Something, a lot of somethings, screamed throughout the forest. Twisted beasts that should’ve never drawn breath. Eryx could barely hear over the drumming in his skull, over the ragged edge of his breath. The sun hung low behind the ridge, casting long slashes of light across the clearing—and illuminating the dozen or more figures that were still coming.

  "Fall back!" Kiva shouted, voice sharp as a razor.

  A Pale Gnasher launched itself from the underbrush, all knotted limbs and flayed skin, its jaw unhinged. Jast met it mid-leap with a roar, driving a gauntleted fist upward. A solid hit—but the creature twisted as it struck, tearing into his shoulder with a jagged bite.

  Jast grunted, staggering. Blood sprayed. "Gah! Again?! Could use a hand!"

  Eryx moved without thinking.

  [Execution Sweep]

  His blade glowed a dull, blurred red as it carved a wide arc, biting deep into the Gnasher’s flank. It shrieked and reeled away, flailing. Not dead—but bleeding, limping.

  “Too many!” Kiva snapped, skidding back through the underbrush, her fingers already weaving. “Threadbind—now!”

  [Threadbind]

  Strands of translucent force snapped across the gap, pinning two creatures mid-charge. They thrashed and howled, stuck like insects in a web—but more were coming. Always more.

  A Latch Root snapped out of the earth beneath Eryx’s feet. He dove to the side just in time, rolling hard against the dirt, the vine’s barbed tip raking through empty space.

  “Anchor’s down!” Kiva called, slamming a hand to the ground.

  [Phase Anchor]

  A shimmering circle pulsed beneath their boots. "Get out of the circle!" Everyone moved as fast as they could. Kiva slammed her hand into the ground. Eryx dove out just as the spell activated, pulling everything in a 30 foot radius to the central point. Only Kiva was immune to it's effect.

  Calen slid beside Eryx, blood on his cheek, a dented frying pan now inexplicably in his hands.

  "On a scale from 'mild inconvenience' to 'we're all gonna die screaming,' where would you place this?" he asked, and hurled the pan with terrifying force into a Gnasher’s face.

  It shrieked. Collapsed.

  "Somewhere between 'going to need a therapist' and 'probably will never sleep again,'” Eryx said, teeth gritted.

  [Gravedigger’s Mark – Active]

  A subtle red shimmer outlined one of the Carrion Wisps in the back—half-seen, mouthless things that floated, dragging long tendrils on the ground and muttering things that made the air curl. It paused mid-float, tracking him.

  Good. Let it come.

  But his stamina bar flickered low in the edge of his vision, and his health was barely above half.

  The fight was slipping.

  "Calen!" Kiva shouted. “Pull them off us!”

  “Right!” Calen reached into his vest—and suddenly had a...a live chicken? "No!" He yelled, hurling the flailing bird at a gnasher, who greedily chased after it's frantic meal. The chicken was faster though.

  He reached in again and tossed put a wooden spoon. "Nows not the time for shtick!" Eryx shouted, his irritation dangerously wavering towards full on anger. Why would he be doing this now of all times!?

  "Doing my best!" He yelled back, his voice frantic.

  On the third attempt a coiled length of iron chain was in hand. Where from? No one knew. Not even him, probably.

  [Improvised Weapon: Weighted Coil]

  "Ah! Perfect!" He whirled it overhead, then lashed out, snagging a Gnasher by the throat. With a grunt, he yanked it off-balance into another, tangling them both in a heap.

  "Back to the ridge!” Jast barked. “We regroup now!”

  They ran, bloodied and winded, while the woods howled behind them.

  ———

  A thin mist wrapped the lowlands of the Southern Crescent as the team made their way along a narrow, overgrown trail. The remains of ancient ruins loomed in the distance, their faded sigils hinting at secrets of old. In the quiet dawn light the air was cool.

  These ruins, unlike the others, had a massive wall around it, about 15 feet high with, as far as they could see, had a single archway in.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Kiva stopped before a moss-encrusted archway, her fingers tracing the delicate curves of the carved symbols. “These markings… they’re exactly as we saw before,” she murmured, her eyes narrowing with curiosity rather than worry. "I estimate this to be roughly near the center of the valley." The ruins carried a gentle glow of history—not an immediate threat, just an invitation to explore.

  Eryx nodded, “They might hold clues to the Resonants of this land. But for now, let’s keep moving.” His tone was steady, even as he absorbed every detail.

