Part 1
They continued walking down the metallic corridor, their breaths heavy and their bodies covered in sweat and blood. Broke was visibly injured, her unsteady steps betraying the severity of her wounds. Garen was also hurt, and Ellen had cuts and bruises all over her body.
"We need to stop and treat these injuries..." said Lirian, looking worriedly at Ellen, Garen, and Broke.
"We won't last long if we continue like this."
"I agree," replied Garen, panting.
"Let's find a safe place to rest."
After a few minutes of walking, they found an empty chamber where they could take temporary shelter. The place was dark and damp, but it offered a minimum of security. They sat down, exhausted, and began treating their wounds.
Ellen took a first aid kit from her backpack and started cleaning Broke's cuts. "Hold still," she said as she applied antiseptic to the open wounds.
Broke winced but didn't complain. "It's nothing I can't handle."
Thalon tended to Garen's injuries, applying ointments and bandages with precision. "You guys were amazing back there," he said, admiringly.
"I don't know what we would have done without you two."
Garen smiled despite the pain. "Not as amazing as you. And that's what we're here for."
After some time, the wounds were treated as best they could in that precarious environment. They decided it was time to rest. Garen, Thalon, Lirian, and Ethan lay down, exhausted, while Broke and Ellen volunteered to take the first watch.
Sitting close to each other, Broke and Ellen watched their companions sleep. The flickering flame of a small fire cast dancing shadows on the surrounding walls, creating an almost cozy atmosphere despite the situation.
Ellen looked at Broke, breaking the silence. "You seem so strong, Broke. What brought you to this life?"
Broke sighed deeply before answering. "Life has its surprises. And you?"
Ellen nodded, understanding. "It sure likes to play tricks. I ran away from home when I was a teenager. My father was a cruel man, and my mother abandoned us as soon as I was born, leaving me with him. The life of an adventurer offered me a way out, a way to escape that hell."
"I understand..." said Broke, looking at Ellen with a certain respect.
"It's not an easy choice for anyone. But here we are, trying to survive."
Ellen smiled. "Yes, here we are. And despite everything, I wouldn't trade this for anything. I feel like I finally found a family, even if it's in a crazy way."
Suddenly, Ellen felt a sharp sting on her arm. She looked quickly and saw a small, black spider crawling away. "Damn it!" she exclaimed, crushing the spider with her hand.
Broke approached quickly. "Are you okay?"
"Yes..." replied Ellen, shaking her hand to ease the pain.
"It was just a spider. Nothing I can't handle."
"Even so, let's check it out; it might be venomous," insisted Broke, carefully examining Ellen's arm.
"It looks like the bite wasn't deep, but we need to keep an eye on it."
Ellen nodded, relieved and surprised by Broke's sudden concern. "Thanks, Broke. I think it's time to wake Thalon. You need to rest too."
Broke hesitated but finally agreed. "Alright. But if anything happens, wake me up immediately."
Ellen stood up and went to Thalon, gently shaking him. "Thalon, your turn to keep watch."
Thalon opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the faint firelight. "Alright," he said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"You two need rest. I'll take over."
Broke and Ellen lay down, trying to find comfort on the hard, cold floor. Ellen looked at Broke one last time before closing her eyes. "Good night, Broke."
"Good night, Ellen," replied Broke, her voice barely audible to Ellen.
Part 2
After a few hours of rest, the group of adventurers rose, ready to continue exploring the Abyss. Garen, Ellen, Thalon, Lirian, Broke, and Ethan were more rested, despite the lingering pain of their injuries. They regrouped, checking their equipment and discussing the next stage of their journey.
"Ready to move on?" asked Thalon, stretching his arms and mentally preparing for what lay ahead.
"Yes," replied Broke, with unshakable calm in her voice.
After walking for some time, the group found a stone staircase that seemed endless. The air grew heavier and more humid as they descended, and the sounds of the Abyss echoed around them, creating a sense of unease. Darkness was nearly total, except for the torches they carried, casting flickering shadows on the ancient, moss-covered walls.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the bottom of the staircase. Ahead of them stood an enormous, cold, black steel door, extremely dense and heavy.
Ethan looked at the map with a worried expression. "We're on the third floor now. According to the map, we're not yet at the unknown detour of the mission. This door shouldn't exist."
"So, what do we do?" asked Garen, examining the door curiously.
"Let's enter cautiously," suggested Thalon, his voice firm.
"There might be something important on the other side."
Broke nodded. "I agree. This place is full of surprises."
With a combined effort, they pushed the door, which opened slowly with a sinister creak. As they crossed the threshold, they were astonished by the sight that unfolded before them.
What they saw was absolutely breathtaking. An immense and splendid garden stretched out before them, a stark contrast to the darkness and desolation of the Abyss. Night-blooming flowers, with their white petals and intoxicating fragrance, filled the space, illuminated by a mysterious light emanating from the ceiling, though no visible light source could be discerned. The light seemed infinite and gentle, bathing the entire garden in an ethereal glow.
In the center of the garden, there was a crystalline fountain, whose waters sparkled with a silvery sheen. Butterflies flew gracefully around, their colorful wings reflecting the light in a hypnotic manner. The night-blooming flowers seemed to pulse with a life of their own, their petals glowing with a soft, serene hue.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of the flowers, creating an atmosphere of calm and tranquility. The ground was covered with soft, green grass, inviting them to relax and forget, for a moment, the hardships they had faced.
"And here I thought I had seen it all..." said Ellen, marveling at the beauty of the place.
"This is... incredible."
"Yes..." agreed Lirian, his eyes wide as he took in the garden.
"It's like we're in another world."
Thalon knelt near one of the flowers, examining it closely. "These flowers... they shouldn't be here. They only bloom at night and in open environments. How is this possible?"
"This is magic," said Broke, her voice mixing respect and caution.
"A very powerful one..."
Ethan nodded, his eyes still fixed on the map. "Whoever created this place had power beyond our understanding."
They walked through the garden carefully, absorbing the serenity of the place while remaining vigilant. The sense of imminent danger never entirely left them, but for a moment, they could relax and admire the beauty around them.
Near the fountain, Broke knelt and touched the water with her fingertips. "It's cold and clean," she said, looking at the others.
"We can refill our water supplies here."
Garen nodded, filling his canteen. "We don't know when we'll have another chance like this. Let's take advantage while we can."
The group replenished their supplies and rested a bit more, marveling at the tranquility and beauty of the garden.