THE MYSTERY OF THE VEILED RUINS
Dawn was only beginning to break when Zyrion and Kyrahna reached the edge of a clearing in the forest. Before them stood the ruins of an ancient structure, half–covered by overgrown vegetation and surrounded by a dense mist that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The air carried a strange scent, a mix of damp earth and something metallic.
"Well, this looks… cozy," Zyrion said, eyeing the ruins with a mix of curiosity and distrust. "How do you know the fragment is here?"
"Because I can feel it," Kyrahna replied, her eyes narrowing as she studied the surroundings. "There’s something powerful here. Something that doesn’t belong to this place."
Zyrion raised an eyebrow. "Something like another giant draegorn, or something worse? Because my luck with ‘powerful’ things hasn’t been great lately."
"If you’re scared, you can wait here," Kyrahna said with a faint smile as she stepped toward the ruins.
"Wait here? And miss the chance of being attacked by horrible things again? Absolutely not," Zyrion said, following her. "Besides, I’m not letting you take all the glory. If there’s a monster in there, I want at least some of the credit."
As they approached, the ruins seemed to grow in size and complexity. The stones were covered in ancient inscriptions glowing faintly with bluish light, and the broken pillars suggested this place had once been majestic.
Kyrahna stopped before a massive stone door partially collapsed. "These inscriptions… they’re from Kyrethron," she murmured, running her fingers over the carvings. "They speak of an ancient battle and a power sealed here."
"A sealed power? Sounds promising," Zyrion said, though concern tinged his tone. "And you’re sure it’s a fragment and not, you know, a monster that wants to kill us?"
Kyrahna ignored him and pushed the door with both hands. The stone groaned, and a cold wind rushed out, carrying with it a faint whisper-like echo.
"Welcome to the haunted house," Zyrion said, drawing his sword. "Do you think it’s rude if I walk in with this thing out?"
"It might be necessary," Kyrahna replied, drawing her dagger. "Keep your eyes open and don’t touch anything unnecessary."
"Define ‘unnecessary’," Zyrion said, but his tone softened when he saw her serious expression. "Fine, fine. I promise. No touching."
The inside of the ruins was even more unsettling. The corridors were dark, illuminated only by the dim blue glow of the inscriptions on the walls. Every step echoed, as if the entire place was listening.
"This is way too quiet," Zyrion muttered after a while. "I don’t like it."
"Neither do I," Kyrahna admitted. "But the fragment is close. I feel it more strongly now."
Suddenly, a low rumbling sound filled the air. Zyrion froze, eyes darting around. "Please tell me that was you."
Kyrahna shook her head and raised her dagger. "We’re not alone."
Before they could react, a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall and slender, clad in black armor that looked like solidified smoke. In its hand was a long sword glowing with dark energy.
"Intruders," the figure said, its voice deep and resonant. "This place is not for you. Leave now, or face the consequences."
"How about we skip the threats and just talk?" Zyrion said, lifting his hands in a gesture of peace. "We’re not looking for trouble. We’re just searching for something."
"The only thing you will find here is your death," the figure replied, advancing slowly.
"Well, that’s not very friendly," Zyrion muttered, raising his sword.
Kyrahna stepped forward, eyes fixed on the figure. "We don’t want to fight. We just want the fragment. Let us take it and we’ll leave."
"The fragment does not belong to you," the figure said, lifting its sword. "And it never will."
Without warning, the figure attacked. Kyrahna blocked the strike with her dagger, but the force pushed her back. Zyrion rushed forward, striking quickly, but the figure dodged effortlessly.
"This guy is fast!" Zyrion shouted, dodging a counterattack. "Any ideas, Kyrahna?"
"Keep him busy!" she answered, looking for an opening. "I need a moment to prepare something!"
"Sure, no problem! I’ll just stay here being bait," Zyrion said while launching a series of attacks to distract the figure.
As Zyrion fought, Kyrahna whispered in an ancient tongue. The blue glow of the inscriptions intensified, and the air began to vibrate with energy.
"Kyrahna, whatever you're doing, do it fast!" Zyrion shouted as he barely avoided another strike.
At last Kyrahna finished her spell. With a cry, she extended her hands toward the figure, releasing a blast of energy that slammed it into a wall. Its sword clattered to the ground.
Zyrion quickly disarmed the enemy, pressing his blade to its throat. "Alright, friend, let’s talk. Who are you, and why are you protecting this place?"
The figure glared at them with burning eyes but remained silent.
"Kyrahna, I think we need answers before moving on," Zyrion said, sword steady.
Kyrahna approached, her gaze sharp. "Who are you? And more importantly, who sent you?"
The figure stayed quiet for a moment before finally speaking. "My name does not matter. I am here to fulfill my duty. If you want the fragment, you will face something far worse than me."
Before they could respond, the figure vanished in a cloud of smoke, its laughter echoing faintly.
"Well, that was… unsettling," Zyrion said, lowering his sword. "What now?"
