Chapter 12: Into the Subterranean Ruins
The northern winds had calmed slightly by morning, but the village remained eerily silent. The snow crunched under the group's boots, echoing faintly through the empty streets. Icarus led, silver hair glinting against the pale light, eyes scanning every shadow and anomaly.
Rowan shuffled behind, dramatically dragging one leg as if his toes had already frozen off. "I… I survived the night. Barely. My life force is minimal… probably around zero. Can someone give me a medal?"
Selene muttered under her breath, "You'll get a medal when we survive the Ashura apocalypse."
Alaric chuckled softly. "Focus on survival, Rowan. Medals are meaningless if you're not alive to collect them."
The group approached the central square, where faint red glows still pulsed beneath the ice. Icarus knelt, inspecting one of the runes uncovered by Rowan's clumsy antics. It was more active than yesterday, pulsing rhythmically, almost like it was reacting to their presence.
"These runes are not dormant," Icarus said softly. "They're sensors. Ashura pawns left them intentionally, to detect or guide. Whoever placed them knew someone like us would come."
Rowan blinked. "Sensors? Like… high-tech magical booby traps?"
Selene groaned. "Exactly. Only your description is less professional."
Alaric's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Rowan, you may yet survive through comedic insight. Or sheer luck."
Icarus traced the pattern of the runes across the square. Each pulse aligned with faint heat signatures beneath the snow. "These runes converge toward something… beneath the ruins."
Rowan stumbled dramatically over a frozen plank. "Beneath the ruins? Oh, perfect! Hidden monster lairs under snow. This is my dream day!"
Selene facepalmed. "Your dreams are terrifying."
Using a combination of careful observation and precise magical sensing, Icarus located a partially collapsed cellar entrance, hidden beneath snow and debris. "Here," he said. "Something lies below. Likely remnants of Ashura pawns… or worse."
Alaric stepped forward, inspecting the entrance. "The first Moonborn faced similar hidden threats. Be careful. The energy signatures here are unstable."
Rowan peeked inside and immediately backed away, shivering. "I… I see red glows. And claws. And… more toes about to die."
Selene muttered, "You're not helping."
Icarus crouched at the entrance, calm as ever. "We proceed carefully. No rash moves. Observe, record, and respond. Rowan… try not to trip and trigger something deadly."
Rowan saluted awkwardly. "Yes… maybe."
With that, the group began descending into the subterranean ruins, unaware that the Ashura pawns had already detected their presence—and that stronger forces, far more deliberate, were watching from the shadows.
The entrance to the cellar revealed a descending staircase, carved roughly into the frozen stone beneath the village. Faint red glows pulsed from the cracks in the ice, as if warning intruders to turn back. Icarus' silver eyes scanned every wall, every step, and every shadow.
Rowan shuffled behind, dragging one foot dramatically. "I… I think I left my life in the snow outside. Can someone check? I may be slightly… dead?"
Selene shot him a glare. "You're not dead yet, Rowan. But you might be after one careless step."
Alaric chuckled softly, moving ahead to inspect the staircase. "The northern ruins have more than snow and silence. Watch your footing. And Rowan… try not to trip over ghosts."
Rowan gasped. "Ghosts?! Are we fighting ghosts now? Fantastic!"
Icarus crouched slightly, extending his senses. The faint pulses of the red runes were stronger here, intertwined with residual Ashura energy. "The cellar isn't just storage. This is a labyrinth—hidden by magic and ice. Whoever created this wanted to remain undisturbed… or trap anyone foolish enough to enter."
Rowan muttered, "Well… we're very foolish. That's one box checked."
Selene's sword glimmered faintly in the icy light. "Stay alert. The layout may shift, and traps may be magical as well as physical. Do not underestimate the design."
The group descended, carefully stepping over icy patches. Faint magical glyphs shimmered along the walls, but they were subtle—barely perceptible. Icarus examined them closely.
"These glyphs are not just decoration," he said quietly. "They resonate with Ashura influence. Likely triggers for traps or alarm systems. Step carelessly, and we could awaken residual guardians or alert distant pawns."
Rowan accidentally brushed against one wall, causing a faint shimmer to pulse along a glyph. "Oops. Did I do that? Was that bad? I… think I broke something?"
Selene sighed. "You woke a trap. Good job, Rowan."
Before Rowan could panic, Alaric waved a hand, sending a subtle telekinetic pulse that neutralized the glyph's activation. "Calm down. Some disturbances can be corrected. But be more careful. Magic responds to thoughtless actions."
Rowan gulped. "Thoughtless actions… yeah… that's my specialty."
