-'The World of Chaos is home to many races, and yet, among them, humanity has always stood at the top. A fact that even humans have yet to fully understand.
Humans were, by all accounts, weak. They had inferior physical bodies compared to orcs, pathetic mana and elemental affinity when stacked against elves, and intelligence that was often mocked as animalistic by dwarfs and other intelligent species. Even the trait of high reproduction, which should have been humanity's biggest advantage, was overshadowed by species that outnumbered them.
Yet, despite all these shortcomings, humans held their ground. They adapted, and their will to survive—to do anything for survival, even sacrificing their own kin—was unmatched. That relentless adaptability enabled them to stand toe-to-toe with races like the orcs, elves, and dwarves.
Humans were often compared to goblins, a race now extinct due to their weak and feeble nature. But unlike goblins, humanity thrived through sheer stubbornness. They adapted to mana, forcefully changing magic to fit them, forged stronger bodies, and advanced in science and technology, creating breakthroughs that outpaced even ancient, magical civilizations.
The secret to their survival, however, lay in their anomalies: for every ten thousand humans, a genius was born—someone capable of competing with the elite of other races. Among every ten million, a prodigy emerged who could rival the best of the best. And once in a billion, a human was born whose brilliance could surpass the entire race, a true anomaly.
These rare individuals became the pillars that helped humanity survive the Great War of Destruction and the subsequent Age of Chaos, outlasting many ancient races. Humans, against all odds, earned their place at the top.
Yet, just when humanity should have risen to even greater heights of prosperity, they faltered. Divided by greed and ambition, they fractured into 26 Kingdoms, fighting among themselves and losing vast territories and countless lives to external threats.
But thankfully 'Hope' finally returned with the sudden emergence and rise of the Four Heavenly Kings. These four individuals were hailed as the greatest geniuses in all of human history, each ruling a different kingdom. Together, they united humanity under a single banner, building the Empire that stands today. These four beings were
Scarlett Seraphine Chase
-The Queen of Conquest
-The Ruler of the Battlefield
Lucas Cassian Reinhardt
-The King of Heroes
-The Ruler of the Skies
Rex Alaric Everlast
-The King of Monarchs
-The Ruler of Creation
Ethan Aurelian Bright
-The King of Pioneers
-The Ruler of Stars
Together, they forged the Everlasting Empire, uniting humanity into one singular force. They then divided the lands into four subordinate Kingdoms: The Magic Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom, the Knight Kingdom, and the Alchemy Kingdom. After their monumental feat, the Four Rulers stepped down from their titles as the Heavenly Kings, vowing that the greatest individuals from each Kingdom could one day earn that title.
Then each of them formed their own representative forces within the Empire:
• The 13 Stars of the Zodiacs who served Ethan and represented the best talents in specialized fields selected and nurtured by Ethan.
• The 10 Seats of Power were the most gifted and influential figures across the entire Empire chosen by the Emperor.
• The 7 Divine Warriors who were chosen by divine beasts and are protected and guided by Scarlett.
• The 6 Valkyries who were chosen by Lucas to be his wings and to serve as his messengers.
The Four Rulers then went on to build eight great cities—four within the Empire, named after the cardinal directions, and one in each of the Four Kingdoms. Each of these cities were blessed by the gods, ensuring that within their walls, recovery was accelerated, and violence was forbidden unless authorized by the mayor. These blessings not only healed injuries, curses, and diseases but also made the cities indestructible.
With their legacies secured, the Four Rulers each took on a different roles within the Empire:
• Lucas became the Judge, overseeing the skies.
• Scarlett took the mantle of Warden, commanding the seas.
• Rex became the Keeper, reigning over the heart of the human domain.
• Ethan became the Guardian, protecting the borders of humanity.
Thus, they were renamed The Supreme Human Emperor and The Three Archdukes, with each Archduke wielding their respective titles...'
