# Down to Delve (4)
Aedhira awoke to a world of darkness and pain. Agony flared through his body with every shallow breath, his senses overwhelmed by the relentless throbbing in his limbs. He lay still, his mind struggling to piece together the events that had led to his current predicament.
His thoughts were a jumble, memories of the Guardian and its cold, determined eyes flashing through his mind. He recalled the icy mist, the beam of concentrated frost, and the desperate fight for survival. And then the fall—the endless plunge into the abyss, darkness swallowing him whole.
He tried to move, but his body felt unnaturally heavy, as though something immense pressed down on him from all sides. Panic gripped him for a moment, the fear of being trapped beneath the weight of the world threatening to consume him.
"Argos?" he croaked, his voice barely more than a whisper in the oppressive silence.
[Functional. Systems intact. Assessing situation.]
Aedhira let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Argos was still with him, a comforting presence in the suffocating blackness. He shifted slightly, feeling the gritty texture of debris pressing against his armor.
Slowly, methodically, he began to take stock of his situation. He was buried under rubble, the remnants of the chamber above that had collapsed under the Guardian's final, explosive act. The weight pressed down on him, pinning him in place, but he was intact. His armor had withstood the worst of the impact, its integrity uncompromised.
Still, the pain was a constant reminder of the battle's toll, his body protesting every movement. He grit his teeth, determination hardening his resolve. He had to get free, had to find a way back to the surface and regroup.
"Argos, any readings?" he asked, his voice steadier now.
[Sensors indicate significant debris overhead. Depth of current position approximately 30 meters below initial chamber. Recommend manual excavation to reach surface.]
"Great," he muttered, his voice laced with wry humor. "Manual excavation it is."
Summoning every ounce of strength, Aedhira began to shift the rubble around him. It was slow, painstaking work, each movement sending jolts of pain through his body. But he persisted, the weight gradually easing as he cleared a path upwards.
The darkness pressed in around him, the silence broken only by the sound of shifting debris and his own labored breathing. Time lost all meaning as he worked, his focus narrowing to the task at hand.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a glimmer of light pierced the darkness. Aedhira redoubled his efforts, the sight of freedom spurring him on. With one final push, he broke through the last layer of rubble, emerging into the dim light of the shaft.
He lay there for a moment, gasping for air, the relief of open space washing over him. His body ached, every muscle protesting the ordeal, but he was free. He had survived.
With a groan, he sat up, surveying his surroundings. The shaft stretched upwards, the walls marked by the path of their descent. Above, the faint light of the collapsed chamber filtered down, casting an eerie glow over the scene.
"Argos, status report," he said, his voice stronger now.
[All systems functional. Minor structural damage to armor, but integrity remains intact. Current location: approximately 320 meters below initial chamber.]
'No helpful information there'
Aedhira nodded, pushing himself to his feet. He felt the lingering pain in his limbs, but he was alive, and that was all that mattered. The Guardian had been a formidable foe, but he had prevailed, and now it was time to return to the surface. Yet a question plagued his mind
'How?' he thought looking around. Behind him was a mound of debris, blocking the shaft he fell down from. Ahead was dark.
Just pitch black darkness.
It wasn't any better that he was underground, but there was no light to go-
*BEAM* The edges of the Arstra's visor lit up, lighting up the way ahead. Partially. The beam of light exuded by the helm just revealed more inky darkness, leaving him with no choice but one.
[Sire, I suggest moving forward, as the sensors detect no other avenues of exit]
Aedhira sighed internally, before trudging on the rough path laying ahead.
'Damned if I do, damned if I don't' he thought as he lugged himself into the darkness.
-------------------------------------
[POV - MIYU GALANIS]
[LOCATION - LIENUS RAIL ENROUTE TO FORT BLANCHE]
Miyu Galanis sat alone in a lavish cabin aboard the Lienus Rail, a high-class transit system that felt jarringly familiar. The sleek leather seats, polished wood panels, and ambient lighting reminded her of the luxury trains from Earth. But despite the opulence, a chill crept up her spine—a reminder that she was far from home, thrust into a world where supernatural abilities could be as common as breathing.
She glanced out the window, watching the darkened landscape blur by as the train hurtled toward Fort Blanche. The rhythmic clatter of the rail was a soothing backdrop, yet Miyu felt a lingering unease. Her instincts, honed by months of survival in a hostile world, warned her that she couldn't afford to let her guard down.
"System," she muttered, invoking the invisible presence that had accompanied her since her arrival on Veria. In response, the familiar translucent screen appeared before her eyes, displaying her status page.
