The Lutharian Ruins
The deep rumble of an engine echoed through the desolate landscape as a red sports car sped across the barren road. Inside, four passengers sat in anticipation, eyes locked on the looming ruins ahead.
Avery groaned as she stretched in her seat. "Ugh, that ride was exhausting. Four hours of endless road—my bum hurts."
Elena rolled her eyes. "Quit whining, Avery. Can't you see? We're about to make history! Today, we finally get to research the Shard of Aetherium." She turned to Avery, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Doesn't that at least make you a little curious?"
"I'm excited too, Elena," Avery muttered, rubbing her sore legs. "But I'm also dead tired."
Elena sighed. "Well, my excitement beats my tiredness."
Kiara and Liam, seated at the front, exchanged knowing glances.
"Enough chit-chat, Elena and Avery," Kiara said, her voice firm.
Elena scoffed. "We weren't chatting. We were discussing." She turned to Avery. "Right?"
Avery smirked. "Exactly."
Elena cleared her throat. "Did you bring the survey? It should direct us to the exact location of the relic."
"Of course, I did." Liam tapped the tablet in his hand. "I am the smartest, after all. Even if I'm not the youngest professor in Caldara City, I'm still the smartest in this group."
"For once, I actually agree with you." Elena chuckled.
Avery clapped her hands together. "Alright, enough talking. Let's check the survey and get started on our research."
---
Inside the Lutharian Ruins
The ancient ruins stretched before them, a labyrinth of crumbling stone and towering pillars. The air was thick with dust, the eerie silence pressing down on them.
Avery glanced around nervously. "Uh… do you guys think we're lost?" She shivered. "This place gives me the creeps. What if something happens to us?"
Kiara shot her a sharp look. "Avery, stop saying things like that. We already don't have cell signal—don't make everyone more anxious."
Elena narrowed her eyes, scanning their surroundings. "I think I see a turn up ahead. Let's check it out."
The group followed the path, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. After a few minutes, they arrived at a massive cave entrance, sealed shut by a rusted latch.
With a shared glance, they pushed the door open. A gust of stale air rushed past them as they stepped inside.
The room was filled with relics of the past The Crown of Vasari, Aetherium-Infused Armor, and a dust-covered diary
Elena's fingers hesitated before brushing against the aged leather cover. "I wonder whose diary this is…"
She carefully opened it, her eyes scanning the fragile pages. While she read, the others explored the cavern.
The diary belonged to Selene Vasari. A woman history had condemned as a villain.
But the truth was far more complicated.
Selene had done terrible things, nearly bringing destruction to an entire city. But as Elena read through her words, she realized—this was a woman who had suffered. A woman who had loved deeply, only to be betrayed. The man she had loved never loved her back. And the one who loved her… she could never bring herself to love in return.
Elena swallowed hard, closing the diary. "She wasn't just a monster," she murmured. "She was broken."
Her gaze shifted to the Crown of Vasari, lying shattered on the stone table. Even in ruin, it was breathtaking.
"Elena, why are you staring at that crown like it's something precious?" Liam asked, raising an eyebrow.
She traced a crack in the metal. "Because… I think this was Selene's crown. The one from legend."
Liam scoffed. "You and your theories."
Elena ignored him, her attention now drawn to shimmering pendant beneath a mirror.
The moment she touched it, a strange energy pulsed through her fingers.
Then the ground rumbled
"Elena, let's go!" Kiara shouted.
The walls trembled. Dust rained from above.
The cave was collapsing.
"Elena, run!" Avery screamed.
Elena turned to flee, but the entrance was already crumbling.
Her friends barely made it out. Their desperate voices echoed through the cavern.
"Elena!"
The last thing she thought about as the rocks closed in was everything she had missed in life.
She had spent years buried in books, never experiencing love. Never taking risks.
Her parents… how would they cope? She was their only child. Their world revolved around her.
Her vision blurred.
Her final breath slipped away.