Chapter 110: Voices of the Forgotten
The whispers were faint at first, barely distinguishable from the rustling wind moving through the ruins. An eerie hum pulsed through the air, resonating against the worn stone walls as if the city itself was whispering memories of the past.
Raizen's senses sharpened. His Draconic blood stirred. The whispers weren't natural—they were lingering echoes of the past, remnants of a civilization long erased.
Seraphina closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. "They are not ghosts… but neither are they simply memories. This place is alive in ways beyond physical comprehension."
Joran frowned, tightening his grip on his weapon. "Well, whatever it is, it's creeping me the hell out."
Liana worked on her scanner, frustration evident. "Something is interfering with my readings. The energy field here is too erratic—I can't tell if we're alone or being watched."
Raizen stepped forward. "Then we move carefully. Weapons ready, but don't fire unless we have to."
The Ruins Stir
As the team advanced, the mist thickened, wrapping around them like a living force. The ancient structures bore worn carvings of draconic symbols, barely visible through the layers of age and decay. Massive stone statues lined the pathways, their eyes seeming to follow the intruders with unseen awareness.
Then, a flicker of movement.
Kain reacted instantly, rifle raised. "Something's here."
A shadow darted between the broken pillars, too fast to be a simple trick of the mist. The whispers grew louder, shifting into something more coherent—not words, but emotions.
Seraphina's breath hitched. "They're aware of us now."
Raizen's instincts screamed in warning. "Stay together. Whatever is here… it's waking up."
A Forgotten Guardian
As they stepped into what appeared to be an ancient central plaza, the ground trembled. The mist recoiled, parting just enough to reveal the true scope of the ruin—a massive circular chamber, at its center a towering obsidian monument, engraved with glowing Draconic inscriptions.
Seraphina's eyes widened. "This… is a tomb."
Before anyone could react, the monument pulsed with deep, golden light. The carvings along its surface flared to life, and with a low, guttural sound—the guardian awakened.
From beneath the earth, a massive figure emerged, forged of ancient metal and pulsing with Draconic energy. It was neither human nor fully mechanical—a construct designed to defend whatever lay hidden within this tomb.
Raizen smirked, gripping his Crimson Fang Energy Blade. "Well, guess we found our welcoming party."
The guardian's glowing eyes locked onto him, and the ruins roared to life.