---
**Miyu Galanis**
*Age*: 19
*Presumed Rank*: D - Dynamika
*Level*: 24
*Class*: Classless - No Class Benefits
**HP**: 160
**MP**: 485
**Vigor**: 11
**Strength**: 10
**Endurance**: 23
**Mind**: 32
**Intelligence**: 33
**Dexterity**: 23
**Skills**:
- *Melody of Mana* - Lv 2
- *Resonance* - Lv 1
- *Arsenal of Song* - Lv 3
- *Steal* - Lv 5
- *Hide Presence* - Lv 20
- *Pickpocket* - Lv 8
- *Sense Mana* - Lv 3 → **Lv 4**
- *Mana Core* - Lv 5 → **Lv 6**
**Traits**:
- *Traveler* - Immune to Age, Disease. Resistant to status debuffs.
- *Honorary Denizen of Veria* - Will be treated as a Denizen of Veria.
- *Middling Mana Affinity*
- *Paranoid Instincts*
---
Miyu noted the increased levels in her *Mana Core* and *Sense Mana* skills. The small progress was a reminder of the bizarre nature of her existence here—a life governed by a system that was equal parts savior and tormentor. She closed the status screen with a flick of her wrist, sighing at the absurdity of it all.
Her mind drifted back to the events that had led her to this train, recalling the chaotic battle against the Fyrraths. She had seen Aedhira only briefly, a blinding figure of light and fury, cutting through their attackers with terrifying efficiency, before raining down hell on the damned things.
Yet, she had never truly glimpsed his face, nor understood his motives. The memory sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of awe and fear.
"Who is he?" she murmured to herself, the question hanging in the air like a specter. Aedhira had saved them, yes, but that didn't mean she could trust him—or anyone else in this strange world.
Miyu sat in the quiet, dimly lit room, the walls echoing her whispered words back to her. She let out a deep sigh, the weight of eight months pressing down on her like an ever-present shadow.
"Eight months," she murmured, the sound barely audible. Eight months since she had been ripped away from the comfort of home, thrust into a world where survival meant scrounging for scraps and relying on the kindness of strangers—or more often, the lack thereof. Her skills for [pickpocket], [steal] and [hide presence] had been honed not out of desire but necessity, pocketing valuables from the occasional passerby just to get by.
"Isn't the isekai experience supposed to be a cakewalk?" she said, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Where are my cheat-like abilities? Where is my golden spoon?"
It was the same question she had asked herself countless times over these long months, each day bringing no closer answer. The stories her brother used to tell, of worlds where travelers arrived with great powers and destinies, felt like cruel mockeries now.
'All I got were three nonsensical skills and traits. None of them even make any sense!'
'WHAT THE HELL IS RESONANCE?!'
'USELESS SKILLS!'
'DAMN IT!'
"Damnit," she muttered weakly as she slumped into the seat. The chair was surprisingly comfortable, a rare luxury that reminded her of home. She closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of vulnerability.
'Home.'
A word she rarely let herself think, a place she rarely let herself remember. Every time she did, the memories would flood back, tearing at her insides like a relentless tide. She missed home—far too much to bear sometimes.
In her mind's eye, she saw the sun-drenched streets of Mykonos, the small island town in Greece where she grew up. The narrow lanes winding through whitewashed buildings, vibrant bougainvillea spilling over walls in bursts of color, and the sound of waves gently lapping at the harbor's edge. She could almost taste the salty sea breeze, feel the warmth of the sun on her skin. Her father, always ready with a joke and a laugh, her mother, gentle and wise, and her older brother, with his endless enthusiasm for video games and novels.
Her brother had been obsessed with isekai stories, always dreaming of being whisked away to another world where he could be a hero. They had laughed together at the absurdity of it all, never imagining that one day Miyu would find herself living that very nightmare.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, letting them fall silently down her cheeks. She felt broken, lost, and more alone than she had ever thought possible. She wanted to go home, back to the life that had been so suddenly taken from her.
Veria was a harsh contrast to the idyllic scenes of Mykonos. Here, the world was a sprawling, alien landscape, its skies painted in hues she couldn't name, its lands filled with creatures and dangers that defied belief. The people were strange and unfamiliar, their customs and languages foreign to her.
She had heard of other Travelers, those like her who had been pulled into this world from their own. Rumors circulated of their power, of their success and wealth, but she had never met any of them. Those stories only served to deepen her sense of isolation, highlighting the disparity between her reality and the fantasy she had once imagined. While others seemed to thrive, she had been caught in the crossfire of a civil war, forced to flee with a caravan of refugees into Lokir. It was a place of strange customs and unfamiliar faces, yet somehow it felt safer than the chaos she had left behind.
