The sun began to climb higher into the sky, but its rays seemed reluctant to follow their footsteps any further. By now, Kazien and his group had passed through the western gate of Haslott City.
Before them lay a dense, sprawling wilderness, situated just a few hundred meters from the city's sturdy walls. Giant trees towered over them, their roots snaking out of the ground as if warning anyone who dared to enter.
Hudeon, who had spent his entire life under protection in safe surroundings, swallowed hard. This was his first time trekking into a wild forest without his family's guards. His survival instincts immediately took over. He closed the distance and pressed his small body against Kazien's side, his hands clutching the young man's arm as if it were his only lifeline.
Feeling the tremors shaking the boy's body, Kazien turned and looked at him with pity.
"Hudeon, if you are afraid, I will send you back right now." Kazien whispered softly, offering him a way out. "You don't have to force yourself."
Hudeon shook his head vigorously, despite his pale face. "No!" he declared firmly, though his voice squeaked slightly. "I want to see your strength! I don't want to go home!"
Kazien gave a wry smile at the boy's mixture of determination and fear. He could only sigh in resignation while holding Hudeon's hand, which felt cold and trembling, trying to provide a small sense of calm.
They pressed on, crossing the boundary into the forest. The atmosphere changed instantly. The dense foliage above intertwined so tightly that they formed a natural canopy that sunlight could barely penetrate. Daylight faded into a dim, greyish twilight.
The further they ventured in, the more suffocating the forest became. The air felt damp and heavy. Around them, it grew increasingly dark and silent. The usual sounds of forest insects were absent, replaced only by a silence that pressed against their ears. Suddenly...
Kuaaak!
A horrific bird's shriek echoed from the distance, shattering the silence and sending chills down their spines. The sound was unnatural, more like a scream than a chirp.
Hudeon flinched in shock. His grip on Kazien's arm tightened until his knuckles turned white. "Hiiiy..."
Seeing Hudeon's constant state of terror, Arken began to lose his patience. He stopped for a moment and glared at the boy.
"Good grief, what is wrong with you?" Arken grumbled in annoyance. "If you're this scared, you shouldn't have come. You're only going to hinder us."
Hudeon looked up, his eyes welling with tears, but he tried to look brave in front of Arken. "I-I'm not scared!" he shouted in self-defense, though his shaking voice betrayed him. "I came with you because I want to see your strength! I promise I won't be a burden."
Kazien signaled for Arken to end his scolding. They resumed their journey.
Not long after, they came to a collective halt. Hidden behind thick bushes was a massive, gaping cave entrance. Around it, they found the remains of human activity. Abandoned campsites, campfires reduced to cold ash, torn and dusty tents, and metal utensils scattered on the mossy ground.
Most striking, however, was a weathered wooden board driven into the ground near the entrance. A warning was written there in fading red paint:
"Be careful, this cave is very dangerous! Many who enter never return!"
Kazien read the words silently, then scanned the area to ensure there was no ambush.
"It seems we've reached the mission location." Kazien said, calm yet alert.
"My Dear, let's head inside!" Alvin chimed in, seemingly unbothered by the eerie aura of the place.
Without hesitation, the five of them stepped into the cave. A cold draft immediately gripped their skin as they left the forest behind and entered the depths of the world. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly against the damp stone walls.
They walked for a long time, navigating the winding tunnels. After dozens of minutes of walking in silence, the natural cave scenery began to change. Rough stone walls gave way to ancient, man-made structures.
Finally, they arrived at a place that was both magnificent and terrifying. An area of ancient ruins lay hidden deep within the cave. Several giant stone pillars, cracked and broken, still stood firm, supporting the high ceiling of the cavern. At the end of the hall was a massive stone door, standing wide open as if inviting them in.
"Let's go in there!" Kazien suggested, pointing toward the mysterious door.
They approached the open door in a combat-ready formation. Allen and Arken watched the left and right flanks, while Alvin guarded the rear. Kazien led the way with Hudeon.
The moment their feet crossed the threshold and they stepped a few meters into the room...
SLAM!
The stone door behind them slammed shut with incredible force. The sound thundered through the area, startling all five of them.
Instantly, the light from outside was cut off. The room plunged into absolute, pitch-black darkness. There wasn't a single glimmer of light to help their eyes adjust.
"Brother Kazien... I-I'm scared..." Hudeon's voice trembled violently in the dark. He fumbled around and clutched Kazien's arm tightly, his body shivering with fear.
Kazien could feel the boy's pure terror. He patted Hudeon's hand gently. "I will protect you, Hudeon, be calm! Do not panic."
"I'll handle the light." Alvin's voice rang out calmly.
Alvin immediately activated his light magic. A ball of soft white light appeared above his palm and floated into the air. The light instantly illuminated the entire room, banishing the darkness that had enveloped them.
They could now see clearly where they were. The room was vast, with a floor of cracked stone. Strangely, there were no signs of life. No monsters, no cave animals. All they found was a wide hall filled with a musty smell and piles of debris from the crumbling ceiling.
"Stay alert!" Kazien commanded.
Together, they explored the ruins, moving further away from the door that had closed behind them and heading deeper into the complex.
After a few minutes of walking through the silent ruins, they stopped again. Directly ahead was another door, even larger and taller. It, too, stood wide open, revealing a thick darkness within.
Kazien stared at the door with a calculating gaze. He turned to Hudeon, who was still visibly shaken from the first door incident.
"I will go into that room and check it first!" Kazien stated firmly, breaking the silence. He gently released Hudeon's hand. "I don't want there to be another trap that puts Hudeon in danger if we go in together."
Alvin looked at his fiancé with a worried expression. "My Dear, make sure you come back! Don't be reckless!"
Kazien nodded with confidence, giving them all a reassuring smile. "Yes, I will definitely come back! Wait here for a moment."
And then, with steady steps, Kazien left Hudeon and his three fiancés behind. He walked alone into the mysterious room through the towering open doorway.
Kazien's silhouette was gradually swallowed by the darkness of the room. But as soon as his feet were fully inside and he crossed the threshold...
SLAM!
The massive door slammed shut with unnatural speed and a deafening crash. The sound echoed through the vast, silent hall, separating Kazien from his group in the blink of an eye.