Midas squinted as he emerged from the dungeon's entrance, the fresh air filling his lungs like a reminder of life beyond survival. Beside him, the Behemoth lumbered forward, its massive body shifting with newfound energy, as though the sunlight itself was feeding it with vitality.
The Behemoth stretched its long limbs, flexing its talons with a loud crack that echoed through the valley. As it did that, it was as if the world responded, growing loud for a moment as the trees whispered back to the Behemoth, as if saying hello.
"Freedom," the Behemoth said, its deep voice rumbling like an earthquake. "After all this time, it doesn't even feel real."
Midas tilted his head to glance at the giant creature. "You've been down there for... how long?"
The Behemoth's glowing yellow eyes dimmed for a moment. "Time loses meaning in a dead world. Years? Decades? Who knows. Long enough to forget the taste of open air. Long enough to lose everyone I cared about."