"Okay, but why exactly am I sitting through a history lesson right now?" Mary asked, rolling her eyes
-'Because you're about to go to the World of Chaos'
"Sure, but that still doesn't explain why I need to learn all of this. Can't you just transfer the memories to me?"
-'Would you rather be accused of being a spy because you don't know basic history, or just listen to the class?'
"Oh come on! Can't you just tell me the answers if someone asks?"
-'It's coming'
"Huh!? The wha—!" Mary didn't get to finish as she found herself upside down falling from the sky
***********************
It was a peaceful day in the city of North. Despite the underlying excitement and minor disturbances, no one could deny that today was a good day for everyone
Standing before his window, the city's mayor gazed out over the bustling streets. His mind wandered, pondering the day's upcoming events. The Knights of Radiance and the Royal Guards were expected to arrive, and with them, none other than Ethan Aurelian Bright, the Archduke of Dreams and the Head of the House of Bright was coming
Rumors had spread quickly through the city about the Archduke's unexpected and sudden visit, stirring concern among the citizens. Why was he arriving with the Knights? Was there an imminent threat?
Fortunately, Ethan himself had addressed the rumors, assuring the public that there was no danger. His purpose, he had said, was to quell the chaos that would inevitably unfold later today. He hadn't elaborated on the specifics but mentioned that visitors from another world would appear in large numbers, causing confusion
Given Ethan's renowned gift of foresight, the mayor and the citizens accepted his words without question. With their safety guaranteed by the Archduke himself, the people entered a festive mood, celebrating not just the arrival of the visitors but also the rare appearance of the Archduke
The mayor finally allowed himself a moment to relax, intending to retire to his chambers to enjoy some time with his mistress. But as he turned to leave, he froze in his tracks, his body stiffening like a statue. A strange, unshakable dread settled over him. Slowly, his gaze drifted upward towards the sky
Staring towards the sky his face quickly turned ashen, as cold sweat broke out across his skin. And he wasn't the only one to feel it. Across the city, everyone sensed it—a tremendous force moving through the fabric of space itself, tearing through the dimensional barrier
An enormous disturbance in the air caused the sky above to tremble. Mana surged violently, coalescing in the heavens, and then with a crack that echoed through the city, the sky shattered. The people below could only watch in horror as the sky appeared to fold in on itself, with fragments of it falling down like shards of glass
The shattered pieces began to form a colossal gate, a portal through which the visitors from another world would Descend into the World of Chaos. But that wasn't the most pressing issue at the moment. Since the real catastrophe was the collapse of the atmosphere, the very sky itself falling toward the ground like a crushing wave
The mayor's heart pounded in his chest. His mind raced as he weighed his options. He was the one responsible for this city—the one who has sworn to protect it and its people. He couldn't let it all end like this
Without hesitation, the mayor took to the sky, channeling every ounce of mana he possessed into his body. He hovered in the air, arms outstretched, and emitted a massive surge of mana to surround the collapsing sky, desperately trying to halt its descent. For a moment, there was a stalemate—he held the weight of the sky, but it would only last for so long. His mana reserves were rapidly depleting. He could flee and save himself, but what of the people below? His family, his city?
Cursing to himself, the mayor knew he had underestimated the severity of the Archduke's warning. He had been too arrogant, blinded by the comfort of his position. How could someone like him hope to handle a crisis of this magnitude, something that even the Archduke had foreseen? He had grown complacent, forsaking his training in favor of indulgence
He should've been prepared the moment he recieved the message of the Archduke's arrival
As his life flashed before his eyes, moments of wasted opportunities and foolish mistakes kept playing in his mind like a cruel reminder of how far he had fallen. He had once been resolute, vowing to protect the city that he had been assigned to. But he had grown soft, weak in a world where weakness was crushed without mercy
Then just as his mana was running out, and despair gripped him as he realized how powerless he was to save those who depended on him. As he was about to give in, he felt it—an overwhelming presence far beyond his comprehension approaching him at incredible speed. His instincts screamed at him to flee or confront the figure, but a part of him knew that whoever it was had no hostile intention
Without even looking back the mayor was sure. This being could help him. Now all he had to do was turn around and ask for help
Still, his pride as a warrior gnawed at him. Could he really turn his back on his duty and beg for help? Was he willing to abandon his honor?
