For Jud, this was more than just another adventure. With his newly forged armor, his steadfast companions, and the memory of his town behind him, he stepped into the unknown, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead. However, as he soon discovered, the journey to the ruins was far from the exciting adventure he had anticipated. The monotony was so stifling that even his attempts, along with those of his companions, to kill time fell flat. Boredom hung heavy in the air, stifling any attempts to make the time pass more quickly.
Thankfully, the tedium was broken when the group entered the Verin Jungle, a place known for its dangers. The members of the expedition formed a protective circle around their supplies and those who were less skilled in combat. As they stepped into the heart of what many called the Green Hell, a renewed sense of purpose filled the air.
Jud, feeling nervous as he experienced the jungle for the first time, tried to strike up a conversation with the female member standing to his left. Halor was occupied with scouting on the other side. This woman, as it turned out, was a wood golem in human guise. Memories of a wooden woman named Poplar who had cared for him during his early years flooded Jud's mind. He hesitated for a moment before finally asking the golem with a glimmer of hope, "Do you, by any chance, know Poplar? Could you tell me where to find her?"
The golem turned to the Shield Guardian that was always at her side. A nod from the guardian confirmed that they were familiar with Poplar. Then, the golem directed her attention back to Jud, her laughter ringing through the tense atmosphere. In his surprise, Jud stumbled backward, bumping into Halor and causing the leader to jest, "Already, eh Jud? I was beginning to think we were overdue for one of your trademark clumsy moments." There was a playful hint in Halor's words, and the whole group paused, shared smiles spreading as they embraced the camaraderie of their shared journey.
Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, the jungle suddenly came alive with sound. A series of cracks and booms resonated through the air, accompanied by a rumble that seemed to shake the very ground beneath them. The terrain ahead underwent a sudden transformation. What had appeared to be a hill just moments before now lay flat, revealing a hidden structure in its place. Dirt, trees, and flora seemed to melt away, replaced by a long-lost ruin. The expedition members exchanged surprised glances, realizing that the Shield Guardian had triggered a concealed mechanism—disguised as a mere rock—which had brought this hidden structure to light.
With a mixture of awe and excitement, the group approached the newly revealed ruin. The unexpected turn of events had injected new energy into their journey. Jud's heart raced as he took in the sight before him, his curiosity reignited and his determination stronger than ever.
As the group approached the newly opened expanse of land, the ground beneath them transitioned into a smoother, rock-like material. In this newfound clearing between the ruins and the jungle, the expedition members began to establish their camp. Amidst this setup, the Shield Guardian, named Carbon, engaged in discussions with Kin about organizing watch schedules for the night.
Abruptly, a grinding noise pierced the air, causing the group to snap into a defensive half-circle formation around the mages and researchers. Alert and ready, they fixed their gaze on a pair of doors that had begun to creak open. Halor's voice rang out, directing Carbon to take a defensive position at the forefront. Tensions ran high as everyone braced themselves.
From within the newly revealed entrance emerged a small, metal creature. Its appearance was unlike anything they had encountered before, with four legs, multiple metal arms ending in sharp claws, and glass-like eyes that emitted a peculiar glow. Jud found it difficult to believe what he was seeing, as golems were generally limited in size due to the complexity of the runes required for their construction. This new creature stood at a mere 3 feet, defying conventional golem-making knowledge.
The small metal entity pointed a clawed appendage at itself and spoke words that were unintelligible to the group. At that moment, Jud thought he saw a nod from Poplar, adding to his disbelief. The Shield Guardian, Carbon, responded with a series of droning sounds that remarkably resembled the creature's noises. The small being seemed to ponder Carbon's response, its metallic shoulders lifting and falling in what appeared to be a shrug. Then, in a surprisingly high-pitched metallic voice, it introduced itself: "Greetings, I am Mango. This is the Olympian Tekma Foundry and Fables Defense Base. I have been assigned as your guide to assist you in exploring this site. I do not harbor any hostility toward your group. If you would follow me, I will lead you to the sleeping quarters and café for your settlement. Afterward, I will acquaint you with the facility."
