Two days passed since they left the cursed woods of the Wyldorix miasma. The party continued their trek through the valley, keeping a wary eye out for more dangerous entities. The forest had long given way to wide, sweeping grasslands dotted with small patches of trees and shrubs. The skies were clear and blue, with only a few wisps of clouds drifting lazily overhead.

Ebonheim, as always, walked at the head of the group, manifesting the road before her with her divine power. Her followers trudged along behind her, following the newly created path. Urien handled the reins of the wagon, while the others either walked or rode alongside them.

There were no signs of the hostile wildlife they'd encountered previously, and the air was cool and crisp with the promise of a fresh, new day.

The plains gave way to rolling hills, covered in lush, verdant grasses. Small copses of trees clustered together, providing occasional patches of shade.

"It's hard to believe there's such a dangerous region right next to this peaceful idyll," Lorne remarked, as the group made its way through the countryside.

"It is a quirk of geography, perhaps," Serelle said, shrugging. "It is rare to encounter an entity powerful enough to actively attempt to influence your mind. I'm sure the valley has many hidden dangers."

"I haven't seen a single living creature in the past few hours," Ingrid commented, casting her gaze on the horizon. "Do you think they've all fled the area?"

"They're probably hiding," Urien suggested. "Just because we can't see them doesn't mean they're not there."

Ebonheim couldn't help but agree. The lack of animal activity was unsettling, and the fields and meadows around them were eerily silent, save for the gentle rustling of the wind. The only other sound was the low creak of the wagon wheels and the steady thudding of their footsteps.

The midday sun blazed down, casting long shadows across the land. Ebonheim raised a hand to shield her eyes, gazing out at the landscape stretching before her. In the distance, a series of towering edifices rose above the hills, their tops lost to the embrace of the heavens.

"What is that?" Urien asked, leaning forward in his seat, his brows furrowed with interest.

"Ancient ruins, perhaps?" Serelle suggested, adjusting her glasses. "I can't make out the details from this distance, but the architecture seems distinct from other structures I've seen."

"Let's go check it out!" Viviane exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. "It could be a valuable archaeological site!"

Ingrid glanced at Ebonheim, arching an eyebrow. "What do you think, goddess? Shall we explore the ruins?"

Ebonheim hesitated, considering the potential dangers. They were still a few days from the eastern entrance to the valley, and the terrain ahead was unknown. It would be risky to divert their course, but at the same time, she didn't want to miss out on an opportunity to learn more about the area's history.

"I suppose a quick peek wouldn't hurt," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Just to sate our curiosity."

Viviane let out a whoop of delight, jumping up and down in the wagon. "Super! I can't wait to start digging."

Serelle was already rummaging through her satchel, pulling out her field notebook and quill pen. "I'd love to document and compare these ruins with other ancient sites, if possible," she murmured, half to herself. "We may find relics or artifacts that provide clues about the old era."

"I can help with that," Viviane volunteered, scooting closer to Serelle. "I'm used to cataloging and identifying artifacts. Let me see that notebook of yours."

With that, the two began chatting animatedly, comparing notes and theories about the upcoming expedition.

Lorne and Thorsten exchanged glances, smirking at each other.

"Nothing like a bit of exploration to break up the monotony," Lorne said, shaking his head in amusement.

Thorsten merely grunted, narrowing his eyes at the ruins in the distance. "Aye, 'tis always a welcome diversion. Though something about them gives me the creeps."

The party continued on, and as they drew nearer, the ruins' crumbling spires loomed like silent sentinels of a forgotten epoch, casting long shadows across the grassy fields. The structures stood stark and solitary against the backdrop of the open sky, their walls cracked and weather-worn, yet still retaining traces of their former glory.

Massive, broken pillars of blackened stone, cracked and weathered with age, haphazardly rose from the earth. Moss and vines clung to the rocks, their creeping tendrils like the fingers of nature reclaiming what had once been hers. The remnants of glassless windows gaped open, like unseeing eyes, staring back at them with a solemnity that spoke of past grandeur fallen to ruin.

The winds blew through the gaps and holes, whistling a mournful tune through the lonely corridors and chambers within.

Despite the awe-inspiring scale and intricacy of the ruins, there were no signs of any creatures or entities inhabiting them. No birds roosted on the broken rooftops or flitted between the jagged spires, and no wild animals wandered through the dilapidated hallways and courtyards.

The wagon rolled to a halt as the group gathered at the outskirts of the ruins.

