Chapter 21: The Forgotten Trail

A new dawn rose, but the air remained tense. Beyond the mists of the Aerthalia valley, a small group of students and overseers prepared in silence.
> “This mission isn't official. It won’t be recorded in the academy’s logs,” Myra whispered to Angeline as she tightened the strap of her katana's sheath.
🗺️ Destination: The Ruins of Naram’kai
Their destination: Naram’kai — an ancient ruin mentioned in a fragment of Lyssia’s legacy map. It lay hidden on the border between human lands and the wild territories of the demihuman races.
Legend had it that Naram’kai was once the center of spatial and temporal magic of the Tabaxi race — now buried and cursed as the “vanished city.”
The expedition group consisted of:
Angeline Ceu (unofficial leader)
Myra Elstern (friend and observer)
Ryn Fael (joined out of "personal curiosity")
Real Draxor (secretly assigned as protector and advisor)
An unnamed elf scout from the Academy Oversight Council
🌲 The Journey Begins
They crossed dense forests, rocky marshes, and natural magical passageways.
Angeline began sensing strange resonances in the air — faint voices, shadows of the past.
> “This place... it knows me.”
Myra looked at her intently.
> “Are you sure you're ready for a truth you might never be able to accept?”
Angeline nodded, her gaze firm.

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🌀 The Gate of the Ruins
On the third day, they arrived at a high cliff overgrown with ancient roots.
Etched into the stone face was a massive inscription in old Tabaxi script:
> “Only those who inherit the shadow may step into the final light.”


Angeline placed her palm on the carving — and the ground trembled.
The stone gate split open, revealing a tunnel descending deep into the earth, lined with faintly glowing violet crystals.
Real held his breath.
> “This... this is Void architecture. I’ve seen it before. But... nothing this intact should still exist in this world.”



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🌘 End of Chapter
At the depth of the cavern, they found a large altar marked with the Voidstep sigil.
But before they could approach, a rumble echoed through the darkness.
From the shadows emerged an ancient guardian — cloaked in black magic, its eyes slowly opening.
> “Heir... or destroyer?” the creature asked, its voice deep and otherworldly.
Angeline stepped forward.> “I come not as a fugitive... but as a daughter ready to awaken the legacy you buried.”