Ruth's breath came slow and steady.
The world around her was silent—too silent.
She found herself standing in a vast field of cracked marble, under a sky that pulsed faintly gold. A colossal figure floated above the ruins—its body a silhouette of blinding light, wings stretching like endless ribbons of flame. Below it lay hundreds—humans, monsters, and strange beings—all fallen and bleeding across the stone.
Ruth tried to move, but her body felt weightless, trapped. Then, the light spoke—not in words, but in a vibration that shook her bones.
Before she could respond, the world melted. She saw an old woman kneeling beside her—hair white as snow, hands wrinkled but warm. The woman's voice trembled with emotion.
"There was once a man," she said, "who defied the gods themselves to protect the ones he loved. They called him a heretic. I called him… my son."
The warmth faded. The ground of marble became mirrors—hundreds of them—each reflecting her face. Then, one by one, every reflection screamed.
Ruth jolted awake, heart racing, sweat clinging to her skin. She was in the medical camp. Around her, wounded recruits groaned softly as healers moved from bed to bed. She sat up and noticed two familiar silhouettes—AJ and Neo—helping lift broken stones off collapsed tents.
She took a slow breath. "Still alive," she muttered, brushing dirt off her arm.
Hours passed before a man in soldier's uniform stood on a crate and shouted, "All surviving rookies—report to the Adventurer Guild immediately!"
His voice echoed across the camp. Murmurs spread. The injured who could move began limping toward the city. AJ and Neo exchanged glances.
"Think we're in trouble again?" Neo asked.
"Probably," AJ replied, smirking. "Let's go find out."
They walked through the ruined streets, past walls still cracked from the monster attack. The air smelled faintly of smoke and healing incense. By the time they reached the guild, dozens of other rookies were already gathered.
Inside, the receptionist stood with a scroll in her hand. She began reading out names, one by one.
"These individuals are recognized for their service during the recent crisis and will receive temporary adventurer status."
When AJ heard his name, he froze. Neo punched the air beside him. "We did it!"
Even Ruth allowed herself a small smile.
The receptionist continued, "All new adventurers must form parties of at least three. No solo quests will be assigned."
But AJ wasn't listening anymore. His eyes had already drifted toward the quest board. Neo and Ruth followed reluctantly as he scanned through dozens of papers.
"Pick something easy," Ruth warned. "I'm not saving your reckless self twice in one week."
AJ grinned without looking at her. "I'm capable of saving me."
Her eyes glowed faintly crimson, and AJ quickly changed the subject. "This one looks fine."
He pointed at a paper pinned low in the corner: Cargo Transport to Alvenor Outpost.
It looked ordinary enough—except for the small half-sun emblem stamped on it.
"That's odd," AJ murmured. "There's no way people here know what the sun looks like…"
He was still staring at it when a hand gripped his shoulder. He spun around to find a tall man with sleek brown hair, a wand in one hand, and a faint smile on his face.
"Looking for a quest?" the man asked calmly.
Neo blinked. "You're a magician, aren't you?"
"Indeed." The man bowed slightly. "Costarius, Water Magician. I'm searching for a party."
Neo clapped his hands. "Perfect! We need one more."
AJ frowned, but didn't object. "Fine. But if you start talking in riddles, I'm leaving you behind."
Costarius smiled softly. "I'll try to keep my wisdom to a tolerable level."
They returned to the receptionist to register the quest, but she hesitated. "Wait—your route passes through the Wai Forest. That area has seen goblin movement and corrupted Wai rabbits lately. You'll need proper gear."
AJ glanced at Neo and Ruth. They both had the same problem: no money.
Before he could respond, a familiar voice piped up from behind them.
"I can lend you some," said a sharp, irritated tone.
They turned. The rock mage from before stood with arms crossed, dirt smudged on her cheek and confidence radiating off her.
"You're that rock mage," AJ said, recognizing her.
"It's Nisha," she corrected flatly. "And yes, I'll lend you money—on one condition. You take me into your party."
Neo immediately agreed. "Deal!"
AJ groaned. "You people are going to bankrupt me before I even start adventuring."
