As the young woman ventured deeper into the dungeon, a sense of disquiet crept over her. Despite her familiarity with such places, the oppressive darkness and sinister air of this dungeon made her feel like a green recruit.
"Are you certain this is a C-Rank dungeon?" she inquired, glancing at the burly man accompanying her.
The ominous dark walls of the dungeon seemed to close in around her, and there was a certain pressure being emanated by the dungeon, enhancing her wariness.
Thorne nodded firmly, his voice steady. "Yes, your highness. The guild has ranked as such."
Keira inhaled deeply, steadying herself. The villagers were relying on her to get rid of the dungeon that emerged close to the village a few days ago.
As they descended further, the atmosphere grew heavier, thick with the stench of death and decay. Keira's expression soured upon witnessing the bloodstains adorning the walls and the floor littered with the remains of both beasts and humans.
Her steps hesitated, but she quickly fortified her resolve and pressed on, determined to confront whatever horrors lay in wait.
Rounding a corner out, they encountered a brutal scene that would have unnerved even the strongest heart. Keira steeled herself, refusing to display any signs of fear, while the man beside her summoned flames around his gauntlet.
The floor was awash with gore, a mountain of beastly carcasses piled high, and atop the gruesome heap sat a young man. His eyes were closed, and though he appeared youthful, an ancient aura emanated from him.
Keira and the burly man exchanged puzzled glances, taking in the disturbing sight before them. The dungeon's grim state had left them appalled, and the presence of the man perched upon the mound of corpses only compounded their shock.
Despite his closed eyes, an overwhelming sensation of power radiated from his body, sending shivers down their spines.
"We must leave at once, your highness. He is very dangerous," Thorne whispered, his voice barely audible.
No sooner had Thorne spoken than the young man's eyes snapped open. As he surveyed his surroundings, shock registered on his face. Corpses lay strewn about, their mangled limbs and lifeless expressions evoking a wave of terror within him.
Gasping, he leaped from his perch and scrambled down the mound. Desperate to piece together his memories and make sense of the situation, he found himself unable to recall how he had come to be there.
Keira and Thorne remained motionless, observing the young man atop the mound spring back to life. They watched as he approached them, fear and confusion etched across his features.
Trembling, the man spoke, "Where am I? Who are you, and what is happening?"
Keira and Thorne exchanged a brief look before Thorne stepped forward, scrutinising the young man with a discerning gaze.
The young man stared back at Thorne, his eyes wide with apprehension. Thorne was an imposing figure, towering over six feet tall, his muscular frame clad in heavy armour. His bald head gleamed in the dim light, and his bushy beard obscured his chin and jaw, only adding to his intimidating appearance.
Thorne's armour was a masterwork of interlocking plates and chainmail, leaving no vulnerable spots exposed. A massive double-headed axe was strapped to his back, and on his right hand, he wore a menacing black gauntlet.
The young man's gaze shifted to the woman standing before him, her presence no less formidable. She was tall, with long, flowing black hair cascading in soft waves down her back. Her deep brown eyes were confident and commanding, and her full lips were both alluring and intimidating.
She was dressed in a black cloak and form-fitting armour that accentuated her feminine figure while showcasing her martial prowess. A quiver of arrows was strapped to her back, and she held a finely crafted bow in her hand.
"I wasn't sure at first, but I truly cannot sense any mana from him," Thorne admitted, his brow creased with concern.
"Neither can I," Keira replied, her tone equally bewildered.
Their eyes locked on the young man as they pondered the problem before them. "All humans have mana within them, as do all creatures. How can he exist without it?" Keira murmured more to herself than anyone else.
"Mana?" The young man's voice was laced with confusion. "What is mana? Is that where I am?"
Keira and Thorne exchanged a glance before addressing the stranger. It was clear he was unfamiliar with the concept of mana, which only deepened the mystery.
"You don't know what mana is?" Keira asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. The young man shook his head, and she continued, "Mana is the life force of magic, the energy that flows in the atmosphere. It is what enables us to connect with the elements, cast spells, and perform magical feats."
The young man's expression grew even more bewildered as he listened to Keira's explanation. He glanced around his surroundings, but nothing seemed familiar. "Magic?" he repeated incredulously. "What are you talking about? Who are you two, and how did I get here?"
Keira and Thorne exchanged a quick, uncertain look. At first, they suspected that this young man might be playing a trick on them, but the genuine confusion etched on his face quickly dispelled that notion.
"Your highness, should I eliminate this anomaly?" Thorne's voice was low and gruff, his hand curling into a fist.
Fear flickered in the young man's eyes, and he instinctively retreated a few steps. Keira, however, levelled a stern gaze at Thorne. "No, Thorne. We don't know what's happening yet. We can't just attack people without cause."
Thorne's expression remained tense, but he relaxed his hand. "But, my lady, he could be dangerous. We must protect ourselves and prevent any unforeseen consequences." He gestured to the surrounding carnage as evidence of the peril they faced.
Keira's unwavering gaze held the young man before her. She shook her head firmly, her voice resolute. "There's no evidence he's involved in this," she said. "And there isn't an ounce of mana present in his body. I don't think he had anything to do with what happened here."
Thorne's frown deepened. "My lady, we can't afford to take any chances," he argued. "He could be a threat to us."
As Thorne spoke, the young man's eyes widened with fear, and he instinctively took a step back, poised to flee at the slightest provocation. Keira noticed his reaction and sighed, her tone firm yet gentle.
"I understand your caution," she said, her eyes locked on the young man's. "But we can't simply attack or kill someone without cause. We need to question him first and find out more."
Thorne hesitated, his expression etched with conflict, but eventually he nodded his head.
Without breaking eye contact, Keira posed her question, her voice a skillful mix of firmness and gentleness. "What is your name?"
The young man hesitated, his jaw clenched as if wrestling with the weight of his own identity. After a moment, he whispered, "My name is Klaus."
"Can you tell us anything else?" Keira probed, her voice tender but persistent.
Klaus's gaze grew distant, as if he were sifting through the fragments of his memories like shards of broken glass. "I don't remember anything else."
A slight frown creased Keira's brow. Klaus's sincerity was evident, but the implications of his situation were disquieting.
"Relax, Klaus, we mean you no harm," Keira assured him, noting the fear that still lingered in his eyes as they darted around the dungeon.
"It's not you that I'm worried about," Klaus retorted, his gaze shifting warily towards Thorne.
Keira interceded, fixing Thorne with a stern look. "Thorne, let him be," she commanded, her voice a blend of gentleness and authority.
Thorne bowed his head, recognising the change in Keira's tone and expression. He knew when to step back and did so without question.
Keira surveyed the surroundings. They were already at the end of the dungeon, the beasts slain, and the villagers no longer burdened by the lurking fear of a dungeon break. Her gaze fell upon Klaus, and she felt a pang of sympathy.
Devoid of memories and ignorant of the world and the dangers around him, he was utterly lost. Though their paths had only just crossed, she couldn't bear the thought of abandoning him to his fate.
Taking a deep breath, she extended an offer. "Given your circumstances, why don't you join us? I know someone who may be able to help with your memory loss or whatever ails you."
Thorne scowled, clearly wanting to protest, but Keira's fiery glare silenced him before he could even utter a word.
Klaus considered Keira's offer; his breaths were measured. He had nowhere to go and no memories to guide him. Keira seemed genuinely willing to help him, and he found no reason to refuse.
After a moment of contemplation and observing Keira's compassionate demeanour, he nodded in agreement. "Thank you. I will come with you."