Icarus continued ahead, noting the branching pathways in the labyrinth. The faint red glow beneath the ice pulsed rhythmically, almost as if it had a heartbeat. He paused at a junction, crouched, and extended his senses.
"Left path," he said finally. "Residual energy stronger there. Whoever left these markers… expects us to go that way. Possibly a trap. Possibly information. Likely both."
Selene raised her brow. "Information or trap. Excellent. Nothing subtle, then."
Rowan muttered, "Why do we never get subtle?"
The group advanced cautiously. As they moved deeper, shadows stretched unnaturally, twisting around pillars and walls. Ice crunched beneath their feet, echoing through the labyrinth. Faint whispers echoed faintly, almost imperceptible.
"Moonborn…" the whispers seemed to sigh, carried on the frozen wind. "Awaken…"
Rowan froze. "I heard that too! That's definitely not ghosts… right?"
Selene scowled. "Not ghosts. Something far worse."
Suddenly, a faint figure darted between pillars—quick, almost imperceptible. Rowan screamed, "It's moving! It's watching! It's definitely coming for me!"
Icarus' eyes narrowed. "Controlled movement. Not random. Ashura pawn. Observe."
Before Rowan could panic further, the figure lunged—a skeletal creature, agile, with faint red glows in its eyes. Claws struck at Rowan, who yelped dramatically and tried to dodge, tripping in the process.
"Step back, Rowan!" Selene shouted, swinging her blade. The strike intercepted the claw mid-air, sending the creature skidding backward.
Icarus extended a hand, releasing a controlled silver pulse of magic, striking the creature with precision. It staggered but remained agile. "Common attack: Disruptive Force. Observe pattern and exploit weakness."
Alaric stepped forward, muscles rippling subtly, releasing telekinetic pulses to manipulate the environment. Chunks of ice flew, forcing the creature to dodge. "Strong move: Telekinetic Barrage. Overwhelm it."
Seraphine, who had followed silently from the outskirts, entered with grace. Her eyes glimmered, hands raised. The ice around her shimmered violently. "Super Strong move: Absolute Zero Wall." Frost surged and encased the creature, immobilizing it completely.
Rowan whispered dramatically: "Did she just… freeze it mid-air again? Stylishly?"
Selene pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes, Rowan. Yes, she did."
Icarus crouched, observing residual energy in the trapped creature. "These are Ashura-controlled entities—pawns, not generals. But they're intelligent enough to probe defenses. Their presence here means the labyrinth isn't abandoned. Something waits deeper."
Alaric's eyes darkened. "Patience. Watch. The labyrinth teaches the unwary. It tests resolve, observation, and teamwork."
Rowan muttered: "Great… lessons with monsters. Perfect."
The group cautiously advanced, deeper into the labyrinth, aware that each corridor could contain traps, residual Ashura energy, or worse. Faint glimmers of red pulsed like a heartbeat, guiding—or warning—them.
Icarus' silver eyes reflected the labyrinth's glow. "This place is alive… almost sentient. Ashura influence lingers, subtle but deliberate. We must remain vigilant."
The whispers continued faintly, carrying ancient echoes of the first Moonborn war, hinting at powers beyond comprehension. The labyrinth was not just a test of skill—it was a lesson in history, power, and survival.
And in the shadows, unseen, stronger forces observed their every move, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The labyrinth's twisting corridors narrowed, frost clinging to every stone wall. Red glows pulsed faintly beneath cracks in the ice, like warning signals. The group pressed forward cautiously.
Rowan shuffled nervously behind, dramatically holding his cloak around his frozen legs. "I… I think my toes have gone rogue. They're no longer under my control… possibly sentient. Can we please not die in this creepy ice maze?"
Selene muttered under her breath, "Your melodrama is impressive but unnecessary."
Icarus' silver eyes scanned the walls, the floor, and the faint glimmers of residual magic. "They know we're here. The labyrinth is reacting to our presence. Ashura pawns are coordinating."
Alaric's stance stiffened. "The energy signatures indicate multiple pawns converging ahead. This is no mere scouting mission—they're testing us."
Suddenly, shadows twisted unnaturally around a corner. The first Ashura pawn darted forward, claws extended, with movement faster than any human eye could easily track. Its aura pulsed with residual power from ancient Ashura magic.
Rowan tripped over his own feet, landing on his rear. "I… I think I've died again! Definitely dead this time!"
Selene groaned, blocking a claw strike aimed at Rowan with her sword. "Stay still!"
Icarus stepped forward, eyes narrowed. Calm, collected, strategic. He analyzed the creature's attack patterns. "Common attack: Disruptive Force." A controlled wave of silver magic struck the pawn, staggering it but not incapacitating it.