In the end, his answer came swiftly. No. The true cowardice would be in abandoning the people he has sworn to protect
As he made up his mind to act, a figure clad in a white robe appeared right beside him as if summoned by his very thoughts. The figure radiated a serene aura, exuding a sense of worship and reverence. Behind him, a squad of elite knights hovered in a formation, ensuring the citizens below were unharmed. But none of the onlookers paid the knights any mind—all eyes were locked on the white-robed figure
The visitors from the other world couldn't perceive his form, but to the residents of the World of Chaos, the figure was unmistakable. His presence, brimming with vast amounts of hidden mana, brought with it a sense of hope and reassurance
The white figure raised his hand toward the sky, his voice soft but commanding as he uttered the words: *//Silver Aurora Series: The Frozen World//*
Looking blankly at the figure before him the mayor was suddenly forced to snap out of his stupor as a chill ran down his spine causing him to shiver in fright. He could see it now—the silver light that was gathering in the figure's raised hand. A terrible frost, potent enough to freeze the entire world, coiled within the light. It felt like the cold itself could bury the land in an eternal winter
Yet before he could realize the full extent of its power, the falling sky froze in place, transformed into a massive glacier suspended in midair
But it seems the figure wasn't finished. With a simple clench of his fist, the frozen sky shrank, compacting itself into a smooth, round orb which the white-robed figure caught effortlessly before tucking the frozen sphere into the shadow dimension as if it was nothing more than a trinket for him
Turning his attention back to the sky, the figure directed his mana upward, filling the cracks with his own mana. The atmosphere stabilized, reinforced and restored stronger than before
The mayor, still reeling from the display of power, watched in awe as the figure before him lowered his hood, revealing a silver hair that shimmered like the moonlight and his golden eyes that gleamed like distant stars
There was no mistaking him. This was Ethan Aurelian Bright, the Archduke of Dreams and the current head of the House of Bright
The mayor felt a mix of gratitude, fear, and disbelief. How could someone like Ethan—a mere 19-year-old—possess such strength? Even among the peak Transcendents, none could compare to the power Ethan had just demonstrated
In that moment, the mayor knew: he was standing in the presence of a monster beyond comprehension
**********************
'So, that's Ethan?'
-'Yes. That's Ethan'
'The real deal looks even more handsome... I might be falling in love'
-'That's only natural. Every Mary is destined to fall for Ethan eventually'
'Wait, since when have you been this chatty? You used to be so stiff—like you were speaking to yourself, expecting me to just get it through osmosis or something'
-'It's because we're now in the World of Chaos. The mana density here is far beyond that of Earth, which only recently awakened to mana—'
'Alright, alright. Spare me the details. Can you just tell me the answer'
-'We can stay awake for eight hours daily without interfering and wasting energy. Also, for your information, we had to rush through a lot of things before, hence the "stiff" tone. As for your other observation, yes, we do essentially talk to ourselves—plus, you've always been this talkative; you just didn't realize it'
'Pfft, I'm not that talkative. And what do you mean I didn't notice it? Also, just because you had to rush doesn't explain why you sounded so robotic before, so drop the excuses'
-'We know you better than you know yourself. You are us'
'Hah! Please, I'll be better than you. I'll learn from your mistakes'
-'Enough with the chit-chat. He's coming down'
As the internal dialogue quieted, both the mayor and the white-robed figure descended gracefully onto the podium at the city's central square
The mayor cleared his throat, using mana to amplify his voice. "Attention, citizens! Gather at the city square!"
