Disclosing what we were up against to the rest of the party was no simple ordeal, and I could tell they were hesitant.
After Katherine had finished explaining everything, we waited for the wave of questions that were sure to sweep us. Mike was the first to speak up after the initial shock.
"Do we stand a chance?" he asked. I could tell the question wasn't directed at Katherine as I raised my head, his eyes looking straight at mine through the holes of my mask.
I stood there silently, thinking about an answer. Did we have a chance? Yes. Were we all going to make it out of this alive? The chances were slim. The other sets of eyes were also set on me, expecting a satisfying answer.
I decided to answer the question I was asked. There was no point in planting unnecessary fear within the party if it wasn't specifically asked for.
"Yes," I said finally, a sigh of relief seemed to spread throughout the team.
I analyzed our members. It seemed that Mike and Rom had stuck together during their travels, so I wasn't surprised to see them together at this raid. I was confident in Rom's ability to heal, so at least I didn't have to constantly doubt the reliability of our healer.
The other attackers appeared to be two twins. Their long brown hair shone in the bright sun, their unique eyes eyeing me closely. The first one had sparkling cyan eyes that reminded me of a cool lake, the other had strong brown ones reminding me of a bark.
I had trouble sensing everyone's attunements in the party, so at least I could confirm their power.
Mike straightened himself, taking command and trying to boost the team's already miserable morale.
"Come on, we can do this," he ordered, stepping into the cave. I waited as the rest of the party followed him hesitantly, still undecided as to whether or not this was the right choice.
I entered the domain last, trailing the party from behind and making sure nothing attacked us from the flank as we made our way down into the dark, unforgiving cavern.
"You're Darck, right?" whispered the twin with blue eyes as she slowed down to match my pace. I kept my focus ahead of me, sensing for the beast as we approached the boss room.
"Yea."
"I'm sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I'm Ava, that's my sister, Emma," she said, pointing at the other twin who was walking in front of us.
"I'm sorry you have to do this," I added, feeling slightly guilty about the fact that these two sisters were forced into partaking in this domain. It wasn't my fault, but my conscience seemed to feel bad about it.
The girl smiled, an expression on her face I recognized immediately. It was a sad smile, one that was forged on an individual's face after witnessing a specific event, after witnessing death right in front of you.
I estimated that these girls were probably around fifteen, a year older than Katherine or so. Did this mean that they had participated in a failed domain? A domain where the party suffered fatal casualties? I didn't ask, but I sympathized with their situation.
"It's not your fault, we're choosing to do this after all," she comforted me, trying to sound fearless.
A cold aura of death slowly loomed over the entire group as we descended, approaching the unknown target. I looked around at the party, realizing that we'd need a miracle for everyone to make it out of this unscathed.
But miracles weren't impossible. I had been reborn into another world with new choices and opportunities. If that was possible, then this was too.
"I think we should prepare here for a bit, go over strategies," I suggested once we entered a small room that had just enough room for a small campfire.
"What if the beast comes out?" asked Mike, uncertain whether or not my decision was safe.
"It won't come out," I responded with certainty, "From its point of view, we're invaders. It'll prioritize defending its newly acquired territory rather than attacking us."
The party seemed to understand my logic, sitting down. I snapped my fingers, igniting a small flame and wiling bind into it, creating a sustainable campfire without any wood. As long as I kept up the flow of bind, it would burn endlessly.
"You're not the one for resting," joked Katherine as she sat beside me. I nodded, agreeing with her.
"I'm not the one who needs it."
Katherine followed my gaze, realizing that the rest of the party was still extremely shaken up from this task that they had to accomplish, especially the two sisters.
"You know, you see a lot more in people than you're given credit for," she said, smiling at my small attempt at kindness.
"I just observe them," I answered truthfully. I never knew what people were feeling, but I could guess the dominant emotion based on their attitude and voice. Identifying fear and hesitation wasn't a very complicated thing to do considering I was surrounded by it back on Earth.
"Are you scared?" asked Katherine, her voice hushed as to not include the others.
"Haven't we had this conversation before?" I asked, remembering the night in the woods before the Sect Lair.
"The same conversation in different settings can change the answer," she explained. I looked at the girl, sensing uncertainty in her voice.
"I am scared," I said, Katherine surprised at my blunt honesty.
"Of dying?"
"Of losing others," I responded.
Katherine smiled faintly before putting on a smug expression.
"Wow, I really mean that much to you?" she said sarcastically, lightening the mood a bit. I laughed quietly.
"I'm not scared," she suddenly said, looking at me. "I know you'll do everything you can to protect us, so how can I afford to be scared?"
I smiled at her comforting words, but Katherine could never tell they had any impact on me, my mask hiding all facial expressions.
I looked over at the twins, both of them holding hands and seemingly talking about whatever came to mind. My eyes met with Mike's, both of us understanding what was likely to happen during this raid. His look of determination surprised me, the beastman ready to give up everything towards the safety of Auroria.
That kind of determination, was it courage? Was it madness? Being prepared to sacrifice the most precious thing in existence, your life, for a greater good.
Was that all life was? A tool, a token to be traded in for the benefit of others. I sighed, these philosophical questions hurting my brain.
"Let's go," I said after an hour, the party nodding at the order. I watched as the four individuals I barely knew readily entered the boss room, prepared to fight. I glanced over at Katherine, the girl meeting my gaze.
"Don't die," she said before following the party.
I wouldn't let these people die. If they weren't given a second chance, then this beast had no right to take their first. If anyone were to give their life, it would be the individual who had been given a new beginning, a second shot at life.
Me.