After the final ripple of magic faded from the battlefield, the expedition finally paused. They set camp just a few hundred yards from the Shrouded Hollows' perimeter—close enough to feel the pulsing hum of the sealed ruin gates but far enough to rest without immediate danger. The forward slope dipped into a crescent basin surrounded by crooked stone formations and low mossy ridges. The air buzzed faintly with magical residue, thick and warm like the breath of a sleeping beast.
Velra paced in silence near a glowing stone marker, deep in thought as she updated the map slate with new notes. Mira stood beside her, offering a quiet exchange of observations.
The rest of the squads had formed loose perimeters. Some meditated. Others sharpened blades or whispered around campfires. There were still tensions—Veilshard Enclave and Crimson Order occupied opposite ends of the basin, their respective leaders still casting glances like rival wolves.
Drathan lounged near a flat boulder, his new daggers gleaming softly beside him as he reclined with his cloak draped over his face.
"Let me know when it's time to almost die again," he mumbled.
Seme tossed him a fruit ration. "Eat. Then nap. You used more void bursts than usual."
He caught it lazily. "Ugh. You're right. I think my aura got a cramp."
Kenshin sat cross-legged, recharging himself through meditation. Sparks occasionally leapt off his skin, grounding into the earth. "That variant was bad news. If something like that's guarding the door, I'm curious what's inside."
Nearby, younger adventurers exchanged rumors about the Hollows—about cursed armor that walks without a soul, enchanted murals that rewrite your memories, and a door rumored to only open for those who bleed willingly.
Velra stood atop a stone platform and raised her voice. "We begin tomorrow at dawn. Team leaders, you'll be briefed before entry. Everyone else—get rest. No alcohol, no duels, no wandering. The ruin reacts to your intent. Come in unfocused, and you may not come back out."
Mira clapped her hands once. "You heard her. Sleep light. Ward your tents. We move at first light."
The trio pulled back to a small section of ridge overlooking the basin. A distant view of the sealed gates glimmered beneath moonlight—massive doors covered in overlapping rings of glowing runes.
"Looks like a puzzle already," Seme muttered.
Drathan turned over, his voice muffled by his cloak. "Then let's sleep while the pieces are still quiet."
Mira sat down beside the campfire they'd built, her blades set neatly beside her as she polished them in silence. After a moment, Seme tossed a small pouch her way.
"You've been pulling weight beyond expectation," Seme said. "Sharp reads, fast calls, tight formations. Not bad for a freelance guide."
Mira blinked, then smiled faintly. "High praise from you. I was half-expecting a grunt and a nod."
Drathan stretched and sat up, cracking one eye open. "Yeah, you've been killing it out there. Might be time to consider full-time party status. We pay in sarcastic remarks and death-defying stunts."
Kenshin added with a grin, "And you're the only reason we haven't been eaten by something with more teeth than brain yet."
Nearby, a few adventurers looked their way with open curiosity. One Veilshard mage whispered to a rogue companion, "Why's the best squad here not even part of a ranked guild?"
Crimson Order's Grastus muttered something under his breath, but even he spared Mira a brief nod as he walked past.
Velra watched the exchange from a few paces away. Her gaze lingered longer than expected. With arms crossed, she finally stepped over.
"You four," she said, nodding once. "I'll be filing a recommendation to have your party formally recognized under the elite guild registry. Tierwyn's system needs more like you—and I'd like to work more closely going forward."
Seme smirked slightly, but her eyes had already drifted to a nearby figure—an adventurer with windswept gray hair, wearing a sleeveless vest over light plate and a massive cleaver-sword slung over his back. He sat alone, sharpening the edge with rhythmic strokes. Seme's gaze lingered just a little too long.
"Something catch your eye?" Drathan teased.
"None of your business," Seme muttered.
Meanwhile, a flame-haired female adventurer from another squad approached the trio, stopping beside Drathan.
"Word is you don't sleep much," she said with a sly smile. "Taking first watch?"
Drathan leaned back and gave her an appraising glance. "Only if I get good company."
She rolled her eyes but sat beside him anyway, tossing a stick into the fire.
Kenshin leaned into the flames with a soft smirk. "Stars above, this camp just got interesting."
Just beyond the flickering firelight, the gray-haired swordsman rose from his seat,
rotating his shoulders and cracking his neck. Without a word, he dropped into a series of slow, deliberate push-ups—each motion steady and exact. Muscles flexed beneath his vest as he transitioned to core twists and standing strikes, mimicking combat motions in perfect silence.
Seme's eyes, ostensibly focused on cleaning her sword, kept drifting.
Drathan noticed. "Admiring the view?" he said under his breath.
She elbowed him lightly but didn't deny it.
After a few more sets, the swordsman straightened and began to stretch his arms overhead. Seme stood and walked toward him.
"Mind if I join?" she asked, stopping a few feet away.
The man looked her over, then gave a single nod. "If you can keep up."
Seme smiled faintly. "That's what I was going to say."
The two began running drills side by side, exchanging no words, only respectful glances as the air between them filled with controlled tension and mirrored movement.
Kenshin and Drathan looked at each other and nodded with a glance they knew they were finally free.
Seeing the smile on his faced the flamed hair female couldn't but help to ask " such a big smile, what got you happy like this?"
Drathan giving a flirtatious look to her " freedom from intense workout, and the beauty I get to spend the night under the stars with."
Punching his shoulder she got up "don't we got first watch shift let's go." she said as she blushed walking to the edge of the camp.
"Seems this night watch is gonna be exciting." Drathan licking this lips as he got up and followed behind her.