Chapter 38: The Ruins of Velnar
The skies above the deadlands of Velnar cracked with blue lightning as Ryulga and Shen descended into the ruins. No reunion. No Arcane General yet. Just danger, dust, and a whole lot of broken magic.
The world here felt ancient, like time itself refused to breathe.
"This place reeks of old gods and bad decisions," Shen muttered, stepping over a shattered temple pillar.
Ryulga said nothing. His eyes flicked across the collapsed stone, symbols older than the Arcane beasts glowing faintly under the moss. He pulled his coat tighter. "Keep your aura low. The ruins don't like being disturbed."
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Scene 1 – Magic Traps and Mouthy Statues
They moved in silence until Shen stepped on a tile that triggered a magical trap. The ground beneath them dropped—and a giant stone statue rose from the earth.
"I am VARUK, Guardian of These Toilets—er—Temples!" it roared.
Shen blinked. "You were gonna say toilets."
"No I wasn't!" The statue's eyes glowed purple. "Prepare for your DOOM!"
Ryulga didn't flinch. He threw a pulse mine into the statue's mouth. It swallowed. Then burped. Then exploded.
"Your solution to everything is 'explode it,' huh?" Shen asked, brushing ash off his shoulder.
"Only when it works," Ryulga replied.
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Scene 2 – The Forbidden Library Below
Beneath the ruins, they found a circular chamber—its walls humming with ancient symbols. Books floated midair, untouched by time. In the center was a pedestal with a cracked orb leaking black mist.
Shen approached. His eyes narrowed. "This is Arcane... but distorted. Like it was ripped from a living creature."
Ryulga looked concerned. "That's no normal relic. That's Arcane Soul Residue. Someone killed a beast inside this ruin."
"But why trap its energy?" Shen muttered. "Unless…"
The orb pulsed.
From the shadows, a low voice rumbled:
"Step away from the Heart, thief."
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Scene 3 – Shadows in the Dark
An invisible force slammed Shen into the wall. Ryulga drew both pistols, firing enchanted rounds. A black blur moved—too fast to see, too silent to track.
Shen activated his Dark Mage Form 1, shadows coiling up his arms.
A figure stepped into view: masked, cloaked in black Arcane armor, its eyes glowing like burning coal.
"Who the hell—?" Shen began.
The figure raised a hand. The mist around the orb shaped into a scythe.
Ryulga's voice was calm. "He's not General rank... but he's a test. Someone's watching how we fight."
Shen grinned. "Good. I was getting bored."
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Scene 4 – Battle of the Ruin Mist
The fight shook the entire chamber. Shen's magic blades clashed against the scythe, sparks flying. The masked warrior moved like vapor—always a half-second ahead.
Ryulga landed a bullet straight into the figure's chest. It staggered—but didn't fall.
With a roar, Shen channeled his Void Blade technique, slicing through the darkness.
The masked enemy vanished in black mist.
Silence returned.
They stood, panting, bruised, but alive.
Ryulga picked up a scorched cloth scrap left behind. "Mark this. We just crossed into the real battlefield."
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Final Note
They never saw who sent the enemy. But someone was watching. Someone testing Shen. The Arcane General? Still waiting. Still laughing from afar.