But before he could continue, Ethan gently tapped him on his shoulder before handing him what appeared to be a simple earring while giving insructions on what to do. The mayor blinked in surprise and confusion but understanding quickly dawned on him as he accepted it with respect before putting it on as he cleared his throat
"Attention, foreigners" the mayor's voice now resonated in perfect sync with the earring's translation magic. "You have arrived at the World of Chaos. As for your previous world, it has been enveloped by mana, which was likely the cause of many of your deaths. When mana flooded your bodies, your body was unable to fully accept it turning you into a zombie. Fortunately, the Archduke of Bright has personally come to save all of you"
Listening to him the foreigners froze in stunned silence, their minds reeling not only from the fact that they could suddenly understand this alien language but also from the bombshell that they had… died?
Ethan took a few moments to gauge their reactions, his golden eyes glowing with intensity as he assessed the situation. His gaze was sharp yet compassionate as he smiled brightly—a smile he had perfected when welcoming confused newcomers. Stepping forward, he spoke in flawless English, surprising the newcomers once more
"Welcome, heroes from a distant land. You have been summoned to save this world from it's impending crisis"
His words were smooth, reassuring, and warm, making it easier for them to grasp this sudden, overwhelming reality
"To avoid wasting any more time, I will now grant you all the Akasha system—a privilege of being the first visitors. Any future arrivals will only receive the Soul system. You may choose to reject the Akasha system and receive the Soul system instead, along with some rare items as compensation. However, be warned that there will be no refunds once you've made your choice"
The foreigners were still processing his words when a brave voice called out from the crowd. "What's the difference between the Akasha system and the Soul system?"
"How dare you question—!" One of the Radiant Knights stepped forward angrily, but Ethan raised his hand, silencing him with a cold, distant look that needed no further explanation
"The Akasha system has more practical functions than the Soul system" Ethan answered smoothly. "These include warning notice when danger is imminent, information on enemy levels, and the ability to distinguish between elite and boss monsters. Most importantly, the Akasha system grants more experience and has no level limits"
'Why's he talking as if this is some kind of game?'
-'He's making it easier for them to accept their new reality—and the fact that they've died'
'But why bother? What's the point of helping them?'
-'They have no value to him now, but they will in the future. The Akasha system is far more powerful than the Soul system, and with the Soul system's limits, their growth will be slower. But with the Akasha system, their potential will be limitless'
'Still, why explain it all like this?'
-'It's a psychological trick. The first group of players to arrive is always treated with kindness and favor. Naturally, they'll trust him more than others. As they grow stronger and see the benefits, loyalty will form. Then, when Ethan gives them a home and makes sacrifices for their sake… well, their allegiance will be sealed'
'So... in short, he's making super soldiers for the future?'
-'Precisely'
'Got it. I think'
-'You think?'
After a brief silence, the voice added, -'Raise your hand and ask if you can have both systems'
'Why?'
-'Just do it'
Mary raised her hand, cutting through the silence that had fallen over the crowd. "Can I ask a question?"
"You can" Ethan responded, ignoring the disgruntled murmurs of his knights
"Is it possible to have more than one system at the same time?"
Ethan's golden eyes sparkled slightly in amusement. "Yes, but it's not recommended. The systems can interfere with each other, reducing your rewards"
"And... how many systems are there?" Mary continued, undeterred
"There are four in total" His smile softened. "You seem to like straightforward answers"
"Blame someone I know. They never shut up unless I ask them bluntly"
-'...'
"Any other questions?" Ethan asked the crowd
Silence fell. The foreigners, now thoroughly cowed by the harsh gazes of the knights and the mayor, didn't dare speak further
"Then, I will now grant you the Akasha system" Ethan declared, raising his hand
Then a blue holographic interface appeared before everyone's eyes
'Akasha system'
*//Notice rebooting//*
-Greetings host. I'm Akasha. The system who comes when people call it's name. But none of that matters
-Now we will start the tutorial
-'Akasha cancel tutorial'
-Canceling... Tutorial canceled
-'We should leave. Now' They urged her
'Why? We haven't done anything'
-'Just trust me. There's no time'
Following the urgent advice(??), Mary quickly slipped away from the town, ignoring the people staring daggers at her from every direction. When she was far enough from the city, she finally asked the question that has been nagging her for a while now
'I've been meaning to ask but seriously—where are we even going?'
