Into the Ruins

WHOOSSHHH. SWISHH.

RUSTLE.

The wind howled, carrying light droplets of rain that turned the rustling leaves and creaking branches into a chaotic symphony. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth as we arrived at the ruins.

It was still afternoon, but the sky was blanketed by a sea of dark clouds, swallowing the sun entirely. It felt more like evening — the kind that warned of an oncoming storm.

"WE FINALLY FOUND IT!" Vice Commander Dain bellowed, his voice cutting through the wind's roar.

The trees around us weren't dense, but they leaned in eerily, framing the scene. In front of us stood an ancient ruins, half-devoured by time and nature. Moss and algae clung to the crumbling stone walls, blending them seamlessly with the surrounding trees.

The structure was a patchwork of smaller ruins, some reduced to rubble, others still standing, wrapped in thick vines. At the center, a towering structure loomed — weathered, but defiant against the years.

"So this is where the Noctharis family hid, huh?" the healer man beside me murmured, his voice low as he stared ahead, eyes narrowed.

"It looks like we made it," the woman next to him replied.

Yes. This was it. It looks just like in the game. The place where they fled... and where the Deathsong Amulet was hidden.

"Young Miss, what do you think? Should we proceed or wait and scout the area first?" Edric asked, his eyes locked on Selene.

The purple glow in her eyes flickered and vanished as she turned toward him. Her white hair whipped wildly in the wind.

"It's clear. There's nothing inside... as far as I can see." Her voice was steady, but something about the way she said it left an uneasy chill.

Edric nodded.

A storm was coming. I glanced up. The clouds churned overhead, circling like a giant, endless cage. Lightning flickered in the distance — brief, jagged slashes of light. A warning.

Good thing we found these ruins. Camping out there now would be a death sentence.

"We can head in, Ryker!" Edric shouted to the commander. Ryker gave a sharp nod.

We moved toward the ruins, stopping at an open hall supported by four pillars. The knights quickly checked which ones were sturdy enough to tie the horses.

"Looks like we're finally getting that relic, Young Master. Better steel yourself," Garrick said with a cocky grin as he tied his horse on a pillar.

Haa.. im tried of their repititive words.

"Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, bean string. Let's see who's eating dirt after I get what I want." I smirked back.

"Ohhh, looks like our Young Master's growing a backbone. Been hanging around the Commander too much?" Garrick cracked his knuckles, his grin widening.

"Come on, leave him alone. He might piss himself," Ranald laughed, elbowing Garrick.

"Cut it out, you two."

A voice. Unexpected.

I turned, surprised. The healer man from before was standing behind me, his expression serious.

"Who the hell are you to butt in?" Garrick snapped, eyes narrowing.

"I'm the healer of this group" the man answered calmly, "and I'm sick of watching us fight each other."

Garrick stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous growl.

"Yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?"

"This is between us," Ranald added from the side. "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong."

"What the hell are you lot doing over there?!" Commander Ryker's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Get over here, now!"

"Tch." Garrick backed off, glaring at me one last time. "We'll finish this later, Young Master." He smirked before walking away.

Screw off.

I glanced at the healer. His name was... Jorren? Lorren? I couldn't even remember. He'd been in my tent for the past few days, but this was the first time anyone here had stood up for me.

"Thanks," I muttered. Words felt awkward and hollow, but they were all I had.

A flicker of surprise crept accross his face then he chuckled softly. "No problem, Young Master. They'll come around eventually... once they get to know you."

I gave a bitter, wry smile. They wouldn't. I knew that much.

With a sigh, I turned and headed for the commander. The others were already gathering.

---

FWOOSSSHHH.

The wind shreiked through the ruins, but Commander Ryker's voice cut through it, sharp and clear.

"Everyone! We've endured countless hardships these past days, but this is the final stretch. Let's make Stormbane proud!"

"YES, SIR!" the knights roared in unison.

Ryker's gaze swept over us. "Rodric! Kaelen! Isolde! Talon! Erwin!" He called some names one by one. "You five guard the entrance. If you see anything — anything!—that looks remotely like Volteris, come inside the ruins and inform me immediately!"

"YES, SIR!"

He turned back to the rest of us.

"Stay sharp. Do not lower your guard until we're clear of this forest. Stick to formation— no exceptions."

"Yes, Sir!"

With that, we pushed forward, entering the largest structure in the ruins — a towering building at the heart of the others. Its stone walls loomed above, cracked and weathered but still standing strong.

---

The wind screamed, dragging rain through the leaves in wet, violent lashes. Each gust howled like a wounded beast

I ran a hand through the damp air, rain drizzling onto my face as we neared the entrance.

Then...

*He...sss...eree.*

What?

A voice. Thin as a whisper, tangled with the wind. I froze mid-step, heart lurching.

The hell is that? Had I imagined it?

"Hesseree?" I echoed the sound without thinking.

"Huh? What?" the healer girl beside me blinked in confusion.

"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Did you hear anything?" I shouted over the wind.

"Yeah — loud wind noises."

"Deaf idiot," I muttered under my breath.

"Huh?"

I ignored her and stepped into the ruin's entrance, following the others inside.

The doorway yawned open, wide and low, like a hungry beast waiting to swallow us whole.

As I stepped inside, the roar of the wind dulled, muffled by the ancient stone walls surrounding us. Dim daylight seeped through cracks and holes in the ceiling, casting eerie beams that barely held back the encroaching shadows. Vines twisted around moss-covered pillars, their sculpted surfaces etched with faded faces and cryptic symbols — long-forgotten stories carved into stone.

"Who the hell had time to build all this?" Evan's voice broke the silence behind me, his tone half-impressed, half-confused.

"Don't know," the knight beside him replied, "but considering they covered the entire forest with traps and formations, this probably wasn't even the hardest part."

"Hey, did you hear?" another knight chimed in, his voice hushed — though it carried too well in the empty hall. "They say the Deathsong Amulet is one of the Noctharis family's most powerful relics."

"Yeah," Evan nodded. "I heard it could turn an entire army into undead in an instant."

Koala, walking beside me, shifted uneasily. "Is... is it really that powerful?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

I rolled my eyes. Why is she clinging to me again?

"Oh, definitely," I smirked. "If I get my hands on it, I'll turn you into a zombie and make you kneel at my feet."

"You can't even use mana, don't lie," she shot back, a smug grin replacing her nervousness.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a devilish whisper. "Who said it needs mana? It's an ancient relic — anything's possible."

She flinched slightly. Gotcha.

A rough, familiar voice cut through our exchange. "Enough with the nonsense. The amulet belongs to the young miss. Don't pollute her mind with your stinking lies."

Edric. Of course. The self-righteous guard dog.

I turned my head lazily. "What's the matter, Edric? Trying to impress the healer girl now? What is it — your lonely, unmarried ass craving someone half your age?Ewww"

His face darkened instantly. "What did you just say!?"

Behind him, Garrick and Ranald tensed, their fists tightening.

"Silence!" The commander's voice lashed through the hall like a whip, cutting through the brewing fight. His eyes burned into me. "I made myself clear earlier— stay alert. This isn't the time for petty squabbling."

He exhaled sharply. "Young master, we're here to secure the relic. Don't waste energy on pointless arguments."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, biting back the urge to say something more.

Keep your damn relic.

It wouldn't matter anyway. The amulet's useless to me — only Selene can wield it. The real treasure, the one hidden deep within these ruins, is the only thing I care about. Let them mock me all they want. Once I find it...

I smirked to myself and stepped forward, deeper into the darkness.