"Ruins do not speak. But if you listen closely, you’ll hear their dead whispering."

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  Chapter 5: The Bones of a Forgotten Age

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  The School Trip: From Museums to Campfires

  The bus ride was peaceful—at least for some. Aiden was fast asleep, his head resting comfortably against the seat, while Ryu sat beside him, gazing out the window, admiring the rolling hills and lush greenery.

  The rhythmic hum of the bus made it a perfect moment to appreciate nature, but the tranquility was quickly disrupted by the students seated at the back. Their chatter grew louder, laughter turning into a nuisance, until the new female teacher, Miss Riko, finally had enough. With a sharp scolding, she restored order, and the ride continued smoothly.

  Shortly after, the bus came to a halt near the Royal Beczethone Ruins, where an ancient museum stood, filled with relics of the past. The students disembarked, some excited, others already dreading the long hours of history lessons ahead.

  Inside, they wandered through exhibits showcasing the gauntlets of past generals, rune stones imbued with magic particles from ancient creatures, and artifacts dating back to wars of forgotten times.

  Despite the fascinating displays, most students were indifferent—more of the let the past stay in the past type. Still, they went through the motions, absorbing what they could before the day ended.

  That evening, they arrived at an inn booked by the school. Exhausted from the day’s explorations, most students quickly dozed off. However, as soon as the teachers left for their own quarters, the night took a different turn.

  A Night of Ghost Stories

  "Alright, it's time for some real history," one of the students whispered, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

  A small group gathered in one of the larger rooms, whispering excitedly. Among them was Alina, fired up and eager to spook everyone, and Lena, already clutching a pillow in fear. One by one, they began sharing mystery ghost stories—some drawn from folklore, others completely made up on the spot. Each tale grew darker, the candlelight flickering as if responding to the eerie atmosphere.

  Every creak in the floorboards made Lena jump, while Alina only grinned wider. "You know, they say these ruins are haunted…" someone teased, making Lena squeal in protest.

  They managed to bluff the teachers a couple of times, convincing them they were asleep whenever they checked in. But their luck eventually ran out, and they were caught red-handed. With a final warning, the teachers sent everyone back to their rooms, bringing the ghostly fun to an end.

  The Exploration Begins

  The next morning, the students were divided into groups and given free rein to explore the surrounding areas. This was a crucial part of their education—a simulated survival exercise meant to prepare them for future situations where they might find themselves lost beyond the provinces of the major nation, a common occurrence during wartime.

  Each group was given only one cellphone for emergencies, forcing them to rely on teamwork and decision-making skills. Of course, they were still being observed and guided by teachers, ensuring their safety.

  Mr. Scalor Prince, a seasoned instructor with experience in survival training, stepped forward.

  “Listen up,” he commanded, “you’ll be setting up your own tents tonight. Boys and girls will have separate tents, but you’re free to collaborate with other groups. Work smart, not just hard.”

  The students quickly formed teams.

  In Ryu’s case, his group consisted of:

  Aiden (lazy but reliable)

  Karl (collected and strategic)

  Ren (sharp-witted and athletic)

  Kyle (new member, part of the basketball team)

  The girls formed their own teams accordingly, leaving each group to its own devices.

  Setting Up Camp

  Taking charge, Ryu stepped up as the group leader, distributing tasks efficiently.

  Ryu & Aiden – Gathered firewood.

  Ren & Kyle – Collected water from a nearby stream.

  Karl – Searched for edible fruits.

  By evening, their supplies were gathered, the fireplace was ready, and the tents were set up. The crackling of firewood soon filled the air, casting warm light across their temporary camp.

  Sitting around the fire, the group dug into the fresh fruits brought by Karl, enjoying their sweet taste. Karl, however, couldn’t help but grumble about the bug bites he endured while picking them. The others only laughed, praising him between bites.

  A Midnight Walk

  After their meal, Ryu decided to check in on the other groups and—without giving Aiden a choice—dragged him along.

  Aiden groaned, shooting him a tired glare. "I swear, Ryu… do you ever run out of energy?"

  Ryu only grinned. "Nope. Now, come on. Let’s go."

  Despite his complaints, Aiden reluctantly followed, his posture resembling an annoyed old man forced out of his bed. The night air was crisp, the distant chirping of crickets adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

  After a short stroll and a few mischievous remarks from Ryu, they returned to the tent. Aiden wasted no time—the moment he hit the mat, he was out like a light. It was almost comical how quickly he could fall asleep, as if he'd been sleepwalking through the entire day.

