The elven warrior stood frozen at the mouth of the cavern.
For several long moments…
He simply stared.
"…Impossible…"
His whisper disappeared into the vast underground world before him.
The cavern was unlike anything he had ever seen.
It was so enormous that its distant walls vanished into darkness, giving the illusion of an endless world hidden beneath the earth. High above, the rocky ceiling stretched beyond sight, covered with countless glowing crystals that shimmered like a sky filled with stars.
Yet the greatest surprise was not the cavern itself.
It was the sun.
Suspended high above the hidden land floated a brilliant golden sphere. It radiated gentle warmth instead of unbearable heat, bathing the sanctuary in soft daylight. It was smaller than the true sun above the surface, but so perfectly crafted that one could almost mistake it for the real thing.
The elf slowly raised his hand to shield his eyes.
"A… sun?"
His heartbeat quickened.
"How can there be a sun beneath the earth…?"
No one answered.
A cool breeze brushed past him.
He blinked.
Even the air felt alive.
It carried the scent of fresh grass, wild flowers, and flowing water instead of damp stone.
Far below the cliff where he stood stretched a breathtaking landscape.
Rolling green fields swayed gently beneath the artificial sunlight. Crystal-clear rivers wound across the valley like silver ribbons before disappearing into forests of towering trees unlike any found on the surface.
Their trunks shimmered with faint silver patterns.
Their leaves glowed softly in shades of emerald and blue.
Among them fluttered tiny winged creatures that resembled butterflies, yet each left behind trails of sparkling light as they danced through the air.
The elf had wandered through countless forests during his life.
Never…
Had he seen anything like this.
In the distance, enormous deer with crystal antlers grazed peacefully beside a lake whose waters reflected the golden sky above. Strange birds with feathers resembling flowing ribbons soared lazily between floating fragments of stone that drifted silently through the air.
Floating islands…
He rubbed his eyes.
They were truly floating.
Small pieces of land hovered dozens of meters above the valley, connected by cascading waterfalls that vanished into mist before reaching the ground.
"…Am I dreaming?"
His voice barely escaped his lips.
Nestled across the valley were dozens of villages.
Stone pathways connected each settlement, while thin columns of white smoke curled lazily from the chimneys of neatly built cottages.
Farther away stood farms filled with unfamiliar crops whose golden stalks shimmered beneath the artificial sunlight.
Beyond them…
His gaze slowly lifted.
A colossal black fortress stood at the very heart of the sanctuary.
Its towering walls reached toward the cavern ceiling like an unbreakable mountain. Ancient banners fluttered gently from its towers, while countless bridges connected different sections of the fortress.
Even from this distance…
It radiated an overwhelming sense of authority.
The elf unconsciously swallowed.
"…Who could build something like this…?"
No kingdom on the surface possessed such craftsmanship.
No city in Forestfell…
Stormvale…
Brightshore…
Or even Moonreach…
Could compare to this hidden civilization.
His eyes wandered once more across the endless sanctuary.
Everywhere he looked…
Life flourished.
It was peaceful.
Almost…
Too peaceful.
After standing there for several minutes, he finally took a careful step forward.
The narrow mountain path wound down toward one of the nearest villages.
Each step brought new wonders into view.
Flowers with translucent petals bloomed along the roadside, glowing faintly whenever the breeze touched them.
Small streams flowed uphill instead of down.
Strange blue fish swam through the air for brief moments before diving back into the water as though gravity itself obeyed different rules inside this sanctuary.
The elf could only stare.
"…This place…"
"…It's like another world."
Far behind him…
Hidden among the towering branches near the cavern entrance…
Two silent figures moved without making the slightest sound.
The Shadow Archers.
Their glowing blue eyes never left the lone visitor.
They neither spoke…
Nor interfered.
Like loyal guardians…
They simply followed from the shadows.
Unaware of his silent escorts, the elf continued his descent until he finally reached the nearest settlement.
He immediately lowered his posture.
Instinct took over.
His hand rested firmly upon the hilt of his sword as he slipped behind a cluster of bushes near the edge of the village.
His sharp eyes carefully observed everything before him.
Rows of beautifully crafted cottages stood quietly beneath the warm sunlight.
Fresh smoke drifted from several chimneys.
Wooden carts rested beside stone wells.
Freshly washed clothes swayed gently in the breeze.
Clay pots filled with blooming flowers decorated doorways.
Everything suggested that people lived here.
Yet…
Not a single person could be seen.
The streets were empty.
No children played.
No merchants called out.
No footsteps echoed.
Only silence remained.
The elf frowned.
"…Where is everyone?"
He stayed hidden.
One minute passed.
Then another.
Then a third.
Nothing changed.
The village remained eerily still.
Satisfied that no one was nearby, he slowly emerged from the bushes.
His movements were cautious.
Every step was measured.
His body remained tense, ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.
His eyes scanned every rooftop…
Every open window…
Every narrow alley.
This place was too quiet.
Too perfect.
And that made it all the more dangerous.
With one hand resting on the hilt of his sword…
The lone elf cautiously stepped deeper into the mysterious village…
Unaware…
That unseen eyes were still watching his every move...….