It was a cold winter night and the moon was so bright, it was almost so silent that the wind could barely be heard. At the center of a very large forest with big black trees swaying as if it were alive, a cave could be seen. The cave was not so big, it’s almost unnoticeable, but what makes it peculiar is that there seems to be strange runes on the walls at the mouth of the cave illuminated by the bright moonlight.

There stood five people having a discussion.

All five of these people have armors and garments that looked so dazzling as if it weren’t used for battle rather it was for looks. One man spoke at the other man wearing a full plate armor with a red cape holding a spear.

“Eckland is this the right place?, it seems like the only thing special about this place is these runes!?”

“Yes, prince Adnar, this is exactly what that prisoners map showed me. I’d studied the map carefully and there seems to be nothing wrong or altered with the map”

“If this is really the place, we should be able to find an entrance of some sort. If that ancient book is accurate, this cave should be the entrance to the Vanishing tomb. I’ve spent 10 years studying and finding this tomb. It's time to see what my hard work gives me”. A grin is evidently displayed upon the princes face.

“Tomb Master Pepo, I think it's time to test your expertise here, don’t you think?”

The prince addressed another man wearing a thick leather coat with a fur wrap around his neck while holding an odd device that gives light and said.

“Eehm, your highness?, truth be told, this tomb really feels like a very mysterious and dangerous tomb. Of all the tombs I’ve been in, this is the first time I’ve felt a very ominous feeling. Well eehm… its not that tombs are not ominous to begin with but you know, this seems rather exceptional.”

“Of course, this tomb is exceptional. If it wasn’t, why would I waste my time searching for this tomb in this godforsaken land. And besides, if these tombs is what it actually is as written on that ancient text I’ve uncovered. We could have a weapon that no other kingdoms could contend with. After I secure the throne of my father, no aristocrats or rebels would be able to question my power anymore, hahaha. ”

A glint of viciousness and malice is shown from the prince’s eyes. As to what extent he’s willing to take just to realize his dreams, no one really knows.

“We've got a long way to go, let's not tarry anymore and move forward. Since Master Pepo is an expert on this type of thing I think it would be better for him to lead the way”

The prince addressed all four of his companions with a firm voice.

“Master Pepo, I will let this two guards accompany you at the front in search for the passageway to the tomb, while I’ll be at the back with Eckland. With a High Master Soul Assimilator by my side, there would be no problem.”

“Cairne and Mairne, pay attention to the surroundings and don’t let anything disturb Master Pepo as he do his job. If this journey is not truly delicate I would’ve brought all my royal guards here, but I guess, we can’t help it.”

“Yes, your highness!”

Said Cairne and Mairne with a firm resolve.

The three at the front moved forward towards the center of the cave looking for clues. With torches and a light device in hand, they carefully inspected every inch of the cave as they move forward as to not miss any detail to find the entrance to the tomb. Following at the back, the prince and his guard were very cautious and on high alert. Since the place was very mysterious, they could not relax their guard because they have no idea what dangers lurks inside. It was a decision the prince made to make the three stay at the front not only because they have to investigate the cave first but also to alert the prince of any unforeseen events. This way the prince can react and plan on time, whether to bail out the mission or to proceed. Of course the three would serve as bait if the danger level can’t be handled anymore.

As the group got deeper and deeper inside the cave, they arrived at a very spacious place filled with broken stone slabs and broken stone foundation. It looked like it was a very large city under a cave but there was no sign of someone living here even a long time ago. At the center, Tomb Master Pepo stopped and looked at a very tall statue. It wasn’t made from stone, but of metal. It was black and seems to be untainted with any scratch and seems like it was put there the moment their eyes laid upon it. They could tell that it was in this place for a very long time only because it was covered with dust. The surrounding stones and broken slabs indicate that there must’ve been something big that trashed the surrounding place, but amazingly, the statue was intact and without any sign of being moved.

At the foot of the statue there was a strange writing written like what is commonly seen on monuments. But unfortunately the words were not written with the local letters, but seems to have originated from the ancient times.

The two guards who were with the Tomb Master had a blank look on their faces while looking at the writings. They didn’t  have any clue as to what it says simply because it wasn’t taught at the kingdom's schools or any history books they have read so far. Sure enough, it was an ancient language which was lost in time.