The pawn recovered, claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Alaric intervened, muscles tensing, releasing a telekinetic barrage. Chunks of ice and debris hurled toward the pawn, forcing it to dodge frantically. "Strong move: Telekinetic Barrage," Alaric muttered.
Seraphine stepped forward, frost coiling around her hands. "Super Strong move: Absolute Zero Wall." The pawn was instantly encased in crystalline ice, frozen mid-attack, immobilized completely.
Rowan muttered, "She… she froze it stylishly again. I love her already."
Selene glared. "Focus, Rowan. Not romantic commentary right now."
Icarus crouched, examining residual energy from the frozen pawn. "They're not just pawns. These are probes—testing reactions, timing, and strategy. Whoever controls them is gauging our abilities. The Ashura influence here is subtle but deliberate."
The walls of the labyrinth shivered slightly. From the shadows, three more pawns darted toward the group, moving in coordinated patterns. Rowan squeaked, flailing dramatically. "I… I die now! I know it! My life insurance is void!"
Selene rolled her eyes. "We'll survive if you shut up."
Icarus stepped calmly to the forefront. His silver hair shimmered faintly in the dim red glow. "Observe patterns. Attack strategically. Control space. Protect Rowan."
Rowan froze. "Protect… me? Finally, someone acknowledges my usefulness!"
The pawns lunged in perfect synchronization. Selene intercepted one, swinging her blade with precise timing, parrying and striking in fluid motions. Rowan tripped, accidentally uncovering a faint rune beneath a broken beam, which caused one pawn to hesitate.
Icarus noticed immediately. "Good, Rowan. By accident or intent, you've disrupted their pattern. Exploit it."
He extended his hand, releasing a silver wave of Moonborn magic, striking two pawns simultaneously. One staggered, the other barely avoided collapse.
Alaric released a telekinetic push, sending the remaining pawns crashing into walls. "Strong move effective. Focus on containment next."
Seraphine approached, frost swirling in violent eddies. She released a final Absolute Zero Wall, encasing the three pawns in ice instantly. The labyrinth fell silent once again, save for the distant echoes of Icarus' analysis.
"These were probes," he said softly. "Ashura pawns, not generals. But their coordination indicates a commander with intelligence. Likely the first Ashura general is observing indirectly."
Rowan muttered dramatically: "Indirect observation? Oh good… more death coming later. Fantastic."
Selene sheathed her sword, breathing heavily. "We're lucky it was just pawns. Strong, intelligent pawns… but not the generals yet."
Alaric's expression darkened slightly. "The pawns' presence and coordination suggest the generals are near. We must remain alert. This labyrinth is a test—a precursor to the real conflict."
Icarus scanned the frozen walls, faint residual energy lingering in runes and cracks. "These runes… warnings. Testing patience, analysis, and teamwork. Whoever set this up intended for someone like us to pass, but not without notice. The Ashura hierarchy is calculating, deliberate, and patient."
Rowan whimpered softly. "I… I think I left my soul back in the snow outside. Can someone check?"
Selene smirked faintly. "Patience. You might survive yet. Perhaps."
Icarus' silver eyes reflected the faint red glow of the runes beneath the ice. "This is just the beginning. Pawns are probes. Generals will arrive soon. Hidden tiers exist, whispered in history… and we are only scratching the surface."
From the farthest corner of the labyrinth, a faint glow pulsed steadily. Its red hue deeper, more concentrated. A whisper drifted faintly through the frozen corridors:
"Moonborn… awaken…"
Rowan froze mid-step. "Did anyone else hear that?! I told you… I'm doomed!"
Selene exchanged a glance with Icarus. "This labyrinth has more secrets than we imagined. And the Ashura influence here is only the tip of the iceberg."
Alaric's voice was calm but firm. "Rest. Regain strength. Observe carefully. The northern arc has tested our skills, our teamwork, and our composure. Tomorrow, we delve deeper… and stronger challenges await."
The labyrinth had quieted after the confrontation with the Ashura pawns. Frost glistened along the walls, and red glows pulsed faintly from the cracks in the ice, like a heartbeat signaling life—or warning.
Icarus crouched beside a particularly intricate rune, tracing its pattern carefully with a gloved hand. "These symbols… not merely decoration. They carry information, energy signatures, even encoded warnings. Whoever left them was deliberate."
Rowan, dramatically leaning against the icy wall, muttered, "Information… encoded warnings… sure… can someone just tell me if I live through this or not?"
Selene scowled. "Patience. You'll survive… maybe."
Alaric stepped closer, arms folded. "These runes are more than protective measures. They're historical. Embedded with knowledge… perhaps even remnants from the first Moonborn era."
