Outside of the cave
The cold air was thick with tension, carrying the faint scent of earth and moss from the surrounding forest. The dark entrance of Malaka Cavern loomed ahead like the open maw of some ancient beast, its black depths seeming to swallow anything that dared approach. Around it, the surroundings buzzed with activity as soldiers and mages worked in synchronized urgency, setting up a temporary camp at the edge of the unknown.
"Everyone, get to work!" : a voice echoed
A man in his early thirties, blond-haired, standing tall with a well-built frame, surveyed the bustling temporary camp. He was armed with a lance and shield, his demeanor reflecting years of discipline as a member of the royal army. He was the captain Marcus, first leader of the raid.
"Captain, the temporary camp is set up. It will be operational in no time," reported Luis, one of the logistics supervisors.
"Good work, Luis. Gather everyone. We're starting the raid."
"Yes, Captain."
Luis moved quickly to assemble the raid members.
Within moments, the camp was abuzz with activity, the raid party assembling to listen to their leader's orders. Once the team was gathered, Captain Marcus addressed them, his voice firm yet encouraging, powerful, and carrying authority.
"You who stand here today," he began, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd, "we find ourselves in the heart of the Great Malaka Forest—one of the most dangerous region of our empire, home to powerful monster races. And yet, every one of you chose to follow me into the unknown for this raid."
A pause, heavy with weight and respect.
"We have reached here safely, but let me warn you : this is where the real challenge begins. The task ahead is not for the faint-hearted. We face dangers that have claimed the lives of many great warriors before us. But I trust in you—in our strength, in our unity, and in our purpose."
He raised his spear. "The empire depends on us. Let us make them proud."
Cheers and murmurs of confidence rose from the group.
The Raid Team
The raid group was organized into four divisions :
1. The Main Raid Team : Led by Captain Marcus, tasked with delving deep into the cave to execute the raid and clear the dungeon.
2. Logistics Team : Responsible for managing the horses, carriages, and camp installations to support the operation.
3. Church's Delegation : Holy Priests and Paladins from the Holy Church of Light. Priests are specialists who provide healing for the wounded and protection. They also held a crucial role in protecting the raid throughout the journey from monsters. With the Light Fortress, a blessed magical artifact created by the Church, it emits a repulsive aura that causes monsters nearby to unconsciously move away.
4. Volunteers from Tema, the nearest town : They were recruited to work as dockworkers and laborers, mainly to help the logistics team with transport and supplies.
For added security, Adventurers from the region were also recruited to guard the external camp against potential threats, while the main raid team explore the dungeon.
–––
Several weeks ago
Several weeks ago, a message arrived at dawn through a magical communication device bearing the seal of the Mage Tower. The entire capital stirred as news of this urgent message spread quickly. The Tower, known for its precise and methodical nature, had detected something unusual deep within the Malaka Forest.
"An unidentified energy surge has been detected," the message read. "Its intensity is immense, more than a Calamity ranked monster, and we cannot determine if it is demonic, safe, or something else entirely. It is unlike anything we have recorded before. Ignoring this might risk the safety of the entire empire."
The Malaka Forest was infamous for its dangers. As the largest and most treacherous wilderness in the empire, it harbored deadly creatures and uncharted territories that had claimed countless lives. Entering this forest, especially to investigate such a powerful phenomenon, was considered near-suicidal. Fear and doubt arose among the empire's elite when the idea of a raid was suggested.
To address the matter urgently, the king called for an emergency meeting the same day. The generals, royal advisors, and representatives from the Mage Tower gathered to discuss the situation.
The Mage Tower suggested to organize a raid to make things clear.
"Why send troops to certain death for a threat that might not exist ?" one general had argued.
"This is no idle warning," rebutted Arlen, the Tower's chief representative. "The magical radar has detected an anomaly beyond anything we've ever encountered. Whatever this energy is, if it turns out to be malevolent, the cost of inaction could be the empire itself."
Arlen spoke with the weight of authority. The Mage Tower was not just a center of magical study—it was a pillar of stability in the empire.
As the meeting goes, a new message arrived from the Holy Church of Light. The church confirmed that they had also detected the surge and expressed concern about its potential threat.
"If the church is getting involved, this might be more serious than we thought," one advisor noted grimly.
The church offered its assistance for the raid, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the empire. Their holy priests and paladins would lend their strength and use the Light Fortress to ensure the mission's success.
After intense deliberation, it was finally decided that a raid would be organized despite the dangers. Though the risks were high, the uncertainty surrounding the energy made it a threat too significant to ignore. Plans for the operation began immediately, drawing on the combined strength of the Mage Tower, the royal army, and the church's sacred warriors.
NOTE –––
[The Mage Tower is a powerful entity within the empire, tasked with research and development in magic, providing education at the Academy, and performing one of its most critical duties : monitoring magical and mythical creatures of significant power that could pose a threat to humanity. This responsibility is fulfilled using their magical radars, which detect the energy signatures of such beings. Even the most powerful entities cannot completely hide their aura, making the Tower's vigilance indispensable to the empire's safety.]
[The Church is an independent yet deeply influential institution within the empire, devoted to the God of Light, who they believe brings forth the promise of every new dawn. Its core mission revolves around promoting the faith and safeguarding the realm from evil. This includes hunting dark mages, demons, and other entities that defy their doctrines.
The Church's field members consist of two primary roles : Priests and Paladins.
Priests specialize in healing, curing ailments, and purifying corruption. They wear white robes adorned with golden motifs, secured with a belt around their waists. They carry wooden staffs marked with the Church's emblem, signifying their dedication to the divine.
Paladins are the holy knights of the Church, clad in white armor with golden motifs and the Church's emblem prominently displayed on the chest. They are equipped with one-handed swords, wielding both physical strength and divine blessings in battle.
Church's members are devoid of conventional magic. Instead, they wield blessings bestowed upon them by their deity, enabling them to use powerful light-based magic for healing, protection, and combating dark forces.]