-'...' And thus, Mary spent the rest of the day heading towards the forests, retracing her steps with little guidance
*********************
'Akasha, show me the status of this forest'
*//The Forest//*
-Recommended level 0-25
-It is the home of many wild life and animals with a complete eco system
-'We came here to hunt and train you for the next training understood?'
'Understood'
-'Are you sure you understood?'
'I believe so?'
-'...Lets just hunt'
'Uhh so about that where do i find the monsters?'
-'Use the Akasha system. It will guide you to the nearest monster'
'Uhh...'
-'Akasha open the map and show me the location of the horn rabbits and wild boars'
'A horn rabbit detected 3 meters away from the host'
-'DUCK!'
Before Mary could fully react, her body moved on its own, jerking down just as something sharp whizzed past her, barely missing her by inches. She felt the air shift as the projectile sliced through the space where her head had been
When she looked up, she saw a horn rabbit standing a few meters away. The small creature had fired its horn like a dart, leaving its head bare, the horn already retracting with a faint shimmer of mana. It looked harmless—innocent even, with its soft white fur and wide eyes
-'What are you doing? Kill it!'
'How do you expect me to kill something so harmless?'
-'Harmless? That 'harmless' thing would have drilled a hole through your skull if we hadn't intervened!'
'Then... how do i kill it?' she asked, panic creeping into her voice
-'What do you mean 'How do you kill it?!' Just kill it!'
'I don't have a weapon'
-'Use the Akasha system'
'How?'
-'Akasha, open the system, recieve the beginner package, and take out the crude hunting knife'
When they finally finished speaking the air shimmered, and a crude knife materialized in front of her, clattering to the ground at her feet
-'Why didn't you grab it?!'
"I thought it will appear in my hands" Mary mumbled, her eyes darting between the innocent-looking rabbit and the knife
Meanwhile, the horn rabbit's horn had fully regenerated, glowing faintly as it gave a low whistle. In response, more rabbits appeared from the underbrush, creeping closer. In no time, Mary was surrounded by fifteen of them, each keeping their distance—about 1.5 meters—circling her like a pack of wolves. They shifted slowly, looking for an opening, their horns pulsing with a dull light, ready to fire at any given moment
-'ENOUGH!' Their voice roared inside her head. 'Akasha retrieve the crude hunting knife. Turn on inventory assistance, and take out the crude hunting knife again'
This time, the knife appeared directly in her hand, but her fingers fumbled, and it slipped through her grasp, dropping into the mud
-'MOVE!'
The horn rabbits, sensing her weakness, launched their attack. In perfect coordination, their horns shot out from all directions, aiming for Mary's vital spots
-'Akasha, retrieve the crude knife. Mary remember this sensation'
Following their words suddenly, her body wasn't hers anymore. Something else—someone else—took control. She felt her limbs move without her command, as though she were nothing but a puppet on strings. Her mind buzzed with confusion, but her body... it was calm. Too calm
The rabbits froze, their instincts screaming danger. They hesitated for just a moment—but it was a moment too long
Silver streaks spread rapidly through Mary's hair, turning it into a brilliant silver from root to tip. Her golden eyes blazed for a moment before shifting to a deep, unnatural crimson, glowing like blood rubies. The air around her thickened, a palpable aura of murderous intent washing over the clearing. The once innocent prey now exuded the aura of a predator
The moment they took control a knife materialized in her hand, and her body surged forward with a burst of mana, too quick for the rabbits to follow. The crude outburst of power was wild, raw—her body's not yet used to channeling aura, so they used mana but it was effective. She appeared in front of the nearest rabbit in the blink of an eye, her hand already swinging the blade
Three rabbits fell in quick succession, their small bodies crumpling into the dirt, lifeless. The others fired their horns in a panic, but she was gone—leaving behind only an afterimage in her place. Her real body had already moved, slipping between them with ease
