The days leading up to the expedition were a whirlwind of preparation. Lifu threw himself into his training with renewed focus, balancing his responsibilities between the Explorers Club, the Battle Chart, and the demands of the academy. The Vale expedition loomed large in his mind, a challenge that would test everything he had learned so far.
His friends were equally busy with their own clubs. Tia was spending long hours in the Fighters Club, honing her combat skills and sparring with other members. Tumo was working closely with mythical creatures in the Tamer Club, learning how to bond with them and understanding their unique abilities. Leila, meanwhile, was deep in study with the Sorcery Club, expanding her knowledge of magic and practicing advanced spells under the guidance of senior members.
Despite their busy schedules, the group made sure to meet up whenever they could, sharing their experiences and supporting each other as they navigated the new challenges and opportunities that had come their way.
The night before the expedition, Lifu and his friends gathered in the common room of the dormitory. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and nerves as they talked about what lay ahead.
“So, tomorrow’s the big day, huh?” Tumo said, leaning back in his chair. “You nervous, Lifu?”
“A little,” Lifu admitted, though he tried to keep his tone light. “The Shadow Vale is no joke, but I’m more excited than anything. It’s going to be an adventure, and I’m ready for it.”
Tia grinned, her fiery spirit undiminished. “You’ve got this. Just remember everything we’ve trained for. And if you run into any trouble, kick its butt and bring back a trophy.”
Leila smiled softly. “Be careful, though. The Vale is known for being unpredictable. Trust your instincts, and don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Lifu nodded, appreciating their words of encouragement. “I’ll be careful. And I’ll make sure to bring back something good—maybe even a rare find that’ll make us all proud.”
***
The morning of the expedition dawned cool and misty, the academy grounds shrouded in a light fog. Lifu joined the other members of the Explorers Club at the meeting point. The group was small but well-equipped, each member carrying a pack filled with supplies, weapons, and survival gear.
“Everyone ready?” Corin asked, his voice steady but filled with the undercurrent of excitement that Lifu had come to associate with him.
There were nods and murmurs of agreement as the team finished their final preparations. Lifu adjusted the straps on his pack, making sure everything was secure. He had spent the previous night double-checking his gear, ensuring he had everything he might need for the journey ahead—food, water, a map, a compass, a first-aid kit, and, of course, his sword.
Corin led the way as they set off from the academy, their destination the outskirts of the Vale. The group moved in silence, each member focused on the task at hand. The air was cool and damp, the mist clinging to their clothes as they walked. The tension was palpable, a mix of anticipation and caution as they ventured further from the safety of the academy.
The journey to the Vale took several hours, the terrain gradually becoming more rugged and untamed. The trees grew taller and thicker, their branches twisting together to form a dense canopy that blocked out much of the sunlight. The path underfoot became less defined, forcing the team to rely on their maps and instincts to navigate the increasingly wild landscape.
As they neared the edge of the Vale, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. The forest here was darker, the trees gnarled and ancient, their bark blackened as if scorched by some long-forgotten fire. The ground was uneven, covered in a thick layer of foliage that muffled their footsteps.
“This is it,” Corin said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as they reached the boundary of the Vale. “From here on out, we need to stay sharp. The Vale is full of surprises, and not all of them are friendly.”
The team spread out into a loose formation, each member taking up a position that allowed them to cover their surroundings while staying within sight of each other. Lifu, as part of the scouting team, took the lead alongside Corin, his senses on high alert as they moved deeper into the Vale.
The Vale lived up to its reputation. The forest was eerily quiet, the only sounds the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became, as if the forest itself was watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Lifu kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment’s notice. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was clear, focused on the task at hand. They were here to scout the area, to find the ancient ruin that was said to be hidden somewhere within the Vale.
“We’re getting close,” Corin muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of their footsteps. “The ruins should be just ahead.”
But as they continued, the unnatural stillness of the Vale was shattered by an eerie sound—faint at first, like the distant clatter of bones, but growing louder with each passing moment. The group slowed to a stop, exchanging uneasy glances.
“Do you hear that?” Lifu asked, his voice low and tense.
Corin nodded, his expression grim. “Everyone, stay sharp. We’re not alone.”
The sound grew louder, more distinct—the unmistakable rhythm of metal scraping against stone, of ancient armour creaking with unnatural movement. Lifu’s heart pounded in his chest as the first of the figures emerged from the mist ahead.
They were undead warriors, their bodies little more than decaying flesh clinging to brittle bones, clad in rusted armour that clanked with every step. Hollow eye sockets glowed with a malevolent light as they staggered forward, weapons in hand, their movements slow but relentless.
“Undead!” one of the group members shouted, drawing their weapon.
In an instant, chaos erupted. The horde of undead surged toward them, a wave of death and decay that threatened to overwhelm the small team. Lifu’s instincts kicked in as he channelled lightning energy into his sword.
“Form a defensive line!” Corin commanded, his voice cutting through the din. “Don’t let them surround us!”
