The chill of the Mistfallen Mountains bit into Val and his team as they stepped onto the rough, jagged terrain. Shadows stretched long across the rocky expanse, cast by towering cliffs that rose like silent guardians around them. The faint, distant sounds of wildlife blended with the low rustling of wind, a quiet reminder of the untouched isolation of this place. Yet there was something more here—a lingering presence that felt ancient and watchful.

Stay close, Val murmured via the Mind Link, scanning the area. His voice was low, a command softened by the tension in his tone. They all knew the stakes, and each step closer to the Primordial Vault tightened the air around them.

Bo, Riggs, and Fon moved in formation behind him, their expressions a blend of focus and anticipation. Each of them had their abilities on high alert, prepared for any attack. The knowledge of Black Lotus's presence here weighed heavily on all of them.

Can't say I'm loving the atmosphere, Riggs muttered, his gaze flicking over the steep incline and jagged rocks that littered their path. Feels like something's watching.

Fon gave a nervous laugh, his eyes darting around. Maybe it's just the mountains. Or maybe the legendary guardian's already keeping an eye on us.

Bo shot him a look, smirking despite the tension. Let's hope it's just the rocks, Fon. We've got enough to deal with.

They moved silently through the craggy landscape, staying low and moving in sync, their steps barely making a sound on the cold, unforgiving ground. As they approached the edge of the forest that bordered the fortress, Val held up his hand, signaling them to stop.

Hold position, he ordered via the link. He dropped to one knee, studying the fortress ahead.

It was an imposing structure, half-hidden by the dense trees and jagged cliffs. From a distance, the ancient stone walls appeared untouched by time, their surface dark and shadowed. Vines wove through cracks, crawling over the worn surfaces like veins, adding an eerie stillness to the structure.

Val's gaze hardened as he took in the sight.

Somewhere within those walls lay the fourth ruin stone—a fragment of power he knew all too well could alter the fate of Clareo. And with it, an ancient guardian awaited, a creature bound by centuries-old duty to defend the stone from all intruders.

Dr. Lewis's words from the briefing echoed in Val's mind, a reminder of the deadly potential of the ruin stone if it fell into the wrong hands. The power within it was no ordinary force, and the guardian was no mere obstacle.

He turned to his team, his expression grim. Bo, Riggs, Fon. This is the last chance to ensure our preparations are in place. Once we breach the vault, we'll be on the guardian's radar—and potentially Black Lotus's, if they're already inside.

Bo adjusted his gloves, flexing his hands as a faint layer of frost glinted off his knuckles. Ready when you are, Umbra.

Riggs nodded, his gaze sharp. Just point us where you need us.

Fon gave a determined nod, his usually carefree expression replaced by focus. Let's get in there and make sure Black Lotus doesn't get their hands on anything.

Val motioned them forward, his gaze focused on the fortress's looming shadow.

Frost, keep an eye on temperature shifts or sudden chills. Aura, I need you to monitor for any sudden gusts or unnatural air movement inside. Terra, feel for any changes in the ground's stability. Any irregularities could be signs that the guardian is nearby.

They nodded, their faces steeling with resolve. They knew what was at stake.

They moved carefully toward the fortress, their senses attuned to every shift in the air and every flicker of movement. The shadows seemed to close in around them, pressing closer as they crossed the threshold into the ancient structure.

The air inside was damp and thick, tinged with the scent of earth and age. The walls of the fortress rose high above them, their surfaces carved with ancient symbols that seemed to shift under the dim light.

Deleo's voice whispered into Val's mind, his tone low and solemn. "You're getting closer, Val. The guardian senses your presence."

Val's jaw tightened as he processed Deleo's words. "How close are we to the ruin stone?"

"Close enough," Deleo replied, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "But tread carefully. The guardian's power will intensify as you near its domain."

Val relayed the information through the Mind Link, alerting his team to the heightened risk.

They moved through the fortress in silence, each step measured and calculated, their senses on high alert.

As they reached the entrance of a long, narrow hallway, Val held up his hand, signaling them to stop. There was a faint vibration in the air, a subtle pulse that seemed to echo from the stone walls themselves.