Viviane hopped out of the cart and immediately began inspecting the nearest wall, running her hands over the rough surface and examining the mortar between the stones. "Amazing...these walls are probably over a thousand years old, but they're still standing! The craftsmanship is incredible."

"The stonework is certainly impressive," Serelle agreed, scrutinizing the details with her sharp eyes. "These buildings could teach us a lot about the construction techniques and materials used by our ancestors."

Urien eyed the looming towers warily, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "So, what exactly are these ruins? A city? It seems a strange location for one."

"Who knows?" Lorne shrugged, stepping over a toppled pillar. "The valley seems like a remote place to build anything, but there might be reasons for it that we don't understand."

Ingrid squinted up at the sky, holding a hand over her eyes to shield them from the glare. "Either way, I'm more concerned about what kind of creatures might call this place home now. It's too quiet. Something's not right here."

Ebonheim surveyed the area, taking in the vast expanse of ruins stretching out before them, fading into the distant haze. There was an eerie stillness in the air, as if the buildings themselves were holding their breath, waiting for something to happen.

The sheer scale and majesty of these ancient edifices took her breath away—even in their ruined state, they still commanded a sense of awe and reverence. She could only imagine how magnificent they must have once been, before the ravages of time and neglect had worn them away.

She peered into the dark, empty windows and doorways of the nearest building, but detected no movement or signs of life. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched from somewhere in the shadows.

"Well, shall we start exploring?" she asked, turning to the others. "We can take a look around for a while and see what we can find."

Viviane's eyes lit up, and she rubbed her hands together eagerly. "Oh, yes, let's!" She turned to Serelle. "Are you ready for some treasure hunting, partner?"

"I'm sure Orin wouldn't mind me working with you," Serelle said with a smirk, and the two grinned at each other, then set off toward one of the buildings.

"I'll go with them," Lorne said, falling in step behind the women.

Thorsten nudged Ingrid, a mischievous grin on his face. "Eh, shieldmaiden? Want to explore with me?" he teased, nudging her again. "Just like old times, eh?"

Ingrid rolled her eyes and shoved him playfully. "You're the old one here, oaf," she retorted, but she was smiling as she pushed past him and strode towards one of the buildings.

Thorsten laughed and followed after her, leaving Ebonheim and Urien alone with the wagon.

"Guess I'm on wagon duty," Urien muttered, heaving a heavy sigh. "As usual. Oh, you don't have to keep me company, goddess. Go ahead and explore. I'll be fine here."

Ebonheim smiled apologetically. "I'll return soon, Urien," she promised, patting his shoulder gently. "Stay alert."

"Sure, sure," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I always am."

---

Ebonheim left Urien and ventured into one of the ruins, ducking through an open doorway. It was a massive, domed structure with a gaping hole in the ceiling where the roof used to be. The interior of the building was dim and dusty, illuminated only by the sunlight filtering through the gap overhead. Motes of dust danced in the air, catching in the beams of light and shining like tiny stars.

Large chunks of debris were strewn across the floor, and the smell of mold and mildew hung in the air. There were no discernible features or markings on the walls or columns, giving the whole space an austere, cold atmosphere.

The echoes of her footsteps seemed to linger in the stale, lifeless air, and she couldn't help but shiver a little.

She gazed around at the empty space, her eyes landing on a set of stone stairs in one corner that led upward. It seemed as good a place to start as any, so she began to climb. The steps were uneven and slippery, covered in moss and lichen, so she had to tread carefully to avoid slipping.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Ebonheim found herself on a flat platform overlooking the chamber below. From this vantage point, she could see more clearly the scope of the ruins. Massive columns lined the perimeter of the chamber, and deep cracks ran along the floor and walls.

She moved cautiously, her senses attuned to the slightest sound, the subtle shifts in the air that spoke of the building's frailty. Her footsteps were as silent as a feather, barely making a sound as she moved among the decaying rubble.

Suddenly, her attention was drawn to a faint glimmer on the ground in front of her. Kneeling down, she brushed away the dirt and detritus, revealing a small metal object nestled in the grime.

Ebonheim picked it up and examined it closely. It was a coin—a crude, oval piece of silver with an image stamped on one side. The symbol was unfamiliar to her—a crude depiction of a hooded figure with a staff.

Intrigued, she pocketed the coin and rose to her feet, continuing her explorations. As she explored the rest of the structure, she came across a number of similar coins, all bearing the same symbol. The discovery puzzled her, but she kept the coins anyway, stowing them away in the satchel she borrowed from Serelle.

