Pioni's world spun as he collided with the stone surface, pain radiating through his battered body. He fought to rise, every muscle protesting, but before he could regain his footing, a haunting, demonic voice echoed through the dungeon. The single word, "Kin," reverberated through the chamber, a malevolent command that sent both Pioni and the enraged Ogre crashing to the ground, their bodies paralyzed by the shockwave of the voice.
In that moment, the dungeon itself seemed to hold its breath, as if acknowledging the magnitude of the clash. The chamber lay in eerie silence, broken only by the ragged breaths of the fallen combatants. The battle hung in a precarious balance, the outcome uncertain.
Just as the tension seemed unbearable, Pioni's senses snapped back into focus. He blinked, struggling to comprehend the sight before him. A figure, draped in a brown robe, moved with an uncanny calmness through the chaos, walking as though the dungeon were a mere room. Pioni strained to see, heart pounding, and there, under the hood, was the unmistakable visage of "Oni."
Pioni's voice caught in his throat as he attempted to shout a warning, but it was too late. Darkness claimed him, his vision spiraling into unconsciousness.
In the depths of the dungeon, another figure emerged, shrouded in a similar brown robe, a mask obscuring their identity. With deliberate precision, they drew forth two gleaming red daggers, each etched with arcane patterns. They approached the enraged Ogre, their eyes aglow with a fiery intensity. In one fluid motion, they struck, severing the head from the massive body. It was a display of skill that defied the odds.
With a sense of purpose, both figures produced a pair of yellow crystals, each pulsating with energy. With a resounding snap, the crystals shattered, engulfing them and Pioni's inert form in a blinding light.
Maki, stationed in a nearby building, witnessed the events with wide-eyed disbelief. She raced towards the trio, her voice a frantic plea for answers, for the whereabouts of Hiroshi and Kaito, for the truth of what transpired in that accursed dungeon. Her calls fell on deaf ears as the figures, their identities veiled, paid her no heed. Another pair of yellow crystals appeared in their hands, and with a swift motion, they were gone, leaving Maki to grapple with her shock.
In the ensuing stillness, Maki turned her attention to Pioni. His form lay unmoving, his breathing shallow and weak. She reached out, her touch gentle, beseeching him to awaken. Yet, Pioni remained lost to the world, a deep slumber holding him in its grasp.
Summoning her unique communication magic, Maki relayed the events to the guild, urgency coating her words. She implored them for swift aid, for medics to tend to Pioni's fragile state. The guild's assurances of assistance were a balm to her frayed nerves.
Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity as Maki waited for the arrival of the medics. When they finally materialized through the arcane art of teleportation, they worked with practiced efficiency. Pioni was carefully transported to the hospital, Maki at his side, her worry etched into every line of her face.
Hours passed in anxious anticipation, the sterile scent of the hospital mingling with the weight of the unknown. When Pioni finally stirred, his eyes fluttering open, relief washed over Maki. She greeted him with a mixture of concern and hope, her voice a soothing presence in the sterile room.
"Pioni, can you hear me? It's Maki. You need to rest, but I need to know what happened in there."
Pioni's breaths were labored, his chest rising and falling with visible effort. He managed a weak nod, his eyes meeting Maki's with a mix of exhaustion and determination. "Maki... It was... a colossal Ogre. Hiroshi and Kaito... they..." His voice wavered, the weight of loss evident in his gaze.
Maki's eyes brimmed with tears as she gently clasped Pioni's hand. "I'm so sorry, Pioni. They were brave, and they'll be remembered." She paused, gathering her composure. "Tell me about the figures in brown. Who were they?"
Pioni's gaze unfocused for a moment, lost in the memory. "They were... cloaked, masks hiding their faces. One had red daggers, and the other... the other was Oni. I couldn't... I couldn't even call out."
Maki's brows furrowed in concern. "Oni? The one you've been searching for?"
Pioni nodded weakly. "Yes, but... I didn't expect him to appear like that. It was... surreal."
They fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their experiences settling around them.
Maki's grip on Pioni's hand tightened, a silent promise of support. "Rest now, Pioni. You've been through a great deal."
As Pioni's eyes drooped with fatigue, he managed a faint smile. "Thank you, Maki. I'll find answers... for all of us."
With that, he succumbed to the pull of exhaustion, allowing the healing embrace of sleep to claim him. Maki remained vigilant by his side, a silent sentinel in the quiet hospital room.
Outside, the world carried on, oblivious to the profound shift that had occurred within the dungeon's depths. Unseen forces were at play, their motives hidden, their intentions veiled in shadow.
To be continued...