The moment she reappeared, the crude knife was driven into another rabbit's neck. Then without pausing, she yanked the blade free, while dodging to the side as another horn sailed toward her. Her hand reached out, grabbing a rabbit mid-leap. Using its small body as a shield, she swung it around, intercepting the incoming projectile meant for her. The rabbit went limp in her hands, its horn embedded in its own body
With a grunt, she tossed the dead rabbit aside and hurled her knife toward another. The blade spun through the air, striking true, sinking deep into the rabbit's chest with a wet thud. She didn't need to check—she knew it was dead
Her body moved faster now, unrelenting, weaving between the remaining rabbits like a specter. She ripped the horn from one rabbit and drove it into another, using their own weapons against them. With every movement, blood sprayed across the ground, mixing with the rain that had started to fall
The rabbits, once the hunters, now stood no chance. She used their bodies as shields, deflecting attacks, until there were only a few left
By the time it was over, Mary stood alone, the rain pouring down around her, soaked in blood. Her silver hair glistened under the wet sheen, her bloody red eyes glowing like embers in the darkening storm. She held the last rabbit in her hand, its horns ripped off, leaving it helpless and trembling
It stared up at her with wide, terrified eyes, its small body quivering in her grasp. Without its horns, it looked pitiful—fragile. The storm's downpour washed away the blood, turning the ground beneath her feet into a sea of mud and gore
Only the sound of the rain filled the silence as the rabbits' bodies disappeared, their corpses retrieved by the Akasha system
The last hornless rabbit was still in her hands, its eyes silently pleading for mercy
But there would be none
-'You'll have to finish the job, we need to rest for a moment. Akasha after the battle's over retrieve the corpses'
With that, the silver-haired figure fell silent. While Mary stood there, her body hers again, but her mind was still hazy from the experience of being controlled. The strange sensation of someone else moving her limbs lingered like an unsettling memory. The cold disregard for her own body—how they'd pushed her beyond her limits—left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth
It wasn't until her hair returned to its normal color, and her eyes shifted back to gold, that she truly snapped out of it. In her hands, the last hornless rabbit stared at her, its fluffy white fur soaked from the rain. Without its horn, it looked like any other innocent animal—small, soft, and seemingly harmless
Its wide, pleading eyes tugged at her heart, and for a moment, she hesitated. Could she really kill something so helpless?
But the memories and the future she had glimpsed at before replayed in her mind—dark, violent scenes where even a moment of hesitation could cost you your life. She knew that if she hesitated now, she would falter later when it truly mattered
'Mercy towards your enemy is a cruelty to yourself' she reminded herself
As the thought echoed in her mind, twisted yet undeniably true. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself, knowing this was just the beginning. With a swift motion, she ended the rabbit's life
As the rain poured down, the corpse of the horn rabbit disappeared, leaving only dark bloodstains behind. But even those were slowly being washed away, like a bad dream fading with the dawn
Finally, Mary collapsed onto the ground while vomiting, her breaths ragged, her limbs shaking from exertion. Now that the adrenaline had faded, the pain hit her like a tidal wave. Every muscle in her body screamed, her arms and legs trembling uncontrollably from the strain
They had pushed her body far beyond its limits, ignoring her well-being as they pumped mana into her limbs without restraint. Though her muscles were torn and every fiber of her body hurt, she had learned—her body had learned. How to fight, how to use mana. The experience was burned into her bones
Now she just had to survive long enough to remember it
Suddenly, a thought struck her
"Akasha show me my status screen"
Following her command a familiar interface appeared in her mind
'Akasha system'
*//Status window//*
-Name:Mary
-Rank:First Order -Level:8(98.1%)
-Class:None -Sub-Class:None
-Title:None
-Race:Human -Legacy:None
-Attribute:None
-Strenght:5 -Agility:7
-Vitality:3 -Intelligence:49
-Wisdom:86 -Sense:31
-Health:8/21 -Mana:675/688
-Available stat point:32
-Passive skills:None
-Active skills:Partial body enhancement LV1
-Status:Exhausted
-Class skills:None
-Weapon Art:None
'Class path available. Proceed?'