Bo's expression darkened as he glanced around, the frost on his knuckles intensifying. Feels… wrong. Like the walls are alive.

Riggs nodded, his gaze darting across the hallway. I can feel the air pressing in, like it's being forced out. Whatever's at the end of this hallway… it's not going to be welcoming.

Val took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Deleo, is this the guardian's influence?"

"Yes," Deleo confirmed, his tone somber. "This is where it begins, Val. The closer you get, the more it will resist. The guardian's presence is woven into the very structure of the vault. You must be prepared to face it, body and mind."

Val nodded inwardly, his focus unwavering. "And my team? Can they withstand its influence?"

Deleo hesitated before responding, his voice laced with caution. "The guardian's energy will affect them, but as long as they stay within the outer chambers, they should be safe. Beyond this point, however… only you may pass without incurring its wrath."

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Val frowned, glancing back at his team. He knew they wouldn't want to be left behind, but he couldn't risk their safety. The closer they got to the ruin stone, the more dangerous it would become.

He turned to them, his expression firm. Listen up. Past this point, the guardian's influence is going to intensify. I need you three to hold position here. Monitor for any incoming threats, especially Black Lotus operatives. I'll handle what's ahead.

Fon immediately protested, his face set with determination. Val, we're a team. We're supposed to face this together.

Val shook his head, his voice unyielding. This isn't a matter of teamwork. The guardian's power will target anyone it considers an intruder. Deleo has warned me that going any further could endanger you. Trust me—this is something I have to face alone.

Bo placed a reassuring hand on Fon's shoulder, nodding to Val. We get it. Just… don't do anything reckless.

Riggs smirked, though his eyes held a hint of concern. Yeah, we'll keep the welcome party at bay. You just make sure you come back in one piece.

Val gave a short nod, appreciating their understanding.

As Val stepped forward alone into the hallway, an oppressive chill washed over him. The air was thick, dense enough that every breath felt like drawing cold water into his lungs. His skin prickled, goosebumps forming along his arms as the cold seeped through his clothes, clawing its way into his bones.

Each step echoed through the corridor, a dull, hollow thud that reverberated back, as if the fortress itself were aware of his presence.

The narrow hallway stretched out ahead, its walls rough and ancient, lined with carvings that seemed to shift and writhe as he passed. Val's pulse quickened, and he could feel a slow, anxious bead of sweat slide down his temple, though the air was cold enough to make him shiver.

"Steady yourself, Val," Deleo's voice echoed softly in his mind, calm yet edged with caution. "The closer you come, the stronger the guardian's presence will feel. Its power… it will test you."

Val clenched his fists, feeling his heart begin to pound harder, each beat resonating in his chest. The pressure around him increased, as if invisible hands were pressing on his shoulders, bearing down on him.

His breath came in shorter, shallower bursts, his chest tightening with every step.

The carvings on the walls pulsed faintly, casting an eerie glow that illuminated the hallway in flashes, shadows shifting and elongating with each step. He felt his focus waver, a slight dizziness tugging at his senses. The shadows seemed to move toward him, closing in, drawing nearer with every step he took.

"Deleo…" Val whispered, his voice barely a breath. "It's… heavier than I expected."

Deleo's tone darkened, a note of urgency woven into his words. "This is the guardian's influence, Val. It senses you, senses the Void within you. The closer you get, the more it will reach into your mind, testing your will. Hold steady, don't let it seep into your thoughts."

Val took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing his feet to keep moving. His pulse thundered in his ears, each heartbeat sending a wave of tension through his body. His vision wavered, dark spots appearing at the edges as the pressure around him increased, wrapping around him like a vice.

He closed his eyes for a moment, grounding himself, focusing on the feel of the cold stone beneath his fingertips as he trailed one hand along the wall for balance.

When he opened his eyes again, the shadows were closer, shifting in the dim light, reaching out like skeletal fingers trying to claw into his very core.

"Val," Deleo's voice was sharp, cutting through the fog gathering around his thoughts. "Stay focused. The guardian feeds on fear, doubt, weakness. Push back."

Val exhaled slowly, the warm breath fogging in the cold air.

"I'm trying," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

The hall seemed to stretch endlessly ahead of him, each step an exercise in sheer willpower as he fought against the crushing weight that threatened to drag him down.

