The Ruins of Chroma

Long story short . We are too weak , The witch faked her death for unknown reasons . The Oracle did say something like this if I remember but I didn't take it too seriously.

How much stronger do I have to get to stand a chance against him . Is he stronger than Roy Williams. ? What about his four generals how much is the strength gap between them .

Even if I do manage to survive then what about others . Do they have someone as strong as him .

What is happening in Chroma , what did he mean by something interesting.

And how much time on the damn trip I'm sore already?

These questions pondered within my mind .

The caravan was now joined with Azuma clan soldiers marched towards the destination.

The ruins of Chroma were within sight , filled with nothing but ashes and dust. A kingdom that once stood high , now it's ruined with not even a structure left . There were many theories that how did it fell to ruin .

First was a great calamity that when struck nothing was left . But this theory was quickly ruled out as the land and other villages were left intact .

Second it was ruled as the work of God .This theory is still around and has gained a cult-like following.

The truth is only known by few . Me , McElroy, Roy, X , and the author and the reader who came this far .

While setting our camp in the ruins we encountered another set of travelers who were a part of an archaeological team trying to learn its secrets .

Nora tried to enter the ruins when she was suddenly stopped by the team conducting their research

Jacob :

Don't enter the ruins we're currently investigating the ruins . Please co-operate with us .

Nora :

Oh okay , what have you found ?

Jacob :

As I said right now we're investigating but when were done well publish the results .

A medical archaeology team what are they trying to detect the condition of the ruins with . Sticks and stones ?

Or maybe some elemental bullshit . Or something that's truly magical or of this world .

Maybe they're trying to determine the age of the wood by carbon dating the ash .

I felt curious as I felt like Indiana Jones . I went to the ruins of Chroma which I ruined .

Jacob:

I said once more do not enter we're investigating the ruins .

Jay :

I wanted to see you work .

Jacob :

This take years of expertise to do . If you want to watch then watch but don't interrupt our work .

Jay :

Okay .

I started to watch them . Jacob held the ash in his hands and kept it in a bowl .

Jacob looked at the ash and started to note something down . He poured some liquid in the ash . I couldn't see the liquid was transparent like water .

I peeked over his notes which he wrote down .

And my feelings are something I leave it to the readers to decide . Let me read aloud some of the notes .

Title :

Archaeological study on the Ruins of Chroma .

Overview .

A very hot topic in the lands is that what happened to Chroma . A prosperous kingdom surrounded by a barrier suddenly vanished in thin air leaving only dust and ash behind .

There was no evidence of any skeletons or any possession left either . It was just like everything vanished .

And as if now there are no eyewitnesses

A schematic of the diagram shows paints the picture of the kingdom and as investigating we have found further proof .

The ashes have spread in a pattern and not randomly . The pattern started from an elliptical circle which is presumed to be the wall of the kingdom .

Then the outline of the ash changes as now there are multiple square and rectangular markings which are presumed to be the outline left by the houses that existed here .

It was followed by big shapes which are assumed to be the houses of the nobles residing .

Most prominent was Lord Roy Williams which made his name far across the lands .

The middle structure is the largest by a lot . Exact measurements cannot be taken as simple contact can disrupt the structure and affect the calculation s .Thus an approximation has been taken .

It is believed to be the Royal palace .

Here comes the part hes now investigating.

We tried to determine the exact age of the ash . For this it requires an scientific explanation.

the ash is put in the water and mixed and an slurry is formed then that slurry is checked for colour and depending on the depth of the colour the age of the ash can be estimated. For more accuracy wash the slurry with water . The impurities are washed with water and the results are more clearly observed

Bravo everyone Bravo . A salute to these men who spent their time on telling what is the colour of ash .

And somewhere I feel this isn't their fault .

This is medival archaeology at its peak .

It is honestly very laughable and sad at the same time .

I was going to laugh but when I saw Jacobs sincere face . I felt pity and left the tent leaving him to his delusions .

Nora asked me about why was I sad .

Jay :

Nothing I just wanted to be Indiana Jones. But I couldn't have been more foolish .

McElroy was sound asleep and was dreaming.

In the void he felt 4 different voices calling out to him one after another .

