《Experiment 2749》


 Chapter 1- Experiment 2749

    The bitter cold of the iron shackle bit into Experiment 2749¡¯s wrist. His back pressed against the chilly, hard surface of an old stone table. The table¡¯s edges were smooth from years of use. Faintly glowing runes were carved into it. The pain felt old and familiar, matching the steady throb in his chest. A sharp, sour smell filled the air. It was a mix of herbs, alchemy, and the faint bite of enchanted metal. That smell carried memories of countless rituals, each one full of agony.


    He felt a deep ache behind his ribs.


    He didn¡¯t know how long he¡¯d been there. Days? Weeks? Months? Time didn¡¯t matter inside these experiment walls.


    A shadow fell over him.


    Alchemist Valerius leaned close, his thin face glowing in the light of a nearby magical lantern. The lantern was fueled by an enchanted gem that pulsed with a soft violet light, casting an otherworldly glow that made his features seem even more gaunt and menacing. ¡°You always surprise me, 2749,¡± he said. ¡°Your strength is incredible, even compared to our best subjects.¡±


    Valerius brushed 2749¡¯s scalp with his gloved hand. The touch was supposed to comfort, but it felt invasive and wrong.


    2749 stared at the lantern. The strange left eye in his forehead pulsed. It showed him things his human eye couldn¡¯t see.


    ¡°Most subjects don¡¯t last this long,¡± Valerius said, bending nearer. A cold smile spread across his lips. ¡°I hope you survive this test too, just like the others.¡±


    He¡¯d said those words to many subjects before. They were hollow promises, meaning nothing.


    2749 didn¡¯t blink. His one human eye¡ªdull green with flecks of violet¡ªstudied Valerius. He saw the alchemist¡¯s thin cheeks, deep-set eyes, and pale lips that rarely curved upward. Valerius¡¯s face held no warmth or light.


    He''d forgotten how to feel long ago. Pain lived inside 2749 too, but he didn''t know how to show it. That ability had been lost years ago. His memory had faded into fragments, nothing but disconnected glimpses of a life he could no longer recognize as his own. He''d try to remember who he was before the numbers, before the experiments, but his mind would hit a static wall.


    Why? Because of his left eye.


    It wasn¡¯t human.


    A monstrous eye sat on his forehead. It was violet with a slit pupil, pulsing faintly.


    That eye came from a creature that attacked Verradin Village long ago. It took many knights in blessed armor to stop it. They couldn¡¯t kill it, only wound it. They hacked off a limb and took its eye. Those pieces ended up in Valerius¡¯s lab.


    Valerius decided to graft parts of the creature into his subjects.


    Most died from it.


    Only, few survived.


    2749 was one of the survivors.


    But it cost him dearly. Something vital was ripped away, leaving an empty space where emotions once lived.


    He gazed at the lantern. The alien eye pulsed again, like it wanted to speak.


    His human eye looked dull, reflecting a broken soul. Memories flickered in his mind, but they were blurry and confusing.


    In the reflection of a metal tray, he saw his face. It was thin and haunted, with lifeless eyes. Was this really him? He couldn¡¯t recall. The person he¡¯d been was buried under pain and experiments.


    The clatter of tools snapped him out of his thoughts.


    ¡°Blade, Elias,¡± Valerius ordered.


    His assistant, a jittery young man, brought a tray of sharp instruments.


    ¡°Knife,¡± Valerius said.


    Elias quickly handed him a shiny blade from the tray. Valerius gripped the knife, his white glove tight around the handle. With force, he sliced deep into 2749¡¯s chest.


    Pain roared through 2749. His body knew suffering too well. He felt the skin rip open, and warm blood gushed out. Some splashed across Valerius¡¯s white glove, staining it red. Drops hit his long robe too, and a few sprayed onto his thin face. He wiped his cheek with his sleeve, but the blood smeared. His face stayed calm.


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    Valerius kept cutting, steady and sure. More blood soaked his glove and dripped onto his robe. The air grew heavy with the thick smell of blood.


    Then came a dull throb.


    A heavy pulse.


    Valerius¡¯s blade hit something inside 2749.


    The knife dug deeper.


    A searing pain burst through him. The steel cut through muscle without mercy. Every nerve screamed. It felt like his flesh was being peeled apart, layer by layer.


    Valerius didn¡¯t flinch.


    He sliced the veins carefully, cutting the threads that held the Aether Core in place.


    With a final tug, he pulled out a red orb. It rested in his hand, its bright color fading fast outside 2749¡¯s body.


    This wasn¡¯t a normal wound. It was like losing a lung yet still gasping for air, or losing a heart but living to feel the absence.


    Tears leaked from his human eye. They weren''t from pain or anguish, but from losing something precious. His mind couldn''t understand the absence, but his body felt the void.


    Valerius set the glowing core on the tray. The clink sounded final, like a tomb sealing shut as the core stopped glowing.


    Elias handed him a metal sphere. It was forged from Solaris, a dark metal etched with odd patterns. This metal came from near the Ebonreach Abyss.


    There, a giant hand from some unknown creature lay half-buried. It was massive, hard to picture the full being. The hand didn''t decay. It still oozed a dark, strange fluid.


    Near it, they found the broken pieces of Solaris metal. And later onwards Valerius experimented with it and saw lots of properties similar to aether core, so later he asked someone to give it a shape of aether core, trying to replace the aether cores of his subjects.


    ¡°Our greatest triumph,¡± Valerius said, pushing the sphere into 2749¡¯s chest.


    ---


    Valerius stitched the last vein to the new core. He smiled faintly. Without looking up, he held out his hand.


    ¡°The Elixir,¡± he said.


    Elias passed him a vial of glowing green liquid.


    Valerius poured it over the cut veins. It hissed and sank in. The torn edges trembled, then began to knit together. The new core settled, feeling more like it belonged.


    Then, Valerius sewed the skin shut, layer by layer. A thin scar was all that remained.


    He held out his hand again. ¡°More.¡±


    Elias brought another vial. Valerius poured it over the scar. The green liquid spread, and the scar faded until it was barely visible.


    ¡°Subject 2749,¡± Valerius said evenly. ¡°Use your energy.¡±


    2749 obeyed.


    Energy surged through him, connecting to the new core.


    The pain hit harder than ever.


    It wasn¡¯t pushing him away. It was eating him up.The core moved slow into his chest, trying to take over from his old Aether Core place


    It wasn¡¯t an Aether Core, so it didn¡¯t fit easily. It scratched and pressed inside him, step by step. His chest twisted with every push. The pain came sharp, then soft, then sharp again¡ªa long, hard hurt that stayed.


    He likes something big that was ripped out to let it in. The violet eye in his forehead flashed fast. Then, after a long, awful wait, the core became stable.


    Valerius scribbled notes, his excitement growing. ¡°It¡¯s stable. The core is absorbing Aether without breaking. Incredible.¡±


    He exhaled sharply. ¡°Prepare him for the Blood Ritual.¡±


    Elias froze. ¡°Master, no one¡¯s survived that. Shouldn¡¯t we let him recover?¡±


    Valerius¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Do as you are told. If he doesn''t survive we can use another subject. For now we need data.¡±


    Elias didn¡¯t argue.


    He unlatched 2749¡¯s shackles and tugged the chain. ¡°Move.¡±


    Elias unlatched 2749¡¯s shackles and yanked the chain. ¡°Move.¡±


    2749 stood, ignoring the pain, and started walking even though he felt weak. His legs shook under him, heavy and tired. He couldn¡¯t remember much, and his feelings were long gone, but he knew one thing: if he didn¡¯t obey, a terrible pain would come.


    It would be so bad that even a hollow, emotionless thing like him would react. Deep inside, his scars whispered warnings, quiet echoes of past torments that still lingered.


    Elias led 2749 to a massive Rune-Glass Vault in the center of the room. It wasn¡¯t just a stone altar¡ªthis was a towering structure of glowing glass, etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light. It was big enough to hold a man inside, its surface cold and smooth.


    ¡°Get in,¡± Elias ordered, his voice sharp.


    2749 obeyed, stepping into the vault. Elias followed him in and worked quickly, strapping 2749 to a stone slab at the vault¡¯s heart. Then, he took thick glass tubes¡ªeach one marked with glowing runes¡ªand pierced them into 2749¡¯s arms and legs.


    The tubes sank deep, tapping into his veins. They were powered by enchanted gems, rare and precious in the world of Eldoria. The gems shimmered with a soft blue light, humming with energy. Once everything was set, Elias stepped out, and the glass door sealed behind him with a soft hum.


    Valerius followed close behind, his eyes never leaving the scene.


    In the corner of the room, another Rune-Glass Vault buzzed with a darker power. It held a strange, thick liquid¡ªnearly black, alive with faint pulses of light like stars trapped in shadow. This was no ordinary substance; it came from the mysterious giant hand found near Solaris, a relic that never decayed.


    Elias connected the vault holding 2749 to two large containers. One was empty, ready to collect 2749¡¯s blood. The other was filled with the dark, strange liquid. He linked them with a main tube, and smaller tubes branched off, feeding into the ones piercing 2749¡¯s skin.


    ¡°Begin,¡± Valerius said, his tone calm but eager.


    Elias turned a lever. The enchanted gems flared brighter, and the process started. 2749¡¯s blood drained out fast, a deep red stream flowing through the tubes into the empty container. It filled steadily, the rich color stark against the glowing glass. His body grew cold as life left him.


    Then, the dark liquid flowed in. It moved slowly at first, thick and heavy, glowing dimly as it entered his veins. It burned like fire and ice combined, devouring everything it touched. 2749¡¯s body shook violently, his muscles clenching in agony. His vision blurred as the Aether within him and his new core fought against the alien blood. But it was relentless, consuming all it met.


    This wasn¡¯t just pain¡ªit was his soul tearing apart. He wanted to scream, but his throat locked tight. He could only endure, his mind cracking under the unbearable strain.


    Elias watched the containers closely. When most of 2749¡¯s blood had been replaced and the dark liquid had claimed his veins¡ªValerius raised a hand. ¡°Stop it.¡±


    Elias pulled the enchanted gems from their slots. The blue light faded, and the tubes went still. The flow of liquid halted.


    Valerius stepped closer, his eyes locked on 2749. He was captivated. He scratched notes onto a rough parchment, writing down everything he saw: how 2749¡¯s skin turned pale as death, how his breaths came short and weak, how his body still trembled even after the tubes stopped.


    Then, suddenly the doors slammed open.


    A knight in shining armor burst through the door. ¡°Lord Valerius! The rebels have killed King Oberon. Now they¡¯re hunting everyone tied to him.¡±


    ¡°We have to go now.¡±


    Valerius started, his voice full of doubt. ¡°King Oberon dead? He¡¯s one of the kingdom¡¯s mightiest knights! Even in far-off lands, they knew his strength. He was old, yes, but he could¡¯ve lived a hundred years more.¡±


    ¡°They say there was a mysterious woman in the Rebel group who used witchcraft to kill him,¡± the knight said.


