Page 32

The Dungeon

J ust as quickly as the deluge of magic began, the sensation faded. I found myself back in the ruins, surrounded by my companions. Their faces were a mix of concern and awe as they stared at me.

“What... what just happened?” Kai asked, his eyes wide. “You touched the orb and then you just... froze. We couldn’t get you to respond.”

I blinked, trying to process what Kai was saying. The experience felt so real, so vivid. Yet here I was, back in the dusty ruins of a crumbling city, the ancient orb no longer pulsing with a faint, otherworldly light before me. In fact, it had completely gone dark.

“I... I’m not sure,” I stammered, my voice hoarse. “It was like I was transported somewhere else. Another time, maybe? Or another world entirely? I’m not sure.”

Kai stepped closer, his brow furrowed with worry. He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me back to reality. “Are you alright? You look pale.”

I nodded, still dazed. “I think so. It’s just... overwhelming.” I looked past Kai, my gaze focusing on Sky. “I saw the god of the Twilight.”

Sky’s ears twitched, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as he regarded me with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity and worry. “The god of the Twilight?” he repeated, his voice low and gruff. “That’s just a myth. A story the guilds tell their members to keep them in line. The gods aren’t real.”

I shook my head, struggling to find the words to describe what I’ d experienced. “No, it was real. I saw... I saw a being of pure light and shadow, shifting and changing. It spoke to me, showed me things...”

Kai’s hand tightened on my shoulder, his brown eyes filled with concern. “What things? What did it say?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words died in my throat. The vivid images that had filled my mind moments ago were already starting to fade, like trying to hold on to the wisps of a dream upon waking.

“I... I can’t remember everything,” I said, frustration creeping into my voice. “But I know it was important. Something about walking the path of the Twilight, a path of balance. He… He wanted me to do something to become his champion.”

Sky scoffed, crossing his arms. “Convenient. You have a vision of some supposed god but can’t remember the details. Sounds like that orb isn’t a skill stone at all. Just a cursed piece of junk.”

“Hey,” Kai said softly, shooting Sky a reproachful look. “Take it easy. Whatever happened, it clearly affected him deeply. Don’t be an asshole.”

I appreciated Kai’s support, but Sky’s skepticism stung. I knew what I’d experienced, what I’d seen, even if the specifics were slipping away. The more I thought about it, the more it faded, except for two very important details.

“Look,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I know it sounds crazy. But he told me I’m his champion and that he’d grant me the ability to use more magic that I can’t learn in the guild.

He seemed to think I would be the one to bring balance back to Cindersea and protect all of you at the same time.

All I have to do is return the orb to the dungeon. ”

Sky’s tail swished in agitation. “Great. Another vague prophecy. Just what the world needs.” He shook his head. “I was wrong. It’s not a skill stone, it’s a trap. Anyone who goes in that dungeon, dies. We’re not going, and you are not the chosen one.”

I felt a surge of frustration at Sky’s dismissive attitude.

After our talk the night before, I thought we had a connection, an understanding.

But the more I told him about what I’d experienced, the more I realized I might’ve been making up our friendship from the very beginning.

Clearly, he didn’t want anything to do with anyone, not even me.

But before I could retort, Kai stepped between us, his hands raised in a placating gesture.

“Alright, let’s all take a breath,” he said, his voice calm and measured. “Whether or not you believe in gods or prophecies, something clearly happened here. We need to figure out our next move.”

I nodded, grateful for Kai’s level-headedness. “You’re right. We should probably get out of these ruins first. I don’t know if that... experience... attracted any unwanted attention.”

As if on cue, a low rumble echoed through the crumbling structure. Dust and small bits of debris rained down from the surrounding walls.

Sky’s ears perked up, his body tensing. “The Guardian…” He looked down at the orb, now lifeless in my hand. “They’re always protecting something, especially ancient artifacts.”

The rumbling intensified, and larger chunks of stone began to fall from the tops of the walls. I quickly pocketed the dead orb, my heart racing.

“We need to move, now!” Kai shouted, already nocking an arrow to his bow.

We sprinted towards the doorway, dodging falling debris. The ground beneath our feet shook violently, nearly throwing us off balance. As we reached the archway leading out of the chamber, a deafening roar echoed behind us.

