The morning sky bloomed gently beyond the tall trees. Amber light seeped through the leaves, dancing on the damp earth still wrapped in lingering mist. Derion sat near the dying fire, inspecting his worn map with sharp, practiced eyes.
"Eat quickly. Pack up the camp, and we move before the mist climbs too high," he said without looking up, his voice flat but accustomed.
Alaric gave a small nod and sat near the fire, chewing on a piece of stale bread and a strip of tough smoked meat. Lir, the small winged creature who never left his side, perched on a twisted root, swinging her legs back and forth as her eyes scanned the forest like she could see something no human could.
"This place... it whispers," Lir said softly.
Derion glanced at her briefly before returning to his map.
"I know," Alaric replied under his breath. "But I still can't understand what it's saying."
Lir didn't respond. Her wings fluttered lightly, stirring a breeze that brushed Alaric's cheek like mist.
They packed their gear and began their journey, following a barely visible trail. Tree roots stretched across the path like hands trying to halt their steps, and the air grew thicker the deeper they walked.
"We'll take the northwest route, follow a small stream that shows up on this map," Derion said, tapping a fold with his finger. "But the path might not be clear. Many of the old tracks have long been overgrown."
Alaric said nothing. His focus was split between his steps and the faint sounds around them. Leaves rustled without wind. Branches cracked under pressure—caused by something, or someone, unseen.
"Lir," Alaric whispered. "Do you feel like something's watching us?"
The tiny being didn't answer right away. She stared between the towering trees, then spoke in a soft tone, "Not watching. Observing. There's a difference."
They continued on in silence, tense and alert. Derion marched ahead, seemingly unfazed, occasionally jotting notes in his small notebook.
Hours passed before they reached the edge of a narrow stream—calm but strangely quiet. There was no rushing water, only a gentle trickle and the swaying reflections of trees on its surface.
Derion exhaled. "We rest here. The next path climbs steeper."
Alaric sat on a rock, watching the water. He dipped his hand in, then quickly pulled it back. It was cold—far colder than it should have been. He looked to Lir, who now stood at the river's edge, her wings fluttering slowly as if weighing something.
"This path brings us closer, but also deeper," Lir said suddenly. "If you keep going, Alaric… there will be no same way back."
Alaric stared at her, long and hard. He didn't answer.
But in his heart, he already knew—there was no turning back.
---
Their steps grew heavier as they entered a part of the forest darker than before. The trees grew closer together, towering high as if to swallow the light. The songs of birds had vanished, replaced by the rustle of leaves that didn't move with the wind.
"Something's wrong here…" Alaric murmured, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.
Before Lir could respond, a low growl echoed from the bushes. Derion halted immediately, raising a hand to signal silence. From behind the thin mist, a creature emerged—it resembled a wolf, but was twice as large, with glowing green eyes and fur that moved like smoke.
"Luphar," Derion muttered. "Tier Two monster."
The beast snarled, then lunged. Alaric moved swiftly, drawing his sword in one smooth motion and deflecting the first attack. Above them, Lir hovered silently, wings spread, observing with calm yet sharp eyes.
The battle was brief but intense. Derion struck from the side, bringing the beast down. As the monster's body collapsed, a faint blue glow shimmered from its chest.
Alaric knelt down, parting the creature's fur. A small, bright-blue crystal pulsed weakly within the flesh. Carefully, he extracted it.
"So it's true," he murmured.
Lir descended slowly and nodded. "Every monster in this region has a crystal core inside. A kind of energy source... the core of their life force. The stronger the monster, the larger and brighter the crystal."
Derion wiped blood from his blade and added, "There are three main tiers of monsters in this northern forest. Tier One: weak, often swarm in packs, and small in size. Tier Two: like this one—dangerous, sometimes solitary, often guarding territory. Tier Three… much larger. Intelligent. Some can even use basic magic."
"And we're in their domain now?" Alaric asked, though he already knew the answer.
Derion merely nodded.
Lir's gaze fell on the crystal now cradled in Alaric's hand. "These crystals… they can be used. To enhance weapons, as ingredients for rare potions, or... for things more secretive. But many seek them only for power."
📜 World Notes: Monsters & Energy Crystals
🐾 Monster Tiers in the Northern Forest
The Northern region is known as the Inhabited Lands—a place where monsters dwell and thrive naturally, untouched by human hands. The monsters here are classified into three tiers of strength:
1. Tier One (Low Rank)
Small to medium in size.
Often mutated beasts or elemental spirits that have lost awareness.
Attack in groups, relying on numbers rather than tactics.
Crystals: Small, pale in color (light blue, white, or gray).
Value: Low, usually used for basic potions or experimentation materials.
2. Tier Two (Mid Rank)
Large in size, physically powerful, capable of holding territory.
Some possess basic abilities like fire breath, poisonous fog, or extraordinary speed.
Crystals: Brighter, may be vibrant blue, soft violet, or emerald green.
Value: Moderate to high. Often used to enhance weapons, artifacts, or as energy sources in rituals.
3. Tier Three (High Rank)
Very large, extremely rare, and highly dangerous.
Display intelligence equal to or greater than humans, and can use magic.
Signature trait: These monsters often remain silent and observe before striking.
Crystals: Large and brilliantly luminous, colors vary (blood red, deep black, or gold).
Value: Extremely high. A single Tier Three crystal could decide the outcome of a war or power massive arcane machinery.
💎 About Energy Crystals (Core Crystals)
Origin: Formed from the accumulation of natural energy absorbed by the monster throughout its life.
Natural function: The very core of the monster's existence. If destroyed, the monster dies instantly, even if its body remains intact.
