The forest thinned—and then the world just… dropped away.
Below us, a massive gorge split the land wide open, so deep and sheer it felt like the earth had been torn in half.
A heavy mist lay pooled at the bottom like breath trapped for centuries, and beyond it, a colossal gate rose from the haze, blurred by distance yet sharp with presence.
The gorge walls rose like towering stone ramparts, nature itself shaped into a fortress barring the way.
A single narrow path clung to the cliffside, spiraling down toward the valley floor, and lining it stood ancient stone pillars spaced with uncanny precision.
Their faces were cracked and weathered, yet still carved with fading Ancient Script and curling mystical patterns, faint threads of mana drifting off them like cold smoke.
They stood silent and eternal, like sentinels guarding the gate's secret, untouched by the weight of time.
When the wind rushed through the gorge, a low hollow moan rolled through the stone, echoing against the cliffs and making the gate's oppressive presence even heavier.
Its blackened stone towers had endured ages without yielding, and their grim majesty pressed on my chest like a physical weight.
That gate didn't just stand there—it loomed, like the gorge itself had grown eyes and was staring straight at us.
We all stopped without meaning to.
The view just swallowed our words.
"So this is the Valley of Seals…"
The words slipped out of me low and soft, like my voice was afraid to be heard here.
After everything we'd been through, standing here felt like standing before a wall that wanted nothing to do with us.
The air was damp and clung to my skin, and unlike the forest, this silence was thick—dead still and watching.
"This valley was where the Zelva Kingdom sealed away their forbidden technology," Mariona said, her voice solemn.
Her gaze fixed on an old inscription carved into the gate's upper arch, the worn runes still holding a ghost of their old power.
"Most who stepped inside were never seen again. So… are you ready?"
We traded glances.
Then, one by one, nodded.
Deep, sharp nods.
"Already decided," Elsa said, her hand on her sword's hilt as she stared forward.
Beside her, Caina studied the gate with steady, measuring eyes.
Even Lilis, for once, had dropped her usual snark and just waited, serious, for Mariona to speak again.
"That gate stands protected by sheer cliffs and the gorge itself," Mariona went on, tapping her staff lightly against the ground.
"To pass through, you must first unbind the four Sealing Monoliths [t/n: magic-warded obelisks anchoring the barrier seals]."
She lifted her chin toward the mist-shrouded walls.
"They're scattered around the valley's outer ring, each bound by powerful mana. Unless all are released, the path to the central chamber will not open."
"…What a pain," Lilis muttered, arms crossed.
At that, Wolfgang gave a short, cold laugh.
"No need to waste time with such things."
Behind him, the Blood Ravens flashed thin, sharp smiles.
"Unbinding the Sealing Monoliths?" he said, stepping toward the gate, his voice cool as steel. "Pointless. If you have enough strength, just break the gate."
He glanced back at us with that cutting look of his.
"You can scurry around hunting monoliths. We'll take the shortest path to the heart."
"You're seriously thinking of a frontal assault?" Elsa's voice rose in disbelief.
Wolfgang didn't even twitch.
"Trap or trial, it doesn't matter. The chosen can overcome. That's what proves strength."
"…Fool," Mariona sighed, shaking her head.
"If the monoliths remain sealed, the power of this valley itself will bare its fangs. Boast of your strength if you wish—but I've warned you."
Wolfgang only gave a soft, dismissive snort and strode toward the gate, the Blood Ravens flowing after him like a shadow of crimson wings.
"…So. What do we do?" I asked, looking around at my party.
"I won't agree with Wolfgang's method," Caina said calmly.
"There's no map, but if the Sealing Monoliths are placed evenly, we might predict their positions from the valley's shape and landmarks."
"Then… split up to search?" Lilis suggested, but Mariona shook her head instantly.
"This valley harbors abnormal Monstrous Beasts [t/n: magically-mutated creatures]. Going alone would be foolish."
"Then we move as one," Elsa said firmly.
"One at a time. We'll break every seal together," I said, nodding with resolve.
"Let's search for the first Sealing Monolith."
And with that, we turned toward the outer ring of the valley, scanning for signs of where the first might be hidden.
A strange current seeped from the depths ahead—an invisible hand, cold and crawling, brushing over my skin like the valley itself had started breathing on us.
Notes:
• Mariona - 'Flame Witch' scholar (v2c1) — Lilis's strict but warm mentor, holds deep Zelva lore and fire magic. Small, long white hair, keen amber eyes. Reminder: Stern teacher, secretly cares deeply.
• Elsa - Proud red-haired warrior — once a frontline fighter, deeply trusts (and loves) Leon. Masters raw strength and combat. Tall, long crimson hair, fierce golden eyes. Reminder: Fierce protector, sharper after her return.
• Caina - Calm, brilliant mage — the group's strategist and analyst. Uses lightning magic with precise, logical focus. Slender, silver hair, calm blue eyes. Reminder: Stoic thinker and precision spellcaster.
• Lilis - Agile rogue/thief — Leon's close friend and playful teaser. Strikes fast with twin daggers and vanishes into stealth. Petite, light-blonde hair, mischievous green eyes. Reminder: Playful trickster hiding sharp instincts.