    Silence hung heavy.


    Then, in a hushed voice, ¡°Witchcraft? Does it really exist? Wasn''t that just a myth, a fairy tale.?¡±


    The knight shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But we need to leave.¡±


    Valerius¡¯s hands shook, not from fear, but from the thrill of wanting to learn more about witchcraft. He dreamed of studying its secrets.


    But he snapped out of his thoughts fast and turned to Elias. ¡°Seal the sanctum. Use alchemical charges to collapse the entrances. If the rebels reach us, we¡¯re finished.¡±


    Elias hesitated. ¡°The subjects¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are worthless now. With the king gone, survival matters more.¡±


    He glanced at 2749, who was almost dead, a flicker of regret in his eyes. The experiment wasn¡¯t finished.


    Valerius sighed and quickly moved around the lab, grabbing important things. He took key documents, rare scrolls, and other vital stuff, then snatched pouches of gold and magical gems from a table. He tossed one pouch to Elias. ¡°This will help you out in an emergency. Grab the best samples and books. We¡¯re leaving.¡±


    ---


    After a while,


    They rushed out, doors banging shut.


    Soon, explosions rocked the sanctum.


    Walls crumbled.


    Cages holding forgotten subjects were crushed, their cries snuffed out.


    In the center, 2749 lay inside the Rune-Glass Vault, dying. The alien blood still flowed through his veins.


    But then, the violet eye in his forehead flickered¡­

 Chapter 2- Memories

    2749 was on the brink of death when his violet eye flickered violently.


    ¡ª


    He was drifting in a vast, dark space filled with the scent of blood. Yet, instead of fear or pain, a strange comfort wrapped around him, deeper than anything he had ever known. It was warm, almost soothing, as if the very darkness embraced him.


    Then, a voice.


    Silky smooth, dark as the void, it seeped into his thoughts like a whisper from something ancient and unseen.


    His eyes snapped open.


    The cold, rune-glass vault was gone. The heavy shackles that had bound his body were nowhere to be seen.


    Then, a flicker.


    A shape formed within the void.


    A shadowy figure emerged, its movements fluid yet predatory, a twisted reflection of 2749. This being¡¯s gaze was like twin voids, devouring the light.


    A suffocating pressure radiated from it, warping the space around them, crushing down on him like a tangible force.


    A shiver crept up 2749¡¯s spine. It wasn¡¯t fear. It was recognition.


    "Why¡­ Do I know you?" 2749 asked, his voice unsteady.


    The figure smiled, slow and sly, drifting closer. Its whisper hummed through the void.


    "I am you."


    2749 stiffened. Something inside him recoiled. The words carried a weight he couldn¡¯t grasp, yet they rang with undeniable truth.


    "I know your pain," the figure murmured. "The suffering, the experiments, the emptiness they carved into you. They took everything from you, your past, your emotions, even your future."


    Then, the void split open.


    A flickering light. A screen hovering in the darkness. No, not a screen, but memories.


    ¡ª


    The cold bit into his skin , iron shackles biting deep into his wrists and ankles. He was bound to a rough wooden chair, its leather cracked and stained dark with old blood and his blood.


    A thin, wicked needle slid into his vein. He twitched, the cold sting blooming into a fire that roared through his body. His muscles locked, shaking hard. Each heartbeat sent shards of pain ripping through his veins.


    His vision swam, blurring the edges of the room. Through the haze, he saw him.


    Valerius.


    The man stood before him, an observer in an alchemy coat, his expression cool and detached.


    "Increase the dosage," Valerius ordered, voice smooth as a serpent¡¯s hiss as if discussing a lab rat. "He''s still conscious."


    More liquid fire surged into his veins. His Aether, like a wild thing trapped within him, fought against the invading liquid. But it was useless. The world narrowed, the edges of his vision darkening.


    ¡ª


    Then, his eyes.


    He didn¡¯t remember when it happened, just the pain. Cold metal pressed against his face and dug into his skin. Then, they tore his eye out, and it hurt a lot. Tendons snapped, and blood poured out. The empty hole hurt badly.


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    Next, they put something wrong into the hole. His head burned as it went in. His body shook, he felt sick, and it felt alive inside him. His arms and legs jerked wildly.


    He should have died. But they would not let him.


    Death was a mercy they denied.


    The memory shattered.


    ¡ª


    Elias punched 2749 hard in the ribs, knocking him to the cold floor. His bones shook, and he couldn¡¯t breathe for a moment.


    "Still not following orders?" Elias asked.2749 stayed quiet. He was used to that.


    But today was different. Elias held a needle with something black and bad inside. He looked excited to hurt 2749.


    "This," Elias whispered, voice dripping with malice, "will teach you obedience."


    When the needle went into 2749¡¯s neck, he knew it was trouble.


    It didn¡¯t feel like a bruise or a burn. It was worse.


    Agony coiled through him, knotting his nerves. His muscles locked tight, and his bones groaned as if splintering apart. A crushing weight gripped his chest, stealing his breath, as though he sank beneath black water.


    His sight flared white, then plunged into shadow.


    A scream ripped from his throat, startling him¡ªhe¡¯d forgotten his voice could break like that.


    Elias laughed as 2749¡¯s screams filled the air.


    ¡ª


    A new memory surfaced.


    The training was merciless. No, not training, but merciless conditioning.


    "Move!"


    A sharp blow to his back.


    "Fight!"


    A blade pressed against his skin, drawing blood.


    "Obey!"


    Pain. Always pain.


    There was no rest, no food, only bitter tasting medicine that forced his body to mend just enough to keep going. If he faltered, he was beaten. If he collapsed, he was dragged up and forced to continue.


    He was not allowed to be weak.


    Those who failed disappeared.


    One day, he trained beside someone. Next, they were gone. No questions. No explanations. Just empty space.


    His Aether Core, the strength within him, wasn¡¯t ready yet. But they didn¡¯t care. They crammed raw energy into his frail body, forcing it to forge his own Aether Core in mere days.


    But at what cost?


    ¡ª


    Cold iron dug into his wrists, heavy chains keeping him bound. The cage was damp, the air thick with the stench of decay.


    The food they gave him was a grey, unidentifiable sludge, its scent a mixture of rot and chemicals. It did not matter. He ate. He had to.


    The whispers of others drifted through the darkness, the only proof he was not alone. Some voices remained for weeks. Others only days.


    Eventually, they all went silent.


    Then, new voices took their place.


    ¡ª


    A flicker of light. A memory that did not belong among the others.


    Sunlight.


    Laughter, bright and carefree, filled the air. Children raced through fields of wildflowers, their voices untouched by suffering.


    He was among them.


    Then, a rough hand slammed over his mouth.


    He screamed, thrashing against the grip. The world tilted and spun, colors blurring into chaos.


    Darkness rushed in, swallowing him whole, dragging him to this hell.


    ¡ª


    A warm glow. Lanterns flickering against the walls.


    A bowl of steaming food was placed before him. Real food. Meat, tender and fragrant. Vegetables, fresh and vibrant. The warmth spread through his chest, unfamiliar yet comforting.


    A hand ruffled his hair. His mother¡¯s. His father sat nearby, steady and kind. Home.


    The word ached in his mind, stirring something deep within him.


    His fingers twitched. His chest tightened.


    A single tear slipped down his cheek.


    Then, a voice, smooth and seductive, slithered into his thoughts.


    "Don¡¯t you want to go home?"


    The words dripped like honey, sweet and poisonous.


    "To feel warmth again? To be whole?"


    It extended a hand. A writhing mass of darkness barely holding form.


    "Take my hand, 2749. Together, we¡¯ll burn this world to ashes and rebuild it in our image."


    A pull deep inside him. Temptation.


    He took a step forward.


    Then another.


    His fingers trembled as they reached out.


    A pulse.


    Something stirred within him a violent shudder erupting outward. Near his heart, a force pushed back¡ªsmall but fierce.


    A faint light sparked.


    Dim yet stubborn, it flickered in his Aether Core.


    Next, His violet eye flared, glowing like a star about to collapse.


    Then, something monstrous tore free.


    It wasn¡¯t a beast or a spirit. It was something else.


    Something alive.


    From his eye socket, pale, oily tendrils writhed into existence, pulsing with a sickening rhythm. His iris no longer whole, it shattered like broken glass, the violet shards swirling within the translucent tendrils.


    Segmented limbs unfolded, ending in needle-like claws that clicked hungrily. The creature¡¯s form twisted, shifting, never settling. It was a grotesque parody of life, rejecting all natural order.


    A low, guttural clicking echoed through the void, punctuated by high-pitched, grating shrieks.


    "Kee kee kee!"


    The sound scraped against reality like nails on bone, laced with something almost¡­ gleeful.


    The tendrils remained connected to 2749¡¯s eye socket, thin cords of flesh binding them together. His skin stretched raw, torn muscle pulsing with each unnatural movement.


    And the creature was alive.


    A sharp, shrieking wail filled the void, vibrating with madness and hunger.


    The shadow flinched.


    For the first time, its confidence wavered.


    A flicker of fear.


    "What¡­ is that?" its voice trembled.


    The creature coiled, its tendrils curling like a nest of serpents as it locked onto the shadow.


    "Kee kee kee!"


    It struck in an instant.


    The shadow shrieked, body convulsing as it recoiled. But the creature was relentless. Its tendrils whipped out, clawing into the void, eating the darkness bite by bite.


    ¡°No¡ªstop!¡± the shadow begged, its voice breaking.


    The creature ignored it. Its hunger had no end.


    2749 watched as the twisted echo of himself was consumed, shredded into nothing.


    And then¡ª


    Silence.


    The creature hung in the void, shifting, watching him. 2749 braced himself, expecting it to attack next.


    But it didn¡¯t.


    Instead, it grinned, neither cruel nor kind, something entirely alien.


    Then, it folded in on itself, shrinking, twisting, until it was gone, retreating back into the depths of his violet eye.


    The world shattered.


    A whisper drifted through the void, a one last murmur.


    But he couldn¡¯t hear it as his Aether Core convulsed in rejection.


    A sudden force expelled the remnants of the shadow¡¯s influence, shattering the illusion.


    ¡ª


    Cold metal pressed against his skin. His Aether Core dimmed, its glow fading. The pain remained, but now it was distant, muffled.


    Something had changed.


    His blood, once red, now ran black. His new Aether¡­ no longer the same. It had altered something deeper.


    2749 opened his eyes and he didn''t care about this stuff.


    The vault¡¯s glass was fractured, jagged cracks snaking across its surface like veins of lightning. Above, the weight of the collapsed lab bore down¡ªcrumbled stone, twisted iron, and shattered relics of alchemy pressing against the structure. The ruin had flattened everything around it, yet the vault stood, creaked but unbroken, buried in the debris.


    He lay still within, his body heavy. Severed tubes dangled from his arms, their dark fluids dripping onto his skin, staining it with faint, fading streaks.


    An emptiness lingered in his chest.


