The mountains trembled. The rumble that had begun deep in the caverns now echoed across the valley, shattering boulders and splitting the earth. Rihan's group rushed out of the collapsing chamber, their breaths ragged.
The night sky above them bled crimson. A pillar of light erupted from the distant peak where the old ruins lay. It wasn't just light—it was mana twisted with something far older, heavier… divine yet corrupted.
Elira's face drained of color. "No… those are the Crimson Gates. I thought they were only a myth."
Kael scowled, gripping his blade. "If myths are real, then this world is already lost."
Lyra clutched her pendant and whispered a prayer, her voice trembling. "Those gates were sealed by the Gods themselves after the Cataclysm. If they open…"
Her words trailed off, but everyone understood: another war like the one that nearly destroyed Arcanis.
---
They pushed through the forest, finally reaching a ridge that overlooked the human kingdom's borders. From there, the full horror was visible. The ground itself split open like jagged scars, veins of crimson spreading outward from the mountains. The pillar pierced the heavens, staining the clouds red.
Mira's ears flattened as she scanned the sight with fear. "It's not just opening. It's calling something… something on the other side is answering."
Rihan's system flickered suddenly.
> [Warning: Dimensional Seal Breaking Detected]
[Quest Updated: Survive the Crimson Awakening]
He swallowed hard. Every instinct screamed to run, but there was nowhere to go. If those gates opened, nowhere in this realm would be safe.
---
🌑 Meanwhile – Kingdom of Drakovia
In the capital city, the nobles gathered in the grand hall of obsidian stone. The crimson glow in the distant sky cast shadows over their faces, whispers of fear buzzing through the court.
But at the throne sat King Valen Drakovia, his eyes sharp, his expression cold. He raised his goblet of wine, unbothered by the shaking hall.
"So… the Crimson Gates awaken at last. It seems the prophecy was not a fairy tale after all."
One of the generals knelt. "Your Majesty, should we mobilize the legions?"
Valen smirked. "Not yet. Let the cult and the pests bleed first. When the chaos reaches its peak… Drakovia will claim the spoils."
Behind the throne, a robed figure whispered in the king's ear. His eyes glimmered with unnatural light—mark of the Eclipse Cult. The corruption had already reached the highest seat of power.
---
🌌 Back to Rihan's Group
The group set camp on the outskirts of the valley, though no one truly slept. The crimson glow never faded; the earth never stopped humming.
Rihan sat apart from the fire, staring at his trembling hands. The Mistress' words echoed in his mind. She knew me. She called me interloper… like I wasn't supposed to exist here.
Mira approached quietly, sitting beside him. "You're hiding something, Rihan. The Mistress knew. And… the system messages you see—I can tell, you're not telling us everything."
Rihan hesitated, then clenched his jaw. "If I tell you… you may not trust me anymore."
She looked at him, her eyes calm but sharp. "Then let me decide that myself."
He opened his mouth, but before he could answer, the ground quaked violently again. A loud crack echoed across the night—like a lock breaking.
From the pillar of crimson light, a shadowy figure emerged, wings unfurled like a nightmare. Its roar split the sky, shaking every soul awake.
The first Crimson Warden had arrived.