She navigated the maze of the complex, entering and exiting different chambers. All of them were in various states of disrepair, with broken columns and cracked floors littered with debris. Some rooms had caved-in ceilings, exposing the rusted framework of support beams. Others had collapsed walls, revealing sections of exterior stonework that had been overgrown by thick tangles of weeds and vines.

Ebonheim's path led her to what seemed to be the center of the structure. Here, the sunlight poured in more generously, illuminating a circular pattern on the floor. She stepped closer, her eyes discerning the faint outlines of what must have been a magnificent mosaic, now faded and broken. Tiny pieces of colored stone still clung to their ancient adhesive, clinging stubbornly to the marble tiles beneath.

In the midst of this decay, Ebonheim felt a strange kinship with the ruins—though she didn't fully understand why. Perhaps it was their enduring resilience, despite the passage of time and the ravages of nature, that resonated with her. Whatever the reason, she found herself pausing to examine the patterns of the mosaic more closely, tracing her fingers over their worn surfaces.

In the center of the pattern, a larger section of the design remained intact—a ring of sixteen symbols arranged around a central sigil. As she leaned in for a closer inspection, she noticed that the larger symbol in the center of the circle resembled the same figure she had seen on the coins earlier—a cloaked and hooded figure with a staff. This symbol, however, was more elaborate, depicting a pair of outstretched wings unfurling from the figure's back.

She committed the symbol to memory, curious as to its meaning. Was this an emblem of some sort, or perhaps a representation of a deity? If so, who could have erected such a structure, and why? How long ago had the city been built? What tragedies had befallen it, and the people who dwelled here?

The answers remained elusive, and she reluctantly tore her gaze away from the mosaic, moving on to the rest of the complex.

Moving on, she discovered a narrow passage leading off from the main chamber. The passage was choked with debris, but curiosity drove her forward. She began clearing the obstructions, tossing the smaller fragments of stone aside, and digging her way through the larger boulders. Her efforts revealed an opening that led to a smaller room beyond, its walls adorned with faded frescoes.

She touched the paint with her fingers, and the pigment flaked off onto the floor. Stepping back, she pondered the significance of these figures and their role in the history of the valley

Despite the damage wrought by time, the images were discernible—depictions of strange, grotesque figures with tentacles and claws, rising from the depths of a turbulent sea, reaching towards the viewer. The colors, though dull and faded, were still vibrant enough to give the figures a sense of menace and power. It was as if the artists intended to emphasize the monsters' unnatural qualities, while at the same time capturing the fear and terror they invoked in their victims.

Ebonheim's skin crawled as she studied the paintings. They seemed to shift and move as she gazed upon them, as if coming to life.

The creatures' expressions were blank and featureless, but their bodies were twisted and deformed, hinting at a primal horror lurking beneath the surface. The entire scene evoked a sense of unease, as if the nightmare world depicted in the painting was not entirely imaginary, but a glimpse into a terrible reality. Whether these beings were meant to represent actual entities or were merely symbolic, she couldn't tell.

She tore her eyes away, blinking rapidly, and staggered back. She gulped air into her lungs, trying to calm her nerves.

That's enough exploring for now, I think...

She slipped out of the chamber and headed back to the entrance of the complex, eager to rejoin her companions. The sight of the cheerful blue sky above dispelled the last vestiges of uneasiness she'd felt, and she quickened her pace, eager to share her findings with the others.

***

Serelle peered through the magnifying glass she had brought with her. She knelt on the ground, carefully brushing away layers of dirt and debris from the base of a towering column. The delicate engravings carved into the stonework were starting to emerge, revealing intricate designs that snaked their way up the pillar's surface.

She marveled at the craftsmanship, running her fingers over the ridges and grooves. The workmanship was exquisite, with minute details that she would have missed with the naked eye. The carvings reminded her of the ancient writings on the tablets and scrolls she had uncovered in previous expeditions. They told a story, hinting at events and people long gone, their existence reduced to mere echoes in the ages.

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and adjusted the strap of her satchel. It was heavy with the tools of her trade: notebooks, pens, brushes, and ink. She always carried enough supplies to document and analyze every inch of the ruins she explored.

Viviane was a few meters away, meticulously examining a fragment of pottery she had excavated from the rubble. The other woman's brow was furrowed in concentration, and she hardly seemed to notice Serelle's presence.

