As we walked, the cave walls glistened like crystals under an exposed sun, their surfaces shimmering with an ethereal glow that seemed to beckon us deeper into the earth's embrace. The play of light and shadow danced across the rocky formations, casting intricate patterns that mesmerized us as we ventured forward. After traversing through a narrow hallway, we entered a small cave room bathed in an otherworldly light. At its center sat a pyramid, unlike any we had seen before. 

Its geometric form commanded attention, standing as a testament to the mysteries hidden within this ancient place. Instead of the traditional three sides and a pointed top, this pyramid boasted four faces and a flat top, as if the point had been snapped off by some unseen force. The air hummed with energy, charged with the weight of history and the allure of the unknown.

We stood in awe-struck silence, each of us processing the sight before us. Melantha, driven by curiosity, reached out a tentative hand towards the enigmatic structure, her fingertips brushing against its smooth surface with a sense of reverence. The moment hung in the air, heavy with anticipation, as we awaited what secrets this ancient artifact might hold. As the room grew increasingly unstable, panic seized us, driving us in a frantic scramble towards the exit. We jostled against each other, a collective urgency propelling us forward as the sounds of the collapsing room reverberated in our ears, spurring us on.

As we reached the entrance of the cave, a stark contrast to its serene facade on our arrival, chaos ensued. Each of us ran, driven by the instinct to escape, but our haste led to stumbling and tripping over uneven terrain. I turned back momentarily to survey the cave, witnessing the hill that concealed it seemingly unchanged despite the tumult within. Rocks tumbled and covered the entrance, the hill shifting ever so slightly before settling with a low, ominous rumble.

Catching my breath, I turned to find the others sprawled on the ground, panting from exertion. Elara, the first to recover, sat up abruptly and snatched the artifact from Melantha's hand, her frustration palpable as she scrutinized it. I moved closer to assist in the examination, inspecting every angle and crevice alongside Elara. After a minute of fruitless investigation, Elara sighed in exasperation and passed the artifact back to Melantha, who repeated the process with equal frustration. Each stroke of her fingertips across the artifact's surface seemed to yield no new insights, only deepening the mystery that surrounded it. As Melantha struggled with her pack, retrieving the map, I couldn't help but notice the weariness etched into her features, evidence of the exhausting journey we had undertaken.

A glimmer of recognition sparked within me at the sight of the tiny carvings adorning the artifact's surface. My mind raced with possibilities as I pondered the significance of each intricate symbol, searching for clues that might unlock its secrets. "Neither of you knows what ruins these are?" I inquired, my curiosity burning bright as I sought to unravel the enigma before us. Elara's brow furrowed as she examined the artifact, her fingers delicately tracing the ancient symbols etched into its surface. "It's as if these markings belong to different cultures, different eras," she mused, her voice tinged with wonder and perplexity. "There's a strange harmony in their diversity, yet it's confounding. How could such disparate elements converge on a single object?"

Her words hung in the air, lingering amidst the palpable tension that enveloped us. The weight of the artifact seemed to intensify with each passing moment, its mysteries drawing us deeper into its enigmatic embrace. As she pondered, I nuzzled closer to Elara, a silent reminder of my presence and unwavering support. We were all caught in a web of uncertainty, each grappling with the enigma before us in our own way. Yet, amidst the confusion and frustration, there was a sense of camaraderie that bound us together, a shared determination to uncover the truth hidden within the artifact's ancient depths.

Melantha, her brow furrowed in concentration, examined the map once more, her eyes scanning its faded parchment for any clue that might shed light on the artifact's origins. With a frustrated huff, she shook her head, admitting defeat in her search for answers. Meanwhile, Elara shook her head, her expression a mixture of curiosity and frustration. "They look pagan, but at the same time, I've never seen any of these in Roman sigils," she remarked, tracing her finger over one of the intricate symbols etched onto the artifact's surface. "But right at the end here," she continued, indicating a point on the sigil, "it changes into something that looks more like a fangshi wrote it. But I can't tell," she concluded with a sigh.

I moved closer to her, laying my head gently on her lap in a silent gesture of comfort, hoping to alleviate her frustration, even if only slightly. After a few more minutes of intense scrutiny, Elara and Melantha exchanged resigned glances, silently acknowledging the futility of their efforts in the face of such inscrutable mysteries. With a collective sigh, they reached a mutual understanding—it was time to call it a day. "We should head home," Elara declared, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "We'll start digging for information about this in the morning." Melantha nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting a mix of determination and weariness. "Yeah, we need a fresh perspective and some rest," she concurred, already beginning to gather her belongings.

With a sense of reluctant acceptance, we trudged back to the cottage, our footsteps heavy and slow compared to the eager pace we had set upon arrival. The weight of our dashed expectations hung heavy upon each of us, casting a pall of disappointment over our spirits. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the visible change in my companions.