His mind flickered with memories—times he'd faced death, that were not his, the pain he'd felt in battles before, but this… this was different. It was like the fortress was alive, aware, and it wanted him to suffer before he reached the end.

His muscles felt heavy, as though he were wading through thick, invisible currents. He could feel his focus slipping, memories from past battles flooding his mind—Ember, Exeo, every moment he'd brushed against the void.

An overwhelming urge to turn back whispered in the recesses of his mind, a quiet but insistent pull that urged him to retreat.

"Do not give in to that doubt, Val," Deleo's voice was firmer now, grounding him. "This is the guardian's essence seeping into you. Its strength lies in testing your resolve before you even reach it. It will probe your thoughts, seek your fears. You must push forward."

Val clenched his jaw, gritting his teeth as he forced himself forward, his feet dragging, but determined. His heart pounded harder, his chest tightening until he felt like he could barely breathe. Another cold sweat broke out along his brow, and his hand trembled as he pressed it against the wall to steady himself.

The walls seemed to close in around him, narrowing with each step. The ancient carvings glowed brighter, and the shadows grew deeper, as though they were drawing the very light from the air around him. Val's skin tingled, a cold, prickling sensation that ran down his spine, making his every instinct scream to turn back.

"Deleo…," he breathed, his voice barely a whisper. "How much longer until I reach it?"

Deleo's voice softened, a touch of sympathy woven into his tone. "You're close, Val. The guardian is waiting, just beyond this final passage."

His voice dropped lower, filled with warning. "But remember, its purpose is bound to the ruin stone. The closer you get, the more it will sense the Void within you. Be prepared, for it will stop at nothing to protect the stone."

Val swallowed, the weight of Deleo's words sinking in. He could feel the raw power of the ruin stone pulsing in the distance, a dark, magnetic pull that resonated within him, calling to him. He forced his feet to keep moving, even as the pressure in his chest grew unbearable, each step a struggle against the overwhelming force pressing down on him.

At last, the hallway opened up, revealing the massive, shadowed chamber beyond. The air was colder here, biting into his skin, and the shadows hung thick like a veil, shifting and swirling as if alive. In the center of the room, towering and silent, was the guardian.

It was a colossal figure, its form flickering between solid stone and ethereal shadow, eyes glowing with an ancient light that seemed to pierce into Val's soul. The aura it emitted was suffocating, a raw, unfiltered power that pressed down on him, clawing at the edges of his mind.

Deleo's voice was barely a whisper now, his tone laced with urgency. "This is it, Val. The guardian knows you've come. Remember, this creature exists for one purpose—to protect the ruin stone. It will not show mercy. You must stand firm."

Val felt his heart hammering in his chest, his body taut with anticipation. He took a step forward, his gaze locked onto the guardian's glowing eyes. His muscles trembled, the cold sweat trickling down his neck as he prepared himself for the challenge that lay ahead.

The guardian's voice filled the chamber, deep and resonant, its tone carrying the weight of centuries. "You have come for the ruin stone, bearer of the Void."

Val straightened, meeting the creature's gaze with a fierce determination. "Yes. I come to claim it and to protect it from those who would use it for destruction."

The guardian's eyes narrowed, its ancient gaze unyielding. "Many have come before you, seeking power, claiming purpose. All have fallen."

Val's fingers tightened on his weapon, his breath steady but his pulse racing. "I am not like the others."

The guardian's aura intensified, a suffocating weight that seemed to press into his very soul, testing his resolve. "Prove it, then. Show me your resolve, your purpose. Only those willing to sacrifice everything may pass."

Val felt a final warning from Deleo, a whisper that seemed to echo from the depths of his mind.

"This is where the trial begins, Val. This guardian will not yield easily. Remember your purpose. Do not let it see your fear."

With a steadying breath, Val took a step forward, preparing himself to face the ancient, unrelenting force before him. The air crackled with tension, and the shadows around him seemed to close in as the guardian raised its arm, its form shifting between stone and shadow, poised to strike.

Val's heart thundered, his resolve hardening as he steeled himself. Whatever this guardian threw at him, he would face it. He had come too far, risked too much, to turn back now.