Voice 1 : McElroy

Voice 2 : McElroy

Voice 3 : McElroy

Voice 4 : McElroy

One of the voices felt similar but it was impossible to tell the difference. If he had heard it somewhere.

Four hooded figures placed in a spotlight appeared before him . Their faces were covered by the dark

Voice 1 : Remember

Voice 2 : Remember

Voice 3 : Remember

Voice 1 : Remember

All : (in unison) Remember our glorious purpose.

All :

Surpass your limits , get stronger than everyone, faster than those boots you wear , Have more wisdom that the Witch of Extinction.

Become the most perfect being .

Fullfill our glorious purpose.

McElroy:

What are you trying to tell me what purpose ?

Those hooded figures blended into darkness and McElroy was left alone .

McElroy:

Everyone is lying . I am a gatebuster who came from other world with Jay . And I know Jay belives in me . I don't need anyone to convince me anything .

? :

Oh is that so ! then why don't you ask him .

McElroy woke up .

He looked at his surroundings it was evening . He saw the sun descending and went back to sleep .

Jay : (inner thought)

Something interesting is happening, it's unbelievable, what good would come by exploring the ruins . And more what not he made a fool of himself in my eyes .

When Nora was declined she began pestering me about how I got in . At that time the Indiana Jones in me had already died .

Nora was curious about the ruins as well so I took her . When she stepped inside the walls she started becoming very uneasy . She suddenly got chills and started sneezing .

Nora :

Jay , this ruins why are there souls still trapped in them . And they are only saying one thing .

To free them .

Jay :

Souls (surprised) Listen it's just nothing but a fairy tail there is nothing known as a soul .

She became unresponsive, she started laughing creepily and slowly looked behind with a horrifying face .

Nora : (creepy tone )

Then why are you still trapped here J A Y G A R R I C K .

Jay :

(scared)

Uhh stay away ffffrooom me ghost . The power of God compels you . to leave thhbiiss mmmortttall ccckkoil .

Jay drew his sword .

Nora :

Hhhhheh , using the power of God to scare me how laughable. Ehhhhhahahahahahahaha .

Nora touched his blade and gently pushed it aside and it fell from Jay's hands .

Nora :

Now your fate will be the same as us .

Paladin :

I pray to Lady Lumina daughter of the Lord of light and purity Lord Luminos to lend me the strength to destroy the evil residing within the pure vessel .

(Louder)

I pray to Lady Lumina daughter of the Lord of light and purity Lord Luminos to lend me the strength to destroy the evil residing within the pure vessel .

(Much more louder)

I pray to Lady Lumina daughter of the Lord of light and purity Lord Luminos to lend me the strength to destroy the evil residing within the pure vessel .

Points towards Nora .

EXPELLUS .

A slight shining from the sword struck Nora .

Nora :

This pure vessel is mine you can't drive me out of it .

Paladin:

Foul sprirt , you have no right to lay your hands on her begone to the land of the dead .

EXPELLUS MAXIMUS .

The bean of light became stronger and overwhelmed the evil spirit as it left a loud shreik before leaving her body and she collapsed .

Jay and Paladin : Nora !!!

We rushed towards her I checked her condition and everything was normal .

Jay :

What was that ?

Paladin :

Lady Nora as the saintess she is the purest vessel that ever lived . That's why she's possessed and corrupted by evil spirits easier than others . And spirits keep a keen eye on when she lets her guard down .

Jay :

Why are you calling her a vessel .

Paladin :

The God of Light's apostle Lady Lumina can only be summoned by a pure vessel . Any impurity in the vessel rejects the right to be summoned.

Jay remembered a specific memory from when he fought the blood demon . His body became a vessel for Chaos . Which he inturn defeated the blood demon . As stated in his body became a vessel for Chaos .

Nora who was weakened woke up .

Nora :

Jay something is very wrong here the souls , the souls are angry they are trapped . Help them .

After saying this she went right back to sleep .

New quest : Trapped souls .

Description:

Locate the problem and free the souls trapped inside the ruins of Chroma.

Difficulty: B++

Reward : +20 stat points .

Failure :

Before the clock strikes midnight .