Others had intricate designs, and their surfaces were covered with geometric patterns and swirling motifs, but these designs had become worn and faded over time.
The exteriors of many of the buildings had been worn away over time, exposing the buildings' underlying structural bones. There was a stark beauty in the buildings' exposed vulnerability.
Off to one side, a colossal dome of glass and metal stood out, a geometric marvel amidst the surrounding buildings' straight lines and harsh angles. Within it, dark soil stretched out in an expanse, a testament to the technological prowess of its creators.
"That's where they grew their crops, I think…" Samuel mused, gazing up at the structure. His voice echoed eerily in the vast silence, the sound reverberating off the cavernous walls.
?α?dαsηθνε| Erik glanced at him while maintaining a thoughtful expression in his eyes. "Possibly," he conceded after some thought. "But even if that were to be the case, the machinery in there..." He indicated the wide variety of corroded and weathered machinery visible through the glass. "It's highly unlikely that we'll be able to get it functioning normally again."
Even though the prediction was bleak, there was an undeniable sense of awe in both of their voices. There was a city their ancestors had constructed; people who had no access to mana or superpowers but had created something magnificent and advanced. The sheer magnitude and complexity of the city were testaments to the ingenuity and tenacity of the people who built it.
As they continued their journey, they came across several historical relics along the way. The decaying skeletons of statues dot the otherwise lifeless landscape of a plaza that was once bustling with activity.
Further down the road, what appeared to be the ruins of an old transportation hub stood, with the rusted tracks of an antiquated rail network winding their way through the buildings.
The engineering prowess of the people who lived in the city was still evident despite their homes falling into disrepair. The sight was humbling and filled them with a profound respect for the people who had built this refuge, their sanctuary against primordial thaids.
As they approached the military building, the structures surrounding them started to take on a more uniform appearance. This was a striking contrast to the diverse assortment of buildings they had just traversed.
It was obvious that they were moving into a more militarized section of the city, the stronghold, which was likely the location of the decisive and desperate battle against the thaids that led them to ruin.
The idea imbued the task with an air of solemnity and gravity, fortifying their determination to face the danger concealed deep within the city.
Ethan's voice abruptly broke the solemn silence surrounding them, which resounded throughout the vast underground space as they made their way deeper into the center of the ancient city. His youthful enthusiasm was poorly concealed behind a facade of humor when he said, "It's like some kind of... theme park, eh?" he added. "Bet those old folks sure knew how to party in their fancy metal cave!"
The other men glared at him angrily, their facial expressions becoming resolute due to the abrasive comparison. The young man's callous remark reduced the city, which was a testament to the struggle and perseverance of their ancestors, to a spectacle.
Samuel spun around, his aging eyes blazing with the sudden fire that had suddenly engulfed him. "Watch your tongue, Ethan!" he yelled, his usually calm voice taking on an authoritative tone for the first time. ραпdαs `n?ν?| сom
"This 'theme park,' as you call it, was home to our forefathers. People who fought and died here, trying to build a safe haven from the monsters outside."
He made a broad motion over the foreboding expanses of the city as the ethereal glow of the Aclaitrium cast dancing shadows upon his wrinkled face. "They carved a life out of stone and darkness, created a beacon of hope when there was none. Their blood and sweat are in this place's very walls and run through our veins..."
Samuel then moved closer to Ethan, lowering his voice while maintaining the authoritative tone of his previous statement.
"Every stone, every beam, every shard of glass... They whisper tales of a time we can barely imagine. This city is a monument to our resilience, our ingenuity. It is not a spectacle for us to gawk at. So, remember that, boy, and pay your respects."
Samuel's words echoed in their ears, a stark reminder of the gravity of their mission and the sacred nature of the ground they stood on. Ethan swallowed hard, his face flushed with embarrassment and newfound understanding. For the moment, at least, he remained quiet, his flippant comment swallowed by the weight of their surroundings.
The group of men finally arrived in front of the military building where Erik had previously discovered the map to the cave after spending some time wandering around the city. The awakener and the other individuals were gathered before the entrance to the formidable military structure.
Its colossal form dominated their field of vision, looming menacingly in front of them as it did so. The open doorway allowed a brisk breeze to blow through, carrying the musty odor of deterioration and disuse with it.
Even though the bright light of the Aclaitrium illuminated it, the building appeared shrouded in darkness, and the interior was an opaque abyss.
They both felt a tingling sensation in the nape of their necks and a chill that seemed to settle into their bones. They were staring at a hulking mass of metal, and suddenly, the magnitude of the challenge they were up against became very real to them.
Despite the awe the structure inspired, there was an undercurrent of unease. This was not just an ancient relic of a bygone era; it was potentially the lair of the beast they were hunting, the creature that had driven an entire civilization to abandon their refuge.
Erik whirled around to face the other people, and his face was stern. His voice was barely audible above a whisper when he said, "Stay alert," but it carried an unmistakable sense of urgency.
"Keep your senses sharp, your weapons ready. The creature could be anywhere, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."
His gaze swept over each of them, his eyes locking onto theirs in a silent exchange of understanding. They nodded back at him, their faces a mask of steely resolve. They knew the stakes. They understood the danger.
The air seemed to thicken with anticipation, the quiet before a storm. Then, without another word, they stepped into the hollow interior of the military building, each footfall a testament to their resolve, echoing in the ancient halls of the city that time had forgotten.
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