The silence of the cavern weighed heavily on our shoulders as we moved forward cautiously. Silas gripped his pickaxe as if it were a lifeline, his eyes locked on the shifting shadows along the walls. His anxiety spread through the group. Even Kellan, usually so confident, seemed hesitant. And me… I could feel my heart pounding at every crack in the rock, aware that the slightest mistake could cost us everything.
Then, at the turn of a passage, we saw them.
Two silhouettes emerged from the darkness. One, tall and motionless, reflected the light of our torches. The other, smaller, observed each of us with a piercing gaze.
"So… you came back to finish us off, huh?" Milo asked, his voice trembling more from nerves than defiance.
The tall man stood perfectly still, the embodiment of rigidity.
"No."
A short, sharp answer. And yet, completely free of threat.
"Uh… okay," Milo muttered, unsure.
"It is my duty to neutralize any intrusion here," the man continued, cold and unwavering—yet without aggression in his tone.
I remained still, unsure how to interpret his attitude.
"And what exactly are you going to do to us?"
"Nothing."
Nothing. Just that one word. Simple, direct. But I could feel the weight of responsibility behind it. His neutrality wasn't indifference—it was discipline. Almost honorable.
"I don't get it," I admitted.
The girl stepped in, her voice sharp but surprisingly clear.
"What he's trying to say is that he mistook you for threats. Your watches emit light in the dark. That's why Taron thought you were dangerous."
She spoke quickly, her confidence contrasting with Taron's cold silence. There was something bold about her—almost arrogant, but not malicious.
"Ah, that clears things up," Milo said with a cautious smile. "Thanks for the translation, kid!"
"I AM NOT A KID! I AM YOUR ELDER, SO YOU WILL ADDRESS ME FORMALLY!"
Her voice echoed through the cavern. Before Milo could react, a well-placed kick sent him to the ground. He rubbed his head with a pained grimace.
"Alright, alright! I'll be polite, I promise!"
He added under his breath with a nervous grin:
"You've got quite the personality. I like that."
Silas watched the scene with a mix of amusement and skepticism.
"So… you're locals here?"
"We are the last survivors of the Dolmari people," Taron replied curtly. "We were not spared by the resurgence of Ruberyth and Emerolyth. It has been eighteen years now."
Opaline, more expressive, leaned closer, her eyes scanning our watches.
"I'd like to know what that glowing device on your arm is."
Milo slowly got back up, rubbing his head.
"It's not a collar. It's… some kind of data device, I think. We're figuring it out as we go."
He smiled awkwardly. Aria added a few details, carefully watching their reactions.
"Guys, the fire's starting to die down if we stay here," she warned.
Opaline glanced around with authority.
"I see your clothes aren't suited for this place. Come with us—we'll provide what you need."
As we walked, I glanced at Kellan. His face was tense, closed off—there was something deeper than simple distrust.
"You okay? You've been quiet," I whispered.
"I don't know what to think," he finally said. "We almost died because of them, and now we're just talking like nothing happened."
"Yeah… it's messed up. But let's take the help."
"But are they even real humans? Or some kind of program?" he added. "It's weird—people living in a world designed by some lunatic."
I had wondered the same thing.
"You sure that's all that's bothering you?"
He hesitated.
"Actually… to be honest…"
But he stopped—Aria had just called out to Opaline, and the moment passed.
"Opaline, I wanted to ask… are you human? No offense."
"You can speak casually," Opaline replied calmly. "You're referring to our appearance? We are from the Dolmari people, but our lineage is called the Teronides. We are a fusion between humans and moles. Taron and I have more human traits than most of our kind."
Milo's eyes lit up.
"There are races here? Do you have special abilities?"
"I TOLD YOU TO BE POLITE!"
"Right… got it. Even politeness has rules here."
"You brought that on yourself," Silas whispered.
Opaline crossed her arms, satisfied.
"To answer my subordinate… yes. We have abilities humans don't."
Milo blinked.
"When did I sign up for that role?"
"We'd like to know too!" Aria added.
"I have claws," Opaline said with a proud smile. "I can climb walls and ceilings. The others can sense vibrations and withstand underground pressure—but their vision is poor."
"Why do only you two look human?" Milo asked.
Opaline smirked.
"Are you fantasizing about moles?"
"I—no! Not at all!"
He gave up.
"Forget it. You win."
She laughed.
"Relax, I'm joking. I'm glad I have human traits too. Taron agrees."
"Yes," Taron confirmed calmly.
We soon reached Dolmaryth.
Ruins.
"This is where our people lived," Taron said.
Silence. Decay. Only a faint fire crackling in the distance.
"We have no reason to stay here," he continued. "Our goal is to reach the place where our parents lived—a massive castle to the east."
Aria frowned.
"Why not leave earlier?"
Taron sighed.
"The southern gate is sealed. The only way through is for someone from outside to open it… or to defeat the golems."
Silas stared.
"You've been stuck here for eighteen years?"
I exhaled slowly.
"Taron… who are Ruberyth and Emerolyth?"
"They are divine creatures of Argemira," he said. "Created long ago… and it went terribly wrong."
Aria looked intrigued.
"You can give life to objects?"
I glanced at Kellan.
"Maybe magic exists after all."
"At this point? Anything's possible," he said.
Taron straightened.
"We'll prepare when you're ready."
Kellan looked around.
"It's weird not knowing if it's day or night."
"Your body will tell you," Opaline said.
Taron gestured.
"You can sleep here."
Silas raised his hand.
"Any food?"
"We can grill grasshoppers," Opaline shrugged.
"No thanks," Kellan said.
"I've got mushrooms left," I said.
"Good thing you're here, Casimir!" Kellan grinned.
Day 10.
Kellan and I trained in an open area. He used a short sword, while I handled my dagger wrapped in cloth.
"Missing all my anime episodes…" he sighed.
"Same," I said.
We exchanged precise strikes.
Suddenly:
"I want to listen too! Let me get up!"
Milo was doing planks… with Opaline sitting on his back.
"Stop moving," she said.
"I'M ALREADY DIRTY!"
"What are you doing?" Kellan sighed.
"I didn't know Milo liked serving people," I joked.
"SHE THREATENED ME!"
"He volunteered," Opaline said calmly.
"Don't believe her!"
Aria smiled.
"A helpful man. I like that."
Milo now wore a miner outfit.
"That suits you," Opaline said.
"I hope there's no clown helmet included…"
"I can't wait to see everyone in them."
"Hide me! She wanted to watch me change!"
Later, Taron explained:
"Ruberyth is a ruby golem. Contact means third-degree burns. Emerolyth regenerates endlessly."
Kellan muttered:
"We're screwed…"
Opaline handed us gear.
"They're fire-resistant."
"They even have built-in lanterns!" Silas said.
Aria looked amazing in hers.
"Do you like it, Casimir?"
"Yeah… I really lo— I mean, love the outfit."
She smirked.
"I know you adore me."
Opaline smiled.
"It was my mother's."
Taron spoke again.
"We split into groups."
North: Taron, Aria, MiloSouth: Opaline and meSoutheast: Kellan and Silas
Kellan noticed my hesitation.
"Don't worry. Silas is tougher than he looks."
Aria suddenly jumped on my back, laughing.
"First time we're separating. Who's going to save me?"
"I trust Taron," I said. "But if anything happens… I'll come find you."
She smiled.
"I knew you'd say that."
We left.
Kellan stopped me briefly.
"Did you see the new quests?"
I checked my watch.
Two new missions appeared.
Excitement… and fear.