The Spectacular Rank F Hero

Chapter 31: Chapter Thirty-One: Journey to Erythia



Chapter Thirty-One: Journey to Erythia

The journey to the Ruins of Erythia began at dawn the next day. Rin, Mara, and Commander Aldric Voss set out from Duskborough, their destination a remote and desolate region known for its treacherous terrain and eerie reputation.

Rin had never heard of the place before, but Mara had filled him in during the early part of their trek.

"Erythia was once a flourishing city," Mara explained as they walked through the dense forest bordering Duskborough. "But during the Cataclysm, it was reduced to ruins. What's left of it is a graveyard of forgotten power—and dangers."

"Great," Rin said, adjusting his pack. "So we're heading straight into another death trap. I'm starting to see a pattern here."

"Better to face a death trap with allies," Voss said, his voice calm but firm. "You might even learn something."

Rin smirked. "Like how to dodge more rocks falling from ceilings?"

Mara rolled her eyes. "Can you at least pretend to take this seriously?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Rin replied, though his tone betrayed a hint of unease.

---

A Growing Tension

The first few days of travel were uneventful, though the atmosphere was anything but relaxed. The group moved quickly, avoiding major roads and towns to stay ahead of potential bounty hunters or Red Veil operatives.

Despite their shared goal, tension simmered between Rin and Voss. The commander's rigid demeanor clashed with Rin's laid-back attitude, and their constant bickering made Mara feel like a babysitter.

"Rin," Voss said one evening as they set up camp. "You're reckless. If you keep joking about everything, you'll end up getting yourself—or worse, your allies—killed."

Rin didn't look up from the fire he was stoking. "Reckless? I prefer to call it… improvisational genius."

"Improvisation isn't a strategy," Voss said, his tone sharp.

"And following every rule to the letter isn't living," Rin shot back, his voice rising.

"Enough," Mara said, stepping between them. "We don't have time for this. If you two want to kill each other, do it after we've stopped the Red Veil."

The silence that followed was heavy, but it held long enough for them to finish their meal and rest for the night.

---

The Wastelands of Erythia

By the fifth day, the landscape had changed dramatically. The lush forests and rolling hills of Duskborough were replaced by barren wastelands. Jagged rocks jutted out of the ground like broken teeth, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur.

"This place gives me the creeps," Rin muttered, scanning the horizon.

"Good," Mara said. "Stay alert. Erythia isn't just abandoned—it's alive in its own way."

"What does that even mean?" Rin asked.

"You'll see," she replied cryptically.

The ruins came into view by late afternoon. Towering spires, half-collapsed buildings, and crumbling walls painted a picture of a once-majestic city now swallowed by time. The air grew colder as they approached, and an unnatural stillness settled over the group.

"Stay close," Voss said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Wasn't planning on wandering off," Rin said, though he couldn't help but glance around nervously.

---

The Whispering Ruins

As they entered the ruins, Rin noticed strange carvings on the walls—symbols and patterns that seemed to shift when he wasn't looking directly at them. The effect was dizzying, and he shook his head to clear his vision.

"Careful," Mara warned. "The ruins mess with your mind. It's how they keep intruders from getting too far."

"Fantastic," Rin muttered. "A haunted maze. Just what I needed."

The group moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing eerily in the hollow silence. Every now and then, faint whispers drifted through the air, too soft to make out but loud enough to set their nerves on edge.

"Do you hear that?" Rin asked, his voice low.

"Ignore it," Voss said. "The ruins are trying to distract you."

"Sure, no problem," Rin replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'll just ignore the creepy ghost whispers."

---

An Unexpected Attack

The ambush came without warning. As they rounded a corner, the ground beneath them erupted, and a group of shadowy figures emerged from the rubble.

"Red Veil!" Mara shouted, drawing her daggers.

The cultists wasted no time, launching their attack with brutal efficiency. Rin found himself dodging a flurry of strikes, his movements instinctive and fluid.

"Why is it always these guys?" he muttered, countering a sword strike with a well-placed kick.

Voss, meanwhile, fought with disciplined precision, his blade flashing as he deflected and struck with lethal accuracy. Mara darted between enemies, her daggers finding their marks with deadly precision.

Despite their skill, the cultists were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless.

"Any bright ideas, Commander?" Rin called out, narrowly avoiding a blast of dark energy.

"Survive," Voss replied, cutting down another opponent.

"Great plan!" Rin shouted, his sarcasm intact even as he fought for his life.

---

The Hidden Chamber

After what felt like an eternity, the cultists began to retreat, their movements deliberate as they melted into the shadows.

"Why are they pulling back?" Mara asked, breathing heavily.

Rin frowned. "Probably not a good sign."

Voss scanned the area, his eyes narrowing. "They're leading us somewhere. Stay on guard."

The group pressed forward, following the faint traces left behind by the cultists. Eventually, they reached a massive archway carved into the side of a crumbling spire. The air here was colder, and the whispers grew louder, forming disjointed words that sent chills down Rin's spine.

"Welcome…" the whispers hissed. "Welcome to the heart…"

"Okay, that's definitely creepy," Rin said, his grip tightening on his weapon.

They stepped through the archway and into a vast chamber. At its center was a pedestal, upon which rested a glowing artifact—a shard of black crystal, its surface pulsating with a malevolent light.

"The second key," Voss said, his voice low.

Before anyone could move, the room shook violently, and a deep, guttural roar echoed through the chamber.

"Let me guess," Rin said, raising his weapon. "Guard dog?"

The roar grew louder, and from the shadows emerged a massive, hulking creature. Its body was made of jagged stone, its eyes burning with an unnatural red light.

"Definitely a guard dog," Mara said, her daggers at the ready.

"Great," Rin muttered. "Let's make this quick."

---

End of Chapter 31


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