The convoy of carriages came to a slow halt as the squad and researchers arrived at the excavation site. The ancient ruins loomed in the distance, jagged stones jutting from the earth like forgotten teeth, partially reclaimed by nature. A cold wind swept through the area, carrying with it the faint scent of moss and old magic—something long buried and now disturbed by human hands.

"Alright, cadets," Sergeant Quinn barked, his voice cutting through the idle chatter of the group. "We're here to do a job. Set up the camp, secure the perimeter, and assist the researchers however they need. Don't wander off, and don't get distracted."

Lorian's squad immediately began unloading supplies from the carriages, working in practiced efficiency. Lorian himself grabbed a few crates of rations and carried them toward the makeshift camp that was slowly coming together on the outskirts of the ruins. His muscles still ached from the morning's early march, but the excitement bubbling beneath the surface dulled the fatigue. He wasn't here just to carry supplies—there was something much larger at play, and the chance to prove himself, to be useful, lit a fire inside him.

Ren jogged up beside him, a grin on his face despite the heavy pack slung over his shoulder. "Ah, nothing like manual labor in the middle of nowhere to get the blood flowing, huh?"

Lorian smirked. "Beats sitting in the classroom, that's for sure."

"True, but I wouldn't mind sitting in the mess hall right about now," Ren replied, shifting his weight as he tossed his pack down near the supply tent.

Sera was already there, methodically organizing the supplies. Her sharp eyes barely glanced up as Ren dropped his pack a little too close to her carefully stacked pile of gear. "If you keep throwing things around, we're going to spend the whole night reorganizing, Ren," she said, her voice calm but firm.

"Yeah, yeah," Ren muttered, but he smiled good-naturedly as he picked up the bag and set it down more carefully.

Cecil, the squad's stealth expert, stood a little way off, his keen eyes constantly scanning the area. Even though the site had been cleared, Lorian could tell Cecil was already falling into his recon habits, keeping track of every movement around the camp. His quiet demeanor made him seem distant at times, but Lorian appreciated the sense of security Cecil brought with him.

Nia was bustling between the tents, her focus split between checking the supplies and making sure the squad's first aid gear was ready. Her fiery red hair was pulled back in a neat braid, and there was a determined glint in her eye as she prepped the healing potions and bandages. "We're not expecting injuries, but better safe than sorry," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

As Lorian helped secure the final crates, Sergeant Quinn made his rounds, checking on the squad's progress. "Once you're done here, set up the watch rotation," Quinn ordered, his tone as sharp as ever. "We may be out here to support the researchers, but I don't want anyone letting their guard down."

"Yes, Sergeant," Lorian and the others replied in unison.

With the camp now mostly set up, Lorian took a moment to survey the area. The ruins were larger than he had expected—massive stone structures, half-collapsed but still standing tall against the backdrop of the night. Dark, weathered symbols were etched into the stone, their meanings long lost to time, and the air around the ruins seemed to hum with a faint, residual energy. Whatever had been here, it was ancient, powerful, and perhaps still dangerous.

Lorian felt a shiver run down his spine, though he wasn't sure if it was from the cold or the sight of the ruins themselves. His thoughts drifted to the Wendigos that had once guarded this place, and the stories of the battle that had taken place here just days before. He hadn't seen Wendigos in person since that fateful encounter on the road to the capital, but the memory of their twisted, monstrous forms was burned into his mind. They were relentless, horrifying creatures—far more dangerous than the usual threats a cadet might face.

"Pretty eerie, huh?" Ren said, coming to stand beside him. "This place gives me the creeps."

Lorian nodded, his eyes fixed on the ruins. "Yeah. There's something about it... like we're standing on something ancient. And not in a good way."

Ren shivered dramatically. "Let's hope whatever's down there stays buried. We're just here to move stuff and keep watch, right?"

Lorian smirked. "Exactly."

Despite his words, Lorian couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was far from routine. His thoughts kept drifting back to Captain Aric—his mentor, who had led the first squad to clear this site. The fact that Aric had been here, battling Wendigos and uncovering whatever was hidden in these ruins, made this more than just another assignment. And now that Lorian was here, even as support, he felt a deep connection to the mission.

After a few more minutes of helping with final camp preparations, Lorian was assigned to the first watch. The camp had settled into a steady rhythm—soldiers and researchers going about their tasks, the steady crackle of the fires, and the low hum of magical wards being set up around the perimeter.

Lorian took his position on the outskirts of the camp, scanning the darkening horizon as the sun began to sink behind the ruins. His breath came in slow, measured puffs as he kept a watchful eye on the surrounding area. The ruins themselves seemed to grow taller in the dim light, casting long, jagged shadows over the camp. But there was no sign of danger—just the quiet of the wilderness and the faint murmurs of conversation drifting from the researchers' tents.

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His mind wandered as he stood guard, thoughts drifting between his duties and the mysteries that the ruins held. He wanted to know more—wanted to understand what had drawn the Wendigos here, what they had been guarding, and why the kingdom's military research division had taken such a keen interest in this place.

After what felt like an eternity, Lorian's shift finally ended, and another cadet took his place on watch. He stretched his tired limbs and made his way back toward the center of the camp, eager to grab a quick meal before heading to his tent. But as he neared the supply tent, a pair of familiar figures caught his eye.

