The sun hung low over the horizon as a group of researchers and their hired guards trudged through the dense northern forests of Gerthrig Continent.
The air was crisp and biting, the chill creeping into their bones as they approached their destination—the ruins near Seytalle.
The ruins, once a grand palace according to old tales, were now little more than a shadow of their former glory, hidden deep in the wilderness.
At the forefront of the group was Stamas, a seasoned mercenary with a weathered face and piercing crimson eyes that constantly scanned the surroundings.
His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword as he walked, his instincts on high alert. Something about the area unsettled him, a deep, primal sense of danger that he couldn’t shake.
Behind him, the researchers chatted quietly, their excitement palpable despite the grim reason for their expedition. Reports of missing people—five in the last month—had brought them here.
The council, having initially dismissed the disappearances as coincidence, had finally deemed it worth investigating.
The group’s leader, Ketka, marched beside Stamas. Unlike Stamas, Ketka’s demeanor was more relaxed, though he kept a watchful eye on the researchers. A seasoned Platinum Ranked mercenary, Ketka exuded confidence, but he wasn’t one to take risks lightly.
“We’ll reach the ruins in about an hour,” Ketka announced to the group, his voice carrying over the crunch of boots on frost-covered ground.
Stamas glanced at him, his brow furrowed. “I don’t like this,” he muttered, his voice low but firm.
Ketka raised an eyebrow. “What’s bothering you now?”
“The air,” Stamas replied, his tone serious. “It’s… off. Too quiet. No birds, no animals. It’s like everything knows not to come near this place.”
Ketka chuckled lightly, though his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re being paranoid. This is just an old ruin. Probably some wild beasts or a rogue mana beast scared off the locals.”
But Stamas shook his head. “I’ve been to places like this before. This isn’t the kind of silence you get from beasts. This is something worse.”
Ketka sighed, but before he could respond, one of the researchers chimed in. “Stamas, you’re making everyone nervous. We hired you to protect us, not scare us.”
Stamas bit back a retort, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the treeline. “I’m just doing my job,” he said tersely before going quiet once again and resuming their journey.
As they neared the ruins, the group fell silent, the towering structure coming into view. The palace-like ruins loomed ahead, its jagged silhouette framed against the evening sky.
Vines and moss clung to the crumbling stone walls, and what remained of the once-magnificent architecture was now eerily foreboding.
Stamas stopped in his tracks, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. “This place…” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not right.”
Ketka turned to him, his patience wearing thin. “We’ve already heard your warnings, Stamas. Enough. You’re going to kill morale before we even set foot inside.”
“I’m serious,” Stamas insisted, his tone unwavering. “Something is wrong here. If we’re not careful, we’re walking into a death trap.”
Ketka’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. “And what do you suggest? Turning back? We’ve come this far, and we have a job to do.”
Stamas hesitated, then sighed deeply. “Just… be ready for anything.”
Ketka nodded curtly, turning to address the rest of the group. “Stay alert. Keep close, and don’t wander off.”
As they approached the entrance to the ruins, a chilling wind swept through the trees, carrying with it an unnatural stillness. Stamas’s hand rested on his sword, his knuckles white with tension.
The moment they stepped into the open courtyard of the ruins, Stamas stopped again. “Wait,” he said, his voice sharp.
Ketka spun around, his temper flaring. “What now?”
Stamas opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, something whistled through the air. A split second later, a sharp projectile hurtled toward Ketka’s head.
Swooooosh!
Ketka reacted on instinct, his hand snapping up to catch the object mid-air. It was a jagged, metallic shard, its edges glinting with a faint, unnatural glow. Ketka’s eyes widened as he examined it, his grip tightening.
“Ambush!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the ruins.
The group immediately sprang into action, the researchers scrambling for cover as the mercenaries drew their weapons.
Stamas moved swiftly, positioning himself in front of the researchers as he scanned the area for the source of the attack.
The group of guards quickly formed a circle round the researchers to protect them from whatever was attacking.
From the shadows of the ruins, figures began to emerge—gaunt, humanoid forms with elongated limbs and glowing, hollow eyes. Their movements were jerky and unnatural, as if they were being puppeteered by an unseen force.
“What in the gods’ name are those?” one of the mercenaries whispered, his voice shaking.
“Stay focused!” Ketka barked, raising his sword. “Whatever they are, they’re hostile.”
The creatures let out guttural, inhuman screeches before charging toward the group.
“Hold the line!” Stamas shouted, stepping forward to meet the first wave.
The battle erupted in a flurry of chaos. Stamas’s sword moved with practiced precision, cutting down one of the creatures as it lunged at him. Its body disintegrated upon contact, turning to ash and leaving behind a faint, acrid smell.
Ketka fought beside him, his blade glowing faintly with imbued magic as he sliced through another creature.
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Despite their grotesque appearance, the creatures were fast and relentless, attacking with a ferocity that belied their frail forms.
The mercenaries held their ground, forming a protective circle around the researchers. But for every creature they struck down, another seemed to take its place, emerging from the shadows of the ruins.
“We can’t keep this up!” one of the mercenaries shouted, his voice tinged with panic.
“Fall back!” Ketka ordered. “Back to the treeline!”
The group began to retreat, moving cautiously but quickly as they fought their way out of the ruins. Stamas stayed at the rear, his sword cutting down any creature that got too close.
As they reached the edge of the forest, the creatures suddenly stopped, their glowing eyes watching from the shadows of the ruins.
“They’re not following us,” Marielle, one of the researchers muttered, her voice shaky.
