suggesting the Augury might be hiding something. Do you have proof?"
Kalem shook his head. "Not yet. But the ruins—they're tied to the changes in the valley. I can feel it."
Vornar studied Kalem for a long moment before nodding. "All right. I'll send a few trusted scouts to investigate further. But be careful, Kalem. If the Augury is involved… we'll need more than suspicions."
That night, Kalem sat alone in his quarters, the weight of the discovery pressing heavily on his mind. The runes, the dormant creatures, the Augury's cryptic behavior—it was all connected, he was sure of it.
But proving it would be another matter entirely.