The cave's entrance loomed before us, a gaping maw swallowing the faint light of our solitary torch. Its flickering flame cast elongated shadows on the damp walls, revealing glimmering mineral veins and ancient carvings that hinted at forgotten tales. The air was thick with the scent of earth and moisture, muffling our footsteps as we ventured deeper into the abyss.
After what felt like hours, the passageway split into three distinct paths. Each tunnel was equally dark and foreboding, offering no clues to their destinations.
"Middle path seems as good as any," Satoru suggested, his voice steady.
We proceeded cautiously, the tunnel narrowing until it abruptly ended in a solid wall of stone. A dead end.
"Backtrack," Inaya said succinctly.
Returning to the fork, we chose the left path. The air grew colder, and an unsettling silence enveloped us. Suddenly, a low hiss echoed through the tunnel. From the shadows, a massive serpent emerged, its scales shimmering with iridescent hues, eyes glowing with predatory intent.
"Stand ready!" Cheng Hao commanded, drawing his sword.
The enormous snake hissed fiercely, its body coiling and uncoiling like a living fortress. Hana slipped silently behind a nearby rock, clutching her staff, choosing to stay safe while we faced the beast.
Inaya took the lead, her eyes blazing as she launched a precise blast of blue energy that struck the serpent's snout, making it recoil. "Shin, be ready!" she warned.
I tightened my grip on my sword, heart hammering in my chest. The snake lashed out with its thick tail, swinging toward me. I ducked just in time, then charged forward, slashing at its massive belly. The blade grazed its scales but drew a thin line of blood.
The snake whipped around, aiming to crush me between its coils. I leapt backward, narrowly escaping, and then dodged a quick strike of its fangs. Seizing an opening, I drove my sword deep into the snake's side, eliciting a deafening hiss.
Sota circled wide, distracting the serpent as he leapt onto its back, plunging his dagger into its softer scales. The snake roared in pain, thrashing violently.
"Inaya, now!" I shouted, sweat dripping down my face.
Inaya focused her power again, blasting the serpent's eyes with energy that left it temporarily blinded. Taking advantage of the chaos, I lunged forward with a powerful, precise strike to its neck, while Sota held it down with a second dagger.
The beast writhed wildly but weakened fast under our combined assault. With one final coordinated effort, we brought the snake crashing down. Gasping for breath, I wiped sweat from my brow, exchanging tired but victorious glances with Inaya and Sota.
Hana cautiously stepped from her hiding place, eyes wide but safe. "You all did amazing," she said softly. "I'll keep watch next time."
After that when we took the right path, the narrow tunnel opened into a cavernous expanse, where the air grew thick with an earthy musk. Bioluminescent fungi cast a ghostly glow, revealing clusters of mushrooms carpeting the ground. Their caps shimmered in hues of crimson and violet, an alluring yet ominous sight.
Driven by hunger and thirst, I reached out toward one of the mushrooms. Hana's voice cut through the haze, sharp and urgent. "Don't touch them! They're poisonous."
Startled, I withdrew my hand. The group's exhaustion was palpable; we decided to rest. However, as we sat, an oppressive heat settled over us. Sweat beaded on our foreheads, and a throbbing pain took root behind our eyes. The air felt heavy, each breath a laborious task.
Inaya's eyes narrowed as she scanned the surroundings. "It's the spores. They're affecting us. We need to move."
We staggered to our feet, pressing onward. Suddenly, the ground beneath us writhed. From the shadows emerged a swarm of insects—beetles with iridescent shells and centipedes the length of our forearms, their mandibles clicking menacingly.
"Defensive positions!" Satoru commanded, drawing his blade.
I unsheathed my sword, positioning myself beside Inaya. The first wave of insects lunged. I swung my blade in a wide arc, severing limbs and carapaces. Inaya channeled her energy, releasing bursts of light that incinerated the creatures mid-air.
Sota moved with agility, his daggers flashing as he dispatched the attackers with precision. Brother Cheng Hao's staff became a blur, knocking back any insect that dared approach.
Despite our efforts, the swarm was relentless. A beetle latched onto my arm, its pincers piercing through fabric and flesh. Gritting my teeth, I drove my sword into its abdomen, prying it off.
Inaya noticed my injury, her expression hardening. "We need to end this, now."