“Eeeehm, your highness!?, I think I may have found something in here!”. The tomb master called out to the prince at the back, surveying the mysterious place filled with rubble. Soon the prince arrived at the same place the three stood at the foot of a black statue.

“It seems this is the right place. According to the information I gathered this should be the ravaged city of Eloria, the city of elves.”

The other people had a very surprised expression on their faces. They had a very difficult time processing the information because as far as they know, this place was only heard in children’s stories. The way the prince said it and what they’ve seen so far, it probably might be true.

“I didn’t think such a place could really exist, I thought it was only a myth. To think that a city is built around a tomb or is it really a tomb!??.”

 “Hmm… Well your highness about that, I think based on what I know about tombs, there is a high probability that the entrance to the tomb should be related to this statue. Not only is this statue too conspicuous because of its look, I feel that there is a secret behind this one.”

“Well, Master Pepo, I didn’t let you come just because your intuition says something. I need a more concrete explanation of where actually is this entrance. You know I hate to waste time, don’t you!?”

“Eeeehm, your highness please forgive me about that, I actually noticed some strange cracks around this statue and when I Inspected it, I’m pretty certain there is something beneath it. Honestly speaking, this thing is really incredible, if not after all the things I’ve seen from my previous adventures I would’ve really missed this one. If my guess is correct, there should be an apparatus or a certain incantation here for us to get inside.”

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The prince thought for a while and said. “ I think I know what to do,…”

Then the prince took a strange looking object that looked like a giant plate with strange symbols written on its side which glowed brightly and illuminated the place. If someone inspected it, it seems to glow even brighter if it is near the statue.

“As I expected, this might be the key to the entrance. It reacted this way when I got near the statue. Then, let's see if this really is the key.”

After taking the key, the prince then look for a section of the statue which resembles the plate where it fitted. And surely after a while they found it and put it in place and it fit accordingly.

Soon after, there was a strange vibration from the statue and the whole place followed quaking as well. After a moment the statue moved backwards and revealed a staircase downward. They checked how long the staircase was and it seems to be so far down because the light from their torches couldn’t reach the bottom. The group then decided to move downwards cautiously and slowly as to avoid any traps that might spring from the place.

After walking for about an hour they reached a room which has an altar at the center. It didn’t resemble a tomb, not even a single bit of the place ever look like someone was buried with treasures or any signs that someone was buried. It was more like a place used for sacrificing something to someone. There were strange depictions of 6 legged beings fighting human like people If not for their long pointy ears, one could easily be mistaken.

Along with the battle depicted, there were also strange spear looking weapons that seems to shoot fire from its tip carved and drawn in the walls. This seems to be a war of sworn enemies because the faces of the people carved and drawn were so vicious that it feels like if their weapons fail, they would use their teeth and bite the enemy’s head off.

The prince moved towards the altar at the center and observed the surroundings for a while. After that, he took a piece of leather parchment roll and unfolded it.

“This is it!!... As long as I recite this verses, a path should show itself leading to the weapon we have been seeking all this time!.”

“Your highness??... Eeehm, do we need to sacrifice something to open the path?, I think this place looks like it was used for sacrifices.. Maybe??”. The tomb master asked the prince who was so serious and excited at the same time.

“Speaking of sacrifices… Eckland!, you already know what to do!.”

As soon as the prince called the High Master Soul Assimilator, a vicious looking black gas was forming above getting bigger and bigger. After just a moment, a big black hand with sharp claws materialized from the gas and grabbed the tomb master like he was a stick so powerless. The tomb master couldn’t even scream because he was gripped so hard by the black hand it seemed like his lungs was crushed from the pressure.

 The two guards assigned for the tomb master did not even flinch or showed signs of shock from what happened. It was most likely planned way before the journey to the tomb even started.

Not too long after, the tomb master’s eyes showed no life and was utterly dead.

“Eckland!... Just put his body on the altar.”

“After I recite this verses and with the sacrifice, the path should show itself after. There’s no mistaking it!”

The prince recited the verses and suddenly a loud noise was heard. 

-Boom-

-Boom-

-Boom-

It was the sound of two heavy stone walls splitting apart and dust floated everywhere.

After the front wall ahead of the altar opened, they saw another room filled with strange devices arranged in long racks at the side. The strange devices look the same as what was depicted in the drawings and carvings around the walls of the room. But what made them look stunned and astonished was not those things but what was floating at the center of the room.

