The Echoes of a Forgotten War

The morning on Veura began as usual—with Grin attempting to cook breakfast and nearly setting the kitchen on fire. "I swear, this skillet has a vendetta against me," he grumbled, waving a smoking pan as Raya entered the room.

"Maybe it's not the skillet. Maybe it's your cooking," she shot back, swiping a piece of half-burnt toast before plopping down on the chair.

Kaion entered next, looking as though he hadn't slept a wink. His hair stuck out in every direction, and his eyes carried the weight of a restless night. "Morning," he muttered, flopping onto the chair next to Raya.

Grin peered at him with concern. "What's up, hero? Bad dreams again?"

Kaion hesitated, then nodded. "It's always the same...a massive battle. Flames everywhere, the sound of screams, and that...thing." He paused, as if trying to put the nightmare into words. "Voidbringer's shadow looms over everything. It feels so real, like a warning."

"Great," Grin sighed. "Just what we need. Apocalyptic nightmares. Add that to the list right under 'mysterious cloaked figures showing up uninvited.'"

Before Kaion could respond, Master Sato entered the room, his presence instantly commanding attention. He carried a rolled-up parchment in his hand, his face unusually stern.

"Good, you're all here," he began, placing the parchment on the table. "We've received information about a forgotten battlefield—one that holds a key to understanding the Voidbringer's plans."

Raya leaned forward, curious. "A battlefield? Like an ancient one?"

"Yes," Sato confirmed. "Long ago, when the Primordial Beings still roamed, there was a war. A war that ended with the sealing of the Voidbringer. This battlefield might hold remnants of that time—artifacts, clues, maybe even weapons that could help us."

Grin raised an eyebrow. "Or it might hold giant, man-eating worms, for all we know."

Sato ignored the comment. "Kaion, this is your chance to gain more insight into what lies ahead. But be cautious. The energy around that place is unstable, and not everything will welcome you with open arms."

Kaion nodded, his resolve hardening. "Where is it?"

Sato unrolled the parchment, revealing a map marked with a red X in the middle of a desolate canyon. "The Erythian Wastes," he said. "A place long abandoned by life. Be prepared for anything."

Hours later, the group stood at the edge of the Erythian Wastes. The air was thick with tension, and the ground beneath their feet felt brittle, as though it might crumble at any moment.

Grin broke the silence with his usual brand of humor. "So, this is it? Doesn't look like much. I was expecting ominous clouds and creepy skeletons."

"Be careful what you wish for," Kaion muttered, scanning the horizon.

The group ventured deeper into the canyon, the walls growing taller and more oppressive with each step. Strange symbols were etched into the stone, glowing faintly as they passed.

Raya stopped to examine one of the symbols, her fingers tracing its outline. "These markings…they're ancient Guardian script. They tell of a great battle, but some of the text is missing."

"Great," Grin quipped. "Nothing like half a story to keep us on edge."

As they moved further, the air grew colder, and an eerie silence settled over the group. Suddenly, the ground shook violently, knocking everyone off their feet.

"What now?" Kaion growled, scrambling to his feet.

From the shadows of the canyon, a massive figure emerged—a golem, its body made of jagged stone and glowing runes. Its eyes burned with an intense, otherworldly light.

"Intruders," the golem boomed, its voice like grinding rocks. "You dare to trespass on sacred ground?"

Kaion stepped forward, raising his hands defensively. "We're not here to fight. We just need answers."

The golem's eyes narrowed. "Answers? Only those deemed worthy may seek the truth. Prove your worth, or be destroyed."

Without warning, the golem slammed its massive fists into the ground, sending a shockwave toward the group.

"Looks like we don't have a choice!" Kaion shouted, summoning his energy to deflect the attack.

Raya darted around the golem, searching for a weak point, while Grin...well, Grin was busy hiding behind a rock.

"Grin!" Raya yelled. "A little help here?"

"I'm providing moral support!" Grin called back, clutching his rubber chicken like it was a sacred artifact.

Kaion charged forward, his fists glowing with blue energy. He leaped into the air, delivering a powerful strike to the golem's chest. The impact sent cracks spidering across its surface, but it wasn't enough to bring it down.

"Nice try, hero," the golem mocked, swatting Kaion away like a fly.

As Kaion hit the ground with a groan, Raya seized the opportunity to attack. She focused her energy into her hands, launching a series of fiery projectiles at the golem's joints.

The golem roared in pain, its movements slowing.

"Now, Kaion!" Raya shouted.

Kaion pushed himself up, gathering every ounce of energy he had left. With a deafening yell, he charged at the golem, delivering a final, devastating blow to its core. The golem shattered into pieces, its glowing runes flickering out.

The group stood in stunned silence, catching their breath.

"Well," Grin said, emerging from his hiding spot. "That was...fun. Let's never do it again."

Kaion ignored him, his attention drawn to the ground where the golem had fallen. Among the rubble lay a glowing crystal, pulsating with energy.

"What is it?" Raya asked, stepping closer.

Kaion picked up the crystal, feeling its warmth in his hands. "I don't know, but I think it's important."

From above, a shadowy figure watched, its presence unnoticed by the group.

"The pieces are falling into place," the figure murmured, disappearing into the darkness.