They moved deeper through the ruins. Each step echoed off ancient stone. The deeper chambers were choked with roots, but oddly untouched by decay.
At the far end of the main corridor, they found a mural—faded but intact. Argolaith brushed moss from its surface and revealed the image beneath.
A tree, massive and twisted, stood at the center.
Surrounding it were five figures—humanoid, but indistinct. Each one held a blade of a different shape. Beneath them, shadowy beasts rose from the ground like smoke, reaching toward the tree with outstretched claws.
Malakar translated the ancient script beneath.
"The roots that drank from blood bore fruit not meant for man."
"But it was men who reached first."
Kaelred stared. "That's… about the trees, isn't it? About the lifeblood?"
Argolaith nodded slowly. "This was the first place that tried to warn others."
"But the forest buried it," Malakar said. "To forget. Or to protect."