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  Just as Ryu was about to rest as well, a few unexpected visitors arrived.

  Uninvited Guests

  Alina and Lena poked their heads inside. "Hey, can we stay here for a while?" Alina asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Aiden’s half-asleep groan made it clear what he thought of the idea, but Ryu shrugged. "Why not? Just don’t make too much noise."

  The next half-hour was filled with lively chatter, playful teasing, and a few rounds of cards. The warm glow of the fire outside only added to the cozy atmosphere, and even Lena—who had been terrified during the ghost stories earlier—was now fully immersed in the fun.

  Aiden, however, was clinging to the last shreds of his patience, trying desperately to sleep through the noise. With each burst of laughter, his annoyance grew.

  Just as he was about to snap, sitting up with a glare sharp enough to silence the entire tent, the girls—perhaps sensing the impending explosion—quickly gathered their things. Giggling, they excused themselves and hurried back to their tent before Aiden could utter a single word.

  Left in the sudden quiet, Aiden let out a slow, frustrated sigh before flopping back onto his bedroll. Ryu chuckled, shaking his head as he finally settled in.

  Adventures and fun can be carried out tomorrow as well—but for now, sleep finally had its turn.

  Early Morning Discovery

  As usual, Ryu woke up early, stretching as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the dense foliage surrounding their campsite. The crisp morning air beckoned him for a stroll, so he decided to take a walk along the riverbank. The gentle rush of water and the occasional chirping of birds made for a peaceful atmosphere.

  As he wandered, his gaze landed on an unusual stone resting by the shore. Runes were delicately carved across its surface, faintly catching the morning light. He crouched down, brushing off some dirt to get a better look, but before he could dwell on it for long, he glanced up at the sky.

  The sun had risen higher than he expected.

  His eyes widened in realization. Crap, I need to get back and manage the group!

  Without a second thought, he left the stone where it was and sprinted back to the campsite.

  A Shared Love for Books

  Upon his return, he found everyone still fast asleep—except for Kyle, who was sitting cross-legged in the corner, nose buried in a book.

  The cover instantly caught Ryu’s eye.

  "The Name of the Wind."

  Ryu’s interest piqued as he approached. "You're reading Rothfuss?"

  Kyle looked up, adjusting his glasses. "Yeah, the fifth edition. Thought I’d kill time with it."

  A grin spread across Ryu’s face as he sat beside him. "Man, I love that book! Kvothe’s journey, the magic system, the way Rothfuss writes—it’s insane. How far are you in?"

  "About halfway. Just got to the part where Kvothe starts learning sympathy."

  "Ohh, that part’s great! The way he manipulates heat—it’s such a well-thought-out magic system."

  Kyle chuckled. "You sound like a total bookworm."

  "You’re one to talk," Ryu shot back playfully. "It’s rare to find someone here who actually reads beyond textbooks."

  The conversation carried on for a bit, both of them excitedly geeking out over their favorite moments. But after a while, Kyle closed his book and looked at Ryu thoughtfully.

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "Yeah?"

  Kyle hesitated before speaking. "Why do you always support Aiden? I mean, you’re active, sharp, and way more responsible than him. But you keep pushing him forward like... like ignoring a bee on a hive."

  Ryu’s smile faded slightly. His expression softened, his gaze drifting as if lost in thought. "Aido is… somewhat similar to me," he murmured. "But along with that, I also see a glimmer of hope in him."

  Kyle frowned, intrigued. "Hope?"

  Ryu clenched his fist subtly, his thumb brushing against an old scar on his wrist. His voice was quieter now. "I don’t want him to end up like... someone I knew."

  Kyle observed him for a moment before sighing. "Honestly, if it weren’t for you, Aiden would’ve been nothing but a lackey in class."

  The conversation was cut short when Karl, still half-asleep, groggily lifted his head. "What are you two nerds mumbling about this early in the morning…?"

  Kyle smirked. "Just books."

  Suddenly, Rin bolted upright, eyes wide. "WOAH—IT’S ALREADY 8 AM?!"

  Ryu blinked before his face twisted in horror. "WHAT?!"

  Without a second thought, he grabbed Aiden—still snoring peacefully—and threw him out of the tent.

  There was a heavy THUD followed by a groan.

  Kyle, Karl, and Rin collectively winced. "Oof. We feel for you, Aiden."