I chanced a glance over my shoulder and immediately wished I hadn’t.

A massive creature was emerging from the far wall, its body impossibly tall and lanky, surrounded by black trailing mist. The long limbs tipped with shining claws reached back, tearing off its dark hood to reveal a skeletal face with bright glowing purple eyes. It was the Guardian.

“Oh my fucking god…” I muttered, ice cold fear flooding my body.

“Don’t look back, just run!” Sky growled, grabbing my arm and yanking me forward.

We burst out of the ruined building and into a long, crumbling roadway, mist swirling around our feet. The Guardian’s thunderous footsteps echoed behind us, growing louder with each passing second. Kai took the lead, his keen eyes scanning for the safest path through the treacherous ruins.

“This way!” he shouted, veering sharply to the left.

We followed without hesitation, our feet pounding against the ancient stone floor. The pathways through the buildings twisted and turned, leading us deeper into the labyrinth of the ruined city. The air grew thick with mist and the stench of swampy decay, making it hard to breathe.

Sky suddenly skidded to a halt, his ears twitching. “Wait,” he growled, his blue eyes narrowed. “Something’s not right.”

Before we could question him, the ground beneath our feet began to crumble.

Kai, Mira, and Rhia leapt forward, barely making it to solid ground as the path collapsed behind them.

Sky and I, although we leaped too, weren’t so lucky.

The ground gave way beneath us the moment our feet struck, and we plummeted backward into darkness .

I tumbled through the air, my stomach lurching as I fell. Just as panic began to overtake me, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist. Sky pulled me close, twisting us in mid-air so that he would take the brunt of the impact.

We hit the ground hard, Sky grunting in pain as we rolled across a damp stone floor.

Pain radiated through my body as we rolled over rough stone and debris.

When we finally came to a stop, I found myself sprawled on top of him, our faces inches apart.

For a moment, we just stared at each other, breathless.

“Are you okay?” Sky asked, his gruff voice softer than I’d ever heard it.

I nodded, suddenly very aware of how close we were. “Thanks to you. That was... thank you.”

Sky’s intense eyes held my gaze for a moment longer before he gently pushed me off him. “Don’t mention it,” he muttered, wincing as he sat up. “Just doing what any party member would do.”

I felt a pang of disappointment at his words but pushed it aside. Now wasn’t the time for hurt feelings. “Are you hurt?” I asked, noticing how he favored his left side.

“I’ll live,” Sky growled, his ears twitching as he scanned our surroundings. “We need to focus on getting out of here. And away from this hole. The Guardian is still coming.”

I nodded, taking in our new environment.

We had fallen into some kind of underground chamber, dimly lit by phosphorescent fungi clinging to the damp walls.

The air was thick and musty, filled with the scent of decay and stagnant water.

The hole above us was rimmed with mist as it cascaded downward.

To my surprise, it was hardly larger than the two of us.

When the ground opened up, I thought maybe it was some sort of ancient trap.

However, considering our new surroundings, I had a feeling we were much more unlucky than that.

“Do you think it could get in here? The hole is pretty small.”

The moment the words left my lips I heard thundering footsteps echoing through the earth above. There was another roar as the creature neared, its steps slowing.

“Let’s not wait around to find out,” Sky said, forcing himself to his feet. He grabbed his spear, ushering me deeper into the ruins. “Come on!”

We hurried deeper into the underground chamber, the sound of the Guardian’s heavy footsteps fading behind us. The narrow passageway twisted and turned, the sickly glow of the fungi our only source of light. Water dripped from the ceiling, creating an eerie rhythm that matched our rapid heartbeats .

“We need to find a way back to the surface,” I panted, trying to keep up with Sky’s long strides. “The others?—”

“Will have to fend for themselves,” Sky cut me off, his voice gruff but tinged with concern. “Right now, we need to focus on staying alive. Besides, that Guardian isn’t after them. It’s after you.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but I knew he was right. The weight of the orb bounced in my pocket as we ran. I’d tapped into something more dangerous than I’d imagined. Communing with a god was one thing, but getting chased down by an ancient spirit that wanted my head was another.