The city of Garnolith was growing quickly. Strong stone walls stood around it, keeping danger away. Inside, houses, gardens, and meeting halls filled the land. The people smiled. They felt safe. Protected.
But Jin knew something important—
Safety was not enough. To build a kingdom, they needed more.
More food.
More tools.
More power.
One morning, Jin stood in the center hall, surrounded by his people's leaders. His voice was calm, but full of purpose.
"There are secrets in this land," he said. "Forests, rivers, and mountains we have not seen. There may be danger. But also… treasures. Herbs, metals, maybe even magic. We must explore."
Warriors nodded. Hunters raised their hands. Scouts stepped forward.
Jin pointed to a map carved into the stone table. In the middle was Garnolith. Around it:
To the north—deep forests.
To the east—tall, snowy mountains.
To the south—wide rivers.
To the west—unknown lands.
"I will send four teams," Jin said. "One in each direction. Search. But be careful. Do not fight unless you must. Return safe."
He gave orders:
To Rava, a quiet but skilled scout: "You go north. Look for herbs, animals, maybe caves."
To Raku, a strong warrior: "You go east. Search the mountains for stone, metal, or crystals."
Two more teams were sent—one south, following the river, and one west into the dark woods.
Jin watched them prepare. They packed food and weapons, wore light armor, and promised to return soon. Before they left, Jin gave them a blessing.
"Walk with strength. Think with care. Return with truth."
The teams bowed deeply.
"We will serve, Stone King."
Then the gates opened. One by one, they walked out. The forest waited. The wind howled in the mountains.
Jin stood at the top of the wall, watching them go. His heart was proud—but also worried.
"This land holds old stories," he whispered. "What will we find buried in the earth?"
---
Four Days Later – The Mana Crystal Cave
On the fourth day, one group returned.
It was Raku team from the mountains. Their clothes were dirty, boots worn—but their faces were bright with excitement.
"My King!" Raku called. "We found something amazing!"
Jin met them in the great hall and listened as they spoke.
"We climbed high into the mountains," Raku said. "We followed a river path and broke through thick vines. Behind them, we found a cave."
"A cave?" Jin asked.
Drok nodded. "Not a normal one. The walls inside shine with blue light. The ground is full of mana crystals."
Jin's eyes widened. Mana crystals—rare and powerful. Used in magic tools, golem cores, and enchantments.
"Show me," he said.
The next morning, Jin and Raku's team traveled to the cave. The path was steep. Trees grew close. Birds flew above.
Finally, they reached the thick vines. Raku pushed them aside.
Cold air rushed out of the dark cave. It smelled of magic and stone.
Jin stepped inside. His eyes adjusted to the glow. Blue light danced along the walls.
Crystals. Glowing. Humming with power.
"This is pure mana," Jin whispered. "More than I've ever seen."
Deeper in, they found crystals of every kind—red, blue, even rare golden ones.
"This place," Raku said, "is a gift from the earth."
Jin nodded. "It is also a responsibility."
He marked the cave as sacred. Guards stood at its entrance. Only trained hands could enter. Tools were made with care—no wild digging allowed.
"We will build a vault in the city," Jin said. "Use the crystals for good. To protect. To build. Not for greed."
As they left, Jin looked back at the glowing cave.
"Thank you, mountain," he whispered. "I will use your gift with honor."
---
Two Days Later – The Ancient Ruins
Two days after the crystal cave was found, another group returned.
This time, it was Kurr's team. Kurr was one of the first lizardmen Jin had named and the village chief. Smart, quick, and always curious.
They came back at sunset, tired but excited.
"Stone King," kurr said, bowing, "we found something strange. Something old."
"Old?" Jin asked.
Kurr nodded. "In the western forest, we found a hill made of broken stone. But it wasn't natural. It was built. There were walls, broken pillars, and strange symbols."
"Show me tomorrow," Jin said. "I want to see it."
The next day, they traveled through thick forest. Birds sang. The air was cool.
Then, they saw it.
Old stone blocks lay across the ground. Cracked. Covered in moss. Shapes carved into the walls—circles, lines, glowing slightly in the sunlight.
Jin touched one. A warmth spread through his fingers. Magic. Memories.
"This is ancient magic," he whispered.
He walked deeper into the ruins. In the center was a stone platform. A broken statue stood there. No head. But the body—it looked like a golem. Like Jin's old form.
"This place…" Jin said, "was made by golems. Long ago."
The others gasped.
"What does it mean?" Kurr asked.
"I think this was once a city," Jin said. "A golem city. Maybe even my ancestors."
He ordered the area cleared—slowly, carefully. No stone was to be moved without his word.
"This is history," Jin said. "Our history. We must respect it."
A guard post was built nearby. Jin told his people,
"This place may hold old knowledge. We will protect it. One day, we will learn from it."
---
That Night – Hints of the Past
The sun was low when Jin stood alone in the ruins.
The others had returned to Garnolith. Only a few guards stayed at a distance.
Jin knelt before the broken golem statue. He touched the stone.
It felt cold.
Old.
But familiar.
He closed his eyes.
Then—he heard a voice.
Not with his ears.
But in his mind.
> "You who carry the soul of stone… awaken."
Jin's eyes snapped open.
"Who…?" he whispered.
The voice was gone—but the feeling remained.
He rose and walked among the symbols. As he passed, they began to glow softly—light blue like the moon.
"Rune magic," he whispered.
Circles for energy.
Marks for life.
Symbols for creation.
He placed his hand on the statue's chest.
Suddenly, the floor lit up with blue light. A gentle hum filled the air.
Jin stood still, letting the magic pass through him.
Then—
A vision.
A great hall.
Golems walking with purpose.
Builders. Protectors. Thinkers.
At the center stood a tall golem. Glowing red eyes. A golden crown.
It looked like Jin.
But older.
Stronger.
Words echoed:
> "We built. We protected. We waited.
One day, the stone will rise again."
Then it was gone.
The light faded. The ruins went dark again.
Jin touched his chest. His magic core felt warm.
"This place knew me," he said. "Or someone like me."
He stepped outside and looked back at the ruins.
"I will return," he promised. "The past is calling. And I must answer."
Above the forest, stars began to shine.
But in Jin's heart, something brighter had awakened—
A connection to his past.
And hope for the future.