    But beneath it... something awakened.


    A primitive spark.


    A single thought, burned clear and fierce.


    Escape.

 Chapter 3- Other Survivors

    2749¡¯s eyes drifted open. His right eye, once a soft green, had darkened to an endless black. His violet left eye quivered, as if stirred by a hidden breath.


    A chilled chain rested heavy on his chest, pinning him within the fractured Rune-Glass Vault. He shifted his arm, testing its weight.


    Crack.


    The chain gave way, links tumbling against the broken glass with a faint, mournful chime. He was unbound.


    His breath came slow, a whisper of dust in his lungs. His fingers curled into a fist, a dark aura weaving around it like threads of forgotten shadow. His black eye shimmered, a quiet ripple crossing its depths. Then he pressed his hand forward.


    BOOM!


    The vault¡¯s glass shattered outward, a low tremor rolling through the ruins. Fragments of stone and metal scattered, settling like fallen leaves.


    CRACK!


    ---


    Three shapes lingered near the sealed entrance, their low voices weaving through guesses about escape and the ruin¡¯s fall.


    A sudden BOOM! rumbled beneath their feet, the air shivering as something nearby broke apart. Dust lifted from the wreckage, glass tapping stone like a distant rain.


    They froze, eyes sharpening, and turned toward the sound¡¯s echo, peering through the lantern¡¯s unsteady glow.


    A boy, barely fifteen, but built like a young knight, broad-shouldered and strong from training stumbled back a step. His face bore a jagged scar, and his right arm shimmered with green scales, ending in wicked, glinting claws. Muscle rippled under his skin, nearly fully grown, though a hint of youth lingered in his frame. His torn blue robe, streaked with grime, hung loose. His bald head caught the lantern¡¯s dim glow, shining faintly.


    Beside him stood a small girl, maybe thirteen, thin but scrappy, with a wild spark in her big, pink eyes. Her shaved head and impish grin gave her a cute, boyish charm, like a scruffy street urchin ready for a brawl. Her stained black robe was too big, sleeves rolled up past her elbows, showing off skinny arms smudged with dirt. She shifted her weight, quick and restless, always on edge.


    A taller girl stood behind them, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she scanned the ruins. At sixteen, she carried herself steady, her loose black robe hanging over a lean, wiry frame. Her bald scalp caught the flickering lantern light, and her quiet calm masked a readiness to move fast.


    Then, a sound broke the quiet¡ªa slow, rough scrape under the rubble, like rocks rubbing together. The debris shook a little, a strange wiggle that felt wrong. Dust fell in thin lines, like something hidden was moving down there, big and secret. Was it alive? Hiding? The air got heavy, and the lantern¡¯s dim light blinked as shadows grew long. Something was stirring or escaping.


    A boy of age of 15 rose up from the wreckage, bare and scarred. Broken chains hung from his wrists.


    Their eyes darted to 2749¡¯s strange eyes, one black as a voice, the other violet and restless, a twisting shadow, like something alive clawing beneath his skull, its light sharp and eerie. His bald head, smooth and bare, showed he was one of them¡ªanother shaped by cold steel and cruel hands.


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    The tall woman stepped closer, her blue eyes fixed on him. She raised a hand to stop the others.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked calmly. ¡°I¡¯m Anya. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    2749 looked at them¡ªtheir torn robes, the wrecked lab, how they stood ready to fight. The two in black wore Valerius¡¯s robes. The one with the scaled arm had Elias¡¯s blue robe, his green claws shining.


    ¡°My name is 2749,¡± he said, his voice flat and hollow.


    Anya, Borin, and Elara frowned. 2749¡¯s number was low¡ªhe¡¯d been here way before them. Their own numbers were 5000 to 6000, and they knew lots of kids didn¡¯t survive the collapse. They felt sorry for him, guessing he¡¯d suffered more. His short answers didn¡¯t bother them¡ªthey didn¡¯t know he was just empty inside.


    Anya kept going. ¡°Your real name¡ªthe one your parents gave you, from before this.¡± She waved at the ruins.


    2749 didn¡¯t move. ¡°Parents,¡± he mumbled.


    The word hit him strangely. Flashes flickered in his mind¡ªsunlight, warmth, two people standing with smiles¡ªbut their faces were blurry, lost to him. No names came.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember,¡± he said, a faint ache threading through his hollow voice.


    Anya, Borin, and Elara felt more sympathy for him. He probably wasn¡¯t rude before, those experiments had hollowed him out, left him blank. But they didn¡¯t have time to dwell¡ªthey shifted their attention quick to escaping.


    Borin flexed his clawed hand. His arm was big, covered in blue scales. He grunted. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m Borin. That¡¯s Elara.¡± He pointed to the pink-eyed woman.


    Elara gave a quiet nod, a flicker of annoyance crossing her¡ªshe¡¯d wanted to name herself, not have someone else speak for her.


    Borin sighed, his breath rough. ¡°You know what happened here? Or how to get out?¡± He pointed at a lantern flickering weakly on the ground. ¡°This light¡¯s dying, and we¡¯re out of food.¡±


    2749 said, his voice cold and empty, ¡°No.¡±


    Elara picked up the lantern and moved toward 2749¡ªor rather, the spot he¡¯d emerged from. Reaching it, she tilted the light at the pit he¡¯d climbed out of, revealing the broken vault, its glass split and shadowed.


    She swung the lantern toward him, the dim light hitting his face¡ªhis weird eyes, one black, one violet, made her stomach twist, uneasy. She asked, ¡°What did they do to you?¡± Her voice was low. ¡°This looks bad, seeing that vault.¡±


    2749 said, his voice flat and dead, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Elara huffed, her pink eyes narrowing. ¡°Great, another ¡®no¡¯¡ªthis guy¡¯s useless. I swear, whatever they did to him scrambled his head. Looks like we¡¯re on our own, guys.¡±


    Borin and Anya, already wary of 2749, tensed up more, worried he might lunge at Elara. They sighed, exchanging glances, and started muttering about other ways out.


    Meanwhile, Elara kept eyeing 2749. Her gaze flicked from his scarred face to his bare, muscled body¡ªnaked and tough, despite the marks. She asked, ¡°How¡¯d you break out of that vault and make that shockwave?¡±


    ¡°I punched it,¡± 2749 said, voice cold and empty.


    Elara blinked, then studied the wrecked vault. She turned to the blocked entrance¡ªhuge stones and bent metal¡ªand pointed. ¡°Can you punch that?¡± Her pink eyes gleamed with a spark of hope.


    2749 glanced at it. ¡°Yes,¡± he said.


    Elara tilted her head, her voice turning cute and pleading. ¡°Then can you punch that like you did here and make a hole or something so we can escape?¡±


    2749 said, his voice flat and dead, ¡°I will try my best.¡± Her cuteness meant nothing to him¡ªhe just obeyed, like always.


    As he walked toward the blocked entrance, Borin¡¯s rough voice cut in. ¡°Hey, hold up, man. Stop.¡±


    2749 paused, turning slightly.


    Borin flexed his green-scaled arm, muscles bulging under the shimmering plates. ¡°I already tried. Look at this¡ªif you don¡¯t break it in one hit, you¡¯ll mess up the structure worse. This whole place could cave in.¡±


    Anya nodded, her blue eyes steady. ¡°He¡¯s right. It¡¯s too risky. We should look for another way out.¡±


    Elara, trailing with the lantern, scoffed. ¡°Oh, come on! Let him try! What¡¯s the plan¡ªsit here and starve? We¡¯re dead either way if we stay.¡± She jabbed a finger at 2749. ¡°Go punch that wall¡ªfull strength!¡±


    Borin frowned. ¡°Elara, if he messes up, we¡¯re buried. I¡¯d rather keep looking than risk it all now.¡±


    Elara rolled her pink eyes, voice sharp. ¡°And I¡¯d rather not rot in this hellhole waiting for nothing! He¡¯s our shot¡ªstop whining. We either bust out now or die slow. Pick one.¡±


    Anya sighed, rubbing her temple. ¡°Both of you, quit it. Borin¡¯s got a point¡ªit could collapse. But Elara¡¯s not wrong¡ªwe¡¯re running out of time.¡± She glanced at the dimming lantern, then at 2749. ¡°If he can do it clean, we¡¯re free. If not¡­¡± She shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re no worse off.¡±


    Borin grunted, crossing his scaled arms. ¡°Fine. Let him try. Worst case, we¡¯re buried fast instead of starving slow.¡± He nodded grudgingly at 2749. Anya and Elara stepped back, wary of falling debris, their eyes flicking between hope and doubt.


    2749 turned, unbothered by their words, and walked to the blocked entrance again. The others retreated a few paces, bracing for whatever came next.


    He raised his arm, fingers curling into a fist. A dark aura flickered around his hand, shadows twisting faintly. His scarred muscles tightened, and the air buzzed with hidden power.


    Everyone stared as the dark aura around 2749¡¯s body flared to life. It glowed, but not like normal light¡ªit was a strange, shadowy shine, bright yet heavy, as if he was pulling the lantern¡¯s glow into himself. The darkness around him seemed to deepen, and he stood out like a black flame flickering in the gloom, both radiant and void at once.


    Then, he struck.


    BOOM!

 Chapter 4- Right Or Left?

    BOOM!


    The blocked entrance burst apart as 2749 hit it. Stones and warped metal shot forward like a cannon blast, tumbling into the shadows ahead. A rough hole tore open, dust spinning in the lantern¡¯s fading glow. The others gaped, caught off guard by the sheer force.


    Then the ground quaked. A deep growl rolled through the ruins, walls trembling as cracks split the stone. Bits of ceiling rattled loose, dropping like heavy rain.


    Anya reacted first. ¡°Run!¡± she barked, pointing a finger at the hole.


    They scrambled toward it, boots slamming the shaking floor. Borin¡¯s scaled arm flexed as he charged.


    Elara darted like a spooked cat, the lantern swinging wild in her grip, its dim light bouncing off cracked walls. Her robe flapped, oversized and tangled.


    Anya stayed cool, weaving through falling debris with sharp, steady steps.


    But 2749 stood there, like a statue.


    Elara skidded to a stop near the hole, twisting back, the lantern swinging in her left hand. ¡°Get in there, weirdo!¡± she shouted.


    She then reached out with her soft white hand, gripping his fingers tightly, and pulled him toward the hole. He started moving as her words sank in, urging him to follow, and they ducked inside together, the lantern¡¯s glow flickering ahead.


    Anya slipped in next, quick and sure, her breath sharp.


    Borin barreled in last, his broad frame squeezing through. A slab of stone crashed down right behind him, grazing his heel. He stumbled forward, dust exploding around him as the hole caved in, sealing the ruin shut.


    Silence settled over them, thick and heavy, the dust still hanging in the air. They¡¯d made it, just barely.


    Borin let out a rough laugh, brushing dirt off his tattered robe. ¡°Oh, finally out safe¡ªI thought that rock was gonna flatten me back there.¡± He glanced over his shoulder at the collapsed entrance, his voice rumbling with relief, like a knot had unraveled in his chest.


