Weeks after the fierce battles against the Shadow Sect and their defeat at the hands of Rio and Jin, a heavy silence settled over the Dark South. But their respite was short-lived when a mysterious messenger arrived, carrying a piece of engraved parchment covered in ancient symbols.
The message was a plea for help from the Elven people of the Amadriel Mountains, warning of an unknown threat endangering them all. Without hesitation, the two warriors decided to set out, driven by both adventure and curiosity—along with a cryptic vision sent to Rio by the system.
"The mountains are not as they seem," the system's cold voice warned. "What you will face there may change the course of your life."
Their path was long, surrounded at first by dense forests that gradually gave way to rugged, rocky slopes.
• "These mountains have a strange feeling to them," Jin muttered as he watched the clouded sky. "Like they're watching us."
Rio, more focused than usual, did not reply. His eyes were fixed on the mountain peaks, which seemed to touch the heavens.
• "System," Rio whispered. "Is there something I need to know?"
• "The mountains are filled with creatures you've never encountered before," the system responded. "And ancient legendary forces are awakening. Be prepared."
As the sun set, the two warriors arrived at the first Elven village. It was nestled among giant trees, with homes carved into their massive trunks. The Elven guards greeted them with caution, one of them pulling an arrow and aiming it at Rio.
• "Halt!" A strong voice commanded from behind.
The owner of the voice was Elindor, the leader of the Village of Wisdom. He was tall, his silver-white hair flowing like a waterfall, and his emerald-green eyes reflecting both wisdom and cunning.
• "Welcome," Elindor said with a wary smile. "We've heard much about you, humans. Will you prove to be allies… or enemies?"
• "That depends on your stance," Rio replied coolly, surprising those around him.
Rio and Jin sat with the village elders as Elindor explained the situation. The Elves were embroiled in an internal conflict between the three great villages, each with a different vision for the future of their people:
• The Village of Wisdom sought unity through alliances and peace.
• The Village of Spears believed that military strength was the only path to survival.
• The Village of Shadows advocated complete isolation and held dangerous secrets that could threaten everyone.
• "That is not all," Elindor continued. "Something ancient in the mountains has begun to stir. The giants that have slept for thousands of years… are awakening."
• "Giants?" Jin asked in shock.
• "Yes," came the voice of Kalyana, the fierce young leader of the Village of Spears, who had just entered. Her eyes burned with determination. "And I say we must destroy them before they destroy us."
As they debated, the ground suddenly trembled, and a guard shouted, "Attack!"
Everyone rushed outside to witness a terrifying sight—a massive creature made of stone, towering nearly twenty meters high, moving slowly but radiating overwhelming power.
• "So this is the giant you were talking about?" Rio smirked.
• "Rio, don't underestimate it," the system warned. "This creature may be stronger than it appears."
Jin was the first to engage, using his incredible speed to evade the giant's crushing blows. Meanwhile, Rio analyzed the battle, his eyes locked onto the creature's movements with intense focus.
• "Jin, distract it for a moment!" Rio called out.
In an instant, Rio leaped high into the air, gripping his sword tightly. With a single, precise strike aimed at the giant's weak point (highlighted by the system), he managed to bring the creature down. But exhaustion was evident on his face.
As Rio and Jin stood amid the rubble, Elindor looked at them with gratitude.
• "Your combat abilities are truly unparalleled," he said with deep respect.
But Rio, with a mysterious tone, responded, "This is just the beginning. Something much greater is coming."
The system's familiar voice whispered in Rio's ear:
"Prepare yourself. The real battle has yet to begin."
After the battle with the stone giant, the elders of the three elven villages gathered with Rio and Jin in a massive hall carved into the heart of an ancient tree. The walls were adorned with ancient engravings that told the history of the elves and the legend of the mountains.
Elindor, the leader of the Village of Wisdom, sat at the center of the hall, facing Kalyana, the fierce leader of the Village of Spears, and Valis, the mysterious leader of the Village of Shadows—a man shrouded in a dark cloak, his piercing eyes radiating an eerie coldness.
• "We must decide how to deal with the giants," Elindor began.
• "I won't just talk about the giants," Rio interrupted, his voice firm. "Something bigger is happening here. Their awakening is no coincidence. Who woke them… and why now?"
• "Why ask us?" Valis replied coldly. "Perhaps you humans are the ones who brought this disaster upon us."
• "Watch your words!" Jin shouted angrily, stepping forward, but Rio raised a hand to stop him.
• "Calm down, Jin," Rio said with a deadly calm. Then, turning to Valis, he added, "We are here to help, but if you are hiding something, it would be better to reveal it now."
Valis cast a disdainful glance but remained silent, increasing the tension in the room.
That night, Elindor led Rio and Jin to a secret underground chamber filled with ancient scrolls and maps. These documents revealed that the Amadriel Mountains were not only home to the elves but had also once been the capital of an ancient kingdom of giants.
• "These manuscripts mention something intriguing," Elindor said, pointing to an old map. "It seems there is a buried temple deep within the mountains. Legends say this temple holds the secrets of the giants… and it may be the source of the problem."
• "Then what's stopping us from going there now?" Jin asked.
• "The temple is not just a place—it's a trap," the system suddenly interjected in an unfamiliar voice, startling Jin.
• "That's right," Elindor added. "The path to the temple is treacherous, guarded by legendary creatures. No one has ever reached it before."
As they discussed their plan, the ground shook violently. They rushed outside to find the Village of Wisdom under attack—this time, not by one giant but by two.
• "Jin, take the northern guards and hold them back!" Rio commanded. "Elindor, protect the villagers! I'll handle the larger giant."
Jin dashed toward the attackers at lightning speed, his sword gleaming under the moonlight. His movements were fluid, as if he were dancing through the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Rio focused on the larger giant, which wielded a massive boulder in its hand.
• "This one is different," the system warned. "It's faster… and smarter."
Without hesitation, Rio leaped into the air, aiming for the weak point on the giant's chest. But the creature moved with astonishing speed, forcing Rio to retreat.
• "You can't kill it the usual way," the system advised. "Use your flow. Feel its movements."
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Rio attuned himself to everything around him—the wind, the ground's vibrations, even the giant's breath.
• "Now," he whispered, then launched himself forward with blinding speed. With a precise strike, he targeted a sensitive spot on the giant's knee, bringing the massive creature crashing down.
With both giants defeated, the village regained a temporary sense of peace, but the situation remained dire.
• "If this continues, we won't last long," Elindor said gravely.
• "We have to reach that temple and uncover the truth ourselves," Rio declared firmly.
• "But the temple is a death trap," Valis, who had suddenly appeared, objected. "You won't succeed."
• "I'll take that risk," Rio shot back, his gaze sharp as steel. "Sitting here and waiting for death is not an option."
Under the starlit sky, Rio and Jin stood atop a hill, gazing at the dark mountains looming in the distance.
• "Are you ready?" Jin asked.
• "I've always been ready," Rio replied with a faint smirk.
The system, in a quiet tone, whispered:
"The path to the temple will test you like nothing before. Prepare for the worst."