  Jast grunted in agreement. “Ain’t no point in dawdlin’ where we could get ambushed.” His gauntlets were clean of fresh blood—today, the stakes felt lower.

  Suddenly, a soft rustle in the tall grass drew their attention. Out came a small group—no more than four or five—of insectoid creatures with mottled hides. A pop up window appeared in Eryx view:

  Shadow Archive entry recorded:

  Grasslurker

  Description: Slim lithe insect creatures with elongated limbs for moving through tall grass with ease. Thier mottled hides allow them to blend into the environment.

  Behavior: Ambush predators that generally go undetected until on top of thier prey, waiting in the tall grass for an opportunity to strike. Always in groups, these creatures hop around until they find a place to lie in wait.

  "Grasslurkers!" Eryx warned the others

  Before the creatures could gain any momentum, Jast was on the alert. With quick precision, he moved a short step and lightly tapped one Grasslurker aside with a measured strike. It darted away with a startled squeak and soon lay still on the damp earth.

  Kiva calmly extended her hand in a practiced motion. Several fine threads of force wove out, gently encasing two of the smaller attackers and slowing their movements just enough to keep them from overwhelming anyone. Her face was set in focused determination, but her actions were controlled, each motion economical.

  Eryx, for his part, unsheathed his sword and stepped forward. With deliberate, graceful movements borne of years of training, he intercepted an oncoming Grasslurker and delivered a clean, precise strike. The creature collapsed without a prolonged struggle—almost as if it were meant to be caught off guard and dispatched quickly.

  Calen, ever the opportunist, grinned as he surveyed the scene. Pulling a light, oddly shaped object from his satchel—something resembling a small, dented brass rod—he flicked it casually at one of the Grasslurkers trying to rear back from the action. The creature tumbled aside harmlessly, knocked off its feet more by surprise than heavy blow.

  It was a quick, efficient exchange. The Grasslurkers, more confused than vicious, soon scampered back into the underbrush. No one was injured badly; the skirmish had been more a gentle reminder of danger than an all-out battle.

  As the team caught their breath, they took a moment to reassemble near the ancient ruins. The sigils on the walls pulsed faintly in the morning light, silently conveying the legacy of the land. Kiva relaxed her guard, retracting the threads as she murmured, “That was… easier than I expected.”

  Jast wiped a bit of dirt from his gauntlet and grunted, “Easier’s good. I didn’t fancy getting too drained this morning.” His tone was light, and there was a spark of satisfaction in his eyes.

  Jast surveyed the quiet aftermath, letting the calm of the victory settle in. “Every little fight adds to the record,” he said softly, “but that was just a warm-up. Let’s keep moving—we still have more ground to cover.”

  Calen clapped Jast on the shoulder, a mischievous smile on his face. “Well, that was our morning cardio. Not too shabby, eh? Gives me time to admire these ruins without a worry.”

  He winked at Eryx, "Say, how did you just come up with a name for those on the fly?"

  "Oh, no, it's one of my skills. Shadow Archive. It apparently gives me information on monsters."

  "Apparently?"

  "Ya. It's kind of new" Eryx chuckled as he explained

  "Well that's certainly handy. Anything about weaknesses or strengths, natural armors, abilities?" Calen was getting excited.

  "Not this time I'm afraid." Eryx wondered if the Shadow Archive worked like a skill and would gain power over time, giving him more information.

  The easy victory over the Grasslurkers left them only mildly ruffled—a brief interlude in what promised to be a longer day of exploration. With their energy mostly intact and morale high, the team gathered themselves and continued deeper into the lowland ruins, ever attentive to the ancient echoes hidden in every carved stone.

  ———

  Ancient stone walls rose from the earth, their surfaces etched with faded sigils that spoke of secrets long forgotten. The gentle light of dawn cast long shadows on cracked pavement and tangled ivy, transforming the ruins into a quiet testament to a lost era.

  Kiva led the group, pausing before a moss-encrusted archway. She ran her fingers lightly over the delicate curves of the carvings. “These markings… they’re the same as what we’ve seen before,” she murmured, her gaze intent as she studied the intricate design. “This place wasn’t abandoned in haste—there’s history here.”

  Eryx nodded, absorbing the subtle details etched in stone. “It could have been a sanctuary or a ritual site, designed to channel energy. There’s a sense of purpose in these lines,” he remarked, his tone reflective as he let his eyes wander over the crumbling symbols.