Human use:
Used to strengthen weapons and armor.
Main ingredient in rare potions and ancient artifacts.
Can be refined into pure essence for mage use.
Some secret factions use them to open portals or forge spirit contracts.
---
They pressed onward with greater caution. Soon, they encountered two more creatures—one resembling a giant bird with a fiery beak, the other a massive insect with a shell as hard as steel. Each battle left more cuts and bruises, and each crystal harvested marked their descent deeper into a world that did not belong to humans.
The sky dimmed behind the thick canopy. Yet they did not stop.
Because now, they weren't just searching for a path…
They were being watched—by things far quieter, and far more dangerous.
The deeper they went, the stranger the forest became. Tree roots twisted across the ground like sleeping serpents, and the mist grew thicker, veiling their vision until only a few meters ahead remained visible. The scent of damp earth mixed with a faint metallic tang lingered in the air.
Lir flew low at the front, her wings gently pulsing without a sound. "We're almost past the Luphar territory. But… something's off. This fog isn't natural."
Alaric scanned the surroundings. "An illusion?"
"Possibly. But it's more than that," Lir replied softly. "It feels like... a warning. Something wants us to turn back."
Derion stepped closer, his voice firm. "We can't retreat now."
Suddenly, a rustle came from above. They looked up—and a large form dove down from the high branches: a winged beast cloaked in shadow, with jaws full of jagged teeth and glowing crimson eyes.
"Revarn!" Derion shouted. "Tier-three monster!"
The creature lunged with terrifying speed, forcing them to scatter. Alaric rolled aside and counterattacked swiftly, but its claws met his blade with the force of stone.
Derion maneuvered behind the beast, trying to draw its attention. Meanwhile, Lir conjured a ring of light in the air, forming a glowing arrow she shot toward the creature's eye.
It roared in fury, taking flight and whipping its tail. A single gust of wind slashed Derion's shoulder, knocking him to the ground. Alaric seized the chance, leaping upward and driving his sword beneath the monster's jaw.
Revarn's final cry echoed through the trees as its massive body crashed to the earth, sending a shockwave of dust and leaves around them. The mist wavered, then slowly began to fade.
Derion rose with a wince, blood seeping from his wound. "That… was too soon. We weren't supposed to encounter something that strong here."
Lir nodded grimly. "This isn't coincidence. Something—or someone—is guiding them toward us."
Alaric gazed into the distance, eyes narrowing. "We need to leave this part of the forest. But if they're being sent after us… then our journey has changed."
He stared at the red crystal they had extracted from Revarn's body—its glow pulsing faintly in his hand, almost as if alive.
"The deeper we go… the closer we are to the truth."
Their steps grew cautious once again. Though Revarn had fallen, the lingering mist did not fully clear. The air felt heavier, as if each breath carried a warning—that danger had not entirely passed.
Alaric walked at the front, the red crystal in his hand still glowing faintly. "This crystal... feels different. It's like it's alive."
Lir hovered lower, her wings beating softly. "Crystals from third-tier monsters have unique traits. Some react to the aura of the wielder... or even carry a will of their own."
Derion, still enduring the pain from the wound on his shoulder, kept walking steadily. "We need to get out of this zone before nightfall. Tier-three monsters sometimes hunt in pairs."
The forest around them began to change. Trees grew more sparsely, and the ground turned rocky. Occasionally, large claw marks scarred the earth—remnants of past battles or warnings from something bigger.
They paused under a small cliff to rest for a moment. Lir perched on a stone, her gaze fixed on the thinning mist ahead.
"You feel it too, don't you?" she whispered. "It's not just monsters haunting us... There's something older than this forest, something awakening because we're here."
Alaric turned to her. "You think it's related to the artifact we're looking for?"
"Maybe. Or maybe the artifact is just a fragment of something much greater," Lir answered softly. "The energy I sense... it's not just power. It's memory. Rage. Resentment."
Derion let out a long breath. "That means we've come too far to turn back."
Alaric nodded. "Let's keep going."
Their journey led them to a wide stone crevice, where two cliffs formed a narrow natural corridor. From within that gap, a cold wind blew, carrying faint whispers—barely audible, yet piercing straight into their minds.
Lir clutched a small spear hidden beneath her wings. "Be careful. This place isn't just a path… it's a gate."
Derion drew his weapon. Alaric tightened his grip on his sword.
They stepped into the crevice together, unaware that beyond it… a long-buried truth was stirring, rising slowly within the darkness untouched by light.
Their steps into the stone crevice were cautious. Inside, the air turned colder and damp, the walls lined with faintly glowing moss, illuminating a narrow path that led deeper into the earth.
No sound accompanied them but the echo of footsteps and the occasional drip of water from above. Lir floated low, her wings flapping silently. Her eyes stayed sharp ahead, as if she could perceive what others could not.
"There's a trace of energy here," she whispered. "Not natural… and very old."
Derion crouched, brushing his fingers along the ground. "Footprints... but not human. Possibly a guardian of this place."
Suddenly, the blue crystal in Alaric's hand pulsed gently, as if reacting to something hidden beyond the stone walls. A faint tremor tickled the soles of their feet.
"This place is alive," Alaric murmured. "And we've just awakened it."
Lir turned to him, her expression tense. "Whatever was sealed here... may not wish to be found."
Still, they didn't stop. At the end of the passage, a vast chamber opened up, its walls carved with ancient engravings, not yet erased by time. At the center stood a stone pillar, a hairline crack visible on its surface. From within, a whisper could be heard... like a voice from the past.
Alaric stepped closer.