    Elara, still catching her breath, grinned wide. ¡°Yeah, about time!¡±


    Anya nodded, her blue eyes catching the lantern¡¯s faint light and she said, ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re alive at least for now.¡±


    The three straightened up, shaking off the tension, and turned to face the path. They saw two narrow, tunnel stretching into the dark.


    Borin stepped forward, squinting at the smooth stone walls. ¡°This feels off,¡± he muttered, scratching his bald head. ¡°Why didn¡¯t this collapse too? It¡¯s too solid¡ªexcept for the mess this guy made.¡± He shot a glance at 2749, whose hand Elara was still clutching absentmindedly, then looked toward the scattered debris littering the curved floor¡ªchunks of stone and metal from 2749¡¯s punch.


    Two paths branched off, one left, one right, but behind them, the way they¡¯d come was sealed shut by rubble..


    Elara shrugged, swinging the lantern with her other hand. ¡°Who cares? It¡¯s a way out¡ªlet¡¯s go!¡±


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    Anya frowned, her voice steady. ¡°But which way? We can¡¯t just guess.¡±


    Elara bounced on her toes, eager. ¡°lets Pick right one! Any path¡¯s better than standing here¡ªit¡¯ll lead somewhere, right?¡±


    Borin crossed his arms, scales glinting. ¡°I say left. Looks sturdier.¡±


    ¡°No way, right¡¯s the one!¡± Elara shot back, letting go of 2749¡¯s hand to step closer to Borin, her pink eyes flashing.


    Anya sighed, cutting in before it escalated. ¡°Stop it, both of you. Here¡¯s the plan: we try right first. If it¡¯s a dead end, we double back and go left. Simple.¡±


    Borin scowled. ¡°Why right first? Left¡¯s just as good.¡±


    Anya raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. ¡°Fine, Borin. You want left? Go scout it solo. Me, Elara, and this guy will take right. Meet back here if you¡¯re so sure.¡±


    Borin waved a clawed hand, scales glinting in the lantern¡¯s faint glow. ¡°Nah, forget it¡ªI can¡¯t just let you girls go alone with this guy. Who knows what dangers are lurking ahead? I¡¯ll protect you. Let¡¯s take the right path like you want, and we should all stick together.¡± His voice came out firm, but inside, he was thinking: No way I¡¯m wandering off solo¡ªwho knows what¡¯s out there? Sticking with 2749¡¯s better than facing it alone.


    Elara smirked, her tone teasing. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about whether this guy¡¯s dangerous or not¡ªhe can protect us just fine. You can take that left path if you¡¯re so scared.¡±


    Borin snorted, crossing his arms. ¡°Yeah, well, I would¡¯ve, but¡ªlook¡ªwe¡¯ve only got one lantern.¡± In his head, he added, Even if we had two, I wouldn¡¯t split off. Not a chance.


    Anya cut in, her voice calm but firm. ¡°Borin¡¯s right¡ªwe shouldn¡¯t go separately. Let¡¯s stick together and head right.¡±


    Elara smirked, already bouncing ahead, her excitement spilling out like sparks. She spun back, grabbing 2749¡¯s hand again, her fingers threading through his with a playful little tug. ¡°Hey, weirdo, stick close and protect me if you see me in a dangerous situation, okay?¡±


    2749 gave a slow nod, his gaze steady despite the emptiness in it.


    ¡°Good!¡± she chirped, practically dragging him forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Her energy pulled him along, and he followed, steps heavy but sure. Anya and Borin hung back a bit, shooting each other a quick look¡ªkinda excited but also a little nervous.


    They kept walking forever, the tunnel curving a little left, then a little right, winding back and forth so slightly. The lantern¡¯s light bounced off the wet stone walls, making shadows dance around them. Elara started dragging her feet, her big grin turning into a pout. ¡°Ugh, are we ever gonna get outta here?¡± she whined, kicking a random rock out of her way.


    Borin snorted, his scales catching the dim light. ¡°I told you the left path was the better choice. We¡¯re wasting time.¡±


    Elara spun around, her pink eyes flashing. ¡°Oh, shove it, scale-face.¡±


    Before Borin could retort, Anya held up a hand, her gaze fixed ahead. ¡°Wait,¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°Look.¡±


    As they looked there they saw scattered debris from 2749¡¯s earlier impact littered the floor, leading deeper into the shadows. But something was deeply wrong. The rubble from the blocked entrance is the one we left on our right¡ªis now on our left.


    Borin and Elara, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± they said, almost in unison, glancing around the tunnel.


    Anya¡¯s sharp blue eyes narrowed as she studied the surroundings. ¡°Guys, I think we might be walking in circles. The paths we thought were right or left¡ªthey¡¯re probably leading us in the same direction. There has to be another way out of this place, something we haven¡¯t found yet.¡±


    Elara groaned, letting go of 2749¡¯s hand and plopping down on the smooth floor, her oversized Valerius robe pooling around her. ¡°Oh no, we walked all that for nothing! I¡¯m starving, exhausted, and so thirsty. Does anyone have water?¡±


    Anya sighed, reaching into her robe pocket. ¡°Here you go.¡± She pulled out a small, weathered waterskin, its leather worn from use, and handed it to Elara. ¡°Don¡¯t drink too much¡ªwe need to make last.¡±


    Elara¡¯s pink eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°Oh, you still had water!¡± She jumped up, snatching the waterskin from Anya with a grin, then popped the cap and took a few big gulps, the cool water easing her dry throat. She swiped her sleeve across her mouth, then turned to 2749, holding it out. ¡°Hey, want some water?¡±


    2749 shook his head, his face blank as ever. After the blood transfusion, his body wasn¡¯t the same¡ªhe didn¡¯t feel hunger or thirst anymore, just a weird emptiness where those needs used to be.


    Elara tilted her head, squinting up at him with a little frown. ¡°You sure?¡± She plopped back down on the ground, still watching his scarred face, but then as she sat down her eyes accidentally slipped lower, noticing his elephant.


    She glanced down at her own robe, her fingers tugging at the hem. ¡°Geez, we really gotta find you some clothes,¡± she mumbled, almost to herself, patting the black fabric of her Valerius robe. ¡°These aren¡¯t too bad, you know,¡± she said, looking back up at him with a casual nod.


    Borin, who¡¯d been glaring from the side, thrust out his clawed hand. ¡°Hey, pass me the water already,¡± he growled, his patience clearly wearing thin.


    Elara shot him a look, her nose scrunching up as she handed over the waterskin with a dramatic huff. ¡°Here, take it, grumpy.¡±


    They sat for a moment, catching their breath, the dim tunnel air heavy around them. Anya started scanning the walls, her sharp blue eyes following the faint shimmer in the stone. She tapped a finger against her chin, then spoke up, her voice calm but carrying a spark of hope. ¡°I think we should look for a hollow spot in the wall. If we find one, we can ask him to punch it again¡ªit might get us out of here.¡± She glanced at 2749 as she said those word.


    Borin and Elara shared a quick look, then nodded in sync. ¡°Okay,¡± they said at the same time, scrambling to their feet. They started running their hands along the walls, tapping here and there, listening for any hollow echo, their footsteps bouncing softly in the quiet tunnel.


    2749 stood still, watching them with his usual blank stare. He didn¡¯t understand much of what they were doing, but deep inside, a faint warmth stirred¡ªhe felt a little better, a quiet comfort blooming from their kinder treatment..


    After a while, Borin stopped, his clawed hand pressed against a spot on the wall. He knocked on it twice, the sound coming back with a faint, hollow thud. ¡°Ladies, I think I found it!¡±

 Chapter 5- Finally Escaped!

    Borin stood there all proud, his chest puffed out as everyone gathered around him by the wall. ¡°Look at this¡ªI found us a way out!¡± he said, knocking on the spot. It made a hollow sound, different from the solid part he tapped next. ¡°Hear that? It¡¯s not the same.¡±


    Anya nodded, her blue eyes showing she was impressed. ¡°Good job. Now,¡± she turned to 2749, her voice strong, ¡°punch that wall. Let¡¯s see if we can get out of here.¡±


    Everyone stepped back a bit, as 2749 was about to punch. 2749 didn¡¯t say a word, just raised his fist. A dark, shadowy glow started moving around his hand, looking like a weird shadow coming alive.


    Then,


    BOOM!, he hit the wall hard. Dust flew everywhere, pieces of rock falling out, and a big, cave-like hole opened up, about as wide as 3 people standing side by side. A bit of light came through it, shining into the dark tunnel.


    Elara held the lantern in one hand and squinted at the light coming through. ¡°Guess we don¡¯t need this now,¡± she said, setting the lantern down on the ground..


    Borin, right next to her, let out a big cheer. ¡°Freedom, baby!¡± he shouted, running toward the hole and pushing past 2749.


    But the second he stepped through, there was nothing under him. ¡°AHHH! AHH!¡± Borin yelled, his voice echoing all over as he waved his arms around, his scaly claws grabbing at the edge of the wall to hold on.


    Elara and Anya got alert fast, stepping closer to look out the hole. Outside was a huge, dark pit, wrapping around the whole mountain like a shadowy moat. On the other side, they could see flat land under a gray sky¡ªclose enough to spot, but way too far to reach, with the deep pit that almost took Borin down.


    Borin was dangling there, barely hanging on, staring up at Anya and Elara with big, scared eyes. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t just stand there¡ªhelp me!¡± he yelled, sounding super freaked out.


    Anya and Elara jumped in fast, each grabbing an arm and pulling hard to get him up. ¡°Hey, weirdo, help us out!¡± Elara called to 2749, who stepped up quietly. They pulled hard, yanking Borin back up, his boots scraping the ground as he landed, breathing hard. 2749 just stood there, looking like it was no big deal.


    Elara flopped down on the ground with a big sigh, grinning at Borin. ¡°So, you still wanna go first, stupid?¡± she teased, pretending to be all sweet.


    Borin shot her a mean look, brushing dirt off his robe. He was mad, so he muttered, ¡°Next time, I¡¯m shoving you out there first¡ªsee how you like it.¡±


    Anya got up, wiped her hands on her robe, and peeked out the hole again. ¡°How¡¯re we supposed to cross this thing?¡± she asked, her blue eyes squinting as she looked down at the pit. ¡°It¡¯s too deep. No one¡¯s surviving that fall. There¡¯s gotta be another way.¡±


    Elara groaned, still sitting there. ¡°I¡¯m so tired and hungry. Can¡¯t we just climb down or jump? We¡¯re 1st rank squire knights already¡ªaren¡¯t we tough enough?¡±


    Anya shook her head. ¡°No way. Look at it.¡± She pointed down. ¡°It¡¯s gotta be at least a hundred meters deep, and the other side¡¯s just as far. We¡¯d be flat as pancakes before we hit the bottom.¡±


    Elara got up slow and walked to the hole. Past the pit, she saw green trees moving in the wind, their leaves shining a bit, but the flat land was miles away. She sighed, her pink eyes looking kinda hopeful but also annoyed. ¡°We¡¯re so close, but still so far,¡± she said quietly, staring at the outside world like it was teasing her.


