Dawn broke over the Ayzion peaks, painting the sky with soft hues of gold and rose as pale light sliced through the lingering mist.

The camp stirred to life, restless before the sun had fully risen.

Sleep had eluded everyone; men had closed their eyes, but the memories of battle still echoed in their minds, jolting them awake at every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig.

As the sun began its ascent between drifting clouds, soldiers were already suited up and ready for action.

Fresh armor glinted dully in the morning light, new plating snapping into place with sharp mechanical sounds that filled the air.

Rifles, shotguns, and heavier ordnance were meticulously checked and loaded, slung across shoulders like extensions of themselves.

The atmosphere buzzed with the metallic clinks of gear being adjusted and boots crunching on gravel.

Meanwhile, the archaeologists prepared quietly.

They strapped on backpacks tightly, securing scroll tubes against their chests while gripping notebooks and cameras, some even clutching peculiar devices that looked almost fragile beside the soldiers' imposing presence.

Yet their eyes sparkled with a different kind of intensity,an eagerness that hinted at untold discoveries waiting to be unearthed.

At the forefront stood Arthur, his helmet tucked under one arm. His expression was steely as he barked out orders with precision.

"We move on foot," he commanded sharply. "Formation: Aegis-7 on point; Gunner stays with me. Archaeological team in the center; rear guard covers them. Flanks secure on both sides. Keep noise to a minimum unless necessary."

Nods rippled through his men as rifles clicked into position.

Gunner issued quick confirmations while reorganizing squads into tight lines.

Ethan grunted as he checked his gauntlet display one last time, while Mireille deftly adjusted her blade into its scabbard.

Arthur put on a visor; the HUD flickered to life with a soft hum filling his ears, a familiar comfort amidst chaos.

"Move."

With that command echoing in their minds, they stepped into the valley together.

The path wound downward like a serpent carved by centuries of erosion,broken stones littered their route while dry bushes clung desperately to cliffsides like weary souls long drained of vitality.

Towering cliffs loomed above them, casting deep shadows that seemed to swallow any trace of light.

Silence enveloped them as soldiers moved in unison; boots crunched against gravel while archaeologists struggled to keep pace, breaths quickening with each step forward.

Somewhere among those rocks, birds cried out,a low guttural sound that felt unsettlingly wrong.

Hours slipped away beneath an unrelenting sun that climbed higher yet failed to penetrate this valley's oppressive gloom where shadows thickened as if light itself recoiled from this cursed place.

Sweat soaked undersuits while tension coiled tighter within every soldier's chest.

Two hours later, the path finally leveled out, revealing a breathtaking vista.

The valley walls opened up into a vast basin, and at its far end loomed the entrance to the tomb.

It stood like an ancient wound in the mountainside,a majestic archway carved from solid stone, flanked by two massive pillars that towered at least ten meters high.

Though worn by centuries of weathering, they still held their proud stance, their surfaces adorned with faint carvings that time had nearly erased.

Atop each pillar were strange sockets,gaping voids as if something significant once resided there.

The gate itself was an imposing slab of black stone, intricately carved with symbols that left the group puzzled.

Above it, reliefs depicted fierce warriors locked in battle, blades raised toward a central figure whose face had been deliberately defaced long ago.

Around the entrance lay a chaotic scattering of rubble, as if the mountain had repeatedly attempted to bury this sacred site only for it to remain defiantly untouched.

The archaeologists froze in awe at the sight before them.

Professor Adrian dropped his pack without thinking; his hands trembled as he stepped closer.

His eyes traced the intricate carvings, wide with wonder.

He muttered under his breath while frantically sketching in his notebook.

Lukas and Clara couldn't contain himself and whispered excitedly about their discovery.

"This is it," Adrian finally breathed out hoarsely. "Without question. This… this is the tomb."

Nods of agreement rippled through the group; their faces glowed with feverish excitement.

All the hardships,the journey fraught with bloodshed and loss had led them to this pivotal moment.

Arthur stood at the front, fixated on those towering pillars.

His heart pounded heavily in his chest; for the first time in days, his stoic demeanor cracked slightly as relief washed over him like a warm wave. He exhaled slowly,a sigh of release.

But before they could fully savor this victory, everything shifted dramatically.

To their right, bushes rustled ominously; dry branches snapped underfoot as figures emerged from concealment.

Arthur's expression hardened instantly.

A second group stepped into view, archaeologists clad in tattered coats and dust-covered hats accompanied by armed escorts whose rifles gleamed menacingly under the rising sun.

Leading them was a tall young man with sharp features and eyes sparkling with arrogance; he carried no weapon but radiated authority nonetheless.

As they fanned out with guns drawn, Aegis-7 reacted immediately,rifles raised in response with safety clicks echoing through tense air.

The atmosphere thickened,sharp enough to cut and anticipation crackled like electricity around them.

Arthur frowned deeply now; he tightened his grip on his rifle while his visor highlighted targets and mapped distances,every heartbeat resonating within this valley turned cage.

Just then another change occured as, laughter echoe —low and amused, yet laced with a hint of menace.

Ravik Thorne emerged from the shadows, coming from the way Arthur and the others came from,his silhouette stark against the pale dawn.

Behind him, the Crimson Jackals materialized like wolves on the hunt, weapons at the ready and eyes gleaming with hunger.

With a confident swagger, Ravik descended, his grin wide and his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Well, well…" he drawled, his voice smooth and dripping with mockery. "Three groups. One prize."

"Hello everyone my name is Ravik Thorne leader of the Crimson Jackals ".

In an instant, weapons swung into action.

The Crimson Jackals raised their rifles high while the newcomers bristled in response, guns snapping toward both Arthur's squad and Ravik's crew.

Aegis-7 adjusted their stances as they tracked potential targets across the tense circle.

The valley transformed into a standoff of steel.

Three factions stood poised for battle,eyes locked in a fierce gaze.

No one dared to move.

No one dared to breathe.

Behind them loomed the tomb,silent and expectant.

The weight of centuries pressed down heavily upon them; the air grew sharp enough to slice through skin.

Everyone knew that once that first spark ignited chaos, this valley would become a slaughterhouse.

And just like that, the chapter ended in silence,the trigger still unpulled.

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