The stone corridor was silent.
Only the sound of dripping water echoed between ancient walls, and the faint whisper of old energy seemed to hum from the carved stones.
The scent of damp earth mixed with old metal lingered in the air.
Alice stood still, her eyes fixed on a large wall full of mysterious carvings—many of them damaged from past battles.
Dim light from embedded glowing stones cast her shadow across the chamber.
Her expression was unreadable—somewhere between curiosity, awe… and doubt.
Zeo stood beside her.
His body was alert, sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
He knew this place wasn't just any ruin. There were many legends etched into these walls—and they weren't something to be taken lightly.
Light footsteps echoed closer.
Velzhara and Ravyn had finally caught up, slowly walking down the stone steps.
When they saw the massive carvings before Alice, both of them fell silent.
"What are these writings? I think I've seen these symbols before," murmured Ravyn, eyes sweeping over the spiral-like script.
"I… I recognize some of the letters. But not all.
Is this ancient Azzaleth language?"
Velzhara stepped closer, her fingers gently touching the stone surface with reverence—like touching an ancestral relic.
Her expression shifted—deeper, more solemn.
"I… I know this," she said quietly.
"In part.
We elders were taught this ancient tongue during our training… but many portions were lost with time."
She began reading what she could:
"...The Deceiver was born thousands of years ago. He will—"
Her voice stopped.
The sentence was incomplete.
The next carvings were destroyed—scratched out or covered by hardened moss.
As if someone—or something—had tried to hide what came next.
Zeo froze. His eyes narrowed.
They can read it, he thought.
His heart stirred.
He could read those carvings using his dimensional eyes. But the heavy truth within... was something he couldn't reveal just yet.
He chose silence.
He glanced at Velzhara. He hadn't expected her to be able to read it—even partially.
But he also felt relief.
At least, no one yet understood the full message... except himself.
Zeo made a swift decision.
"Don't linger here too long. This place… isn't entirely safe."
Ravyn and Velzhara both nodded.
"Yes, Master."
They turned to leave—
When suddenly, from deep within the dark corridor, wild growls echoed.
Heavy stomps and beastly breaths filled the passage.
A group of red-eyed beasts emerged from the rocks, staring at them hungrily.
"Beasts!" Velzhara shouted.
Zeo moved into position.
"Alice, get back!"
But Alice stepped forward.
Her left hand raised. A brownish light glowed from her palm.
A mechanical hum echoed from the ground.
Within seconds, a massive golem rose—formed from earth, stone, and metal drawn from the walls.
Its body was dark bronze, a faint red core glowing in its chest.
It resembled a colossal knight.
With a single punch, two beasts were crushed against the wall.
Alice moved gracefully, controlling the golem.
Its movements were now far more precise, faster, and much more stable than before.
When the chaos settled, Alice turned to Zeo.
"Ever since I came here… something inside me changed," she said softly.
"It's as if… my power has grown.
My golem magic is stronger. More stable. More… natural.
I'm sorry I didn't listen to you again, Mr. Zeo."
Zeo looked at her with awe he couldn't hide.
The image of Kaira flashed in his mind as he looked at Alice standing before him.
"You're always amazing, Kaira.
Ah… I mean, Alice."
Alice gave a small smile—her eyes glowing softly for the first time in a long while.
After spending quite some time in the underground corridor, they finally ascended to the surface.
The damp air gave way to the crisp foggy breeze.
As Alice stepped onto the wide open ground, her eyes widened.
In front of her stood hundreds of Ifrits—
Some building stone tents, others tending flames, and many of them paused, watching their arrival.
Alice froze.
"M-Monsters?!" she shouted, instinctively taking a defensive stance.
"They're not enemies," Zeo said quickly, stepping beside her and placing a calming hand on her shoulder.
"They're… our new party members."
"Party?" Alice turned to him, still confused.
"Do you mean… you're an adventurer?"
Zeo nodded—though not fully.
"Not yet.
But that's my goal.
To form a party.
To gather people who are willing to fight alongside me."
He looked at Alice—deeply.
There was no joke in his tone. No mask. Just sincerity.
"Alice… I plan to invite you.
Would you like to join?"
Alice fell silent for a long moment.
Her eyes dropped to the ground.
Then, in a small voice, she said,
"I… I'm not sure.
I've lost the will to fight.
After what happened with my former party… I just want to go home.
Live quietly in my village."
Zeo nodded slowly.
A slight tinge of disappointment crossed his face—but he still smiled.
"I understand.
Not everyone is meant to walk the same path."
He paused for a breath.
"In that case… let me escort you home."
Alice lifted her head, slightly surprised.
"Y-You don't have to, Mr. Zeo.
With my current power, I think I can safely leave this forest on my own."
But Zeo gave her a stubborn glare.
"Doesn't matter.
I'm still going to escort you.
That way, your safety is guaranteed."
"I'm going too, Master," Ravyn added.
Zeo simply nodded.
"A-Alright.
Thank you… so much," Alice said sincerely.
---
That night, the camp was full of life.
Even though their shelters were made of crude stone and gathered wood, and the food came only from that day's hunt, the Ifrit cheered—celebrating their new life…
…while also marking Alice's final night in the realm of the magic fog.
Magma lanterns glowed in the misty shadows.
A large bonfire became the heart of the gathering.
Velzhara and the elders sat side by side, watching their people laugh, eat, and play stone instruments.
Alice sat beside Zeo, a bowl of soup in hand.
She smiled—more than once.
A smile that hadn't been seen in a long time.
But behind that smile, there was conflict.
A small voice inside her wanted to stay.
Wanted to walk alongside Zeo.
But memories of the past—betrayal, loss, fear—held her back.
---
Morning came.
The mist still hung low, but sunlight had begun piercing through its veil.
Alice stood at the edge of the fog barrier, geared up and ready to depart.
Zeo, Ravyn, and one Ifrit warrior were also prepared.
That Ifrit—once an opponent of Zeo, now a loyal follower—stepped forward.
With a brief ritual, his body shrank into a small, flame-colored doll and floated to Zeo's neck—becoming a pendant.
"Ready to serve," he said quietly before disappearing into that form.
Velzhara, Zelalehm, and the elders saluted at the gate.
"Apologies, Master Zeo. We weren't able to join you this time," said Velzhara.
Zeo turned to her.
"Focus on recovering. Guard this place. Don't leave unless it's urgent. Inside the fog, you are safe."
"Yes, Master," Velzhara replied.
"We swear to protect it."
And so, they left the silent land behind.
The mist slowly closed again, hiding the secret haven that had become home to a people who had lost their original homeland.
In the distance, the golden rays of morning sunlight began to shine upon the narrow trail.
Zeo looked straight ahead.
The journey to Alice's village… had begun.
---