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    Anya crossed her arms, her blue eyes checking out the pit. ¡°We better find another way fast. There¡¯s gotta be some other way outta this place.¡±


    Borin and Elara both sighed, looking worn out.


    But 2749 just stood there, staring at the flat land across the pit, where trees and grass moved under the gray sky. Something about it hit him deep, like a memory from a long time ago.


    He saw himself as a kid, laughing while climbing a tree, hearing his own laugh in his head. He got so caught up, he walked right to the edge of the hole without thinking. Suddenly, a dark glow started swirling around his legs, like a storm, and¡ª*BOOM!*¡ªhe jumped.


    The loud noise made Anya, Borin, and Elara turn fast. ¡°What was that?!¡± Borin said, spinning around. They ran to the hole, hearts racing, thinking he fell into the pit. But when they got there, they saw 2749 flying through the air, moving like he knew exactly what he was doing. He landed perfect on the other side, right on the edge of the flat land, standing steady on the grass.


    All three of them gasped, their faces lighting up with shock and excitement. ¡°He made it!¡± Elara cheered, her pink eyes big and bright. Anya nodded fast. ¡°He can help us¡ªmaybe grab a tree or something to make a bridge across!¡±


    They were buzzing with hope as 2749 walked over to a tree nearby, his mind still stuck on that old memory. He reached up, trying to climb it like he did in his head, his scarred hands grabbing the rough bark.


    Elara put her hands around her mouth and shouted across the valley. ¡°Hey, weirdo!¡± Her voice bounced off the pit¡¯s walls, coming back all weird and echoey, like a ghost calling her name. ¡°What¡¯re you doing? Can you help us get there too or Find a rope or something so we can get over there!¡±


    2749 stopped climbing, looking back at the three of them standing by the mountain¡¯s hole, the big valley stretching between them. He gave a slow nod, then jumped down from the tree. He took a few steps back, and that dark glow started up again, shadows moving around him like a storm ready to break loose. With a loud *BOOM!* he jumped back across the valley, the air shaking behind him as he flew toward them.


    Anya, Borin, and Elara stepped back quickly, their eyes wide as 2749 came flying in. He landed with a loud thud right in front of them, dust flying up around his feet like a little sandstorm. 2749 didn¡¯t say anything, just stepped up and grabbed Elara, his arm going around her middle. He picked her up easily, turning her so she was flat across his arm, her body flipped sideways¡ªlegs dangling on one side, head on the other, like she was a board.


    Elara let out a small squeak, her arms flailing a bit to stay balanced. ¡°Whoa, weirdo, what¡¯s this?!¡± she yelped, looking up at his face. But then her eyes dropped lower, seeing his bare body¡ªeverything out in the open now with her at this angle. Her cheeks turned bright red, and she shut her eyes tight. ¡°Geez, you sure you can jump like this?¡± she asked, her voice all shaky with worry.


    2749 just nodded, his face blank as always.


    Elara swallowed hard, holding onto his arm tight. ¡°¡°Okay, fine¡ªbut don¡¯t drop me,¡± Elara said, her voice a bit shaky. That dark glow started up around 2749 again, shadows spinning around him like a wild tornado, and with a BOOM!, he jumped across the valley, the air rumbling behind them like thunder.


    While they were flying through the air, Elara looked down, her stomach doing flips at the sight of the deep, dark valley below. It was so black and endless, like a big mouth ready to eat them up¡ªshe couldn¡¯t even see the bottom.


    She glanced back at the mountain they¡¯d escaped from, its rough shape sticking up against the gray sky. Memories hit her hard¡ªyears stuck in that awful lab, the experiments, the pain, all flashing through her head like a bad dream.


    Before she could think too much, they landed with a hard *thud* on the other side. 2749 turned her back upright, setting her down on the grass.


    Elara wobbled a bit, catching her breath, then stretched her arms out wide, her big Valerius robe flapping in the wind, the black fabric all dirty but still shining a little, like it held some of the lab¡¯s magic.


    Elara looked around at the flat land, the green trees swaying a bit in the breeze, and the wide open sky up above. A big grin spread across her face, her pink eyes shining bright like tiny stars. ¡°Finally, I¡¯m free!¡± she shouted, her voice all wobbly with joy.


    She turned to 2749, who was still standing there like a statue. ¡°Go get those two here too, weirdo!¡± she said, pointing back to the mountain.


    2749 nodded and jumped back across the valley with another *BOOM!*, coming back fast with Anya and Borin. He¡¯d picked them both up at once, one under each arm, holding them sideways like he did with Elara. They landed with a heavy thud, and 2749 set them down, turning them upright again.


    Borin dropped to his knees right away, kissing the ground like it was his best friend. ¡°Oh man, I¡¯m never doing that again!¡± he said, his voice all wobbly but happy. ¡°Sweet freedom¡ªI finally feel safe!¡± He patted the grass like he was thanking it.


    Elara looked around, hands on her hips, taking in the view. The trees far off rustled, their leaves shining a bit in the sunlight, and the air smelled clean, like a fresh start. Her face got softer, a little smile showing up.¡°Mummy¡­ Daddy¡­ I¡¯m coming back,¡± she whispered, her voice real quiet and full of how much she missed them.


    Memories of her parents came back¡ªhugs, laughter, a home she hadn¡¯t seen in forever. Her pink eyes got all shiny with tears, happy and sad at the same time, as she stood there on the edge of something new.


    Anya, though, was already thinking hard, her mind going a mile a minute. She stood off to the side, her blue eyes looking out at the horizon, her forehead all wrinkled. Freedom wasn¡¯t enough¡ªthere were still so many questions. Why did Valerius abandon the lab? Where are we right now? What dangers are still waiting for us out there? How are we going to find our families? How many years have even passed since we were brought here?

 Chapter 6- Gate!

    Kael sat by the dead campfire, his scarred chest rising slowly as he meditated, a habit drilled into him by Valerius.


    Anya woke first, brushing wet dew off her black robe as she sat up. Her blue eyes landed on Kael, the name they¡¯d picked for 2749 yesterday, since ¡°weirdo¡± or a number felt off after everything, and he couldn¡¯t recall his past anyway. It fit him, sharp and quiet like a blade.


    He sat cross legged by the ashes, hands resting on his knees, stiff like he was meditating, a pose from their knight training days to build focus and channel Aether right. His chest rose slowly under a rough tunic of big, dark green leaves, tied with vines they¡¯d pulled from ferns last night. It wasn¡¯t much, but it covered him up good enough.


    ¡°Hey, Kael,¡± Anya said, her voice low but clear, shaking grass off her robe. ¡°You stayed up all night meditating?¡±


    Kael¡¯s eyes opened and he nodded at her.


    Anya¡¯s voice stirred Elara, who groaned and rolled over, her pink eyes half open. ¡°Why so early?¡± she muttered, clutching her oversized robe. Borin jerked awake nearby, his claw twitching as he growled, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± His gaze darted between Anya and Kael, who hadn¡¯t moved from his spot by the ashes. A chill hung in the air, the forest too quiet, and Anya frowned. ¡°Kael, you were on the first watch, why didn¡¯t you wake anyone?¡±


    Last night, they¡¯d set a watch, each one waking the next when they got sleepy. Kael got first turn, but here he was, still awake while they¡¯d snoozed.


    ¡°Kael,¡± Anya said, curious now, ¡°Didn¡¯t you get tired? Why didn¡¯t you wake someone if you felt tired or wanted to sleep?¡±


    He tilted his head a bit. ¡°You said to wake someone if I felt tired or wanted to sleep. I didn¡¯t feel tired, and I didn¡¯t want to either,¡± he said, his voice flat like a dead wind.


    Elara sat up, brushing grass off her robe. ¡°Geez, Kael, you didn¡¯t sleep at all?¡± she said, staring at him. Then she grinned. ¡°Not even hungry or thirsty, huh? Last night you kept saying you weren¡¯t hungry, but when I made you eat that rabbit, you went nuts, nearly ate it all! I had to yell ¡®stop¡¯ before you swallowed the bones!¡±


    Borin chuckled, sitting up, his scaly arm flexing. ¡°Guy¡¯s gotta be a higher knight than us. That¡¯s why he¡¯s not worn out. What¡¯s after squire, anyone know?¡± They all shifted, sitting loose around the dead fire.


    Elara perked up, her pink eyes glinting. ¡°Knight ranks go Trainee, Squire, Blade, Vanguard, I heard each has sub levels too.¡±


    Borin nodded, eyeing Kael with a smirk, his green claws wiggling. ¡°He¡¯s gotta be Blade. That dark energy when he smashed those bars in the lab? No squire does that.¡±


    Anya frowned, her voice low. ¡°Blade takes decades, though, unless the alchemist did something to him we don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Borin scratched his chin. ¡°Yeah, but he was there way longer, maybe he got bought at a really young age. More drugs, more tests, look at my arm, turned freaky in just a few years. He¡¯s probably been pumped full of stuff for ages. Could¡¯ve hit Blade easily.¡±


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    Elara hopped up, shaking out her oversized robe with a quick flick. ¡°Enough talk, let¡¯s get moving! I wanna get home fast, my folks must be crying their eyes out by now.¡± Her pink eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of longing shining through.


    Anya stood up, brushing the damp grass off her black robe with both hands. ¡°Alright, everyone up you go. We¡¯ll stick to the plan we made, find a village or city, grab a map, and figure out where our homes are. Then we decide, split up or stay together, whatever works.¡±


    Elara grinned wide, stepping close to Kael with a bounce in her step. ¡°And Kael¡¯s coming with me, he can stay in my house till he remembers his past,¡± she said, her voice bright as a bell.


    Everyone nodded, knowing now that Elara¡¯s father was a merchant who traveled to nearby cities. He could help find Kael¡¯s home a lot faster with his connections and know how.


    They rose slowly, shaking out their damp robes to shed the morning dew. Elara snagged Kael¡¯s arm, yanking him up fast. ¡°Let¡¯s go home, Kael!¡± she said, all chipper, shoving him a bit to get moving. She was buzzing, like a kid who couldn¡¯t wait.


    Kael stood, his leaf and vine tunic rustling as Elara tugged him forward, her voice bright. A faint memory flickered in his mind, sunlight filtering through a towering oak, a child¡¯s laughter echoing, and a woman¡¯s voice calling a name he couldn¡¯t grasp. The image faded as quickly as it came, leaving a hollow ache in his chest. He shook it off, his steps heavy but steady as Elara led the way.


    "After hours of stomping through the thick forest with no idea where they were headed, the group trudged along, totally wiped, leaves and twigs snapping under their boots as the wind howled above. The bright morning sun had vanished, leaving just a dim afternoon, with shadows stretching everywhere between the massive trees."