Icarus' silver eyes glimmered as he extended his senses further, decoding subtle energy flows within the runes. Each symbol radiated faint Ashura energy, intertwined with older, almost pure Moonborn traces.
"The first Moonborn… Ishgar," Icarus whispered, voice low. "He fought the Ashura nearly 90,000 years ago. These runes… they commemorate, perhaps even seal knowledge of that conflict. The Ashura hatred… it's ancient, intentional, and personal. This is why they despise any Moonborn—past and present."
Rowan's jaw dropped. "90,000 years?! That's… uh… wait, that's older than my sense of fashion! I mean… life? Life is younger than that. Definitely terrifying."
Selene rolled her eyes. "Focus, Rowan. The history here matters more than your commentary."
Icarus continued analyzing, revealing layers of encoded energy. Each rune was not just a message but also a test: strategic insight, magical comprehension, teamwork, and perception. He gestured toward one rune partially obscured beneath ice.
"Rowan, step carefully. That rune reacts to interference. Touch it wrong, and it will alert remaining pawns or activate latent traps."
Rowan nodded dramatically. "Careful… careful… oh, nope, I just touched it wrong anyway."
Selene lunged forward, blocking an inadvertent magical discharge that would have triggered a minor trap. "Step carefully next time!"
Alaric chuckled softly. "Chaos and comedy… somehow useful in dangerous situations. Rowan, accidental genius again."
Icarus crouched beside the rune, tracing its energy flow. "Encoded within is a message of the first Moonborn: the Ashura were sealed, not destroyed. Their hatred was personal. Pawns like those we fought today are remnants of that war. And beyond… generals. And perhaps hidden tiers… levels beyond comprehension, whispered in forgotten history. Scholars called them myths… but myths are often cautionary truths."
Rowan muttered softly: "Hidden tiers… just what I needed. My life is apparently a stepping stone for ancient myths."
Selene pinched the bridge of her nose. "You exaggerate. Slightly."
Icarus traced further, revealing faint symbols that suggested methods of neutralizing Ashura influence in small areas. "These runes were meant to guide the worthy. Test skill, analysis, and composure. The Ashura pawns we faced… probes. But they carry the signatures of someone far stronger observing, preparing for greater engagement."
Alaric's voice lowered. "Patience. The northern arc teaches lessons gradually. Observe carefully, decode, and learn. The next confrontation will be more dangerous. Possibly with one of the four Ashura generals."
Rowan whispered dramatically. "Generals? I thought we were done with minions… apparently not. Yay… death again."
Selene sighed, keeping her sword ready. "We survived today. We'll survive tomorrow. Hopefully."
Icarus' gaze swept the labyrinth, the red glow pulsing faintly beneath frozen debris. "This was a test, a warning, and a lesson. The Moonborn legacy… Ishgar's influence… the first war's echoes… all converge here. We must respect the history, understand the warning, and prepare for the next step. The Ashura are patient—but so are we."
Rowan shivered dramatically, muttering, "I'm learning patience… in small doses… mostly freezing doses."
Alaric smirked, stepping closer. "Tomorrow we move deeper. The labyrinth has more secrets, and the pawns we faced today were only probes. We are being observed, studied, and tested. The Ashura generals will be aware of our progress soon enough."
Selene glanced at Icarus. "Do you think the Moonborn legacy will guide us through this?"
Icarus nodded faintly, eyes reflecting the crimson glow of the runes. "The legacy is a map, a warning, and a challenge. We must pass it… together."
Rowan muttered, "Together… yes… I'm the comic relief, obviously. Not sure if that counts as strategic support."
Selene smirked. "It counts… barely."
Icarus straightened, surveying the frozen labyrinth. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, the northern arc continues. Ashura influence runs deep. Pawns will escalate. Generals may observe directly. And the whispers… the legends of hidden tiers… may not remain myths forever."
From the furthest corner of the labyrinth, the faint glow of residual energy pulsed rhythmically. A whisper carried through the frozen corridors:
"Moonborn… awaken… the war returns…"
Rowan froze mid-step. "Did anyone else hear that? My life is officially doomed!"
Selene exchanged a glance with Icarus. "This labyrinth is not just a physical challenge. It's a test of resolve, knowledge, and foresight. The Ashura are patient—and so must we be."
Alaric's voice was calm but firm. "The northern investigation concludes tonight. We rest, recover, and prepare. The next step awaits… and it will be far more dangerous."
Icarus' silver eyes reflected the crimson runes, the icy labyrinth, and the faint pulsing whispers. The Ashura threat had escalated. The Moonborn legacy was alive. And the northern arc was only beginning.