The next morning, Kyle woke up. This morning felt different for him. There was a new freshness in the air—not filled with fear, but with a growing confidence. Last night's experience in the forest had awakened an unknown strength within him, even though he still considered himself 'Soulless.'
There was movement in the village. But today the crowd was larger than usual, and people were whispering among themselves—"Did Kyle really survive Glimmerfang?" Some faces showed surprise, while others burned with jealousy. Not far away, Baelin was also standing quietly.
As Kyle pushed through the crowd and began heading toward the fields for work, a voice called out from behind him.
"Kyle."
He stopped and turned. Baelin was walking toward him. Kyle thanked him for the meal from last night. But Baelin had come today for another task. Approaching him, Baelin said, "Kyle, I need your help."
In a calm voice, Baelin continued, "Near the Ancient Ruins, I dropped my old bundle of maps. It is very valuable to me, but the village boys do not care about it. Can you go there and bring it back?"
Kyle remembered the stories about the Ancient Ruins—tales told in the village with fear. Ghosts, mysterious traps, and unknown treasures were said to be hidden there. But now, the whisper from last night and the courage rising within him felt stronger than fear.
Encouraging him, Baelin added, "You are not Soulless. You proved that yesterday."
"I'll go. I will bring your map back," Kyle said firmly.
Hope flickered in the old man's eyes. These ruins will test you, Baelin thought to himself. "Be as cautious as you can."
Kyle left the village and began walking toward the Ancient Ruins. But he did not know that Orion was following him with his two friends. One of Orion's friends had secretly overheard Kyle and Baelin's conversation from a distance. He hadn't understood everything, but when he heard the words Ancient Ruins, he assumed Baelin was telling Kyle about some hidden treasure.
He ran and told Orion that Kyle was going to search for treasure in the ruins. And so, Orion and his two friends began following him.
The dirt path leading to the Ancient Ruins was surrounded by dense trees. There was no sign of human presence for miles—only rustling winds, moss growing over stones, and broken pillars scattered here and there. Ancient symbols were carved into some of them. In the village, it was said that these symbols were remnants of old magic from another era.
Kyle slowly entered between two massive rock formations that formed the ruins' entrance. A cold wind brushed against him. In the strange silence, he placed each step carefully. His previous experience had taught him that even fear could hide strength within it.
He reached a broken pillar. Orion glanced at his companions and whispered, "Looks like Kyle found something interesting. Let's follow him—maybe there really is treasure hidden here."
Suddenly, someone pushed Kyle lightly from behind.
"Move faster, Soulless!"
It was Orion. A sly grin was visible on his face. The three of them laughed and walked ahead of him, but Kyle made up his mind—he would not step back out of fear.
Deeper inside the ruins, one area looked different from the rest. The soil there seemed freshly disturbed, as if someone had recently dug or touched it. Kyle looked carefully and noticed a faint glowing line beneath a stone.
As he bent down to pull it, his foot slipped, and he fell into a deep pit.
The fall knocked the breath out of him. Darkness filled his vision as his body hit the ground.
From above, Orion's voice echoed, "The Soulless fell into the pit himself! What an idiot…" Laughter followed, and then their footsteps faded away.
Kyle tried to move. His breathing was fast, but his body was unharmed.
As he steadied himself and looked around, his eyes widened in shock. Darkness surrounded him. The place looked like an ancient battlefield. Bones and skeletons lay scattered everywhere—as if a war had once been fought there. Kyle stood frozen in one spot, trembling. Sweat soaked his entire body.
Then he heard that same voice again.
"Why are you standing outside? Come inside."
Kyle's legs were shaking, but his heart urged him forward. Trembling, he began walking into the cave. As he moved deeper, the darkness slowly lessened, and the air grew colder than before. Small holes lined the tunnel walls, and as the wind passed through them, it created terrifying sounds—like someone screaming in pain.
As Kyle went further inside, the pitch-black darkness began transforming into purple smoke. For a moment, he felt like turning back. But the mysterious voice said, "Do not be afraid. Come inside. I have been waiting for you."
Hearing that filled Kyle with sudden determination. Without hesitation, he walked deeper into the tunnel.
Inside, purple and black smoke spread throughout the cave. In the very center stood an ancient stone platform. Large pillars surrounded it, bound tightly with thick iron chains. Above the platform floated a small stone—beautiful yet terrifying at the same time. The black and purple smoke filling the cave was emerging from within that stone.
Kyle walked around the platform, carefully examining the pillars. Symbols were carved onto them.
"These marks… I've seen these somewhere before…"
Suddenly, he remembered. The same symbols were carved on the outer pillars and walls when he first entered the ruins.
Fear crept into him. Are these the ghosts people talk about?
He stepped backward when the voice echoed again—this time clearer and sharper.
"Come to me, Kyle. You are in no danger from me."
Kyle dropped to the ground in fear, trembling as he stuttered, "W-w-who… who is there? Why don't you come out in front of me?" He looked around frantically.
The voice came again. "Do not be afraid. I am right in front of you. Come closer. You are not in danger."
Each time Kyle heard the voice, his fear slowly faded.
He stood up and began walking toward the platform.
But as he stepped forward, his foot got tangled in one of the chains—and he fell toward the floating stone.
Cliffhanger :–
Kyle has unknowingly touched the very thing the entire world fears. Will this become the cause of his death… or the cure to his 'Soulless' existence?
Author note :–
Prepare yourselves for the next chapter. From here onward, Kyle's fate—and this entire story—are about
to change completely!
What do you think will happen next? Let me know in the comments.