    Borin stopped short, jabbing his scaly arm forward. ¡°Look!¡± he snapped, his voice cutting through the quiet. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Up ahead, a dark, jagged hole hung there, like the air got torn apart.


    The Vile Gate hung in the air like a jagged tear, pitch black and frameless, big enough for two to step through side by side. The ground around it was dark and dead, as if the life had been drained from the trees and grass. A faint hum emanated from the gate, almost like a whisper, too soft to make out.


    Borin squinted, scratching his head. ¡°What¡¯s it even? No edge, no nothing, like the air¡¯s busted.¡±


    Elara froze, her pink eyes going wide as she grabbed Kael¡¯s hand tight. ¡°We should turn back,¡± she said, voice low and shaky.


    Anya and Borin looked at her, eyebrows up.


    Elara gulped, her voice trembling. ¡°That¡¯s a Vile Gate, my father warned me about them. They appear without warning, and monsters slip out, hunting souls to stay strong. If the gate closes, they¡¯re trapped here, go crazy until they slowly fade away.¡± She hesitated, her pink eyes wide. ¡°But I don¡¯t know what¡¯s on the other side¡­


    Borin crossed his arms, ¡°I don¡¯t see any monsters around, though. Should we take a peek? Like, what could be inside?¡±


    Elara glared at him, her eyes sharp. ¡°What if it closes and a Vile creature¡¯s nearby? We¡¯d be dead in a snap.¡±


    Anya frowned, staring at the crack with a tight jaw, but before she could open her mouth, Kael shifted. His scarred hand slid out of Elara¡¯s grip, his body locking up stiff. Something tugged at him, not his own thought, but a voice hissing in his head, Go in, go in. His black eye flickered, the violet one thumping like a trapped heart, and then he bolted, as fast as lightning, kicking up leaves like a wild storm.


    ¡°Kael!¡± Elara yelled, stumbling after him, panic in her voice. ¡°Where are you going? It¡¯s dangerous, get back here!¡±


    Borin and Anya tensed up quickly. ¡°Kael, stop!¡± Anya shouted, but he didn¡¯t hear. Everything blurred around him, only one thought hammering in his skull, Get in there, now! His legs moved fast, dark energy crackling around him like a live wire. With a loud BOOM, he dove straight into the Vile Gate and vanished in a flash.

 Chapter 7- Inside The Vile Gate

    Kael leaped through the Vile Gate, and the world turned dark and heavy. The air smelled like wet dirt and rot, thick enough to choke on, as his scarred feet hit a rough, crumbly ground. Shadows closed in, broken only by the faint purple light from his twitching violet eye. Above, a black moon hung low in the sky, jagged and glowing faintly, like a hungry mouth ready to swallow anything alive, its eerie shine casting long, twisted shadows that made the place feel even creepier.


    Twisted trees stretched up, their branches bare and sharp, dripping sticky black sap. Strange flowers grew between them, jagged petals glowing a weak green, with tiny teeth in the middle, leaking a misty haze that hugged the earth. Thorny vines crawled over the ground, twitching like they were alive.


    Far off, big shapes lurked in the gloom, maybe trees or maybe something worse, wrapped in shadows and swaying tendrils. The quiet was thick, interrupted by a snap of a twig or a slimy sound he couldn¡¯t place. His black eye darted around, spotting flickers of movement, while the violet one pulsed, pulling him deeper.


    He walked on, steps slow and steady, his leaf and vine tunic brushing his scars. The urge came from his violet eye, sharp and loud, tugging him past the creepy trees and flowers. The ground softened under him until he stopped in a cold, open spot. His body froze, his eyes screaming, Dig. Dig now. He dropped to his knees and clawed at the dirt, hands digging fast through the loose, ashy soil, chasing something he didn¡¯t understand.


    The forest was dim, the afternoon light weak around the Vile Gate¡¯s sharp, black tear. Elara tripped toward it, her big robe dragging in the wet grass, her pink eyes fierce. ¡°Kael¡¯s in there, we¡¯ve got to get him!¡± she yelled, her voice tight as she lunged forward.


    Borin grabbed her wrist fast, pulling her back hard. ¡°Stop!¡± he snapped, stepping in front of her. ¡°We should stay out here. He ran in like an idiot, doesn¡¯t mean we have to chase him.¡±


    Elara spun on him, her face red with anger. ¡°But he went in! We can¡¯t ditch him, he got us out of that place!¡± She yanked against his grip, her thin arms shaking. ¡°We owe him!¡±


    Borin¡¯s scarred face tightened, his claws flexing. ¡°He got us out, sure. We got him out too. We¡¯re even, Elara. No point in all of us dying for his dumb move. He¡¯s stronger than us anyway, if he can¡¯t make it, we sure can¡¯t.¡± His voice was rough, but his eyes flicked nervously to the gate.


    Anya walked up, wiping dew off her black robe, her blue eyes sharp. ¡°Borin¡¯s got a point,¡± she said, calm but firm. ¡°Elara, you told us monsters come out of these things. One could be close, waiting. We¡¯re not family with Kael. Soon we¡¯ll split up, go home. Risking our lives for him doesn¡¯t add up.¡±


    Elara¡¯s mouth fell open, her pink eyes burning with hurt. ¡°Doesn¡¯t add up? He¡¯s like us! Scarred, broken, hurting more than we have! Don¡¯t you see that?¡± Her voice broke, fists clenching as she stared them down. ¡°If you won¡¯t go, I will!¡± She twisted hard, breaking free of Borin¡¯s hand, her robe flapping as she charged the gate.


    ¡°Elara, wait!¡± Anya shouted, but Elara was already gone, diving into the black rift and disappearing, leaving Borin and Anya frozen, staring after her.


    Elara crashed through the Vile Gate, landing hard on her knees with an ¡°Ouch!¡± as the cracked ground bit into her. The air was cold and foul, heavy with a rotten stink that stung her nose.


    Her pink eyes shot wide as she took it all in, twisted trees with bare branches dripping black sap, odd flowers with sharp petals glowing green, tiny teeth in their centers leaking a hazy mist.


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    Dark vines slithered across the dirt like snakes. She pushed down a wave of fear and looked ahead, spotting Kael, kneeling, digging fast, his violet eye glowing dim in the dark.


    ¡°Kael!¡± she hollered, her voice sharp and loud in the stillness. ¡°What are you doing? We¡¯ve got to go now!¡±


    She hurried toward him, her oversized robe snagging on a rough root. Her shout stirred the place awake, flowers snapped their mouths wider, glowing brighter, while vines shot up. The trees creaked, branches twitching like they wanted her. Under her feet, the grass quivered, a soul sucking plant with thin, cutting blades, itching to drag her to its giant mouth.


    Kael didn¡¯t look up, his hands ripping into the dirt. He dug deep until he hit a fist sized stone, cold and rough like it stole the heat from his skin. Black crystals stuck out, three or four, the biggest twice a finger¡¯s size, slick and pulsing with a dim glow. A fat, black worm, bigger than a face, squirmed around them, its shiny body coiled tight. It lunged at him, tentacles flailing, but his violet eye flickered.


    The glow brightened, and the worm, wriggling with slimy tentacles and sharp teeth jutting from its lumpy, hideous mouth, jerked back, scared, and slithered fast into the shadows.


    Kael yanked the stone free with a loud crack and stood, gripping it tight. The crystals¡¯ dark energy tugged at his violet eye and blood, a sharp, hungry pull inside him. Then a scream cut through the air.


    ¡°Kael, help!¡± Elara¡¯s voice shook with panic. He turned fast, his black eye finding her. She was yards away, thrashing as soul sucking grass wrapped her ankle, pulling her toward a huge plant with a drooling maw. Her hands scratched at the dirt, her big robe twisting around her legs.


    Kael shot forward with a loud BOOM, dark energy sparking as he reached her in a flash. His fist smashed the plant¡¯s thick stem, breaking it apart with a spray of black sap. The vines screeched and pulled back. The grass tightened, but his violet eye flashed, and the plant let go, shrinking into the ground.


    Elara stared up, heart hammering, as Kael shattered the plant¡¯s stem in a spray of black sap. The vines recoiled, but her ankle still throbbed where the grass had bitten deep.


    Before she could scramble up, Kael grabbed the back of her robe and hauled her over his shoulder like a sack of grain. ¡°K, Kael!¡± she yelped, legs flailing. A hysterical laugh bubbled in her throat, half from relief, half from the sheer absurdity of being dangled like a misbehaving pup.


    She twisted to her left, spotting the gate¡¯s faint shimmer. ¡°We¡¯ve got to go now before it closes!¡± she yelled, voice quick. Kael nodded, holding the stone with its black crystals in one hand, her robe in the other. He bolted, dark energy humming, and burst through the gate, creepy plants snapping behind them.


    The forest¡¯s dim light washed over them as they burst out, wind howling through the trees. Anya and Borin stood a safe distance away, tense figures in the fading afternoon. Kael skidded to a stop, leaves crunching under his bare feet. Elara twisted a bit on his shoulder, peering back, then pointed shakily at them. ¡°Over there!¡± she rasped in a rough voice.


    Kael shifted direction, reaching them in a few quick strides. Borin stepped up, eyes narrowing. ¡°You two alive?¡± he asked, voice rough but worried.


    Elara nodded, twisting her head toward Borin. ¡°Yeah, barely made it,¡± she said, then squirmed on Kael¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Put me down, Kael, come on!¡± she huffed, half annoyed, half grinning.


    Kael tilted his head, then slid her off his shoulder, setting her down with a soft thump. She wobbled, plopping onto the grass, robe pooling around her as she sucked in air. She swiped dirt off her bald head, catching her breath.


    Borin crouched beside her and asked, ¡°What happened there? You look wrecked.¡±


    Elara caught her breath and said, ¡°That place is crawling with monster creatures, even the plants can yank a squire knight like me down easily. If it wasn¡¯t for Kael, I¡¯d be dead.¡± She glanced at Kael, who stood staring at the black crystals in his hand.


    She pointed at the dark crystals in Kael¡¯s hand like she was mad, her brow creasing. ¡°Wait, you risked that mess for these?¡± she asked.


    Kael shook his head, voice flat. ¡°No.¡±


    Elara blinked, thrown. ¡°Then why¡¯d you even go in?¡±


    Kael said with no feelings, his voice flat and distant. ¡°Something inside my head told me to go in.¡±


    Borin scratched his scarred cheek, his green claws clicking against the rough skin. ¡°Wait, so why were you digging? What¡¯s with the Black crystal?¡±


    Kael said, ¡°I was digging for these,¡± pointing at the black crystals.


    Elara¡¯s brow furrowed, her voice sharp with confusion. ¡°Hold on, you said you didn¡¯t go in for that, but then you dug for it? I am confused!¡±


    Borin threw up his hands, exasperation dripping from every word. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re back at square one! You went in for not that, but then started digging for that? Can someone explain this straight?¡±


    Anya, who¡¯d been watching silently from the sidelines, stepped closer. Her sharp blue eyes narrowed as she studied Kael with quiet intensity. ¡°Let me try. Kael, after you went in, did the voice in your head stop?¡±


    Kael nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And then what?¡±


    ¡°A voice spoke in my head. It told me to go there and dig,¡± Kael said.


