Echoes of the Monument Stone
The sun of the fourth day began to pierce through the dense foliage of the Ardentfall forest, driving away the lingering shadows of the night before. The students of Vakenholt Academy still inside the dungeon were preparing to resume their mission. The chirping of wild birds and the damp scent of leaves welcomed the bright new morning.
Each group moved forward with renewed spirit, hunting for treasures still hidden within the dungeon. They had grown more accustomed to facing monster threats after their earlier experiences. Now, every monster attack they encountered along the way was no longer a cause for panic, but a challenge to be conquered. That said, the monsters they had faced from the fourth to the seventh day were not too strong—such as Rattling Sprouts, plant creatures with sharp teeth, or Leapers, giant frog-like beasts with incredible speed.
Group after group began finding more treasure, meeting the requirements to complete their missions. Some of them managed to leave the dungeon and return to the world of Elgiora, their faces beaming with relief and pride.
But not everything went smoothly.
Aria's group encountered a major setback. Although they had gathered several treasures, the amount was still insufficient to meet the criteria to leave the dungeon. Some of the areas they explored appeared to have already been thoroughly searched by other groups.
"This... isn't enough," muttered Aria as he opened the list of the treasures they had found. "We need one more—two, if possible."
In the silence, Mira's voice broke through, "If we keep following paths that others have already taken, we're not going to find anything."
Doran pointed east. "I saw a kind of crevice behind some thick bushes near a small ravine earlier. It didn't look like a place that's been explored. Maybe we could try there?"
Aria nodded. "Alright. Let's check it out."
They followed a narrow path leading into denser forest. Thorny bushes blocked their way, and the sounds of nature grew quieter, almost unnerving. After pushing aside dense leaves and crawling roots, they found the entrance to a hidden cave, nearly invisible behind hanging vines.
"This place... it doesn't feel like anywhere else in this dungeon," Mira whispered.
Without hesitation, Aria stepped in first, the others following closely behind.
Inside the cave, a dim blue light radiated from the crystal-lined walls, and scattered old artifacts lay around. At the center of the chamber stood a monument stone as tall as a grown man's chest, emanating a faint bluish glow. Ancient inscriptions were carved on its surface, intricate and winding.
Aria stepped closer, his fingers nearly brushing the stone's surface when his Divine Visio eyes lit up on their own.
"W-what's happening?" Doran asked, stepping back slightly.
Aria didn't answer. His face went blank for a moment, then shifted—he looked like someone absorbing something invisible to others. In his mind, a foreign yet gentle voice began whispering the meaning of the inscriptions:
"O you who are chosen. You have glimpsed the truth hidden within the ruins of the old world. If you understand this message, then the legacy of the Precursors has fused with your mind. Guard this secret, for the key to the ancient gate is now etched into your soul."
As the words settled in his mind, the stone's glow faded immediately. It went dark, as if its purpose had been fulfilled.
Aria suddenly collapsed, but Doran caught him just in time.
"Aria! Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah... I'm okay," Aria replied, still dazed.
Before they could reflect further on the message's meaning, Mira shouted, "Look! Over there in the corner!"
Several treasure chests were hidden behind crumbled rocks and dried bushes. With renewed energy, they opened them one by one—inside were artifacts far older and rarer than any they had found before.
"This is more than enough to fulfill the mission requirements," Aria said. "We can leave now."
But as they turned to leave the cave, the ground trembled slightly. Then, a deep groaning sound echoed from the cave entrance.
From the shadows emerged a large, terrifying figure—covered in black fur with a body like a gorilla, but with a skeletal face and glowing red eyes. Its massive claws scraped against the ground, and from its aura, it was clear this was no ordinary monster.
"What is that...?" Mira asked fearfully.
The creature locked eyes on Aria's bag—the one containing the treasure he had secured.
"It... wants something from us," Aria said softly, but with firm resolve.
The creature roared, and rocks began falling from the ceiling.
"Get ready! This isn't a normal fight!" Doran shouted, drawing his sword.
Aria's team took formation, with Aria standing in front, his eyes glowing again.
This battle... would test everything.
Mira began chanting a windstorm spell, but the monster leaped, skittering along the walls like a giant spider and landing right in front of her. Its movements were deceptive—fast and slippery despite its size. Aria dashed in, pulling Mira away just in time before the monster could slash her.
"Protect her!" Aria shouted to the other students, then stood before the creature, fire igniting in his right hand and wind magic swirling in his left.
Combining fire magic and air pressure, he formed a massive flaming spear and hurled it at the creature's chest. But shockingly, the attack was absorbed—like vanishing into the dark mist surrounding the monster's body.
It struck back. A barbed tail shot out from its back like a whip. Aria narrowly dodged it, though his shoulder was grazed, and blood began to drip.
"It can adapt to our attacks..." Aria thought. "And for some reason... it feels like someone is controlling it."
Aria quickly formed a plan—using Divine Visio not just to spot weak points but to trace the flow of magic from a mysterious presence outside the cave controlling the monster.
"I'll go in close. You prepare your spells and weapons. Wait for my signal," Aria said to Mira and the others.
"Got it, Aria!"
They fought with all their might. Mira conjured a whirlwind to slow the monster's movements. One student cast an earth trap to pin its legs for a moment. Doran, though injured, struck from behind.
Aria focused his power into a single point: a sealing spell based on the ancient writing he had read. He drew the monument's symbol into the air. His goal was to sever the link controlling the monster and—through his eyes—catch a glimpse of the one pulling the strings from afar.
The ancient symbol glowed and connected with the control magic's pathway. In an instant, the monster shrieked—the control link broke, and it staggered. Aria's team seized the moment.
With all their strength, they launched a final attack.
"Finale Ardentia!"
A combined blast of fire, wind, and sword energy pierced the monster's body. It exploded into black particles.
Silence fell. Their breaths were heavy. Their bodies bruised and bloodied—but they were still standing.
Aria stared at the remaining rubble, then at the faint light in the distance.
"…I saw it. It was faint, but I caught a glimpse of the clothing worn by the one controlling that creature... it looked like an instructor's uniform," Aria said in disbelief, yet with seething anger. "I don't know who they are... but I'll find them."