The Ruins of Ardenvale
Once, Ardenvale stood as the crown jewel of the known world, a city of splendor unmatched by any other. Its towering walls were legendary-carved from luminous white stone that seemed to glow under the sun and resist the wear of centuries. These walls, adorned with intricate carvings of heroes and gods, were said to be impenetrable, a fortress that no army dared challenge. Ardenvale's warriors were the finest in the realm, their discipline and ferocity renowned. Tales of their victories were whispered across kingdoms, warning all of Ardenvale's strength.
But now, the great city lay in desolation. Its towering walls had crumbled, blackened by fire and siege. The streets, once bustling with life, were littered with debris and ash. Once-glorious banners fluttered in tatters, and the air carried the stench of soot and decay.
Through this ruined expanse, a group of weary travelers made their way, heading east. Among them were a father, a mother, their two daughters-one aged fourteen and the other twelve-and their seventeen-year-old son.
"What do you think happened here, Father? This place is so old, dark, and dirty," the son asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and unease.
The father's gaze lingered on the ruins, his face etched with sorrow and nostalgia. "It wasn't always like this," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I was here once, long ago, when Ardenvale was at its peak-a city so beautiful that none could rival it, not even Mechronis."
He paused, gesturing to the ashen remains around them. "This place was a marvel, a beacon of hope and prosperity. Even the wind here carried a certain sweetness, as though it whispered the blessings of the gods themselves. And it was here," he added, glancing at his wife with a faint smile, "that I met the most beautiful woman in the world-your mother."
The children listened intently, their eyes wide as he continued. "Ardenvale was a dream that every traveler, wanderer, thief, and merchant yearned for. But only a select few ever gained entry. Among those few was me, and I considered myself the luckiest man alive."
He pointed toward a charred tree, its trunk now barely a stump. "Over there stood the great Eden Tree. It bore fruit in every season-ripe, sweet, and abundant. It was a gift to the people of Ardenvale, open to all who lived within these walls."
His hand shifted to a nearby hill. "And to your right, do you see that hill? The ashes and blood at its base have stained it black now, but once, a waterfall cascaded from its peak. The waters were so pure and clear they seemed to cleanse not just the body, but the soul. At the base of the fall was a crystal-clear pool, its waters so serene you could see to the very bottom. Colorful fish swam there, their scales shimmering like gemstones. The stones beneath glowed softly under the moonlight, casting an ethereal light that made the place feel like a piece of heaven on earth."
The father's voice softened, as though he were speaking to himself now. "The streets were lined with towering trees, each a sanctuary for songbirds. Their melodies filled the mornings with a harmony that lifted every spirit. At the heart of the city was a magnificent garden, an exquisite display of marigolds, tulips, roses, sunflowers, daffodils, peonies, orchids, and lilies-all carefully trimmed and arranged to form the sigil of Ardenvale. It was a place of perfection, a sanctuary of peace and beauty. Some believed it was the dwelling place of the gods themselves."
He fell silent for a moment, the weight of memory overwhelming him. The paradise he had once known was gone, reduced to nothing but ashes and rubble. No trace of its magnificence remained.
The family walked on in silence, the father's words lingering like a ghost of the city's former glory.
A slow, warm wind whispered through the ruins, carrying with it the acrid stench of ash and charred bodies. The family trudged carefully, their boots sinking into ankle-deep ash that blanketed the ground. Each step was deliberate, their eyes scanning for stable footing among the remnants of what once was.
"If it was so beautiful, and you and Mother met here, then why did you leave?" Elena, the eldest daughter, asked, her voice breaking the heavy silence.
The father exhaled, his breath stirring the fine ash in the air. "Unfortunately, Elena, things are rarely as perfect as they seem. A lot happened-too much to explain. But perhaps it was for the best. I never thought I'd set foot here again after eighteen years. Yet here I am, and here is Ardenvale... in ashes."
"What happened to this paradise?" Thalira, the younger daughter, asked softly, her wide eyes darting nervously at the blackened ruins surrounding them.
Their mother walked in silence, her unease palpable. She glanced around, every shadow and flicker of the wind feeding her growing sense of dread.
The father paused before answering, his voice laden with somber resignation. "Thalira, dead men tell no tales. And the little I know doesn't tell the whole story. I've been gone too long-eighteen years is more than enough time for even legends to fade. Whatever happened here, only those who lived through it could recount the truth. But... I doubt anyone could have survived this."
His gaze swept across the desolation, his face hardening. "One thing is certain, though-whatever force reduced Ardenvale's beauty and might to ashes was no ordinary army. This wasn't the work of men. It was something else... something far beyond human strength."
The revelation struck like a hammer blow, sending chills down their spines. The ruins, already desolate, now felt charged with an unseen malice. The wind picked up, carrying a low, mournful howl that seemed almost alive, wrapping the family in its spectral embrace.
"My love," the mother said suddenly, her voice trembling, "I don't think we should delay here any longer. This place... it's dangerous. I can feel it in my bones. The sooner we leave, the safer we'll be."
The father placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his tone calm yet firm. "Don't worry, my love. Whatever did this is long gone by now. There's no harm here."
"Or so they want you to believe," she snapped, her voice rising. "You think they'd be standing out in the open with welcoming hands, shouting, 'Oh traveler, come closer! Embrace death and see what it has in store for you'?" Her words dripped with sarcasm, though her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
The father chuckled despite himself. "That would be amusing, though," he quipped.
"No, it wouldn't!" she fired back, her anger flaring. "Can you be serious for once? This is not something to joke about! Just days ago, there were people here-families, lives, laughter. Now look! Ashes! And it could be us next. The gods forbid we end up like them."
He sighed, his humor fading. "My love, relax. I think you're just tired from the day's walk. There's nothing here to harm us."
She stopped abruptly, turning to face him. "I trust my instincts, and they've never failed me. My gut is screaming at me to get out of here before it's too late. We have to go-now!"
The family exchanged uneasy glances, the mother's fear infecting them like a ripple in still water.
"Mum, I'm scared," Thalira whimpered, clutching tightly onto her mother's leg.
The father paused, his heart aching at her trembling voice. He knelt down, his knees sinking slightly into the ash, and gently took Thalira's small hands in his own. "Everything will be alright, my little flower," he said softly, his voice steady and warm. "I'm here. I'll protect you, and nothing-absolutely nothing-will take you from me. The same goes for you too," he added, looking up at Elena and Ryker.
The two siblings nodded silently, their expressions a mix of fear and determination.
The father stood and turned to his wife, his hand brushing lightly against her arm. "And love, nothing will come for us. Trust me."
The mother's gaze darted around, her unease deepening with every passing second. "I hate to be the harbinger of doom, but something about this place feels... alive. And whatever it is, it definitely want us here for a good reason-at least, not for us," she said, her voice trembling with barely contained panic.
The father's smile faltered, but only slightly. "Alright, fine. Thalira, come here," he said, bending down to lift her onto his back. "Hold on tight, okay?"
Thalira wrapped her arms around his neck, her small face buried in his shoulder.
"Ryker," the father called, his tone firm but calm. "Help your mother with her load. Elena, stay close and keep your pace steady."
"Yes, Father," Ryker said, slinging his mother's bag over his shoulder without complaint. Elena moved in closer, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
"Good," the father said, glancing over his family to ensure everyone was ready. "We'll move quickly now. I believe we can make it out of Ardenvale soon, and once we reach River Veylin, we'll be safe."
The family quickened their pace, each stride longer than the last. The ash stirred around their feet as if reluctant to let them leave. Behind them, the faint howl of the wind seemed to grow louder, echoing through the ruins like a mournful warning.