As time passed, the Stones stood majestically, like silent monuments witnessing the movement of the world. The rough, moss-covered stone structure was adorned with ancient carvings that seemed to sway gently, as if the souls etched within were vibrating, attempting to escape the grip of time. However, something had changed within them, though invisible to the human eye. The once-open sturdy gate, adorned with intricate ornaments that glimmered in soft light, was now tightly closed, as if everything they had ever sought had been consumed by the void they had unwittingly opened. As the dim light danced across the speckled stone surface, the Stones seemed to pulse with a heartbeat, exuding an aura of tension. Yet, although they had vanished without a trace, the remnants of their existence continued to leave an impact that reverberated through the world.
The beings that faced them at the gate were not merely guards; they served as a reminder of something much greater—something beyond the reach of humans, or even gods. With scaly bodies shimmering in dark hues and eyes glowing like fire, they quivered in the darkness, evoking an intense sense of unease. Subsequent investigators reported strange occurrences that began after the expedition. The underground corridors surrounding the Stones became more alive, shifting on their own, transforming in shape and structure with a terrifying rumble, as if the place had absorbed power from an unpredictable world, creating a chilling and exhilarating atmosphere.
Mysterious sounds began to echo around Stones, resembling whispers reverberating between the ancient stone walls, radiating a mystical aura that sent chills down the spine. These sounds seemed to transcend the boundaries of reality, originating from another realm with a frequency that disturbed the calm. The plants that were once wilted started to revive in a peculiar manner—their leaves shimmered in the dim light, as if cloaked in ethereal dew. They grew not like ordinary plants, but with roots sprawling like tentacles, as though a terrifying energy had infused them, transforming them into stronger, darker entities with colors unknown to the human eye.
Reports soon emerged about shadows moving beyond the limits of visibility, as if they were winds dimming the light, swirling around Stones with unpredictable movements, seemingly in search of something lost. These shadows, formless yet unmistakably real, carried an oppressive aura capable of instilling deep fear in anyone who encountered them. Some referred to them as the "new guardians" of Stones, entities commanding space and time, born from secrets too profound to comprehend, labeling them as deniers of human fragility.
However, the most perplexing tale emerged a few years after the expedition. Some claimed that the missing individuals had not truly vanished, but were instead trapped in a distorted dimension. Several eyewitnesses, ensnared in strange and chaotic dreams, reported seeing Esgal Mercury and his expedition members in forms that diverged from reality. Yet, they were not as they once were— their faces were vague and blurred, shaped by dark light, appearing to exist between human sophistication and deep primordial nature.
Esgal, once known as a grand diplomat, now appears transformed. His face no longer radiates wisdom or ambition; instead, it seems vacant—composed of shadows and particles that do not fully connect with reality. He appears trapped between two worlds, neither entirely present nor completely absent. He is a manifestation of choices made under the influence of that mysterious being, evolving into an entity that is more than just human, yet not entirely the creature he once knew. Around him, the Stones stand majestic and foreboding, ancient structures with rough, scarred surfaces, as if each stone holds a dark story buried within time. The dim light enveloping the Stones casts a mystical aura, creating shadows that dance across the ominous contoured surface; as if every corner conceals something ready to leap out.
One by one, the other members appeared in a similar form—trapped somewhere between space and time, as if they were fragments of a shattered reality. They were alive, yet not truly living; they existed, yet felt absent. Each creature appeared to expand and contract, their bodies vibrating as if composed of pure energy, teetering on the brink between existence and non-existence. Their movements were slow, accompanied by a chilling aura that enveloped them, creating tension in the surrounding air and awakening the survival instincts of the remaining witnesses.
The last reports from those who encountered Esgal and his group indicated that they no longer spoke in human language. Instead of words, they communicated with echoing sounds, voices that seeped into the minds of listeners, speaking directly to the core of their thoughts. Within that sound lay an indescribable sorrow—an ecstasy of forbidden knowledge and a greater darkness about the void they encountered on the other side of the gate, and about lessons that no one could teach. As the whispers spread, the surrounding environment grew increasingly uncomfortable; the Stones seemed to pulse as if responding to the strange echoing sounds, as though they were silent witnesses to the emptiness dwelling within those creatures.
Those who survived, who chose not to follow in Esgal's footsteps, now live burdened by shadows of guilt. Lord Esgal Mercury, the traitor of reality, had opened a forbidden door, and even though he disappeared with his group, his impact lingers. Stones, an ancient place made of glossy black stones, towers with its majestic silhouette, now transformed into a more terrifying arena of mystery. Every wall is adorned with intricate carvings that seem to move, as if infused with mystical energy; each scratch tells a long-forgotten tale. A distant rumble, like a whisper of wind heavy with uncertainty, envelops the area, creating a chilling atmosphere that grips the soul. Stones has become an even more mysterious and dangerous place—a gateway to something greater, older, and far more terrifying than anything humanity could ever imagine.
Those who attempted to investigate further only uncovered more madness and loss. Scientists obsessed with knowledge spiraled into insanity, trapped within the visions and nightmares they experienced after engaging with that place. Through the misty white shadows, supernatural beings glided in surreal, graceful movements, their metamorphosing bodies appearing blurred, creating an oppressive tension that overwhelmed all senses. With eyes shining as if absorbing all the darkness around them, they infiltrated the corridors adorned with dark moss, while the atmosphere grew increasingly sinister, causing hearts to race. Individuals entering Stones and attempting to break the seal found themselves ensnared in a time and space beyond their comprehension, never to return.
In the end, the story of the First Expedition serves as a warning for generations to come. No one knows for certain what happened to Esgal Mercury and his team, but one thing is clear: they left this world with more questions than answers. Beneath the seemingly calm surface, Stones looms grandly, adorned with menacing structures and sharp-carved stones, as if they were brushed by countless hands of time. Deep cracks run across its walls, emitting a vibrating sound that carries a sense of mystery and threat. They had unlocked something greater than just a door, more than merely a journey to a distant place. Inside, a dim light flickers, revealing the silhouettes of ethereal beings that move slowly yet deliberately, their bodies seemingly gliding through the air, with eyes shining bright like the full moon, concealing unspeakable secrets. They had breached a rift in the very fabric of the universe, creating a resonance that shakes the hearts of every soul brave enough to approach.
And now, Stones stands as a monument to misplaced ambition—a gateway to a void that can only be traversed by those unafraid to sacrifice themselves or those too foolish to comprehend what they face. The air around it feels heavy and suffocating, as if something is waiting to pounce, creating a terrifying atmosphere that can bite at the skin. Within the darkness that envelops Stones, Esgal Mercury and his group remain—not as heroes, but as a warning. Like trapped shadows, they drift in a world in between that has surpassed its boundaries, ensnared in an unexplainable, unchangeable emptiness, while the screams from the depths of night resonate with an invisible rumble.
And perhaps, at some distant point in the future, the creature they encountered will return—approaching those who dare to penetrate the secrets of Stones once more. With an inescapable heavy step, they seem to absorb light from the entire room, creating a darkness that deepens further. But this time, no one knows what will happen next, and the whispers of the wind carry news that those who remain will bear the burden of horrific decisions from the past.