"Found anything interesting yet?" Serelle asked, peering over Viviane's shoulder.

Startled, Viviane glanced up at her, blinking owlishly. "Hm? Oh, er, well, this piece seems to be part of a larger vessel." She gestured to the other shards scattered on the ground near her feet. "Maybe a bowl, or a vase? It's hard to say at this point. I'll need to study it more closely once we get it back to my workshop."

She gently placed the piece of pottery into a canvas bag and rose to her feet, slinging the bag over her shoulder. "This is just the first layer of sifting so far. There's a lot more to uncover. This place is a goldmine of artifacts. Whoever lived here must have been quite sophisticated and advanced." She wiped the dust from her hands, scanning the surroundings with keen eyes. "I hope Ebonheim lets us stay here for a few days."

Serelle nodded in agreement, returning her attention to the inscriptions on the column. "I'm hoping so too. I want to document as much of these ruins as possible while we have the chance. There's so much to learn, and I can't bear the thought of leaving without uncovering all of its mysteries."

Lorne approached them, his sword hanging loosely at his hip. He had been keeping watch on their surroundings while they worked. "There'll be other opportunities to explore," he said with a shrug. "It's not like we can't come back, right? Once the road is fully built, I doubt Ebonheim will have any qualms about letting us visit the ruins as often as we'd like."

"You're right," Serelle admitted with a sigh. "But I can't help feeling impatient. The history of this region is so shrouded in mystery. We don't even know who built these structures, or how long ago they did so. Every new clue leads to more questions."

Lorne chuckled. "Patience is a virtue, they say." He winked at her. "You'll figure everything out eventually. Until then, enjoy the adventure and the discoveries along the way." He patted her shoulder reassuringly before moving on.

Serelle smiled and resumed her task, carefully recording the details of the column's etchings with her quill pen. Each line and curve was noted, along with its approximate height, width, and angle. She sketched a rough diagram on her notebook, filling in the details as she went.

Meanwhile, Viviane busied herself with sifting through the rubble, picking through the rubble for more artifacts. She inspected each item she recovered, discarding those that were too damaged or corroded to be of use, and setting aside the more intact ones for further analysis.

She hummed softly as she worked, occasionally glancing over at Serelle, clearly enjoying the task.

"It'd be nice if we uncovered some ancient magitech devices," Viviane mused aloud, straightening up to stretch her back. "Imagine discovering something comparable to the relics that pioneered the invention of Aetherframes. We'd be the most famous explorers of our age!"

Serelle shook her head in amusement. "I'd rather hope we don't. Our respective guild leaders might kill each other for ownership rights, and then where would we be?"

Viviane blinked, then sighed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, you're probably right. Too bad. I can just imagine the power output of an ancient Magitech core...all that pure, untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. It'd be glorious."

"Focus on the present, Viviane," Serelle chided gently, a teasing note in her voice. "You can fantasize later, when we're safely back at camp." She returned to her work, noting down another row of markings on the column.

The two fell into an easy rhythm, and the sun arced across the sky as the day wore on. Hours passed by in a blur of activity, and they made steady progress in their respective tasks, until a shout from Lorne interrupted them.

"I found something! Come and take a look at this."

Serelle and Viviane exchanged glances, then hurried over to where Lorne was standing, by the entrance of one of the nearby buildings. He motioned for them to follow as he entered the darkened chamber, and they did so, apprehensively.

The interior of the building was largely empty, with only a few piles of debris scattered haphazardly around the edges of the room. At the far end, against the opposite wall, sat a large pedestal of dark iron. Upon the pedestal rested a small cube, no larger than the palm of one's hand. It was covered in strange markings and emitting a faint glow.

"What do you think it is?" Lorne asked, regarding the cube warily.

"An artifact, of course," Viviane replied, practically bouncing with excitement. "Do you think it has any power left? Can I touch it? What if—"

"Hold on a minute," Serelle interjected, placing a hand on Viviane's shoulder. "We shouldn't rush into this. It could be dangerous." She retrieved her magnifying glass and examined the cube closely, noting the unusual patterns and symbols etched onto its surface.

"I've never seen anything like it before. There's definitely some form of arcane energy emanating from it, but I can't make out its purpose." She shook her head, frowning. "I recommend we leave it be for now and continue our investigations elsewhere."

"I agree," Lorne said, nodding. "We should report this to Ebonheim and ask for her advice."

Viviane grumbled, disappointed. "Fine, you two spoilsports. But I'm coming back to collect that thing later!"