Standing near one of the larger stone structures were two men—one tall and broad, with a soldier's rigid stance, and the other with a lean, confident posture. Lorian's breath caught in his throat as recognition dawned on him.

Aric.

His mentor stood with a man he didn't recognize—a broad-shouldered soldier with a commanding presence. They were deep in conversation. Aric's dark hair, streaked with silver, was tied back, and his sharp eyes scanned the site with the same keen awareness Lorian had always admired. The other soldier spoke in low tones, his voice too quiet to make out from this distance.

Lorian's pulse quickened, excitement bubbling up as he realized he was close to Aric again, but just as he stepped forward to approach them, a shadow shifted in his path. Before Lorian could react, a broad figure stepped out from the darkness, blocking his way.

"Stop right there, cadet," the man said, his voice a low growl. His piercing eyes locked onto Lorian, assessing him with cold precision. "This is a restricted area."

Lorian blinked, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the soldier. "I… I was just—"

"State your name," the man interrupted, his tone commanding and unwavering.

"Lorian Aeloria," Lorian answered, his heart pounding. "I was just finishing my watch. I know Captain Aric, and I thought—"

"Doesn't matter who you know," the soldier cut him off, stepping closer. "You're a cadet, and cadets don't wander into restricted areas. Now turn around and return to your squad. That's an order."

Lorian's mouth opened to protest, but before he could speak, another voice called out from the shadows behind the soldier.

"I thought I heard your name, Lorian."

Aric emerged from the dim light, his familiar presence immediately easing the tension. The broad-shouldered soldier shot Aric a glance, but Aric only smiled and waved a hand dismissively.

"He's fine, Darius. Let him be."

Darius grunted but stepped back, his cold eyes still fixed on Lorian. "Just make sure he stays out of trouble, Thorne."

With that, Darius turned and disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Lorian alone with Aric.

Aric chuckled softly, clapping Lorian on the shoulder. "He's a tough one to deal with, huh? Don't worry, Darius is like that with everyone. It's not personal."

Lorian managed a small smile. "I didn't mean to get in the way. I just—"

"You're not in the way," Aric said, his tone warm and reassuring. "I'm glad you're here, Lorian. I heard you were out with the cadets. Didn't expect us to cross paths this soon, though."

Lorian's heart swelled with pride at his mentor's words. "I heard about the mission. Wendigos guarding something in the ruins?"

Aric's expression grew more serious, his eyes flicking toward the dark silhouette of the ruins. "Yes, Wendigos. Nasty creatures. But they weren't just roaming aimlessly. They were guarding something deep inside."

"Something?" Lorian echoed, feeling his curiosity grow.

"We believe the Wendigo King was controlling them," Aric said, lowering his voice slightly. "But there's more to it than that—there's an artifact, some kind of orb, that might have been the true reason the Wendigos were stationed here."

"An orb?" Lorian repeated, his mind spinning with possibilities.

Aric nodded but kept his tone cautious. "That's all I can say for now. We're still piecing it together. But trust me, it's something big. The ruins, the Wendigos, the orb—it's all connected."

Before Lorian could ask more, Darius reappeared from the shadows, his frown deeper than before.

"Enough chit-chat," Darius said, his voice curt. "We've got work to do."

Aric gave Lorian a final, reassuring look. "We'll talk more later. For now, focus on your duties."

With that, Aric and Darius turned and headed deeper into the camp, their figures disappearing into the shadows of the ruins. Lorian watched them go, his heart still pounding from the exchange. Wendigos, the Wendigo King, and an ancient orb—whatever was going on here, it was far more than he’d expected.

Shaking his head, Lorian forced his thoughts away from the mysteries swirling around the ruins and made his way back toward his squad. The camp was quieting down for the night, with a few of the researchers still huddled around their lamps, making last-minute notes before turning in. The chill in the air was settling in more firmly now, and he pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders.

As Lorian approached the center of the camp, he spotted Ren and Sera huddled by the fire, Nia not far off, already preparing her bedroll. Ren gave Lorian a wave as he approached.

"Run into anyone interesting?" Ren asked with a grin, clearly noticing the look on Lorian’s face.

Lorian gave a small nod, though he kept his voice low. "Saw Aric. He’s still out here, overseeing the operation. It’s more complicated than we thought."

Ren raised an eyebrow, but before he could pry for more details, Sergeant Quinn stepped into the circle of firelight.

"Get some rest," Quinn ordered, his tone brisk. "You’ve got second watch tonight, Lorian. I don’t want anyone slacking."

Lorian gave a sharp nod. "Understood, Sergeant."

Satisfied, Quinn moved on, leaving the group to settle down for the night. Sera remained quiet, her eyes flickering toward the ruins, while Nia let out a tired sigh and curled up in her bedroll, already half asleep.

Lorian rolled out his bedroll near the fire, the warmth from the flames providing a welcome comfort against the growing chill. His mind still buzzed with the events of the day—the ruins, the Wendigos, the mysterious orb. But as he lay down, exhaustion began to creep in, the weight of the day’s labor finally catching up to him.

He glanced over at Ren and muttered, "I really miss my bed."

Ren chuckled. "Welcome to life in the field, Aeloria."

The camp was quiet now, save for the crackle of the fire and the occasional murmur from the researchers. Ren and Sera were still talking softly nearby, though their voices soon faded as Lorian’s eyes grew heavy. Sleep was pulling him under, and before long, he drifted off into a deep slumber.

It didn’t take long before the dream began.