"We keep going," Kyrahna replied, looking down the passage ahead. "The fragment is close, but something tells me that was only the beginning."
Zyrion sighed as he followed her. "Of course it was. Because things can never be easy, right?"
Their footsteps faded into the darkness as they advanced into the unknown, aware that the real challenge was still waiting for them.
The air grew denser as they walked through the corridor. With each step, the blue glow of the inscriptions brightened, as if guiding them. But there was something sinister in that light: it was almost as if the walls were watching them.
"Have you noticed this place feels more alive than it should?" Zyrion asked, breaking the tense silence. His sword gleamed in the faint light.
"Yes," Kyrahna replied softly. "I feel something… like a presence. Not just energy—something conscious."
"Great," Zyrion muttered. "Because the only thing better than fighting a magical armored wraith is dealing with an enchanted building that can think."
Kyrahna nearly smiled. "If you want, you can turn back. I’m sure the nearby villages have safer activities."
Zyrion rolled his eyes. "If we survive this, I might actually consider moving to a village and becoming a farmer."
"Alright," Kyrahna chuckled. "Though I can’t picture you taking care of goats."
"I’m a man of many talents," Zyrion said with a grin before stopping suddenly. "Wait. Do you feel that?"
Kyrahna stopped, closing her eyes. There was a vibration in the air, a rhythmic pulse coming from the ground. "It’s here. The fragment is close."
"How do we know it’s not another trap?" Zyrion asked, shifting his weight into a ready stance.
"Because this pulse is different," Kyrahna explained. "It’s more… pure. But also dangerous. Something is protecting it. Something we haven’t seen."
"Perfect," Zyrion said, gripping his sword tighter. "Because I definitely needed more action today."
They continued until the passage opened into a vast circular chamber. In the center, upon a pedestal carved with intricate symbols, floated a glowing fragment. Its golden light illuminated the entire room, driving away the shadows.
"There it is," Kyrahna whispered. "The Fragment of Light."
Zyrion stared. "It’s… smaller than I expected. Though with everything we’ve gone through, I guess size doesn’t matter."
Kyrahna ignored him and stepped forward. But a thunderous rumble shook the chamber. From the shadows around the edges, figures materialized—humanoid beings of pure radiant energy, their empty eyes glowing and their presence overwhelming.
"Of course," Zyrion said, lifting his sword. "Because taking the fragment and leaving would’ve been too easy."
Kyrahna drew her dagger. "They’re guardians. They won’t let us take it without a fight."
"Alright then—let’s party!" Zyrion yelled as one of the guardians charged him.
He dodged the attack and slashed, but his sword passed straight through the luminous body like air.
"Weapons don’t work!" Zyrion shouted. "Any brilliant ideas, Kyrahna?"
"Give me a second," she replied, studying the guardians while dodging another strike. "Try hitting the runes on their bodies! Those marks might be their weak point!"
Zyrion frowned but went for it. He rushed a guardian, dodging its swift strikes, and aimed at a glowing rune on its chest. This time his sword connected. The guardian let out a piercing cry before bursting into light.
"It worked!" Zyrion shouted. "Now I don’t feel useless anymore!"
"Focus, Zyrion!" Kyrahna said, hitting another rune and destroying another guardian.
But the remaining guardians didn’t give them time to celebrate. Three attacked Zyrion at once, forcing him back, while Kyrahna was surrounded by two more, barely keeping up.
"I can’t hold them off!" Zyrion yelled. "There’s too many!"
"Just keep fighting!" Kyrahna said. "I’m going to try something!"
She retreated toward the pedestal, lifting her hands and whispering another spell. The inscriptions on the floor and walls brightened, and the air crackled with energy.
"Whatever you’re doing, hurry!" Zyrion shouted, slashing at another rune.
Finally, Kyrahna completed her spell. With a cry, she raised her hands toward the fragment. The golden light intensified, exploding outward in a sweeping beam that obliterated the guardians instantly.
Zyrion stared, awestruck. "That was amazing! How did you do that?"
"I don’t know," Kyrahna said, breathing heavily. "The fragment… helped me. I felt its energy."
"Well, whatever you did, it worked," Zyrion said sheathing his sword. "Now can we take the fragment and leave before something worse shows up?"
Kyrahna nodded and approached the pedestal. She reached out carefully, as if expecting the fragment to vanish. But as soon as she touched it, the golden light enveloped her entirely.
"Kyrahna!" Zyrion shouted, running toward her. But before he could reach her, the light faded, leaving Kyrahna standing tall, the fragment in her hand.
"I’m fine," she said, her voice sounding stronger, more confident. "The fragment has accepted me."
"That’s great," Zyrion said with a smile. "But maybe save the celebration for when we’re outside."
Kyrahna nodded, and together they began to leave the chamber. But even as they walked away, both knew this was only the beginning of something much greater—and far more dangerous.
TO BE CONTINUED…