Chapter 10: The Secrets Beneath the Ruins
The legion moved cautiously through the northern ruins, their boots crunching over broken stone and scattered debris. Aric led the formation, eyes scanning every shadow, every flicker of movement. The encounter with the shadow creatures had left them wary, but the urgency of their mission pushed them forward. Something beneath the ancient structures called to him, a pull that was both instinctual and unnerving.
Lysandra walked beside him, her staff glowing faintly. "The wards beneath these ruins are complex. Whatever force resides here has mastered dark magic far beyond common understanding. If we're to uncover the truth, we need to proceed carefully."
Kael's axe scraped against the ruins' stones as he shifted his weight. "Careful, yes, but slow will get us killed if they've set more traps."
The ruins stretched farther than the eye could see, columns towering over them, etched with symbols of a forgotten age. Some depicted battles between humans and towering, monstrous forms, others illustrated rituals whose meanings were long lost. A chilling wind wound through the corridors, carrying whispers that seemed almost human yet impossible to place.
Sergeant Malric signaled a halt. "Sir, multiple points of residual energy detected beneath the central plaza. It's faint, but I've never seen magic like this outside an obelisk."
Aric knelt, tracing a faint, glowing line along the ground. "This is a network…lines connecting points beneath the ruins. Whoever designed this used the architecture itself as a conduit for power. That explains the shadow creatures—they're just guardians, extensions of the nodes below."
Lysandra's eyes widened. "It's worse than I thought. These ruins are alive with energy. We could be walking straight into an amplification chamber. Any misstep could trigger the entire network."
Kael's laughter, though nervous, broke the tension. "Then we step carefully, or we die trying. Sounds fair enough."
Aric pushed forward, signaling the legion to fan out, covering flanks and rear. The central plaza opened up before them, a massive square bordered by half-collapsed walls and statues of armored figures frozen in eternal combat. Faint lines of glowing energy ran across the floor, converging at a central pedestal, the source of the network's power.
Approaching it, Aric noticed faint inscriptions on the pedestal itself, a language older than any he had seen. "Hermes language," he whispered. "This predates the Northern Continent…possibly tied to the original civilization."
Lysandra studied the inscriptions, tracing her fingers along the symbols. "These are protective wards, but layered within are commands…summoning, binding, and amplifying. Whoever left this intended to control not just shadows, but entire armies."
Kael's axe lowered slightly. "Great. So we're about to walk into a military-grade magic trap designed by people who've been dead for centuries."
Aric ignored the sarcasm. "We split into three teams. Lysandra, you come with me to disrupt the pedestal's wards. Kael, take half the legion and sweep the surrounding ruins. Malric, stay with the rear guard. We cannot let anything slip past."
The plan was executed with precision, each soldier moving in sync with the others. Lysandra chanted softly as she approached the pedestal, weaving counter-spells to unravel the protective wards. Aric kept his sword ready, slashing at shadows that leapt from the walls, dissolving them into wisps of black mist.
Suddenly, the pedestal's light intensified, a searing brilliance that forced the legion to shield their eyes. A voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the ruins: "Intruders…why do you seek what should remain buried?"
Aric stepped forward, shouting over the roar of energy. "We seek the truth! We will end your corruption and protect the legion!"
The pedestal shuddered, and from it, a figure emerged. Cloaked in darkness yet defined by faint, glowing sigils, it radiated power that made even Kael hesitate. Its eyes, bright and piercing, bore into their minds, testing courage, resolve, and fear.
Lysandra continued chanting, beads of sweat on her brow as she unraveled layers of wards. Sparks of energy shot in all directions, striking the walls and floor, leaving scorch marks. The figure advanced, and the shadows followed, surging forward to defend their master.
Aric's sword met the first wave of shadows, cutting cleanly but forcing him to move back step by step. Kael roared, bringing his axe down on a cluster of shadow guardians, each strike producing a burst of blinding light.
The pedestal's light flickered as Lysandra's wards began to break through. Aric noticed faint cracks appearing along the pedestal's surface, lines of dark energy splintering under her magic. "Almost there," she murmured, her voice strained but determined.
The figure growled, a sound that shook the very stone beneath their feet. Shadows whipped around it like living serpents, striking out at any soldier who ventured too close.
Aric steadied himself, signaling the legion to press forward in a coordinated push. Together, sword, axe, and magic worked in unison, forcing the guardians back while Lysandra focused on the pedestal. The energy lines began to collapse, glowing threads snapping and fading.
With a final, echoing chant, Lysandra struck the pedestal. A shockwave radiated outward, knocking back soldiers and scattering the remaining shadows. The pedestal shattered, fragments of stone and energy raining down. Silence fell over the ruins, broken only by the legion's heavy breathing.
Aric stood at the center, surveying the destruction. The ruins were quiet, the oppressive energy gone, but he knew this was only the beginning. Somewhere beneath the shattered stone, deeper secrets awaited, and the true source of this power had not yet revealed itself.
Kael wiped his axe on his cloak, smirking despite exhaustion. "Well, that was…pleasant."
Aric's gaze hardened. "Pleasant isn't in the dictionary anymore. We move forward. The legion must rise, stronger than ever. Whatever waits below, we will face it together."