Merslin's party met with the Elven Elders. The elders decided to share ancient information they had heard from the High Elves. They spoke of a ruin created in an era before the elven race, saying that a clue to unraveling the secrets of the Shadow-kin could be found there.
The meeting room exuded a quiet and sublime atmosphere. The elders, with wrinkled faces that showed their age and eyes that held deep wisdom, looked at Merslin's party. They held a moment of silence before revealing the ancient secret.
One of the elders began to speak. "We will relay a story we heard from the High Elves. Long ago, there was a ruin built in an age before our own. It is a subterranean city located beyond the Arid Plains. There, you may find the clue to solve the mystery of the Shadow-kin."
Another elder added, "That ruin is filled with ancient magic and technology. However, scouts of the Shadow-kin will be guarding it. We hope you can defeat them and explore the ruins."
Merslin's party expressed their gratitude to the elders and decided to head for the subterranean city beyond the Arid Plains. They prepared for the long journey, reaffirming their resolve.
The party crossed the Arid Plains towards the underground city. The plains were filled with a desolate and dry landscape, and dust devils swirled about. When they reached the edge of the plains, they discovered an entrance leading underground.
"This must be the ruin," Kaila said.
They descended underground, passing through a dark and damp passage. At the end of the passage, a vast space appeared, engraved with ancient mechanisms and magical symbols. This place, once lined with exquisitely designed structures, was now old, faded, and dilapidated.
The subterranean city was comprised of an impossibly large space. The ceiling was a series of high arches, and its walls bore the remnants of complex machinery and traces of magic. The floor was paved with marble, overlaid with intricate mosaic tiles. Although faded and broken in parts over time, its beauty and artistry were still dazzling.
Giant pillars stood throughout the space, each carved with ancient symbols and sculptures. These carvings, showcasing a once-radiant past, were a testament to the greatness of the ancient civilization. Some depicted mythological creatures or heroes, while others represented symbols of ancient magic.
Gazing upon this massive space, Merslin's party felt a sense of awe at its grandeur and mystery. They realized this was not just a ruin, but a place imbued with ancient wisdom and power.
However, they soon sensed the presence of an enemy. Shadow-kin scouts were waiting for them.
"Enemies are waiting for us. Be ready!" Merslin warned.
The Shadow-kin scouts began to attack Merslin's party using tower-like structures. Arrows and magic rained down from the towers. Merslin and his companions defended themselves while preparing a counter-attack.
Kaila moved nimbly, evading the enemy's attacks and cutting down the Shadow-kin with her sharp sword. "The enemy is strong, but we can win this!"
Sera used stealth to secretly approach the enemy from behind. She quickly swung her daggers in a surprise attack and used her precise archery to neutralize the enemies in the towers. "We have to break their defensive line!" Sera shouted.
Tarakhan used powerful magic to attack the towers. "If we destroy the towers, we have a chance to win!"
Ria tended to her injured companions, using healing magic to help them recover even amidst the battle. "I'll help make sure everyone gets through this fight safely!" Ria said.
While fighting the enemies, Merslin came up with a new strategy. "A single powerful spell is good, but casting multiple low-level spells at once could be more effective." He immediately cast Fire Arrow and Frost Arrow simultaneously. The volley of fire and frost arrows flew at the enemies, creating a powerful effect. "This is effective!" Merslin exclaimed.
Though the battle was fierce, Merslin's party eventually defeated the Shadow-kin scouts. As the towers crumbled and the enemies retreated, peace returned.
After the battle, the party headed deeper into the subterranean city. There, they found the place guarded by a giant Basilisk and human-like machines. These machines moved as if they had a life force of their own, serving as powerful ancient guardians. Furthermore, stone people resembling the Ancients from Celesta were guarding the area, standing solemnly like timeless guardian deities.
"This place is incredible. To think there are even Ancients here that look similar to the ones from Celesta," Kaila said in admiration.
However, some Shadow-kin soldiers were also there, fighting the guardians to obtain information. Merslin's party avoided combat as much as possible and headed for a place of importance.
