The cave is illuminated with lights that have been attached to the walls. Probably for the workers' benefit as they work to excavate this artifact, you muse to yourself as you walk with Altug deeper into the cave along a makeshift walkway: this part of the cave is flooded with water, it seems. You wonder how the workers discovered the artifact. Was it just blind luck that led them to this cave?
The walk itself takes about ten minutes and you emerge into a large cavern. Once inside, an iron smell reaches your nose and you react by blanching; there is a literal bloody mess not far from the entrance to this cavern that suggests that the Beasts emerged from here and butchered some of the workers before heading out into the open. And then something else catches your eye, and you turn to look.
Your jaw drops when you lay eyes upon it. It's true, you think to yourself. A real ancient artifact that looks almost like a giant Magitek engine stands in the middle of the cavern, surrounded by two spotlights that are still working. You estimate it to be about eighteen to twenty feet tall, and it's carved with intricate patterns that you don't quite recognize. Save for the large hole in the center and its size, it looks almost exactly like a Magitek engine.
Altug goes over to talk to the two scouts that are in the cavern right now before she returns to your side. "Again, good job, First Private, for your part in recovering this artifact. Now get back out there. You should get some rest. You look tired," she says, placing a hand on your shoulder. You nod your head, suddenly aware of the effect of this morning's exertions on your body.
Rest sounds like a good idea, you realize.
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