The group quickly fell into formation, their weapons ready as the undead closed in. Lifu took his place at the front, his heart racing as the first of the undead reached him. He swung his sword with precision, the blade crackling with lightning as it cleaved through bone and armour alike. The undead crumbled under the assault, but more took their place, their numbers seemingly endless.
“These things just keep coming!” Navea shouted from beside Lifu, her whip blazing with fire as she fought off a pair of undead that had broken through the line.
Lifu gritted his teeth, focusing his energy. The situation was dire; they were outnumbered, and the undead showed no signs of stopping. He knew they needed to do something drastic to turn the tide.
“Cover me!” Lifu called out to the team, who nodded, understanding his intent.
Lifu stepped back, raising his free hand toward the ground. He summoned a surge of water from the moisture in the air and the damp earth beneath them. The water pooled around his feet, swirling in a tight circle as he concentrated. With a sharp gesture, he sent the water forward, sweeping across the ground in a wide arc. The wave of water slammed into the undead, knocking them off their feet and buying the team a few precious seconds.
But Lifu wasn’t done. He raised his sword high, the blade now crackling with even greater intensity as he focused his lightning. “Everyone, stand back!” he warned.
As the undead struggled to rise, Lifu brought his sword down, sending a powerful bolt of lightning into the water that now coated the ground. The lightning crackled and arced, spreading through the water like a web of electric tendrils. The undead caught in the wave convulsed as the lightning surged through their bodies, their bones glowing with a sinister light before they collapsed into piles of ash and charred remains.
The team took advantage of the momentary reprieve, dispatching the few remaining undead with swift, decisive strikes. The air was thick with the smell of ozone and burnt flesh, the ground littered with the remains of their foes.
For a moment, there was only the sound of their heavy breathing as the team stood amidst the carnage, weapons still at the ready in case of another attack. But the forest around them had fallen silent once more, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly as the last of the undead fell.
“Is everyone okay?” Corin asked, his voice steady despite the ordeal.
There were murmurs of assent from the group as they began to regroup. Navea wiped the sweat from her brow, giving Lifu a nod of appreciation. “Nice work with the lightning, Lifu. You really saved us back there.”
Lifu offered a small, tired smile in return. “Thanks, but we’re not out of this yet. We need to keep moving.”
Corin agreed, already scanning the area for the next route. “Let’s stay sharp. Whatever brought those undead here might still be close by. We can’t let our guard down.”
The team gathered their resolve, the harrowing encounter fresh in their minds as they pressed on, deeper into the Vale. The ruins awaited, but so did whatever dark force had animated the horde they had just faced. The true test of their strength and courage was yet to come.
***
After what felt like hours of careful exploration, Corin signalled for the group to stop. They had reached a small clearing, the first they had seen since entering the Vale. In the centre of the clearing stood a large stone structure, partially covered in vines and moss. It was old, its edges worn and weathered by time, but it was unmistakably man-made.
“This must be it,” Corin said, his voice tinged with excitement. “The ancient ruin. We’ve found it.”
The team gathered around the structure, their eyes wide with curiosity and awe. The ruin was unlike anything Lifu had seen before—its architecture was unfamiliar, the stone carved with strange symbols and patterns that seemed to shift and change as he looked at them.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Jeff muttered, glancing nervously at the shifting symbols. “Are we sure it’s safe?”
Corin nodded, though his expression was more serious now. “We need to be careful, but this is what we came here for. We need to explore the ruin and see what we can find. Stay alert, and don’t touch anything unless you’re sure it’s safe.”
Lifu moved closer to the ruin, his curiosity piqued by the strange symbols. As he reached out to brush away some of the vines covering the stone, he felt a faint tingle of energy—a low hum that seemed to resonate through the air.
“Careful,” Corin warned, noticing Lifu’s reaction. “This place might be more than just an old ruin. It could be protected by magic or traps. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”
Lifu nodded, pulling his hand back. “Right. We should move slowly and document everything we find. There’s no telling what we might uncover here.”
The team began their exploration, moving cautiously through the clearing and into the ruin. The interior was dark and cramped, the air thick with dust and the scent of earth. The walls were lined with more of the strange symbols, some of them glowing faintly in the darkness.
Lifu led the way, his sword drawn and his senses heightened. The ruin was silent except for the sound of their footsteps, the atmosphere tense and foreboding. As they moved deeper into the structure, they began to notice signs of decay—crumbling walls, broken pillars, and the occasional collapsed ceiling.
But there were also signs of something more recent—footprints in the dust, fresh scorch marks on the walls, and the unmistakable scent of burning wood.
“Someone’s been here recently,” Corin said, his voice low as he examined the footprints. “And they weren’t just passing through. These scorch marks... they were made by a spell, not too long ago.”
Lifu’s grip tightened on his sword as he looked around, trying to spot any signs of movement. Whoever had been here was likely still nearby, and if they were using magic, they could be dangerous.
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