The quest was clear, cold, and merciless.
Capture the criminal who kidnapped a child.
Deliver him to the city guard.
In case of resistance: elimination authorized.
Vaelis read the mission once. Then again.
Then a third time.
— Eliminate…
The word felt heavier than any monster she had faced so far.
> I've already killed creatures, dungeon guardians… but a human?
Can I really cross that line?
She took a deep breath and folded the parchment.
— I accept the quest.
Even though her hands were slightly trembling.
---
She left the city through the northern gate at dawn. The scenery slowly changed: green plains gave way to dark, jagged terrain. Before her rose the Steel Mountains, massive, silent, and oppressive.
> So this is where he's hiding…
Why a dungeon in a place like this?
The dungeon entrance looked like a deep scar carved into the rock. A sinister aura leaked from within. Vaelis tightened her grip on her staff and stepped inside.
---
She had barely gone a few steps when monsters appeared.
Twisted silhouettes, fast and feral, armed with claws and fangs.
— Too many…
She released a focused flame, pushing back the first wave. More monsters closed in, surrounding her. She stepped back, stumbled, then forced herself to stand again.
> I can't die here.
Not now. Not before… seeing him again.
Her flames grew stronger, burning her enemies one by one. Each fight drained her, each victory stole more of her breath—but she kept moving forward.
Always.
---
At last, deep within the dungeon, she saw him.
A hooded man with a cold gaze, holding a terrified child close. A blade rested against the boy's throat.
— Stop right there, the man said. One more step and he dies.
Vaelis froze.
Her heart pounded painfully in her chest.
— Let him go, she said, forcing her voice to remain calm. You're surrounded. Surrender.
The man laughed.
— You won't dare. You've never killed anyone before… have you?
His words struck true.
> How does he know?
What if he's right?
Vaelis clenched her teeth as flames flickered around her.
— You're wrong.
But deep inside, doubt lingered.
One step forward. Then another.
The criminal shifted into a fighting stance.
The battle was inevitable.
> If I retreat, the child will die.
If I move forward… I'll become someone else.
Vaelis's flames erupted.
The fierce battle was about to begin.