God's Tree-Chapter 46: Finding new ruins

With renewed resolve, they resumed their slow, dangerous journey downward. Over the next several days, the challenges grew ever more daunting.

Icy crevasses, falling stones, and sudden gusts of wind threatened to lash them against sheer clifs.

At every turn, Argolaith recalled the ancient wisdom he had painstakingly transcribed in the ruins—the lessons of resilience, the secrets of balance, the hidden arrays that taught him to move as one with nature’s fury.

They often paused to rest in narrow alcoves or beneath the shelter of ancient stone archways.

In these rare moments of respite, they cooked additional meals using magical herbs and fresh meat from the guardian, ensuring that every morsel restored their strength.

They prepared hearty stews, simmered slowly over small fires that defied the bitter cold, and shared quiet conversations about the future and the legacy they hoped to leave behind.

"Kaelred," Argolaith said during one such break as they sat by a flickering campfire in a sheltered nook.

"I have learned that every trial on this mountain is both a test and a lesson. The ancient texts taught me that knowledge is our true weapon. Yet, here we are, forced to fight for every step we take."

Kaelred nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps that is the mountain’s way of shaping us—forcing us to balance the wisdom of the ancients with the harsh realities of the present. We must learn when to study and when to fight."

"Our journey is not solely about acquiring magic but about understanding our own strength."

Their words hung in the air as the flames cast dancing shadows on the icy walls. The mountain itself seemed to listen, its cold breath mingling with their hopeful murmurs.

And always, in the distance, the echo of the primordial guardian’s defeat was a reminder of what they had overcome—and of the monstrous forces that still lurked below.

At length, after days of relentless descent punctuated by brief battles and measured moments of rest, the summit of the ancient ruins came into view.

The colossal stone structures, remnants of a bygone civilization, jutted out from the mountain’s flank like the bones of an enormous, long-dead titan.

Every crumbling arch and shattered column told a story of lost glory and profound magic.

Now, armed with the knowledge of the ancients and tempered by the long, grueling struggle of their descent, Argolaith and Kaelred paused before the ruins with a mixture of awe and trepidation.

"Now," Argolaith murmured, "we stand at the threshold of the next great chapter.

These ruins hold the legacy of the old ways—the secrets of runes, arrays, and alchemy that have long been forgotten.

And within these walls, we may find the final clues that lead us to our Five Trees."

Kaelred’s eyes gleamed with resolve as he replied, "I have seen much on this journey, and though our path has been marred by blood and hardship, the knowledge we have gained will guide us."

"Let us enter these ruins with open hearts and determined spirits, for there is no turning back now."

Together, they stepped forward into the ancient city—a sprawling maze of corridors, courtyards, and silent halls.

The structure, though ravaged by time, still pulsed with a faint, mysterious energy, as if the memory of its former glory were preserved in every stone.

Over the following days, the two warriors explored the ruins in exhaustive detail.

They uncovered hidden libraries filled with crumbling scrolls, secret chambers lined with intricate murals depicting long-forgotten deities, and altars adorned with runic inscriptions that glowed faintly in the moonlight.

During these long hours of study, their bond grew even stronger.

They spent hours in quiet discussion, comparing notes and debating the meaning of cryptic passages.

Argolaith would often remark, "Every symbol I decipher brings me one step closer to the power of the Five Trees. It’s as if the ancients themselves are speaking to us, guiding us on our journey."

Kaelred, leaning over a brittle manuscript, replied, "Yes, but remember that with great power comes great responsibility. We must use this knowledge wisely, or risk becoming as lost as those who fell before us."

Their conversations were interspersed with moments of levity and shared laughter—a brief respite from the constant tension of their perilous journey.

Together, they prepared feasts from the remnants of their earlier meals, combining fresh meat, magical herbs, and even wild roots and berries they discovered amid the ruins.

Each meal was a celebration of life in the face of overwhelming adversity, a small triumph that reinforced their determination.

Yet, all the while, the memory of the primordial guardian the monstrous force that had once thundered down the mountain remained a dark specter in their minds.

The storage ring, with its limitless void that defied mortal explanation, housed that behemoth, a grim trophy of their past victory.

It served as a constant reminder that even the most fearsome foes could be overcome if one possessed enough will and ingenuity.

One crisp morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through the shattered windows of an ancient library, Argolaith turned to Kaelred with a determined glint in his eyes.

"Our studies here have given us insights, but now it’s time to set forth again. We must descend the mountain and journey onward toward our destiny."

Kaelred smiled wearily, his face lined with fatigue and resolve.

"Yes, let us go. I, too, am drawn by a promise beyond these ruins. My path leads me to the other side of the Forsaken Forest, where I believe my own Five Trees await. Together, our fates are intertwined."

Before they left, Argolaith paused near a stone pedestal where he had once inscribed runic formulas.

"Look here," he said softly, "this ancient array is said to channel the raw power of the mountain. It reminds me that every lesson learned, every hardship endured, is a key to unlocking our true potential."

Their departure from the ruins was slow and measured. They gathered their scrolls, notes, and the few salvaged artifacts they could carry.

The descent continued as they carefully retraced their steps down the mountain. The icy winds had grown fiercer, and the narrow paths were even more treacherous in the fading light.

Every step was a battle against the elements, and every moment was tinged with the memory of the guardian’s thunderous charge.

As they moved downward, the landscape transformed from the solemn majesty of ancient ruins to a world of stark, frozen beauty.

The mountain’s slopes were scarred by time and the relentless power of nature. Jagged ice formations glittered under a pale sky, and deep chasms yawned open like the maw of some great beast.

The descent was long, stretching over several days, and every night brought with it a new set of challenges.

Yet, through it all, Argolaith and Kaelred remained united, their friendship and shared purpose forging a bond that defied the bitter cold and harsh terrain.

During one particularly grueling stretch, the pair took shelter in a small cavern carved out by ancient glacial forces.

The interior of the cave was dimly lit by bioluminescent fungi and the soft glow of enchanted crystals embedded in the walls.

Here, they lit a modest fire and set about preparing another meal. Argolaith retrieved a fresh portion of the primordial beast’s meat from the storage ring and combined it with wild herbs they had gathered along the descent.

They chopped the herbs with care, their blades singing in the quiet cavern, and soon the air filled with the aroma of a hearty stew, rich in flavor and warmth.

"Come, let’s eat," Kaelred said as he settled against a cool stone wall. "The cold may be fierce outside, but in here, we can find a brief reprieve."

They ate in silence for a time, the savory warmth of the stew offering a momentary escape from the relentless chill.

In between bites, they exchanged quiet words about the ancient knowledge they had gleaned, about the runes that spoke of power and sacrifice, and about the destiny that lay before them.

The cavern became a sanctuary of reflection, a place where the scars of battle and the weight of their journey could be momentarily forgotten.

As they finished their meal, Argolaith gazed into the dancing flames.

"I wonder," he mused, "if one day, when we have claimed the power of the Five Trees, we’ll look back on these trials as the forge that made us who we are."

Kaelred’s eyes were distant as he replied, "I believe that every hardship we endure is a step toward something greater."

"The knowledge we acquire here is not only our weapon—it is our shield. And together, we will weather whatever storms the mountain sends our way."

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

Their conversation was interrupted by the distant sound of shifting earth—a reminder that the mountain’s dangers were never far behind.

With their rest complete, the two friends gathered their supplies once more.

They emerged from the cavern into a world of swirling snow and fierce winds. The descent continued, and the mountain’s face became ever more rugged and wild.

As they made their way down steep slopes and through narrow passes, Argolaith and Kaelred encountered more challenges.