The Abandoned Forge Of The Depths (2)

–What are you looking for here? – he asked, looking around.

Kira sighed, her gaze became a little sadder.

– Traces of my family. They were blacksmiths in the Dra'Myr, but during the Great Fall, their tracks were cut off. I found a mention that one of them might have taken refuge here, in the old forges. But the dungeon has long since collapsed. She kicked a piece of stone that had fallen from the ceiling.

Atlas looked at the ruined vaults. In the distance, the remains of what could indeed be a blacksmith shop could be seen. Above one of the passageways, he noticed engraved symbols resembling the seal of a craft workshop.

–We can check that part over there. – he suggested, pointing to the dilapidated entrance.

Kira looked at it with interest, then nodded.

Just be on your guard. I've been told more than once that there are... strange things in these ruins.

–It's a dungeon. There's always something here. Atlas replied calmly, already moving forward.

The air shark swam smoothly nearby, its eyes carefully studying the space. She sensed something unusual, but so far she had not given any alarm signals.

The further they went, the thicker the darkness became. Atlas felt the tension building. Was it just the oppressive atmosphere of the place... or something else?

Atlas moved cautiously on, illuminating the way with a soft magical light. The air smelled of metal and ancient ashes.

–You mentioned the Great Fall. – He said, glancing at Kira: – What was that all about?

The girl froze for a moment, then frowned, as if she hadn't expected such a question.

–You really don't know? – Her voice was full of doubt.

Atlas decided not to reveal that he was not a local, but just shrugged his shoulders.

Kira sighed:

– It happened almost three hundred years ago. Back then, the old civilization of artisans, magicians, and alchemists was still flourishing. They created great artifacts, weapons, and technologies that we don't even know how to use right now. But one day... everything collapsed. No one knows exactly what caused it. Either a magical cataclysm or someone's miscalculation, but one day their cities turned into ruins, and the people...– she trailed off.

–Have they disappeared? – Atlas asked.

Kira nodded slowly: –Or worse. Many people say that some of them have become... something else.

Atlas frowned. He had already encountered cursed entities in these lands. Perhaps they were the ones who "disappeared."

– Are you looking for your family among these ruins because they could have been part of that civilization?

- Yes. Kira clenched her fists: – I found mentions that my ancestor, Ardan the Forged, was one of the masters of the ancient order of blacksmiths. If his work still exists... or if I can find a trace of him, then maybe I can figure out what really happened.

Atlas thought about it. Now, this trip deep into the dungeon of the Head of the Shadow Forest was becoming even more interesting.

Atlas digested this. Kira's story reminded him of other references to the Great Fall found in the Library of the Dra'Myr, even though he had only seen the titles of the books. If these ruins were indeed part of that civilization, then perhaps traces of their technology can still be found here.

– If your ancestor was a master, then his forge could have survived. – Atlas said, looking around: –Do you have any leads on where to look for her?

Kira nodded and took out a battered map scroll from her bag.

– The old chronicles mention a place known as the "Fiery Heart". It should be deeper in these ruins. She ran her finger over the diagram: –But there's something strange here... some of the passageways have either collapsed or been sealed.

Atlas studied the map carefully.

– Do you think it was done intentionally?

– Maybe. – Kira frowned: – If special technologies or dangerous artifacts were stored there, they could be sealed so that no one could use them.

– Then we have two ways. – Atlas reasoned: –The first is to look for a detour route. The second option is to try to open the sealed passages, but this can be dangerous.

Kira thought about it.

– Let's try to find a workaround first. If we don't find it, then we'll deal with the seals.

Atlas nodded.

–Then let's go.

They moved forward, going deeper into the ancient corridors. There was a tense silence in the air, broken only by their footsteps. Atlas kept his hand on his dagger, and his Air Shark hovered nearby, ready for any eventuality.

A crack in the floor loomed ahead, from which a faint light rose. Atlas came closer and looked down. At a depth of several meters, a wide hall with massive metal structures could be seen.

–Looks like we found something.– he muttered.

Kira peered down cautiously and gasped,

–These are... these are ancient forging mechanisms! We are on the right track!

But before they could get down, there was a dull roar. Figures emerged from the shadows of the corridor, emitting a faint bluish glow.

–Damn it. – Kira hissed, pulling out her hammer: –It looks like someone's left to guard these places...

Atlas gripped the dagger, his eyes flashing with excitement.

– Well, let's see how strong they are.

The creatures that emerged from the shadows resembled animated armor imbued with ancient magic. Their armor was covered with runes that emitted a faint bluish glow. Atlas immediately realized that these were not just mechanisms, but something more.

[System Notification]

You have encountered the "Splinter Guards". These creatures are associated with the Great Seal of the Fiery Heart. They will not leave until they are destroyed or receive a command from the real Guardian.

–Great, just fine. – Atlas muttered, raising his dagger,It seems to me that we will have to 'convince' them."

Kira gripped the handle of her hammer, her eyes lit up with fighting excitement.

–Do you think I'm afraid? – Let's deal with them before they can call for backup.

The guards moved forward, two stood in a defensive stance, and the third raised his hand, releasing a pulsating charge of magic.

[Shard Guardian – Level 14]

[Shard Guardian – Level 15]

[Shard Seer – Level 16]

Atlas instantly assessed the situation. The seer is most likely responsible for supporting, either healing or strengthening others. So the first thing to do is deal with him.

–I'm taking over the magician. – He asked Kira: –Can you handle the others?

–Don't even doubt it. – She grinned, spinning the hammer.

Atlas activated Tactical Evasion, dodging the first attacking wave of magic, and rushed forward. The Air Shark, catching his plan, rushed after him, ready to support him.

[System Notification]

The skill "Summoning an Astral Assistant" has been activated.

– Let's see, this is the first time I activate this skill. – A translucent silhouette of a rabbit appeared out of thin air next to Atlas, ready to help in battle. At that moment, the Seer raised his hand, and his runes glowed brighter – he was clearly preparing for a powerful spell.

– Not today! – Atlas abruptly turned around, using "Energy Resonance". A wave of energy went through the dagger, and he threw it straight into the center of the runes.

Critical strike!

//To be continued, please like and save…