She raised her hands, summoning a wave of energy that radiated outward, engulfing the swarm. The insects convulsed, their bodies disintegrating into ash.
The cavern fell silent once more. Our breaths came in ragged gasps, the aftermath of battle leaving us drained.
Suddenly, Satoru collapsed, his body hitting the ground with a thud.
"Satoru!" Hana screamed, rushing to his side.
Inaya knelt beside him, checking his pulse. "He's alive, but barely. The heat and lack of oxygen are taking their toll."
I felt my knees buckle, the world spinning around me. "We need water," I murmured.
Inaya nodded, determination in her eyes. "Sota and I will search for a water source. The rest of you, stay here and rest."
As they disappeared into the shadows, I sat beside Satoru, the weight of our journey pressing heavily upon me. The path ahead was uncertain, but we would face it together.
I sat beside Hana, still catching my breath, the air thick and almost unbreathable. Sweat clung to my skin like a second layer, but I turned to her with a question that had been lingering in my mind for days.
"I wanted to ask you something for a long time," I said, my voice low and slightly raspy.
Hana glanced at me, her face calm despite everything. "Go ahead."
"Why are you collecting the poisonous or leftover things from here?" I asked, watching her hands carefully pack away some dried remnants of a strange violet fungus.
She didn't even pause. "Uncle Zeno told me that anything not originally from Branchland—especially if it's from Aurora Aether—is rare. It can be sold for a high price in the market."
"So… you're planning to sell them?" I asked again, surprised.
"Yes," she nodded with a faint smile. "That's the idea."
I let out a quiet chuckle. "That's a brilliant idea."
"Right? I thought so too. Inaya actually taught me this," she added proudly. "She said since we'll probably be staying here for a while, we should think about how we'll make a living."
As expected of Inaya… always thinking ten steps ahead.
"A while?" I repeated.
Hana nodded again. "Inaya said there's a strong chance we'll escape this land and move to another. She didn't tell me the details yet."
"Ah… I see." I leaned my head back against the rocky wall and stared up at the darkness overhead.
I knew what she meant. I knew how to move through the system if I really wanted to. But I had made a choice—one goal at a time. The last game needed to be cleared. Only after that would I think about escaping.
Still, I could tell… Inaya had already started paving a path for us.
I would need to talk to her. But not now. For now, I'd wait—wait for her and Sota to return with water and, hopefully, good news.
Time stretched endlessly within the suffocating confines of the cave. The oppressive heat clung to us, each breath a laborious effort. Satoru lay motionless, his head resting on Hana's lap. His skin glistened with sweat, lips pale and parched. I wasn't faring much better; slumped against a jagged rock, my vision blurred, and consciousness waned.
Just as darkness threatened to consume me, a voice pierced through the haze—a voice that, despite the dire circumstances, brought a semblance of comfort.
"Shin!" Inaya's voice was both urgent and soothing.
She cradled my head gently, tilting it to pour cool water over my cracked lips. The liquid was a balm, reviving my senses. With practiced care, she placed a small, bitter-tasting herb into my mouth, aiding me in swallowing it.
Nearby, Sota handed a similar concoction to Hana, who administered it to Satoru with trembling hands.
"Shin, wake up," Inaya murmured, her fingers brushing against my cheek. "I have good news."
Her touch was a tether, pulling me back from the brink. I forced my eyes open, meeting her gaze.
"We found water," she continued, her voice steady. "At a dead end, but there's more. Sunlight filters through from above. There's a way out—we just need to climb."
"Climb?" I echoed, my voice hoarse.
"I know it's a daunting task in our current state," Inaya acknowledged, "but time is against us. We've lingered here too long."
Satoru stirred, his voice weak yet resolute. "Inaya's right. We need to move. Ten minutes—gather what you can."
Despite his condition, his determination was unwavering. If he could muster the strength, so could I.
Doubt gnawed at me. What if another threat awaited us? Could we withstand another battle in our weakened state? But then I looked at Inaya—her unwavering resolve, her protective presence. If she believed we could make it, I would trust her judgment.
Ten minutes had passed, and we stood at the base of the cavern's end, where the rocky wall stretched upward, kissed by faint shafts of sunlight filtering through unseen cracks.
"I'll go first," Inaya declared, her voice steady amidst our collective fatigue. "I'll reach the top and find something to pull you up."