  Jast, ever the practical one, brushed aside a curtain of ivy to reveal a larger section of the wall. “Or maybe it was built as a defensive stronghold,” he said, tapping the stone thoughtfully. “Either way, it tells us these ruins held meaning long ago.”

  Not far from the wall, Calen’s curiosity pulled him aside from the group. He stooped down and unearthed a small, circular medallion partially buried in the dirt. The medallion was tarnished with age, its surface engraved with the same mysterious sigils. Holding it up to the light, he grinned. “Look at this relic—if it’s a token, it might even be a key of sorts.”

  Kiva stepped closer, examining the medallion with interest. “It’s exquisitely detailed. If we can decipher its symbols, it might offer a clue to what these ruins are for.”

  As they pressed deeper into the ruins, the party found themselves before a section of wall that looked less weathered than its surroundings. Calen’s medallion suddenly vibrated in his hand, drawing their attention. Eryx and Kiva exchanged a glance; this could not be a mere coincidence.

  With a collective effort, Jast and Eryx pushed against a partly dislodged slab. The wall shuddered and slowly gave way, revealing a narrow passageway hidden behind the stone. Darkness pooled at the far end, and the air inside felt cool and still.

  “This way,” Kiva said, voice low with cautious excitement. She led the team into the corridor, the light from the outside fading into a sepia tone as they advanced. The walls of the passage were lined with more elaborate carvings, far more intricate than anything in the open ruins. The craftsmanship suggested that this inner sanctum was once a place of great importance.

  At the end of the passage, the corridor opened into a small chamber. In its center, on an elevated pedestal, sat an object that immediately drew every eye—a crystal orb, exquisitely crafted and bathed in a soft, shifting light. The orb’s surface danced with images: fleeting scenes of ancient battles, glimpses of creatures unknown, and mountwinousnlandscapes. Its gentle glow lit the chamber in a surreal blue, casting eerie reflections on the surrounding stone.

  Calen’s eyes shone with wonder as he reached out tentatively. “Now this,” he said, his voice a mix of mischief and reverence, “is what I call the poetry of ruined time. Imagine, this little thing may have recorded the wisdom of an entire age.”

  Jast crossed his arms and eyed the orb warily. “Or it could be a trap, waiting for the right fool to activate it. You never know with relics from back then.”

  Eryx circled the pedestal slowly, his expression thoughtful. “Whether guardian or keeper of forgotten lore, it’s clear this orb was meant to be revered. It might provide insight into how these structures were designed or even hint at the purposes of the old Resonants.”

  Kiva carefully produced a portable scanner from her pack and set it to work over the carvings, her eyes flicking between the device and the luminous orb. “I’m registering a steady, calm resonance here—nothing chaotic, but undeniably intentional. And strong. These symbols radiate outward from a central point. Looks like you were right Eryx, they focus some kind of energy.” She paused, absorbing the scene. “We’re standing in a nexus of old power, and that orb is at the heart of it.”

  The chamber filled with a quiet awe. Outside, the ruins bathed in the gentle morning light, yet here, in the silent sanctuary, time seemed to slow. The soft hum of ancient voices mingled with the wind outside, and for a long moment, the team experienced a shared understanding—a feeling that the past was not entirely lost but waiting to be rediscovered.

  Calen broke the silence with a wry chuckle, holding up the medallion. “If this thing starts spouting advice on how to live your life, I’m putting it on my mantle.” His light-hearted comment drew a few smiles, easing the weight of mystery that pressed upon them.

  Jast nodded, though his voice was cautious. “We should document everything. Even if this orb is a key or a mere trinket, it’s part of a much larger story—but better to leave it to someone else. We have work to do and a lot of ground to cover.”

  Eryx gave a determined nod. “We’ll take what we can and leave the rest intact. We’re not here to plunder the past, but to understand it.”

  With the orb’s quiet glow as their beacon, the team gathered their thoughts and supplies. As they moved back out of the hidden chamber and into the open ruins, the promise of discovery mingled with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

  As the party made thier way back down the hall way, the orb cracked and then shattered. A harsh wind blew through the corridor, knocking them to the ground all at once. The sigils flared to life along the walls and suddenly a thought occurred to Eryx. What if they weren't meant to keep people out. But something In.