Dawn arrived beneath a sky covered in gray clouds.
The mountain valley looked even more ominous in daylight.
Dark mist drifted between the trees, and the forest itself appeared twisted by unstable spiritual energy. Some trees had grown unnaturally tall with blackened bark, while others pulsed faintly with crimson veins beneath their surface.
The ancient stone gates hidden deep within the valley emitted a dim silver glow visible even from the outpost.
The seals were weakening further.
Inside the command tent, the final operation briefing began.
A holographic map displayed the planned route through the valley.
Director Rao pointed toward several marked zones.
"Recon drones confirmed heavy beast activity here, here, and here."
Red circles flashed across the projection.
"Our escort teams will establish defensive checkpoints while the main group advances toward the ruins."
Rudra nodded once.
"The academy team remains at the center."
No one argued.
After the previous night's attack, even the Bureau operatives understood how valuable Krishak and the others had become.
Especially Krishak.
The expedition entered the valley shortly after sunrise.
The atmosphere changed almost immediately.
The deeper they traveled, the heavier the spiritual pressure became.
Even breathing felt slightly uncomfortable.
Dev tightened his grip on his spear.
"This place feels wrong."
"It is wrong," Krishak replied quietly.
The surrounding spiritual energy lacked natural balance. Instead of flowing harmoniously through the environment, it surged violently in unstable currents.
Corruption.
The forest itself was becoming sick.
Lunafang walked silently beside Krishak, silver moonlight occasionally flickering across his fur whenever dark mist approached too closely.
Surprisingly, the corrupted energy seemed reluctant to touch him directly.
Raghav noticed immediately.
"The corruption reacts to Lunafang."
Krishak nodded.
"Moonstar energy naturally suppresses unstable spiritual influence."
Professor Devika looked thoughtful.
"So ancient bloodlines can resist corruption?"
"To some extent," Krishak answered.
That information alone would become extremely important in the future.
As the group advanced deeper into the valley, signs of battle became increasingly common.
Broken trees.
Scorch marks.
Shattered defensive equipment from previous Bureau teams.
At one point, they discovered an abandoned campsite completely overgrown by black crystalline vines.
No bodies remained.
Only claw marks carved into nearby stone.
Ananya's expression darkened.
"They never had a chance.
Rao remained silent, but his jaw tightened visibly.
These had been his people.
By midday, the expedition reached the outer ruins.
Ancient stone pillars emerged from the forest floor, many partially collapsed and covered in strange symbols.
The architecture matched the Stellar Hall civilization exactly.
But unlike the peaceful observatory and inheritance chambers
This place radiated hostility.
The air itself felt tense.
Ishita crouched beside one of the pillars and examined the engraved runes.
"These are sealing formations."
Krishak stepped beside her.
Most of the runes were damaged.
Several had been shattered completely.
Others were stained black by corruption.
"This ruin was never meant to be opened," Krishak said quietly.
A cold silence spread through the group.
Then the ground trembled.
Everyone froze instantly.
Another tremor followed moments later.
This one stronger.
Skyrend screeched sharply from above while Lunafang growled low in his throat.
Something massive was moving underground.
Without warning, a Bureau operative shouted from the rear.
"CONTACT!"
The forest exploded with movement.
Dozens of corrupted beasts burst from the trees simultaneously.
But unlike the previous night, these creatures were larger, faster, and far more aggressive.
A massive serpent erupted from beneath the ground directly beneath one of the escort squads.
Its crystal-covered jaws snapped shut around a soldier before anyone could react.
Chaos erupted instantly.
"DEFENSIVE FORMATION!" Ishita shouted.
Formation plates activated around the central group as Dev charged forward with his spear blazing in spiritual energy.
Raghav and Skyrend moved to the flanks while Ananya immediately began supporting injured soldiers.
Krishak's gaze swept across the
battlefield rapidly.
Then his eyes narrowed sharply.
This attack was different.
The beasts were not targeting randomly.
They were trying to separate the group from the ruins.
As if preventing them from advancing.
Which confirmed his suspicion.
Something intelligent was directing them.
A deafening roar suddenly shook the valley.
The sound froze every beast on the battlefield for a split second.
Then the corrupted creatures retreated instantly into the forest.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Then the ancient stone gates ahead began opening wider.
Darkness spilled outward from the gap like smoke.
Several Bureau soldiers instinctively stepped backward.
Even experienced awakened fighters felt fear rising instinctively.
Krishak stared toward the opening calmly.
He could finally sense it clearly now.
The corrupted energy source.
And beneath it
The second hidden presence.
Pure.
Ancient.
Weakening.
Something inside the ruins was still fighting against the corruption.
The gates opened completely.
Beyond them stretched a vast underground passage descending into darkness.
Ancient silver torches flickered weakly along the walls.
And standing at the entrance.
Was a figure.
Humanoid.
Tall.
Covered in damaged silver armor stained black by corruption.
Its eyes glowed crimson.
Yet fragments of silver light still flickered beneath the darkness.
Everyone tensed immediately.
The armored figure slowly raised an ancient spear.
Then, in a voice distorted by corruption but still carrying traces of intelligence, it spoke.
"Leave"
The word echoed through the valley.
Several soldiers looked stunned.
Dev whispered.
"It can talk?"
The armored guardian took one heavy step forward.
Corrupted energy surged violently around it.
Yet beneath the darkness, Krishak sensed something unexpected.
Pain.
Resistance.
The guardian was fighting the corruption internally.
Then the creature spoke again, its voice harsher this time.
"Seal. breaking..."
Its spear trembled.
"Must..... not awaken."
Krishak's eyes sharpened instantly.
Whatever lay deeper within the ruins
Was far more dangerous than the corrupted guardian standing before them.