The place they arrived at had a mural depicting an ancient battle with the Shadow-kin. In the mural, a hero was painted raising a sword to subdue the darkness. The mural's detail was exquisite, and some parts remained unfaded, vividly recalling the scene from that time.
"This mural... it seems to record an ancient battle. It looks like that hero defeated the Shadow-kin," Merslin said, pointing to the mural.
Looking at the mural, particularly the depiction of the defensive towers, Tarakhan fell into deep thought and a realization dawned on him. After the group had a moment to catch their breath, he approached his companions with a serious expression.
"Everyone," he began, "I want to study the technology of these towers to find a way to protect my own kingdom. I believe I must leave for a while."
Merslin understood Tarakhan's decision. "Tarakhan, we respect your resolve. I hope you find the way to protect your kingdom. We will be waiting for you."
Kaila, Ria, and Sera all supported his decision and bid him farewell. "Tarakhan, be sure to succeed and come back," Kaila said.
Tarakhan nodded and departed. Respecting his decision, Merslin's party set out once again to continue their fight against the Shadow-kin. They proceeded deeper into the subterranean city, continuing their journey to unlock ancient secrets.
***
Episode : The Power of the Sun Shall Subdue the Darkness
Merslin's party obtained information that they needed to forge the legendary Sun Sword to stop the threat of the Shadow-kin. According to the ancient legends of the Luminaria continent, the Sun Sword possessed the power to neutralize dark magic and defeat the Shadow-kin. However, they needed to gather more specific information about the materials and methods required to create it.
First Visit: The Elven Forest Merslin's party first visited the Elven Forest. They asked Irene and the Elven Elders about the legends and information concerning the Sun Sword. The elders searched through ancient records and provided a crucial clue.
Irene said, "According to ancient texts, to forge the Sun Sword, you need the Legendary Anvil and Hammer, the searing fire of a volcano, a dragon's breath, and the Essence of the Sun. You must gather these materials."
Daren added, "It is said that the Legendary Anvil and Hammer are hidden in an ancient temple located at the western edge of the Elven Forest. You should be able to find the first materials there."
Second Visit: The Luminaria Kingdom Next, Merslin's party headed to the Luminaria Kingdom. The kingdom's mages and scholars possessed records about the Sun Sword. While examining ancient documents in the kingdom's library, they discovered important information.
Ria said, "According to the records here, the searing fire of a volcano and a dragon's breath can be found in the volcanic region to the south of Luminaria. It says an ancient dragon lives there."
Kaila spoke, her voice filled with resolve. "The volcanic region will be dangerous, but it is a place we must go."
Third Visit: The Frontier Kingdom Merslin's party visited the Frontier Kingdom. The kingdom's warriors and priests knew the legends about the Essence of the Sun. They told them about a mountain range where the Temple of the Sun was located.
The Prince of the Frontier Kingdom said, "The Essence of the Sun can be obtained at the Temple of the Sun. It is located on the summit of the mountain range, and a powerful trial will be waiting for you."
Merslin nodded and said, "We must go there to obtain the Essence of the Sun."
Fourth Visit: The High Elf Forest The High Elves possessed deep knowledge of ancient magic and legends. Merslin's party visited the High Elf Forest and sought advice from their leaders. A High Elf leader told them how the sacred ritual for the Sun Sword must be performed.
The High Elf leader said, "To complete the Sun Sword, you must perform an ancient ritual. The ritual takes place at the Temple of the Sun, and you must combine the Essence of the Sun with the other materials on a sacred altar."
Sera said, "Now we know about all the materials and the ritual. It's time to prepare."
Fifth Visit: The City of the Ancients Finally, Merslin's party visited the City of the Ancients. It was a place filled with old ruins and ancient wisdom. Through the records of the Ancients, they discovered the final clue about the Sun Sword.
According to the records of the Ancients, the sacred ritual could only be completed once all the necessary materials for the Sun Sword were gathered. This ritual was a process of combining the other materials, with the Essence of the Sun at its core.
Merslin's resolve hardened. "Now, all preparations are complete. We must go to the Temple of the Sun and forge the Sun Sword."
**