The cold night air did little to cool the fire burning inside Leon.
They had survived.
But what they had seen… what they had uncovered…
It wasn't something he could ignore.
Kaelen wiped sweat from his brow. "Leon, I know you love secrets, but I'm serious—what the hell was that thing?"
Leon turned toward the ruins, now eerily silent behind them.
"It was ancient," he said finally. "Older than Devia's recorded history. And it's still alive."
Jarek scoffed. "Great. Just what we needed. Another nightmare lurking underground."
Rhun, who had been silent until now, spoke in a low voice. "We barely escaped, Leon. You really plan on going back?"
Leon didn't answer immediately. He knew what they were thinking. This was beyond them.
And they were right.
But that didn't mean he could ignore it.
Something had been erased from history.
And something else had been left behind, waiting in the dark.
Leon clenched his fists. "We don't have to go back now."
Jarek let out a relieved breath—until Leon continued.
"But we will go back. Just not yet."
Jarek groaned. "I knew it. I hate this."
Kaelen muttered, "You're not alone."
Leon didn't smile. His mind was already calculating—he needed more power, better preparation.
They had seen a fraction of what lay below.
And next time?
They wouldn't just be running.
---
Returning to the Capital
The journey back to the city was tense but quiet.
The group moved swiftly, putting as much distance between them and the ruins as possible.
When they finally saw the outer walls of the Beastman capital in the distance, Jarek let out a relieved sigh. "Never thought I'd be so happy to see civilization again."
Kaelen shot Leon a glance. "What's the plan?"
Leon's gaze hardened. "We keep quiet about this. No one needs to know what we found."
Rhun raised a brow. "And if someone asks?"
Leon's lips curled slightly. "Then we tell them we found a dead ruin. Nothing more."
Jarek grinned. "So, we lie?"
Leon shrugged. "We survive."
---
The Shadow of the Empire
As they neared the city gates, Leon's instincts screamed at him.
Someone was watching.
He didn't look around immediately—whoever it was, they were good. Trained.
Kaelen noticed too. His ears twitched, and his fingers hovered near his daggers.
"Leon…" he muttered.
Leon kept walking. "I know."
They passed through the gates without issue, the guards barely sparing them a glance.
But the feeling didn't fade.
Whoever it was, they weren't just observing.
They were waiting.
And Leon had a very strong suspicion who they worked for.
The Holy Empire had covered up the ruins.
Which meant someone—somewhere—was keeping watch for people like him.
Leon smirked to himself. Good. Let them watch.
Because soon enough, he'd be watching them too.
---
The Gathering Storm
Back at the inn, the group settled in.
Jarek collapsed into a chair. "I'm drinking myself unconscious tonight. Anyone else?"
Kaelen rubbed his temples. "Tempting."
Leon ignored them. He pulled out his journal, flipping to a blank page.
He began writing, documenting everything they had seen.
The monolith. The warning. The thing beneath the ruins.
He didn't know when, but one day… he'd be back.
And when he did, he wouldn't just be a visitor.
He'd be the one asking the questions.
---
Far Away, In the Depths of the Holy Empire…
A figure sat in a dimly lit room, reading a report.
His golden eyes gleamed as he scanned the contents.
Finally, he set the paper down, exhaling slowly.
"So… someone found it."
A smile touched his lips.
"Interesting."
He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the wooden desk.
"Prepare the Watchers."
A shadowy figure in the corner bowed. "Yes, my lord."
As the door shut behind them, the man chuckled softly.
"It seems history is trying to repeat itself."
His eyes gleamed.
"But not if we bury it first."
---