Luna, usually full of boundless energy and curiosity, now perched quietly on Melantha's shoulder, her usual antics replaced by a subdued stillness. She paid no heed to the rustling of leaves or the chatter of birds, her attention lost in the depths of her own thoughts. Melantha, normally jovial and quick-witted, walked with a solemn demeanor, her eyes fixed on the ground ahead, lost in a sea of contemplation. Elara, perhaps feeling the weight of the situation most keenly, strode forward with a simmering anger barely contained beneath the surface. Her brow furrowed with frustration, she kicked at stray pebbles and twigs in her path, her movements reflecting the turmoil brewing within her.

As we made our way back to the cottage, the air heavy with a collective sense of disappointment, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the sight of my companions' subdued state. It wasn't just the lack of answers that weighed on us, but the realization that our shared setback had taken its toll on our camaraderie and spirit. We reached the cottage with heavy hearts, the weight of disappointment evident in our weary sighs as we shuffled through the door. I leaped up onto the living room sofa, perching myself atop its backrest, my gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before me. Melantha carefully laid the artifact down on the table, its enigmatic presence casting a shadow over the room.

The girls set about unpacking their bags, their movements methodical as they stowed away their belongings. Elara, ever practical, stood in the kitchen brewing coffee for the both of them. As the rich aroma filled the air, a sense of calm descended upon the room, the tension of the day's events momentarily easing. Elara approached Melantha with a steaming cup of coffee, breaking the silence that had hung over us like a heavy fog since we left the ruins. "At least we did find it," Melantha remarked, her voice laced with a hint of relief. "I didn't think we were even going to get close." "That's true. I had very little hope for it, but now that we have it, it's just frustrating because I want to know," Elara confessed, her frustration palpable as she stirred her coffee with a thoughtful expression.

Melantha nodded in agreement, her brow furrowing in contemplation. "Maybe we can take it to Throne in the morning," she suggested, her eyes alight with renewed determination. "He'll be able to decipher some of these, and if not, at least give us more hints as to what they are, if they are fangshi writing or not." After a while, the girls began making plans to head towards Thorne's cabin in the morning, deliberating over the details of their journey with meticulous care. They discussed the optimal time to wake up, considering the distance they needed to cover and the potential obstacles along the way. Supplies were meticulously inventoried and selected based on their anticipated needs, from provisions for the journey to tools that might aid in deciphering the enigmatic artifact.

Elara settled down on the sofa in front of me with a satisfied sigh, the weight of the day's events beginning to lift from her shoulders. She reached up to lightly scratch my head, a small gesture of comfort amidst the uncertainty that hung in the air. "Mind if I shower?" Melantha's voice broke through the quiet deliberations, her wand already in hand as she gestured towards the bathroom. Elara shook her head in response, a faint smile playing on her lips. "No, go for it. I'll probably do the same when you're done." The girls shared a moment of camaraderie, a silent acknowledgment of their shared determination to seek answers in the face of adversity.

As Melantha disappeared into the bathroom, I remained by Elara's side, watching intently as she pored over the pages of the books spread out before her. Each volume held the promise of unlocking the secrets hidden within the ancient artifact, and Elara's determination was unwavering as she searched for clues amidst the faded text and cryptic symbols. The atmosphere inside the cabin was tense, the air thick with anticipation as we awaited Melantha's return. Elara's brow furrowed in concentration as she continued to scour the pages of the books before her, her fingers tracing over the intricate illustrations and obscure references. Luna, perched on the edge of the table, watched intently, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she followed Elara's movements.

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of running water ceased, signaling Melantha's return from the bathroom. She emerged with damp hair, a towel slung over her shoulders, her expression one of determination as she rejoined us in the living room. "Find anything interesting?" Melantha asked, her voice echoing through the quiet room as she settled back into her seat at the table. Elara shook her head, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. "Nothing concrete yet," she admitted, her disappointment evident. "But I'm not giving up hope. There's got to be something in these books that can shed light on those symbols."

I watched as Melantha reached for one of the books, her fingers skimming over the worn pages with practiced ease. "Let me take a look," she offered, her eyes scanning the text for any clue that might have eluded Elara's earlier search. As Melantha delved into the pages of the ancient tome, her focus unwavering, a surge of pride swelled within me for my companions. Simultaneously, Elara disappeared into the bathroom, her footsteps softly echoing against the wooden floorboards. 

What felt like hours slipped by in a blur as Melantha and I pored over the books, our determination unyielding despite the challenges. With each passing moment, the tension in the room eased, replaced by a shared sense of purpose. Though the answers remained elusive, our resolve remained unwavering. As the night deepened and exhaustion crept in, Elara emerged from the bathroom, her expression hopeful as she approached. "Anything?" she asked, anticipation coloring her voice.

Melantha shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips. We finally conceded defeat, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily upon us. With a collective sigh, we retreated to our beds, each of us lost in our own thoughts as we drifted into restless sleep. Even in slumber, our minds remained restless, haunted by the mysteries of the ancient artifact. Visions of cryptic symbols danced before our eyes, teasingly close yet frustratingly out of reach. And as we slept, the artifact remained silent and unmoving, its secrets waiting to be uncovered by those brave enough to seek them out.