The remnants of the glowing forest stretched out behind Lin Xuan and his companions like a fading dream. Their path led them into a dim valley, shrouded in mist and silence. The air was damp, clinging to their skin, and the faint scent of decay lingered. Every step seemed to amplify the oppressive stillness, as though the valley itself watched their movements.
---
"This place feels worse than the forest," Yu Mei said, her voice low. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her usual confident demeanor slightly shaken.
Xu Yan glanced around, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "It's like the air itself is waiting for something to happen."
Lin Xuan remained silent, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. He could feel it—a faint, almost imperceptible hum of energy beneath the surface. It wasn't malevolent like the heart of the forest, but it carried a heavy weight, as if it bore the echoes of something ancient and unresolved.
---
The valley gradually narrowed, the mist thickening around them. The ground beneath their feet shifted subtly, as though the earth itself had grown tired of holding its shape.
Li Fengxian, ever cautious, tapped his spear lightly on the ground. "This terrain isn't natural. It's been disturbed."
Yu Mei tilted her head, her sharp eyes catching faint marks on the stone walls surrounding them. "These carvings... they're old, but they look deliberate."
The group paused to examine the strange markings. They formed intricate patterns, spiraling out like a web. Lin Xuan's brow furrowed as he traced his fingers along one of the carvings. A faint pulse of energy rippled through his touch.
---
"This isn't just a valley," Lin Xuan said, his voice steady. "It's a burial ground."
The others stiffened at his words. Yu Mei's expression darkened. "A burial ground for what?"
Lin Xuan stood, his gaze distant. "For something powerful. These marks are seals, meant to contain whatever lies here. But they're old—too old to hold much longer."
The air grew colder, the mist swirling around them in unnatural patterns. A faint sound reached their ears, like the low hum of distant voices.
---
"Did anyone else hear that?" Xu Yan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yu Mei nodded, her daggers drawn. "It's not just a sound. It's... words."
Li Fengxian frowned, his grip tightening on his spear. "Voices of the dead, perhaps. Or the echoes of whatever's sealed here."
Lin Xuan turned to the group, his expression serious. "Stay close. If the seals break, we'll need to act fast."
---
They moved cautiously through the valley, the markings growing more intricate and frequent. The faint hum of voices grew louder, forming fragmented whispers that seemed to come from all around them. Words in an ancient tongue echoed in the mist, their meaning just beyond comprehension.
Suddenly, the ground trembled, a deep rumble shaking the valley. The mist thickened, swirling violently as the air grew heavy with energy.
"The seals are weakening," Lin Xuan said, his voice sharp. "We're running out of time."
---
Without warning, a burst of dark energy erupted from the ground ahead of them. The mist parted to reveal a massive stone altar, its surface etched with glowing runes. Around it stood shadowy figures, their forms flickering like dying flames. Their hollow eyes glowed with a dim, unnatural light, and their presence exuded a chilling aura.
One of the figures stepped forward, its voice a haunting whisper that seemed to pierce through the soul. "Who dares trespass upon sacred ground? You awaken what should remain forgotten."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his sword drawn and glowing faintly. "We're not here to disturb the dead. But if this place is about to break, we have no choice but to face what comes."
The figure tilted its head, as though studying him. "Brave words, mortal. But bravery will not save you from the wrath of the past."
---
The shadowy figures lunged forward, their movements unnaturally fast. Lin Xuan met the first with a swift strike, his blade cutting through the apparition. It dissolved into wisps of dark mist, but the others pressed on, their attacks relentless.
Yu Mei danced through the fray, her daggers flashing as she struck at the shadows. "These things don't go down easy! They keep reforming!"
Xu Yan growled, his twin blades slicing through two figures at once. "Then we'll just keep cutting them down!"
Li Fengxian held the line, his spear sweeping in wide arcs to keep the shadows at bay. "Focus on the altar! It's the source of their power!"
---
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed as he studied the altar. The runes pulsed erratically, cracks forming along its surface. He could feel the energy building within it, threatening to explode.
"Cover me," he said, his voice firm. "I'll deal with the altar."
The others nodded, forming a defensive perimeter around him. Lin Xuan moved swiftly toward the altar, his sword glowing brighter as he channeled his energy. The shadowy figures swarmed toward him, but his companions held them back with fierce determination.
---
Reaching the altar, Lin Xuan raised his sword high. The runes flared, as if sensing his intent. A powerful surge of energy erupted from the altar, forcing him back. He gritted his teeth, steadying himself against the wave.
"You won't stop me," he muttered, focusing his energy into his blade.
With a powerful strike, he drove his sword into the center of the altar. The runes exploded in a blinding flash of light, and a deafening roar echoed through the valley. The shadowy figures screamed, their forms dissolving into nothingness.
---
When the light faded, the valley was silent once more. The altar was shattered, its energy dissipated. The mist began to clear, revealing the path ahead.
Yu Mei approached Lin Xuan, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "Are you all right?"
Lin Xuan nodded, sheathing his sword. "I'm fine. But this place... it's only the beginning. There's more to this than we understand."
Li Fengxian stepped forward, his spear resting on his shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Lin Xuan glanced at his companions, a faint smile on his lips. "Let's move. We can't afford to linger here."
As they left the valley, the weight of the encounter lingered in their hearts. The echoes of forgotten wrongs still whispered faintly in the distance, a reminder that the past was never truly buried.