It was a giant pitch black hole floating without any support from any stones or any devices. It’s as if the space was stabbed by a giant spear and that it won’t close for all eternity.

“Your highness, please be careful!... I have a bad feeling about this!” Eckland was so nervous that sweat started pouring from his forhead and a slight trembling from his hands could be seen. It was more like his intuition is telling him that something really bad is going to happen. Maybe it was because of his abilities as a High Master Soul Assimilator that he discerns something before it actually happens.

Not too long after, a cold wind blew from inside the pitch black hole. It was rather odd since they were inside a room underground and there shouldn’t be a wind blowing from anywhere.

They became more terrified after what happened next. What they saw was so horrifying that the prince fell on his butt due to the shock.

~Thud~

“Wha.. what is that!??”

Something was coming out of the pitch black hole. A large head with 3 huge horns was slowly emerging with no eyes. It has a large crooked mouth with very sharp long incisors and 2 white stripes running down from its forehead up to its chin.

Only one thing is for certain, the thing that was floating in front of them was not a weapon but rather a gateway from another world.

“My prince, I think its time to bail out on this mission!... I feel a very powerful aura from this thing!... Even I don’t know if I could last a minute fighting it” Sure enough after half of the things body was emerging, the High Master Soul Assimilator readied into a fighting stance as he shoved the prince to the back.

“Both of you! protect the prince at all cost!... I’ll buy us some time… you better start moving now or it might be too late!”

The prince was so overwhelmed with fear not just because of how terrifying that thing looked but he could also feel it’s menacing aura.

One of the 2 guards carried the prince who was frozen in place in order to escape. They could not wait any longer and needed to get out of the place as fast as they can. While they were running, Eckland was left in the room readying to battle the thing that emerged from the pitch black hole to buy them time to escape. Unfortunately for them, in order for them to escape they needed to scale up the very long stairs they came, so it will probably take a lot more time escaping than going down to the room they were in.

The 3 of them ran as fast as they could to escape.

But before they could feel safe from running away, a loud roar was heard from the room they came in. Then there were 2 roars, 3 roars, until the sound drowned their ears. The 3 of them really felt terrified this time. The prince who was frozen in place frantically tried to outrun the 2 guards he was with to escape the place.

He couldn’t believe what was happening. What he thought to be a treasure trove turned out to be a disaster. This could even spell the disaster to the world if those things get out of the cave.

~Boom~

~Rooaaaar~

~Boom~

~Boooom~

Even if they have gone far enough that they were almost at the entrance of the tomb, they could hear loud sounds of fighting. For a moment it was so chaotic, and then silence crept in the place.

“Is it over!?” Said the prince who was out of his wits and breathing heavily.

~Kada-kada~

~kada~kada~

Something was heard running towards them from below. It shouldn’t be the High Master since the sound seemed very big. Then it started to speed up drawing closer and closer.

Panic struck the prince and started running again towards the entrance of the tomb. And then eventually they reached the top. As they heard that the thing that was chasing them was getting closer and closer, the prince decided to take out the key which he placed in the statue at the entrance hoping that it would close it. And yes it did close, but unfortunately it was too slow. The prince thought that it may not close in time so they ran towards the mouth of the cave of which they came in.

~Baaaang~

After a while they heard something hit the statue. It rocked the cave and made a small quake of the place. Sure enough, the thing that was chasing them was too big that it couldn’t get out of the half closed entrance. Only its hand was sticking out trying to grab something. It was a very scary sight.

The prince look back and saw what happened. He felt relieved for a moment and started running towards the mouth of the cave again. “I don’t think that statue will hold for a long time!!…. but just in case, you 2 stay behind and look if it gets out!!... I’ll send a signal outside to ask for reinforcements. Those things should never get out of this place!”

The two guards look at each other and with no other choice they followed what the prince ordered them to do.

As soon as the prince was outside of the cave, he pulled out something from his waist. It was a sword and it was glowing. It was a special kind of sword which was enchanted with power.

The prince then struck the sword at the mouth of the cave. After a while, large boulders fell from the mouth of the cave and started piling up covering it completely.

“Damn it!... How did this happen!?... to hell with this, no one should know about this... maybe I’ll start cleaning up any traces of what happened here today… if word got out and if those monsters ever escape this place… that would surely be the end of me”

 The moon hung up at the sky and the cold winter night was the same as it was.