They followed Nisha through winding alleys until they reached a cramped, smoke-filled building that smelled of metal and burnt oil. "Best blacksmith in the lower district," she declared proudly. "Cheap, durable, and doesn't ask too many questions."
Inside, a massive, half-bald man sat by the forge, muscles glistening with sweat. He didn't speak. Instead, a small assistant boy scurried over and said, "Welcome! Tell us what you need."
AJ rubbed his chin. "Armor, blades, maybe a few spare packs. But we're not paying full price."
The boy blinked. "Sir, we barely make—"
"Listen," AJ cut in, slapping a coin pouch on the counter. "You either take this and earn a customer for life, or let me go across the street and talk about your hygiene standards to every buyer in town."
The boy hesitated. The silent blacksmith grunted once, then nodded.
"Deal," the boy sighed. "Discount approved."
AJ grinned smugly. Neo laughed so hard he nearly fell over. Even Ruth hid a smirk behind her hair.
By the time they left, everyone was armed and armored. AJ wore a reinforced leather coat, Neo had his sling upgraded with metal nodes, Nisha carried a new focus stone, and Costarius had polished his wand until it gleamed.
When they finally arrived back at the guild, the receptionist handed over their sealed quest slip. The crate they were to deliver was massive, stamped with that same half-sun insignia.
They hired a wagon and a single tired-looking horse.
"I paid for this," Nisha complained, glaring at AJ.
"And we'll pay you back," AJ said innocently.
"You said that about lunch too!"
Neo snorted. "She's got you there."
Costarius chuckled softly, unfolding a map. "If I may, I'll guide us. The route cuts through the southern ridge—quicker, but less safe."
"Perfect," AJ said. "We love unsafe."
"Speak for yourself," Ruth muttered.
As they crossed the city gates, Nisha took the reins. "You're looking at a certified cart driver!" she declared proudly, summoning a glowing rock-light orb that hovered above the horse's head.
The wagon rattled along the dirt road. AJ leaned back against the crate, staring at the half-sun symbol. Every time he blinked, he thought he saw it faintly shimmer, as if it were alive.
Hours passed. The forest thickened, mist curling low around the roots. Then came the sound—soft scratching from the brush.
"Rabbits," Neo whispered.
"Not the normal kind," Costarius said quietly.
Dozens of corrupted Wai rabbits leapt from the shadows, their fur slick and black, eyes glowing violet. AJ drew his dagger, Neo loaded pebbles into his sling, and Nisha slammed her hand down, summoning rock spikes from the earth.
"Water surge!" Costarius shouted, his wand tracing blue circles as jets of water blasted the creatures back.
The battle was chaotic—fur, mud, and light flying everywhere.
"They just keep coming!" Neo yelled.
AJ turned to Nisha. "Race the horse, rock mage!"
"It's Nisha, you maggot!" she screamed, cracking another rabbit into a tree.
Ruth's invisible energy slammed two aside, and Costarius created a shimmering water shield around the cart. Finally, the horse lurched forward, trampling through the narrow path until the creatures vanished behind them.
But the chaos had driven them off-course. The trees opened into a clearing—and before them stood an enormous, broken mansion, its gates hanging loose, the walls crawling with vines.
Nisha stopped the wagon. "This… wasn't on the map."
AJ turned sharply toward Costarius. "You led us here on purpose, didn't you?"
Costarius blinked calmly. "I did not. But perhaps the map chose differently."
AJ pointed an accusing finger. "That's not how maps work!"
Neo groaned. "You're not making any sense, AJ. Maybe it's just the wrong road."
But before they could argue further, Ruth pointed. "Where's that girl?"
Everyone turned. Nisha was already walking through the rusted gate, gazing up at the mansion. A faint golden lantern flickered near the second-floor window.
"Hey! Don't go near that!" AJ shouted, running forward.
The moment he reached the gate—clang!
It slammed shut between them, dust billowing into the air.
Nisha turned, startled, her glowing orb flickering out. The others stared in shock as the old iron bars trembled and locked tight on their own.
AJ pressed his hand against the gate, sighing. "Oh great. A haunted mansion arc."
Neo paled. "Please tell me you're joking."
AJ stared at the dark windows, where faint movement danced behind the curtains. "Nope," he said grimly. "Welcome to our first horror quest."
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