The stillness of the room was suddenly shattered, but not by a noise in the physical world. One moment I was drifting in the warm, comforting embrace of sleep next to Elphyete, and the next, suddenly the world became dark and I saw myself.
It wasn't a mirror; it was a version of me that felt colder, sharper, and filled with a terrifying, singular purpose. He stood in an endless void where light seemed to die, his eyes boring into mine with a judgment that made my blood run cold. He didn't waste time with pleasantries. He stepped forward, his voice echoing as if coming from every direction at once, and he asked me, "Did you start to forget about what we're here for?"
The weight of the question felt like a physical blow. I opened my mouth, my throat dry and tight, and I tried to say something but he cuts me off and said, "We're here to get stronger to kill the person who killed mom."
The mention of her sent a jolt of raw, unshielded pain through my chest. The memory of the fire, the screams, and the absolute helplessness of that day came rushing back in a tidal wave of grief. I looked at this dark reflection of myself, my voice trembling as I asked him on how do I even know who killed mom. How could I find a ghost in a world this vast?
He said to me that it's obvious and I need to use the Orb of Truth.
The name sounded like a myth, a bedtime story whispered to children. I asked him where to find it. I needed a map, a direction, a sign—anything to guide my mana-less body toward a goal that felt impossible. But the version of me in the dark only shook his head in disappointment. He said to me that I have to use my head.
Before I could demand a better answer, the atmosphere in the void shifted. The darkness lunged. He suddenly punched my chest and pulled out my heart. I felt the agonizing sensation of my ribs cracking, the cold air hitting my vitals, and the sight of my own heart beating in his hand. The sheer terror and pain were too much for my mind to handle. I suddenly blacked out.
The transition was violent. I woke up sweating, my breath coming in ragged, desperate gasps that tore through the silence of the inn room. My shirt was clinging to my skin, and my heart was hammering so loudly against my ribs that I was surprised it was still there. The movement and the sound of my panicked breathing were enough to disturb the girl beside me.
Elphyete woke up by me making noise and she suddenly hugged me. Her arms were warm and solid, a stark contrast to the cold void of the dream. She pulled me close, her voice laced with deep concern as she asked, "What's wrong, Sogha?"
I took a moment to steady my pulse, the image of my heart in the dark version of my hand still burned into my retinas. I couldn't tell her the truth—not yet. I didn't want to drag her into the darkness of my vengeance. I said to her that I just had a nightmare, no problem.
She looked worried and kissed me. Her lips were soft against my forehead, then my cheek. It made me feel a bit better, the lingering chill of the nightmare slowly receding under her affection. She looked into my eyes, searching for the truth, and she asked if I have problems just say it to her. She was offering her strength, her magic, and her heart to help me carry my burden. I nodded, but the weight of the secret remained heavy in my gut.
She could tell I needed space to process the shock. She says that she'll give me some alone time for now and she left, quietly closing the door behind her to give me the privacy of the room.
Alone in the dim light of the early morning, I held my face thinking about the nightmare I had. It wasn't just a dream; it was a reminder. I am mana-less in a world ruled by magic, and yet I have a debt of blood to settle. The "dark me" was right; I had been getting distracted by the festival, the travel, and the safety of the group. But how was I supposed to find a legendary artifact with just my head?
I paced the small room, my mind racing through every scrap of information I had ever gathered. Until I remembered something. A memory, buried deep under years of trauma, surfaced. When I was five, my mother was telling me a story about a guy who wanted every knowledge in this world. She had sat by my bedside, her voice gentle as she described his obsession. So he traveled to every dungeon to find the Orb of Truth.
The story was a cautionary tale. And when he did find it, he asked one question: "Do I have all of the knowledge that exists in this world?" The Orb of Truth said that no, he didn't, and suddenly the Orb of Truth disappeared and the guy just wasted his time trying to find the Orb of Truth. My mother had used it to teach me that seeking absolute power or knowledge often leads to ruin, but all I could focus on now was the fact that the Orb was real—and it was found in a dungeon.
Suddenly I had an idea. We were in Gheji Town. The town famous for its massive, 10k+ floor dungeon. If an artifact of truth existed anywhere, it would be in a place like this, hidden in the depths where only the desperate or the brave would dare to look. I'll look for the Orb of Truth in the dungeon of this town.
I couldn't do it alone. Being mana-less meant I was physically capable, but I lacked the magical utility needed for a deep dive. I needed allies who were reliable and wouldn't ask too many questions about my sudden motivation.
I dressed quickly and slipped out of the room. I found the wing of the inn where the guys were staying. I ran to Celdrich and Euphyne and asked them to come with me and we'll go to the dungeon early to find treasure.
Euphyne, the towering warrior with a heart as big as his muscles, looked up from his gear. He was a guy who lived for the thrill of a challenge, and the prospect of an early start appealed to his disciplined nature. Celdrich, ever the scholar, looked up from his book, his eyes gleaming behind his glasses at the mention of "treasure"—which to him usually meant ancient scrolls or magical catalysts.
"An early start, Sogha?" Euphyne boomed, his voice slightly hushed to avoid waking the whole inn. "I like the spirit! A warrior should always be ready to greet the sunrise with steel in hand."
Celdrich nodded, closing his book with a definitive snap. "The morning hours often yield the highest concentration of mana-density in the lower levels. It is a logical time for exploration."
As we began to gather our things, the door to the hallway creaked open. Elphyete saw me and asked if she can come. She looked at me with those soft, knowing eyes, and I knew she suspected my "nightmare" was more than just a bad dream.
I tried to say no. I wanted to keep her safe, away from the dangers of a dungeon dive that was fueled by a dark quest for revenge. But before the words could fully leave my mouth, Euphyne laughed and said, "Yes!" He clapped a massive hand on my shoulder, nearly buckling my knees. "The more the merrier, Sogha! A balanced party is a safe party, and Elphyete's magic is a gift to any team."
I sighed, knowing I couldn't argue with Euphyne once he made up his mind. We couldn't go in on empty stomachs, especially since a dungeon dive could take a long time. We ate food first, sitting in the quiet, dim common room of the inn, chewing on cold bread and dried meat with a sense of purpose. And packed food that can last us for days just in case. We stuffed our bags with rations, water bladders, and basic medicinal herbs.
We knew the rest of the class—Aria, Lucian, Sir Vael, and the others—would be confused if they woke up to find four of us gone. To prevent a panic, we left a note for the rest, pinning it to the main table in the tavern area. It simply stated that we had gone ahead to scout the first few floors for treasure and would meet them later.
With our gear secured and our hearts heavy with anticipation, we left the Inn. The streets of Gheji Town were still quiet, the morning mist clinging to the stone stairs and iron bridges. We walked toward the looming cliffside where the entrance to the dungeon awaited, a dark maw in the mountain that held the potential for either my salvation or my doom. I grabbed my necklace, my mind focused on the Orb of Truth. I am mana-less, but I have a direction now, and I won't stop until I find the answers the darkness demanded of me.