1 The Castle in the middle of the woods

In the middle of a desolate forest, one that habited none but insects and little creatures stood a large black castle that jutted amongst the trees. It was quite hidden amongst them and was already home to many of the greens themselves.

Moss grew on the black walls, vines entwined the crooks and the crannies and contrasting flowers of different bright colors bloomed around it.

In the middle of the picturesque scene were a number of adventurers, a band of strong youths hungry for some action.

There were four of them and they all donned outfits that were quite telling of their profession.

"I can sense good loot in there. I just feel it! The Intel was genuine!" Yelled a young man in an outfit of blue tunic and brown leather. His hair was white like the moon and he was quite tall, on his back was a large sword of black unsheathed.

Behind him stood the rest of the crew, a man around his age and two women.

The other man looked unimpressive compared to his male peer but he still had that feeling of adventuring to him, he had auburn hair and was just as tall. He had on a sleeveless vest that exposed his chest and a pair of black trousers with a few hanging potions strapped to his waist. He crossed his hands eyeing the marvelous architecture in front of them.

Next to him was a woman of ordinary looks, she was blonde and long-haired, she had eyes of hazel that complimented her hair. A long blade was strapped by her flank.

The last member was a woman in a beautiful blue robe, her blue hair flowed down beneath her shoulders and her bosoms strained against her robe, she was the largest of the group, although not particularly large, she was more of a plump woman with nice curves. On her right hand was a metal staff with a blue stone attached to the center.

They walked forward and got on the black concrete platform on which the castle stood.

Two large black statues with wings of dragons and many faces of beasts stood by the sides of the path, one on each side.

"Are those demons?" Asked the blonde woman.

"I bet, they must be ancient. Had to come across any that look an inch close to being as gnarly as this.' answered the adventurer with a staff.

The white-haired man led the rest forward, taking the role of the leader.

They reached the door to the castle. On its sides stood two gigantic statues with heads of lions and the body of man, they had with them a large shield and they held long spears with curved blades by their sides.

The white-haired adventurer placed his hands on the stone wall and as he did, the magic imbued in the statues activated and granted them life.

The demon statues broke out of the plants and vines that bound them to the walls of the castle.

One thrust its spear down at the group, but it was stopped in its strike. A large clang sounded.

The white-haired adventurer had his blade over his chest stopping the spear from hitting him.

Mana coursed through him and with its power, he pushed back the spear. The energy swarm and found its way into the sword dousing it and turning into a hot flame that dressed the sword.

The adventurer leaped and swung down his sword atop the statue's head. He came down with heat that melted the guard cleaving it into two, each half fell apart the sides and it was rendered lifeless once more.

The remaining members were occupied with the other guard of stone, the blonde adventurer parried the strikes of the giant while the other man struck resounding blows that sent it back.

"Fire magic: Blazing Bolt!"

Mana from across zoomed at the woman's staff gathering on the stone, the invisible energy burned as it became larger and larger and then at a great speed pierced through the heart of the statue creating a large hole in it.

Cracks spread from the spot to the rest of the body and it broke into little stones.

"This place is rich in mana. Very rich." Commented the mage.

"I noticed. My punches are a bit stronger today."

"Let's get this over with." The leader said and his sword cleaved through the stone wall like it was butter.

The group escorted themselves in. A tapestry of the most ancient portraits and luxury unfolded before their eyes, sure the plants had invaded but a lot of the inside retained its beauty.

Large frame paintings hung on the walls up above them, a curved staircase led above towards the rays of the sun and below to the shadowy depths.

"Let's split. Grab any valuables you find and yell if you come across any trouble. Be smart."

They scrambled, they looked into the many rooms unperturbed, taking whatever seemed valuable; little sacks of gold, impressive fabrics and some artefacts lying around. They found them all, the castle was a jackpot.

"Guys!" The yell caught everybody's attention and brought them to the site where it emanated from.

It was an obscure room in the cellar below. Someone had spotted something worthy of special attention.

"This is… What's that?" Their leader blurted.

In front of them stood a coffin of stone set vertically upwards. Intricate designs were embedded on it and a red fiery orb was fixed at the center.

"I can't pick anything from in there." The blue-haired adventurer stated.

"Me neither. Maybe it's gold or some artefact." the fist-fighting adventurer commented.

"I don't have a good feeling about this." said their leader. He held up his sword in his left hand and slowly walked to the coffin.

He arrived at it and slowly, and he slid its cover away. What was in it wasn't gold or some large artefact, far from it.

What rested was a being responsible for many calamities in the years before.

"Light." the being uttered.