    Borin shook his head, muttering under his breath. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m just getting more confused now, this voice stops, that voice starts. What the hell? Just tell us what the crystals are for!¡±

 Chapter 8- Outside The Vile Gate

    Borin waved off the talk of voices with a grunt, his impatience clear as he demanded, "What are those crystals for?"


    Before Kael could respond, Elara¡¯s voice cut in. "Wait, Kael, what voice in your head are you talking about?" Her tone was sharp yet warm, catching their notice. She sat up from the brittle grass, her small frame shifting. Her pink eyes narrowed with a worried glint as she leaned in slightly, the dry blades rustling under her.


    Kael¡¯s gaze held steady, black depths unyielding. "I don¡¯t understand what the voices are. They¡¯ve been whispering inside my skull since the last experiment," he murmured, his tone low, flat as a blade resting on stone.


    Elara leaned forward a little, worry creasing her voice. "What was the last experiment?" Borin, curiosity pulling at him despite his rough shrug, added, "Yeah, and what¡¯s the crystals¡¯ use?"


    Kael tilted his head, "It was about blood transfusion." The words lingered, heavy in the cooling air, and the group echoed them in unison, "Blood transfusion?"


    Elara¡¯s brow furrowed, her voice tinged with concern. "What did they do in that to you?"


    "They replaced my blood," Kael replied, simple and stark.


    Elara¡¯s eyes widened, catching the last glint of fading light. "So your blood¡¯s different now?" Kael nodded once.


    Borin scratched his chin, the rough sound breaking the stillness. "Can we see it?"


    Elara shot him a glare, her voice snapping like a whip, "And how¡¯s he supposed to show it, huh?"


    Borin lifted his hands, palms out. "I¡¯m not asking him to hurt himself. Just a little cut would do." Elara crossed her arms, the oversized Valerius robe bunching around her wrists. "And how¡¯s he going to make it?"


    Borin glanced around, then spotted a sharp stone jutting from the earth. He plucked it up with a grin, holding it aloft. "We can use this."


    Anya stood nearby, arms loosely folded, nodding once. "We should check if his blood¡¯s truly changed. A monster might seize him someday, so we¡¯d best stay wary.¡±


    Elara hesitated, her lips parting slightly, but the group¡¯s murmurs of agreement nudged her along. Kael took the stone in silence, its jagged edge cool against his palm. He drew it across his arm, a shallow slice, and black blood welled up, thick and dark as ink spilled from a broken quill.


    Borin¡¯s jaw slackened, a breath catching in his throat. "It really is different." A chill slithered up his spine, cold as frost on a grave, leaving him uneasy. He turned to Elara, pointing toward the shrinking Vile Gate, a fading scar against the horizon. "Did your father ever mention that creatures from there have a black blood? Maybe they swapped his with theirs?" The thought gnawed at him.


    Elara shook her head, her pink eyes distant for a moment. "I don¡¯t know." A smirk curved her lips as she glanced at Borin¡¯s arm. "What if your scaly limb¡¯s from one of those things?"


    Borin laughed, brushing her off with a wave. "No way. This is a dragon arm. Look at it. Pure power." He flexed his hand, and claws slid out, gleaming like blades forged in moonlight, then retracted with a soft click.


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    Elara¡¯s gaze lingered, wide with wonder, while Anya tilted her head, her sharp blue eyes glinting. "Why didn¡¯t you ever show us that?" Anya asked. "Are they strong? They look sharp."


    Borin grinned, teeth flashing. "Obviously they¡¯re strong and sharp." Anya pressed, "Then why not use them to cut Kael¡¯s skin instead of grabbing a stone?"


    Borin chuckled, the sound awkward, faltering. "I forgot." In truth, doubt had coiled in his chest. He¡¯d seen Kael shatter walls with a fist, leap pits as if gravity bowed to him. What if that skin was tougher than it looked? His claws might scrape uselessly, leaving him a fool flexing a hollow boast. The stone had been safer. "Anyway, let¡¯s move on. Kael, what¡¯s the crystal for?"


    "Eating," Kael answered, blunt as a hammer¡¯s fall.


    Borin blinked, confusion wrinkling his brow. The others mirrored him, heads tilting. "For eating? You sure?"


    Kael shrugged, shoulders barely shifting. "I don¡¯t know. My body wants it. It¡¯s telling me to eat it, I think."


    Anya paused, her fingers tapping her knee as she mulled it over. "Wait. If his blood was changed, maybe those creatures beyond the Gate ate these." She gestured toward the rift, now nearly sealed, its edges blurring into the twilight.


    Borin smacked his hands together, grinning wide. "Alright, that¡¯s settled. He¡¯s got his food. Let¡¯s find ours and while we are moving."


    Anya frowned, irritation flashing in her eyes. "Don¡¯t you get it, Borin? If Kael eats this, he might lose control. The creature could still live in his blood, waiting to rise."


    Borin stiffened, stepping back, senses prickling. "Would it kill us if it takes over?"


    Elara interjected, her tone softening like a breeze through thorns. "I think Kael would be fine." Anya raised an eyebrow, skepticism etching her face. "How are you so sure?" Elara huffed, "I just know." Annoyance edged her words, but conviction held firm.


    "He risked his life for it," she added, reaching into her robe. She pulled out a small pouch, turning it inside out to spill its contents onto the grass: silver coins clinked, trinkets glinted faintly, and two white crystals shimmered, soft as starlight trapped in frost.


    Borin¡¯s brown eyes widened. "Wait, you had money?" Elara shrugged, kicking at the dirt. "Found it near the robe when we scavenged to escape the lab. But that¡¯s not the point. Look at these." She pointed to the white crystals. "My father called them Lumen Crystals. Said nobles use them to hasten knight training, rare and precious."


    Borin scooped one up, rolling it in his palm. "Really? So eating this makes me stronger? Why are these white and Kael¡¯s black?"


    Elara shrugged again, her pink eyes drifting to the black crystals. "No clue. Noble luxuries, beyond my family¡¯s reach."


    "Then Valerius must¡¯ve been drowning in wealth," Borin mused.


    "Maybe those black ones only grow there," Elara replied, glancing where the Vile Gate once loomed. Only dead grass and skeletal trees remained now.


    Borin bent down to pick up a white crystal, brushing off the dust before sinking his teeth into it. "Ouch!" he yelped, a sudden scream escaping as he rubbed his stinging jaw. "These are tough. Are you sure they¡¯re for eating?¡±


    Elara gave a lazy shrug, her gaze sliding to Kael. "Maybe he can try."


    Borin nodded toward the black crystal in Kael¡¯s hand. "Go on, give it a go. Let¡¯s see what happens."


    Kael broke off a piece with a faint snap, the shard glinting like obsidian kissed by shadow. He swallowed it, and after a while a burst of energy surged within, a storm igniting in his core. His stomach clenched, then steadied, as if the abyss itself stirred beneath his ribs. He sank down, legs crossed, placing the rest of the black crystal on the ground. The others watched, breaths held, as faint tendrils of black energy coiled around him, weaving through the air like smoke from a dying flame.


    Hours slipped by, night cloaking the world in velvet black. The group kindled a campfire, its crackle a heartbeat against the silence. Elara sat near the flames, her leg wound nearly healed, hands outstretched to catch the warmth.


    Then Kael jolted, eyes snapping open. He lurched forward, retching, and the black crystal shard spilled out, clear now, shining wetly in the firelight. The group turned, startled.


    "What¡¯s happening?" Borin sputtered, meat dangling from his fingers.


    Elara hurried to Kael, kneeling beside him. "What happened?"


    Anya stepped closer, plucking the shard up with two fingers. She held it to her blue eyes, squinting as the fire played across its surface. Borin lingered by the flames, chewing slowly, watching from a wary distance.


    Kael wiped his mouth, voice steady. "The black crystal¡¯s not meant to be eaten if you can¡¯t digest it. So it came out."


    Anya frowned, turning the shard. "So it¡¯s not for eating, but you ate it, and it came out?"


    Borin swallowed his bite. "Then how do we use it?"


    Kael pointed to the other black crystals, their luster dimmed. "Sit near them and meditate. Their energy¡¯s lower now, my body took some." The group peered at the stones in the flickering light. Anya lifted the whole stone of black crystal, holding it to the fire. In the dimness, black crystal in it seemed dark, but the flames revealed a hint of transparency, less opaque than before.


    "So, are you stronger now?" Borin asked, leaning in.


    Kael nodded. "Yes."


    "What rank are you?" Borin pressed.


    "I don¡¯t know."


    "How strong are you now?"


    "I don¡¯t know."


    Borin groaned, exasperation tugging at his voice. "Can I take one of your black crystals? I want to try."


    Kael inclined his head, but Anya stepped in. "I wouldn¡¯t try that one." Borin scowled. "Why not?" She gestured to Elara¡¯s white crystals. "They might be different. Start with the normal one, see what shifts."


    Elara handed Borin a white crystal, cool and smooth in his grasp, while Kael passed a black one, heavier with a faint pulse. As the girls settled to sleep, curling into the grass, Kael and Borin sat by the fire. The flames dwindled to embers, casting long shadows beneath a sky pierced by stars, sharp as the edge of a blade. They slipped into meditation, crystals in hand, the night a vast shroud over their fragile hopes.

 Chapter 9- Witches!

    The night dragged on, fire embers flickering while Borin sat restless, half lost in thought. He gripped the white Lumen Crystal, its cold biting into his hand, sending a little jolt up his arm. Nothing big, just a flicker of something, a hint of power that perked him up. Kept him messing with it. After a bit, he tossed it aside, eyeing the black crystal Kael had handed him instead. Its surface felt colder still, biting like frost against his skin, yet as he held it, he noticed something stark: unlike the white crystal, which had granted him a subtle boost in strength, this one felt lifeless, ordinary, offering nothing at all.


    Determined to unlock its secrets, Borin experimented with it further. He placed it on the ground as Kael had done, watching the firelight dance across its dark surface, then pressed it to his chest, hoping for some hidden reaction. He even dared to rest it against his lips, careful not to swallow, but no surge came, no shift of power, only a stubborn silence. The black crystal just sat there, dead, like it was laughing at him for even trying. Borin frowned, confused, sneaking a look at Kael. The guy was still sitting there, calm as ever, soaking up his own black crystal like it was nothing, something Borin couldn¡¯t wrap his head around.


    His chest got tight with annoyance. Borin grunted and chucked the black crystal at Kael. It hit the ground with a thud near his legs. He grabbed the white one again, its faint buzz feeling better than the letdown of the other. The fire was dying down, throwing long shadows around the camp. Night kept dragging, but that white crystal¡¯s hum settled him some, even with all the questions piling up.