But here she was, in this empty room, a temporary reprieve from the chaos that had become her life. She let the tears fall freely now, each one a testament to the struggle she had faced and the hope she still clung to.
Miyu Galanis was a survivor, but more than that, she was a girl who longed for home, for the comfort and familiarity of the life she had known. Her heart ached with the weight of it all, yet somewhere deep inside, she nurtured a flicker of hope that one day she might find a way back.
'A way back' she echoed in her mind as the tears dried and the exhaustion settled. She finally relaxed, if only a bit for the first time, in a long time. The familiar darkness of sleep claimed her once more.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[POV - MIYU GALANIS]
[DISEMBARKING THE LIENUS RAIL]
The rhythmic clatter of the Lienus Rail came to a gradual halt, the mechanical hiss of its brakes a final exhalation as the train settled into the station. The dim glow of the underground platform seeped into the carriage, a cold and sterile light that marked the end of this leg of the journey. Miyu Galanis blinked her eyes open, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her as she gathered her wits.
Around her, the other passengers began to stir, weary refugees rising from their seats with a collective shuffle of feet and muted conversations. The train had been a temporary sanctuary, a place of transit where time seemed to blur. Now, they faced the unknown once more.
Miyu stood, adjusting her worn jacket and pulling the hood a little lower over her head in a subconscious effort to blend into the crowd. Her heart beat a little faster, a familiar unease creeping in as she glanced around, assessing the mood of those around her. Everyone seemed eager to disembark, the promise of respite in Fort Blanche drawing them forward like a silent beacon.
'Just another face in the crowd,' she reminded herself, stepping into the flow of people moving toward the exit. Her slight frame and unassuming demeanor helped her slip through the throng with ease, avoiding the scrutiny of any curious eyes. Still, a touch of paranoia lingered, a habit formed over the months of constant vigilance.
As she descended onto the platform, Miyu activated her system's Inspect function, hoping for some insight into the unfamiliar surroundings.
---
**Inspect: Fort Blanche Station**
**Description:**
The Fort Blanche Station is a subterranean transit hub designed to facilitate the efficient movement of passengers and goods. The architecture is a blend of utilitarian design and advanced technology, characterized by its expansive vaulted ceilings, reinforced metal beams, and ambient lighting that mimics natural daylight. The walls are lined with intricate circuit-like patterns that pulse faintly, indicating a network of energy conduits.
**Lore:**
Fort Blanche serves as a strategic waypoint within the subterranean infrastructure of Veria, providing essential connectivity between key locations. Originally established during the early phases of the Verian civil expansion, the station has undergone numerous enhancements to accommodate an ever-increasing volume of transit. Despite its age, the facility remains a vital component of regional transportation networks, offering safety and logistical support for travelers.
---
Miyu let out a quiet sigh as she closed the Inspect window. The description was mostly unhelpful, full of technical jargon that flew over her head. The details she could understand—the high ceilings, the subtle lighting—were things she could already see for herself. Once again, the system failed to provide the clarity she hoped for, leaving her mildly frustrated with its inadequacy.
She looked around, taking in the station from her own perspective. It was cavernous, the echoes of footfalls and quiet chatter reverberating off the walls, which bore a metallic sheen under the artificial light. It reminded her, in a strange way, of the train stations back home, though those had been bustling with life and color. Here, everything felt muted, subdued, like a grayscale image brought to life.
Automaton workers moved with mechanical precision through the crowd, their bodies sleek and humanoid, though unmistakably artificial. They guided the refugees with gentle gestures and automated voices, ensuring an orderly disembarkation. Miyu watched them with a mix of curiosity and wariness, their presence both comforting and unsettling in its otherness.
As the crowd shifted and thinned, Miyu caught a glimpse of something—or someone—past the throng of bodies. It was Aedhira, his figure distinctive even among the refugees. He wore a white armor up to his neck, leaving his head exposed. His eyes scanned the crowd, their sapphire-like gaze intense and watchful.
Miyu felt a jolt of recognition and quickly averted her gaze, pulling her hood further down. She didn't want to draw attention, especially not from someone so clearly important and powerful. She had heard whispers of Aedhira among the refugees, tales of his bravery and the mysterious nature of his origins. He was a figure of hope and speculation, a leader...no, more like a generous patron in these uncertain times.
[Hide Presence] she whispered. She felt a tingle, the mana leaving her and covering her, like a thin veil. It'd warp and tone down her presence, enough for her to go unnoticed in the crowd.
For Miyu, blending in was her best chance at survival. She ducked her head and continued moving, her feet carrying her toward the exit and whatever lay beyond. The station was a threshold, a place of transition between what was and what might be, and as she stepped through its doors, she couldn't shake the feeling that her journey was only beginning.