  Aiden groggily opened his eyes, blinking at the bright morning sky. "What the hell, Ryu…?" he grumbled, rubbing his back.

  "It’s already 8! You’ve been sleeping like a log!" Ryu snapped.

  Aiden yawned, still unfazed. "Fine, fine… but did you really have to throw me out?"

  Ryu grinned mischievously. "Of course. Consider it an energy boost."

  The others exchanged a glance before muttering in unison, "He’s an unusual one…"

  They all wished Aiden luck for putting up with Ryu.

  Evening Exploration and Campfire Banter

  As the day went on, the students spent their time sightseeing the nearby woods, stumbling across broken ruins and collecting old junk, believing they were precious historical artifacts. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they returned to camp, exhausted but content.

  That evening, Ryu dragged Aiden along for another walk, much to the latter’s dismay. By the time they returned, the campfire flickered softly in the dim night, casting shadows against the trees.

  Nearby, a group of girls from the study club had gathered, chatting and giggling with the boys. Kyle, however, sat alone in a corner, engrossed in his book as usual.

  Inside one of the tents, things were far more lively.

  Alina and Lena had sneaked in, laughing and teasing their friends, turning what was supposed to be a resting period into an impromptu party. Ryu was in his element—joking, talking, keeping the conversation alive.

  Aiden, on the other hand, lay motionless on his bedroll, an arm draped over his face. He had been trying to sleep, but the noise made it impossible.

  With a sigh, he finally sat up. His voice was flat but firm.

  "Alright, enough. Out. All of you."

  The tent fell silent for a second.

  Ryu raised a brow. "Dude, chill. We’re just talking."

  "Talking? You’re practically throwing a festival in here."

  The girls exchanged nervous glances. One of them whispered, "Maybe we should just—"

  Aiden cut in. "Good idea. Door’s that way."

  Insulted, the girls huffed and left. The rest of the group followed, leaving only Ryu standing there.

  Aiden flopped back down. "Finally. Peace."

  Ryu shook his head. "You didn’t have to be such a jerk about it."

  "Not my problem," Aiden muttered. "Now, if you’ll excuse me—sleep."

  Ryu clenched his fists but didn’t push further. He just turned and left the tent, exhaling sharply.

  Moonlit Discovery

  Ryu wandered toward the river, his mind restless. As he approached the shore, something caught his eye.

  A faint glow.

  He stepped closer and saw the same rune-covered stone from earlier—but this time, it was glowing softly. He frowned, scanning the area, and noticed more stones with identical carvings scattered along the riverbank.

  Then, across the river, even more.

  His heart pounded with curiosity. It almost looked like... a path. A deliberately placed trail leading somewhere deeper into the woods.

  Without hesitation, he crossed the river, carefully stepping along the stone path. As he ventured deeper, the air around him changed. The usual sounds of the night—crickets, rustling leaves—fell into an eerie silence. A foul mist thickened, making each breath feel heavier.

  After ten minutes, the forest around him seemed different. Weeds cracked underfoot. Broken, split pillars stood with strange circular engravings.

  Then, through the mist, he saw it.

  A massive stone structure stood before him, covered in the same glowing rune patterns. A cave-like entrance lay at its center, shrouded in an ominous stillness. But as Ryu stepped closer, something unexpected happened.

  The mist faded.

  Instead of a dark ruin, a breathtaking garden unfolded before his eyes.

  Dense trees with hanging pink blossoms draped over an ancient stone pathway, glowing softly in the moonlight. Three old tombstones rested at the end of the path, surrounded by vibrant wisteria-like flowers. The air was thick with mystery, yet oddly peaceful.

  Ryu took a deep breath, admiring the surreal beauty before him. A slow grin crept onto his face.

  "I think this should be our next exploration site…"

  Chapter End

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  End-of-Chapter Note

  If you enjoyed this chapter or have any thoughts, I’d love to hear them! Whether it’s something you liked, something that felt off, or any suggestions, feel free to share. I’m always open to feedback, criticism, and discussions to make the story even better.

  I’m also experimenting with my update schedule! If you’d like to see more frequent updates or have any input, drop a comment or leave a review. Your support truly makes a difference!

  If you're enjoying the journey so far, please consider leaving a review and rating—it helps a ton and keeps this story going strong. Your feedback and encouragement mean the world to me!

  Thanks for reading, and see you in the next one! ????

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