In this world that looks like ruins, a highly advanced civilization once flourished.
But that civilization did not remain. What remained were only its traces, its discoveries, and the magical objects it created.
These objects survived the harsh passage of time, which is estimated to be tens of thousands of years.
Some of these objects granted power, while others became a curse.
No matter how different their effects were, humans always saw benefit in them, and for that reason they never stopped searching for them.
In this world, it was not strange for a person to dedicate most of their life to searching.
Even if the place they searched in was full of reasons to die.
In an environment where you might die without even realizing it, because of the attack of a monster whose ability to kill defies common sense…
Power becomes a necessity.
Some believed that this world was nothing but a curse that fell upon the ancients—the ones who created these mysterious magical objects.
Even so, humans never stopped searching for them.
And the goal of the men gathered around the fire was also to search.
Fuad said, excitement visible on his face:
"I and Sakhr were not wasting time here during the past month. What is inside this box is the greatest proof of my words."
Hossam said excitedly:
"Oh, really, cousin? Show us what you found."
Fuad said as he opened the box:
"Alright… the first thing I will show you. When I first saw it, I felt a dangerous aura coming from it. Sakhr and I tried to figure out what it is or what it is used for, but our attempts failed."
When Marian saw the thing Fuad took out of the box, his eyes shone, and a mix of excitement and curiosity appeared on his face.
Fuad asked him:
"So, what do you think, Mr. Marian?"
Marian replied:
"I have some guesses… but I will need to take a closer look, if you don't mind."
After saying that, Fuad looked at the other men.
He saw Hossam nodding in agreement, so he decided to trust Marian and gave him the artifact.
Marian took the object, placed his lens over his eye, and began examining it carefully.
It was a metallic object shaped like a rectangle.
Inside it was a hollow space like a tube, open from one end. On the other end there was something like a handle, fixed vertically.
Marian said while pointing to part of it:
"Look at this circular hole… there are signs that it was exposed to very high heat from the inside. From its shape… I think I know what this object is."
He paused for a moment, then said with clear excitement:
"It seems that you have found something good."
Kamel laughed and said:
"Oh? And what is this thing? It looks like a wonderful toy! Hehehe."
Marian said:
"Have you heard the legend of the first founder of Barian?"
The men fell silent for a moment.
Marian continued:
"It is said that a magical weapon was sent to him from the sky. If he pointed it at someone, a flame like a lightning arrow would shoot from it, tearing through whatever stood in front of it and leaving a hole in the body."
Then he raised the object slightly.
"And this thing you found… looks very similar to the description of that weapon."
Everyone said in surprise:
"Really?!"
But soon a question appeared in their minds.
Fuad said with concern:
"But Mr. Marian… how does it work? Sakhr and I tried to use it, but we discovered nothing. Is it broken?"
Marian said:
"In fact, the survival of such objects alone is a miracle. And even if they still work, the way they function is usually mysterious."
Then he continued:
"All I can tell you is what I know from the ancient drawings of the land of Barian, and from some similar artifacts that were discovered."
Sakhr said:
"So… there are other things like this?"
Marian replied:
"Yes, but as far as I know, they had almost the same function. However, none of them fired many shots."
He smiled slightly.
"If that had happened… their owners would have become kings."
Kamel burst out laughing:
"Hahahaha! That's a good joke!"
Everyone looked at him with annoyance, but he did not stop laughing.
Marian continued speaking:
"The drawings showed the king holding it by this handle, and pointing the open end toward the target."
Then he pointed to the empty space between the parts.
"Some weapons that were found had a ring in this corner, with a pointed piece sticking out from it. If it was pulled, the weapon would immediately activate and fire."
He shook his head slightly.
"But as you can see… this object does not contain anything in that place, and there are no signs of breakage. Maybe there are internal parts… or maybe it only needs cleaning and maintenance."
Fuad said:
"So… is it possible that it works with thoughts? Or something like that?"
Marian smiled slightly, then returned the artifact to him.
"Maybe."
Then he added:
"And even if it does not work… selling it could bring an excellent profit."
Fuad looked at him with interest.
"Is that all you know about it, Mr. Marian?"
Marian replied:
"Yes, that is all I know."
Kamel laughed slyly and said:
"Hehehe… it seems you are still keeping some things for yourself."
Marian said calmly:
"No, actually I would be happy to tell you every—"
But Hossam quickly interrupted him:
"It's alright, Mr. Marian. You are not required to answer. My brother was only joking… you know him."
Kamel laughed and said:
"Yes, yes! I was joking!"
Marian smiled.
"Well… it's fine."
Then he looked again at the box, and his eyes shone.
"Anyway… can we see the rest of the things you found?"
Fuad said:
"As you wish, Mr. Marian."
Then he began taking out the rest of the items from the box.
There were many pieces of different kinds, but what they all had in common were the clear marks of time on them.
Marian recognized some of the pieces, but they were not useful, or their function was still unknown.
Some others were just worn-out scrap that could no longer be identified.
But among all those objects… something interesting appeared.
Fuad said while lifting several rusty swords:
"Look at these swords, Mr. Marian. Tell me… are they treasure or just scrap?"
He handed one to him.
Marian examined it for a moment, then said:
"Hmm… these swords are different."
He looked at the men.
"They do not belong to the ancients."
Silence filled the place for a moment.
Then he continued:
"They look like the swords we make in our own era."
He looked at the rust and scratches.
"And judging by their condition… it seems they were left here no more than thirty years ago."
Fuad said:
"I expected something like that."
Then he looked around.
"But if someone had come here… this area would have been explored a long time ago."
He pointed to the darkness around them.
"And if a battle had happened… we would have found bodies or traces of it."
He paused for a moment.
"But we found nothing."
Then he said in a low voice:
"So would it make sense for someone to leave their weapon like this?"
At that moment… a single question appeared in the minds of all the men sitting around the fire.
They exchanged silent looks.
Then one of them slowly said:
"Could it be that they…?"
The words stopped.
But the terrifying idea had already appeared.