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Cautiously, the group followed Mango, their curiosity outweighing their reservations. They learned that Mango's intentions were indeed genuine, but they maintained a distance, still unsure about the interactions between Carbon and this enigmatic creature. As they navigated through various rooms and corridors, they encountered a myriad of strange devices: self-illuminating metal objects, beeping contraptions, and glowing displays with inscriptions in an unfamiliar language. Mango and Halor conversed, joined by members of the group, yet Jud's focus was absorbed by his surroundings.
Walking on a circular platform situated above a drop, the explorers experienced a mixture of apprehension and awe. Mango activated a button on a nearby podium, causing the platform to descend slowly, taking them further down. Amazement swept through the group as they surveyed their surroundings—the platform's movement was unlike anything achievable through magic. It was evident that they had stumbled upon something extraordinary.
As the platform reached its destination, they found themselves in a grand hall. Rows of unfamiliar metal creatures lined platforms attached to the walls, commanding a sense of both wonder and trepidation. A figure seated on a throne at the far end of the hall added an air of authority. Kin approached one of the creatures, tapping its head with no response. Towering over them—some even surpassing Kin's height of 8 feet—these creatures appeared different from Mango, hinting at potential conflict roles. The researchers and mages puzzled over their purpose, uncovering more questions than answers in the process.
With time hanging heavy on his hands, Jud decided to approach Poplar. The two of them settled at the foot of the steps leading to the throne, each step just slightly too tall for anyone in their party to easily climb. They hesitated, not daring to ascend the steps in case the figure on the throne showed any signs of movement. Engaging in an intense conversation, they caught up on lost time. Poplar began to unveil a history that left Jud both intrigued and astonished.
Poplar unveiled the origins of both herself and Carbon—a creation birthed by the Olympians, a civilization that thrived around 17,040 years ago. This civilization's tragic downfall was orchestrated by Balor, a malevolent entity driven by the goal of replacing organic life with mechanical counterparts, driven by a disdain for what it considered "flea-based" life forms. The figure seated on the throne, referred to as "the one," had valiantly stood against Balor in defense of all living beings. The weight of history painted a mixture of emotions on Poplar's face as she concluded her account, a poignant expression revealing the depth of her memories.
Sensing that the narrative had reached its conclusion, Jud seized the chance to pose a question that had lingered since their initial meeting in the jungle. With a cautious tone, he inquired, "Poplar, could you teach me magic?" The question caught Poplar off guard, eliciting a hesitant response. She asked, "Jud, you mean you haven't learned any already? All kobolds are supposed to have learned it from..." Her voice faltered, a grimace crossing her face as she navigated the sensitivity of the topic. She continued, "Are you sure? I only know a small bit."
Jud's excitement was palpable, and he beamed as he exclaimed, "Yes!" Poplar signaled for Carbon to join them. Carbon, who had been engrossed in conversation nearby, walked over, drawing curious glances from researchers puzzled by his interaction with the ancient technology called Mango. Carbon's deep voice resonated as he addressed Jud, "So the kid's finally decided to learn, huh? Well, he should already have some understanding since he soaked in some knowledge during his time as a babe at the Axis Mundi."
Carbon's intriguing words prompted Jud to attempt showcasing his latent magical knowledge. He conjured an energy blast, aiming to hit the wall. However, his aim went awry, and the blast instead struck the machine on the throne. Mango abruptly folded up, sparking unease among the mages who sensed an impending issue. Panic surged as the group realized the machine was slowly rising from the throne's seat.
Amidst the chaos, the group scrambled to reach the circular platform referred to as the elevator. Some rushed toward it, while those already onboard activated it. Kin wielded magic to pull anyone not yet on the platform to safety as it ascended. The group watched as the bots on the walls came to life. Amidst the frenzy, a young elven mage named Pot cast an explosion spell below, causing a pillar to crumble. This revealed open boxes containing flying robots that emerged in a flurry.
Within the tumult, Halor's voice pierced the frantic air, guiding the group with urgency. The directive was clear—they needed to evacuate the ruins immediately to report their discoveries. As the group hurried out, a robot surged from the ground, sending debris flying. Jud, the last to exit, was struck in the back by a metal pole. The machine's destruction had reduced a pillar beside him to rubble and bent metal. As the impact registered and he began to fall, a yelp escaped his lips, hoping a fellow party member would rush to his aid. However, as the group distanced itself from him, his vision dimmed and gave way to blackness.