Chapter 38: The Guardian of Velnar
The ruins of Velnar remained silent.
After the battle with the masked warrior, Shen and Ryulga continued deeper into the underground chambers. The cracked orb in the center of the library still floated above its pedestal, releasing streams of dark mist that crawled across the floor.
Shen stared at it carefully.
"Something feels wrong."
Ryulga nodded.
"Because it is."
The symbols on the walls suddenly lit up.
One after another.
Blue light spread through the chamber.
The floating books began shaking violently.
Then the orb pulsed.
BOOM!
A shockwave blasted through the room.
The ground trembled.
Ancient stone cracked apart.
Dark mist gathered in the center of the library, twisting and condensing into a massive shape.
A giant warrior emerged.
Its body was covered in black stone armor.
Ancient runes glowed across its chest.
Blue flames burned within its hollow eyes.
In one hand rested a gigantic sword.
The creature looked down at them.
"WHO DISTURBS THE HEART OF VELNAR?"
Its voice shook the entire ruin.
Shen cracked his knuckles.
"There it is."
Ryulga sighed.
"You say that every time something dangerous appears."
"Because something dangerous always appears."
The giant slowly raised its sword.
"I AM VALDOR."
"LAST GUARDIAN OF THIS SANCTUARY."
"STATE YOUR PURPOSE."
Shen pointed at the broken orb.
"We were exploring."
Silence.
Ryulga immediately facepalmed.
Valdor stared.
"THAT IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER."
"Yeah," Ryulga muttered. "I figured."
Without warning, Valdor attacked.
The sword descended.
BOOM!
The floor exploded beneath Shen.
Dark energy erupted around him as Dark Mage Form activated.
CLANG!
His shadow-covered arms blocked the strike.
The impact launched him across the chamber.
He crashed through a stone shelf.
Books flew everywhere.
Shen stood up, dust covering his hair.
"Okay."
"He's strong."
Valdor charged again.
Ryulga drew both pistols.
Three enchanted bullets shot forward.
The rounds exploded against the Guardian's chest.
Smoke filled the room.
When it cleared, Valdor stood completely unharmed.
"THREATS DETECTED."
"ELIMINATION AUTHORIZED."
"Why does every ancient guardian talk like an angry teacher?" Shen complained.
"Focus."
Ryulga fired again.
The battle intensified.
Shen dashed forward.
Dark shadows formed blades around his arms.
He slashed repeatedly.
Valdor blocked every attack.
The giant moved surprisingly fast for something made of stone.
Its sword swept across the room.
Stone pillars shattered.
The floor cracked apart.
A direct hit would kill almost anyone.
Almost.
Shen jumped high into the air.
Dark energy gathered around his fist.
"Void Impact!"
His punch struck Valdor's chest.
BOOM!
The Guardian staggered backward for the first time.
A crack appeared in its armor.
Shen grinned.
"There we go."
But before either side could continue, the floating orb suddenly pulsed again.
Blue light erupted from within.
Valdor immediately stopped.
Its sword lowered.
The flames inside its eyes flickered.
For the first time, the Guardian looked... sad.
"No..."
The orb cracked further.
Ancient memories burst into the air.
Images filled the chamber.
An ancient kingdom.
Thousands of Arcane warriors.
A colossal blue dragon soaring across the sky.
Valdor standing beside it.
Friends.
Partners.
Protectors.
Then came war.
Monsters.
Destruction.
Flames.
Death.
The dragon sacrificed itself to save the kingdom.
Its power was sealed inside the orb.
The vision vanished.
Silence filled the ruins.
Even Shen stopped smiling.
Ryulga stared at the orb.
"It wasn't a prisoner."
Valdor slowly lowered its head.
"It was my companion."
The giant's voice trembled.
"For thousands of years... I protected its resting place."
The orb cracked again.
Dark energy leaked outward.
The seal was collapsing.
If it broke completely, the entire ruin would be destroyed.
Valdor stepped forward.
Blue flames covered its body.
"My duty is ending."
"I can restore the seal one final time."
Shen crossed his arms.
"And after that?"
The Guardian smiled sadly.
"Then I may finally rest."
For several moments nobody spoke.
Then Shen scratched his head.
"You know, you attacked us five minutes ago."
Valdor looked away.
"...I was doing my job."
Ryulga laughed.
Even the ancient Guardian seemed embarrassed.
The giant raised its sword.
Blue light exploded through the ruins.
Ancient energy surged from every wall.
The collapsing orb stabilized.
Its cracks slowly closed.
The dark energy disappeared.
The shaking stopped.
Peace returned.
Valdor's body began turning to stone.
His duty was complete.
Before fading away completely, he looked toward Shen.
"The path ahead grows darker."
"Beyond the Arcane Generals lies a greater enemy."
"Prepare yourself, Mediator."
Shen nodded.
"I will."
Valdor smiled.
Then his body shattered into countless blue lights.
The lights drifted upward like stars before disappearing forever.
The Last Guardian of Velnar was finally free.
Hours later, Shen and Ryulga emerged from the ruins.
The setting sun painted the horizon crimson.
A warm wind crossed the deadlands.
Shen stretched lazily.
"So what's next?"
Ryulga unfolded an old map.
A glowing red mark pulsed far beyond the desert.
His expression became serious.
"The Arcane General."
Shen's grin slowly returned.
"Finally."
For the first time in days, both of them felt it.
The real battle was approaching.
And somewhere far away—
Someone was waiting for them.
To Be Continued...