The sun rose over Verdant Hollow in hues of gold and rust, casting long shadows across the newly reinforced outer walls. The valley was calm, for now. But Riku's mind was racing.
A newly acquired map floated in the system interface above the war table. Iridun, an ancient, buried ruin whispered about in the academy's restricted texts, shimmered faintly three days to the west, marked with pulsing amber light.
> [Mission Progression: Echoes of the Gatewalkers – Stage 2 Initiated] [Target Site: Ruins of Iridun - Status: Dormant, Sealed]
Riku stood at the main gate flanked by Kira, Ayumi, and their newest temporary ally, Jin Asakura. Around them, a select group of Hollow's elite fighters prepped supplies, including a pair of summoned mounts and a cart enchanted with auto-glide magic.
"Report back daily," Riku said to Lieutenant Vorn, the Hollow's head of defense. "If anything feels off any sign of portals, lock the Hollow and use the failsafe crystal."
"Yes, my lord," Vorn saluted.