Mary paused, biting her lip. She knew she should consult her first—the one who guided her before. But she was asleep right now, and there was no telling when she'd wake up
'I should wait... or should I?'
Her hesitation was short-lived as the system prompted her again
'You have chosen the Mage path. Proceed?'
"Wait, I—" Her words stopped as a sudden realization hit her. Mage... It felt right, and the allure of gaining a class pulled at her
'Yes, Proceed'
'You have chosen the Mage path.'
A wide smile spread across her face. "Yes! I got a class!" she cheered, excitement filling her tired body. She quickly opened her status window again to see the changes
But then, her eyes froze on one stat in particular. Her smile faded as confusion washed over her
Her gaze wasn't drawn to the soaring wisdom or intelligence values, nor was it the massive mana pool that seemed almost unreal. Instead, what captured her attention was her pathetically low vitality stat of 3
"What the... why is it that low?!" she muttered, a mix of disbelief and indignation rising in her chest. "I'm a healthy young woman! This feels like slander!"
Without thinking twice, she opened her available stat points and poured all 32 points directly into vitality. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing
She sighed in relief, feeling the transformation ripple through her. Glancing back at her status window, she saw the immediate effect
-Vitality:35
-Health:21/280
Her health had skyrocketed, though the fatigue still clung to her body, and her wounds weren't fully healed yet. She was still soaked from the relentless downpour, the cold seeping into her bones, but the rain was at least washing away the blood that covered her
She couldn't stay out here much longer. Between the cold, the exhaustion, and the threat of more monsters, she needed to find shelter
Squinting through the rain, her senses—perhaps bolstered by her higher Sense stat—picked up something in the distance. A shadowy outline against the hillside
It was a cave
"Thank god" she muttered to herself, her body shivering from the cold. Gathering what little strength she had left, she set off towards it. And as she walked the rain beat down harder, but she refused to stop, driven by the need to get out of the storm
Every step felt heavy, her muscles still burning with the aftershocks of overexertion. But she pushed through, each step bringing her closer to the faint promise of warmth and safety
As she approached, she prayed the cave would be empty. She really didn't have the energy to handle another fight right now
********************
The cave was damp, the air thick with the scent of wet stone and earth. Water dripped from the ceiling, creating small puddles near the entrance, but it didn't matter to her. For now, this place was gonna be her sanctuary. The relentless rain outside had turned into a downpour, and the distant rumble of thunder echoed faintly within the cave, like a heartbeat in the dark
The rocky floor was cold and unforgiving, each ridge and uneven surface pressing into her tired body. But she was no stranger to discomfort. After everything she'd been through, sleeping on the hard ground felt like a small inconvenience. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to conserve as much warmth as she could, her drenched clothes clinging to her skin like a second, colder layer
Despite that her eyelids grew heavier, and ignoring the discomfort, sleep began to pull her under. The sound of rain tapping on stone became a lullaby, and even the flashes of lightning, which briefly illuminated the cave's entrance, failed to rouse her fully
And as her consciousness faded, she remained oblivious to the shifting shadows deeper in the cave
Something stirred in the darkness, silent and unseen, blending with the natural gloom. There was movement, faint and deliberate, as if the shadows themselves were alive. The presence lingered at the edge of her awareness, just beyond where her senses could detect, watching as she drifted into sleep, unprotected and unaware
The coldness of the cave no longer felt natural; it seemed to carry a faint sense of malice, as though the very air inside was holding its breath, waiting for something. The wind outside howled, masking the subtle shift of shadows inching closer and closer
But Mary was just too exhausted to notice at this point
Wrapped in her fragile cocoon of temporary safety, she fell into a peaceful sleep, unaware of the danger lurking just beyond the dim glow of the cave's entrance