The team pushed forward through the ruins, their steps echoing faintly against the stone walls. The air grew colder, and the faint whispers never fully disappeared, always lingering at the edges of their awareness.
Damien broke the silence, his voice unusually subdued. "You know, I could've done without the ancient death machine. Not exactly the adventure I signed up for."
Dante gave a small smile but said nothing. His mind was elsewhere, focused on the tension that hung in the air like a storm about to break.
Leah kept her eyes forward, gripping her spear tightly. "This place is more than just ruins. There's a story here, and I don't think we want to be part of its ending."
Ethan nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows. "The architecture, the runes, even that guardian—it's like they were built to test us. Or to keep something out."
"Or in," Dante murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
They reached a large chamber, its ceiling high and adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to pulse faintly with energy. At the center was a pedestal holding a glowing orb, its light casting strange patterns across the walls.
"What is that?" Leah asked, her tone wary.
"It feels… alive," Ethan said, stepping closer.
Damien's hand shot out, grabbing Ethan's arm. "Don't touch it. Pretty sure glowing artifacts in creepy ruins are never a good sign."
Dante approached cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he examined the orb. His bloodline energy resonated faintly, a subtle pull toward the artifact. "It's linked to the ruins. It might hold answers."
Before anyone could stop him, he placed his hand on the orb. A surge of energy shot through him, and his vision blurred.
A Vision of the Past
Dante stood in a grand hall, its walls lined with warriors in gleaming armor. They bowed before a figure on a throne, their faces obscured by shadow. The whispers became voices, their words clear.
"They must not pass… The Nexus must remain sealed."
The vision shifted, showing a group of figures similar to his team. They fought desperately against the same guardian Dante's group had defeated, but their end was grim. The whispers grew louder, a cacophony of warning and despair.
Dante's eyes snapped open, his hand jerking away from the orb. He staggered back, his breathing ragged.
"What did you see?" Leah asked, her voice urgent.
"History," Dante said, his voice hoarse. "And a warning. We're not the first ones here… and we won't be the last."
The ground suddenly trembled, and cracks began to form in the walls. A low rumble echoed through the chamber, growing louder with each passing second.
"We need to move!" Damien shouted, pulling Ethan back toward the entrance.
The team sprinted down the corridor, the ruins shaking violently around them. Stones fell from above, and the once-stable floor began to crumble.
Leah glanced over her shoulder. "This place is collapsing!"
Dante pushed forward, his mind racing. "There's an exit ahead! We just have to—"
His words were cut off as the ground beneath them gave way. They plummeted into darkness, the ruins swallowing them whole.
A Dire Landing
When Dante came to, his body ached from the fall. He groaned, pushing himself up to look around. They were in a lower level of the ruins, the air thick with dust and the faint hum of ancient energy.
"Everyone okay?" he called out.
"Define okay," Damien muttered, sitting up and rubbing his head.
Leah stood nearby, inspecting a gash on her arm. "We're alive. That's what matters."
Ethan coughed, waving a hand in front of his face to clear the dust. "Where are we?"
Dante's gaze fell on the markings along the walls, more intricate and glowing faintly. "Deeper than we were before. The heart of this place, maybe."
A faint sound caught his attention—footsteps. But they weren't alone.
"Get ready," Dante said, drawing his sword.
From the shadows, figures emerged. They weren't guardians or monsters but people—cloaked and armed. Their leader stepped forward, a woman with piercing eyes and a cruel smile.
"Looks like we have visitors," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Who are you?" Dante demanded, his grip tightening on his weapon.
She tilted her head, her smile widening. "We're the ones who've been watching. And you've just made our job a lot more interesting."
The tension in the air thickened as the two groups faced off, the ruins around them alive with the hum of ancient power.