Without waiting for a response, she began her ascent, fingers finding holds in the jagged stone, feet pressing against protrusions with practiced ease. We watched in silence, the only sounds our labored breaths and the occasional scrape of her boots against the rock.
Minutes dragged on without a word from above. Concern etched itself into Brother Cheng Hao's features. "I'm going after her," he said, determination overriding exhaustion.
He began his climb, muscles straining with each movement. As he reached halfway, a rustle above signaled Inaya's return. She appeared at the edge, her silhouette framed by the light, and tossed down a sturdy vine— a tree's shackle fashioned into a makeshift rope.
I secured it around Satoru's waist, and together, Inaya and Brother Cheng Hao hoisted him upward. Next, they pulled me, my limbs protesting every inch of the ascent. Sota followed, carrying Hana with care.
Once atop, we collapsed onto the forest floor, the canopy above filtering sunlight into dappled patterns. The air was thick, and the familiar haze of hallucination began to creep in.
"Do we need the blue leaves again?" Sota asked, his voice tinged with apprehension. "I think their effect has worn off."
Inaya shook her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. "What if we change the hallucinations into something positive instead of relying on those bitter leaves?"
"How would that work?" I inquired, intrigued.
"The hallucinations feed off our thoughts," she explained. "When we first entered the forest, our minds were filled with anxiety and fear— thoughts like 'What will happen to us?' or 'It's going to be dangerous.' That anxiety led to a lack of oxygen, and the hallucinations amplified those feelings, making us believe we couldn't breathe, even though we could. But if we focus on positive thoughts— like how refreshing it would be to run through the forest— our brains can relax, and the hallucinations will lose their grip."
"That makes sense," Satoru said, nodding slowly. "Let's try it."
We closed our eyes, drawing in deep breaths, and envisioned the forest not as a place of peril, but of serenity and beauty. The rustling leaves became a soothing melody, the filtered sunlight a gentle embrace.
When we opened our eyes, the oppressive weight had lifted. Even Satoru, though still pale, managed a faint smile.
We rose, our steps lighter, and continued our journey through the forest, the path ahead uncertain but our minds clearer, fortified by newfound resilience.
The forest's ambiance shifted as we ventured deeper. The chirping of birds ceased, replaced by an eerie silence. A sudden rustle in the dense foliage made us halt. Emerging from the shadows was a colossal black gorilla, its eyes gleaming with primal intelligence and territorial fury.
Standing over seven feet tall, its muscular frame was a testament to nature's raw power. Silver streaks adorned its back, indicating its dominance. With a deafening roar, it beat its chest, the sound resonating like war drums, signaling its intent.
"Stand your ground!" Satoru commanded, drawing his blade.
The gorilla charged with astonishing speed. Satoru met it head-on, his sword slashing across its arm, causing it to howl in pain. But the beast retaliated swiftly, swinging its massive arm and striking Satoru's head. He collapsed, blood gushing from the wound, unconscious.
"Satoru!" Hana screamed, rushing to his side.
I lunged at the gorilla, aiming for its legs to destabilize it. But it anticipated my move, kicking me aside. Pain shot through my leg as I landed awkwardly, realizing I'd twisted it.
"Inaya, flank it!" Brother Cheng Hao shouted, drawing his twin daggers.
Inaya nodded, moving with agility, distracting the beast with swift attacks. Brother Cheng Hao seized the opportunity, leaping onto its back, attempting to pierce its thick hide. The gorilla roared, grabbing him and hurling him against a tree. He groaned, clutching his side, injured but conscious.
Sota, wielding his sword , aimed for the gorilla's eyes. The beast, enraged, swung wildly, but Sota dodged, his sword grazing its shoulder. The gorilla's movements became erratic, its strength waning.
Summoning my remaining strength, I retrieved a sharp rock nearby. With a primal scream, I hurled it at the gorilla's head. It struck true, causing the beast to stagger. Inaya seized the moment, plunging her dagger into its chest. The gorilla let out a final roar before collapsing.
Breathing heavily, we regrouped. Hana tended to Satoru, trying to stop the bleeding. Brother Cheng Hao, though injured, assisted me in bandaging my leg. The battle had tested our limits, but together, we had overcome the formidable foe.