    Morning came, the sun lighting up the plains and the forest in a soft gold. The group stirred, stretching out the stiffness, huddling by the campfire¡¯s last embers. Borin, still stuck on those crystals from last night, got them talking about it for a bit. They sifted through the evidence: his lack of response to the black crystal, the subtle energy from the white, and Kael¡¯s unique reaction to the dark shards, and reached a simple conclusion: the black crystals worked only for Kael.


    Once again, they began their journey anew. After two hours into their trek, a worn walking path emerged from the wild, its packed dirt winding toward the horizon. They followed it, hope flickering like a candle in the wind, until a city loomed into view, its towering castle walls rising starkly, with faint sounds of life drifting from within.


    Borin grinned big, no holding back. ¡°Finally,¡± he said, voice scratchy from relief, ¡°real rest, good food, meat that ain¡¯t dirt flavored, and we got a gold coin to spend.¡± He rubbed his hands, claws clicking a little, pumped up. ¡°Gonna be fun¡±


    Elara nodded fast, practically bouncing. ¡°I¡¯d give anything for a warm bed,¡± she said, a huge smile lighting up her face, like she could already feel the comfort after ages in the wild.


    Anya, ever the pragmatist, held up a hand, her sharp blue gaze cutting through their excitement. ¡°Not so fast. Borin and Kael, you two stay here. Elara and I will scout ahead.¡±


    Borin¡¯s grin dropped, his big shoulders sagging. ¡°Why? I wanna go!¡± he griped, voice whiny and sharp, mad about being stuck behind.Anya glanced at his arm, green scales catching the morning sun like shiny rocks. ¡°Look at yourself.. That arm would get us noticed instantly. And Kael,¡± she turned her gaze to him, noting the leaf, woven garb, a patchwork of forest hues stark against the open plain, and the violet eye that pulsed with a quiet flicker of otherness, setting him apart.


    ¡°Those eyes and clothes stick out too much,¡± Anya said. ¡°We gotta get you both something to wear first. Elara and me can sneak by, just barely.¡± She yanked at her stained black Valerius robe, frayed at the edges, and pulled the hood up to hide her face. She nodded at Elara to do the same, tugging her hood down low to cover her up, keeping them out of sight.


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    Borin let out a sigh, mad at Valerius in his head since blending in wasn¡¯t easy for some of them. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, not happy about it.


    Elara fiddled with her hood, caught Borin¡¯s eye, and stuck her tongue out, grinning like a little troublemaker. Her pink eyes twinkled as she hopped a step forward, messing with him.


    Borin frowned and swiped at the air, but she laughed and stepped next to Anya on the path.


    She turned back, giving Kael a quick warm smile. ¡°Stay here, Kael. Back soon,¡± she said, voice softer. Kael nodded, eyes steady.


    As Anya and Elara got closer, the castle walls rose up big, old stone covered in moss and worn out. A soldier in a dull gray tunic up on the wall spotted them first, squinting at two hooded shapes. He shouted a fast warning.


    A second later, a guy in knight armor with a silver badge showed up on top, looking like he was in charge. His gear screamed importance.He leaned over the edge, voice loud like a storm. ¡°You two, stop! Who are you, and what do you want?¡± Soldiers behind him notched their bows, and everything felt tight.


    Elara froze, grabbing Anya¡¯s arm, fingers pressing into the robe. She shook a bit, breathed short, and whispered, ¡°Anya, maybe we should go.¡±


    From the forest edge, hidden by trees and tall grass, Borin peered at the city. ¡°You see anything?¡± he muttered, voice quiet, edgy.


    Kael tilted his head, violet eye flashing quick. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, voice flat like usual.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± Borin urged, shifting his weight anxiously.


    ¡°They¡¯re pointing bows at Elara and Anya,¡± Kael said, his voice steady, as if noting a passing cloud.


    ¡°Why?¡± Borin asked, worry sharpening his tone. ¡°Can you hear them?¡±


    Kael shook his head, silent.


    Borin¡¯s claws pointed toward the city. ¡°If you see them shoot arrows at Elara and Anya, go save them, fast,¡± he said, his voice cracking, revealing the worry gnawing at him.


    Kael nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant walls.


    Anya turned to Elara first, her voice soft. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll be fine,¡± she whispered, trying to comfort her. Elara still looked scared. Then, with arrows aimed at them, Anya faced the guards, her tone firm. ¡°We mean no harm. We¡¯re lost, looking for a map, rest, and clothes.¡±


    The captain¡¯s eyes narrowed, his scarred brow creasing. ¡°Lord Darius, Warden of Calathar, forbids strangers here. Remove your hoods. Tell us who you are and why you¡¯re here, rebels or witches. Speak, or we shoot.¡±


    Elara gripped Anya¡¯s arm tighter, her pink eyes flickering with confusion at ¡°witches.¡± Neither knew what it meant. Anya nodded slightly, and they pulled down their hoods. The wind hit their bald heads, showing two young girls, barely more than kids, standing vulnerable. The guards muttered among themselves.


    The captain stiffened, his hand jerking up as unease gripped him. Just days ago, he¡¯d heard of a young witch in the rebel army who¡¯d killed King Oberon with some witchcraft. He¡¯d brushed it off as nonsense at first, but now two girls stumbled out of the Dreadfang Wilds, a treacherous stretch crawling with wild beasts no normal human could cross alone. Especially not these frail-looking youths, so young and weak they couldn¡¯t possibly be knights, his mind raced, maybe witches instead.


    Their bald heads glinted strangely in the light, and their alchemist-like clothes, worn yet oddly precise, sent a shiver through him. His stomach twisted with doubt, they didn¡¯t look right, and that sharp certainty ignited his panic. ¡°Fire!¡± he yelled, slashing his hand down, voice taut with alarm. ¡°Bring the witches down!¡±


    Anya and Elara snapped alert as arrows flew. Trained as squire knights, they split apart fast. Anya dodged with quick steps, pulling Elara with her as arrows whizzed by. But Elara stumbled, her leg weak from an old wound, and tripped on a stone. An arrow slammed into her calf with a sickening thud. She screamed, collapsing as pain burned through her, blood soaking the dirt. Her small body shook, her cry raw and broken.


    ¡°Elara!¡± Anya yelled, her voice cracking with panic.


    The captain smirked. ¡°Nice shot! Now the other, aim for the second witch! Lord Darius will pay us well if we catch them alive.¡± The archers reloaded, focusing on Anya.


    From a distance, Kael saw it all and ran toward them, his heart pounding. ¡°Elara!¡± he shouted, reaching her first. He scooped her up gently, her shaky breaths hitting his chest. Tears streaked her dirty face as she clutched her leg, blood oozing. ¡°Thank you, Kael,¡± she whispered, voice weak. ¡°Save Anya too.¡± She pointed, trembling.


    Arrows rained toward Anya. Kael, holding Elara close, rushed forward and stepped in front of her. His violet eye glowed, dark energy swirling around him like shadows. With a sharp gesture, he stopped the arrows mid-air, his chest tight with anger and fear. Elara, bleeding in his arms, was the only one who¡¯d ever been kind to him. Her grin, her laugh, calling him ¡°weirdo¡± then ¡°Kael¡± with that warmth, it all flashed in his mind. She¡¯d made him feel human.


    A tear rolled from his black eye, falling onto Elara¡¯s hand. That tear lit a fire in him. With a snarl, he twisted his hand, and the arrows shot back at the guards. Screams cut off as the arrows pierced their skulls, blood splattering the wall. Bodies dropped, lifeless.


    ¡°Vanguard rank!¡± the captain yelled, his voice shaking. He ducked behind the wall, heart racing, peering through a gap. ¡°How¡¯s a kid got that power?¡± he thought, mind reeling.

 Chapter 10- Village Chief

    Elara¡¯s voice shook as she pointed at Kael, her small hand trembling from pain. ¡°We should leave, Kael.¡± Her words sliced through his growing anger, the dark energy around him easing a bit. He took a slow breath, his violet eye dimming, then nodded. Anya grabbed his arm, her grip tight with urgency. ¡°Let¡¯s go, now, toward Borin.¡± They took off together, Kael holding Elara close as her blood soaked into his leaf-woven clothes, Anya running beside them toward the forest¡¯s edge.


    From the castle wall, the captain, Gavric, watched them pull back, his scarred face softening with relief, though fear chewed at his insides. ¡°A Vanguard, so young,¡± he muttered, glancing at the dead archers, blood pooling under them. He stood straighter, his jaw set. ¡°I must tell Lord Darius.¡±


    On a grassy hill near the forest, Borin jumped up as Kael appeared, Elara in his arms, Anya right behind, out of breath but fine. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Borin asked, his voice rough, brown eyes wide with worry.


    Elara forced a grin through gritted teeth, her pink eyes shiny with pain. ¡°Do I look okay, Lizardman?¡± she rasped, the nickname she¡¯d given Borin yesterday still sharp despite the arrow in her calf. Blood oozed around the shaft, staining her oversized robe.


    Borin shrugged off her quip, eyes on the wound. ¡°Gods, that looks bad. Hurts a lot, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it does,¡± Elara snapped, her voice wobbly as pain stabbed her leg, her face twisting.


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    Anya caught up, her face red but calm. ¡°We need to treat that wound now. And find shelter, somewhere safe.¡±


    Borin glanced at the far-off city, its walls a faint threat on the horizon. ¡°Can¡¯t Kael just smash through them?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Anya said hard, her tone final. ¡°We don¡¯t know who¡¯s inside, could be someone tougher. We skip it, look nearby. A village might be close. We need answers too, why they called us witches.¡±


    ¡°First, let¡¯s pull that arrow out,¡± Anya said, stepping close to Elara. She tugged the waterskin from her belt, its leather worn and cracked but still good. ¡°Hold her tight, Kael.¡± He nodded, keeping Elara steady against his chest with a soft, firm grip.


    Anya splashed water on the wound, rinsing off the grime and blood, the cold making Elara hiss through her teeth. ¡°Borin, rip a piece of your robe so we can wrap her leg, keep it tight.¡± Borin nodded and tore at the sleeve, the fabric ripping with a rough sound.


    Anya grabbed the arrow¡¯s shaft, her fingers steady even though her heart thumped loud. ¡°This is gonna sting bad,¡± she warned. Elara gave a quick nod, teeth clenched, her pink eyes scrunching tight.


    Anya muttered, ¡°One, two, three,¡± and yanked the arrow out fast. Elara let out a sharp scream, her body twitching hard as blood gushed out, dark and thick. Tears rolled down her muddy cheeks, wiping out her usual cheeky grin, leaving just a twisted look of hurt. She¡¯d been under Valerius too, but he never touched her like the others, her jobs were small, nothing harsh. This pain was new, slamming her hard.


    Borin shook his head, staring at her. ¡°How¡¯d you even make it through that lab? That place was a hundred times worse than this little scratch.¡±


    Elara didn¡¯t answer, too busy gasping. She caught Kael¡¯s look instead, his fists balled up, that strange black blood of his humming.......


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