Level 3 of the labyrinth was a world of water and stone, where the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and minerals. The floor was uneven, scattered with pools of crystal-clear water that reflected the dim light from above, creating shimmering patterns on the walls. The water was still in some places, while in others, small ripples danced across its surface as if disturbed by unseen creatures.
Waterfalls cascaded down from the higher levels, their rushing sound a constant backdrop to the labyrinth's eerie silence. The waterfalls ranged from gentle, delicate streams to powerful torrents that crashed into the pools below, sending up sprays of mist that clung to the cool, stone walls. The sound of water was omnipresent, a soothing yet haunting murmur that filled every corner of the level.
Paths through the level were narrow and often crossed by shallow streams that cut through the labyrinth. Occasionally, the path would open into a larger cavern, where the waterfalls were more pronounced and the pools deeper.
Clive trudged behind Arianna and Tipha, like a child following his parents. His focus were stuck onto the elves…and their behinds. As Arianna took each step, the gentle sway of her hips caused the skirt of her gown to shift rhythmically. The fabric billowed slightly, accentuating the graceful arch of her movements. On the other hand, Tipha's hips swayed with a confident rhythm, the fabric of her purple gown hugging her curves as she moved. Her strides were long and fluid, like she was gliding across the ground, each hypnotizing footfall light but assured.
"Oi…what are you looking at?" Tipha said, noticing his glare.
"N-nothing!" Clive responded, quickly trying to look away.
"Eh?" Arianna called out to the commotion behind her, "What's happening?"
"It's fine Miss Arianna!" Clive stuttered, trying to diffuse the situation. "Please, continue to lead us."
"Very well…"
As the trio continued on, Clive couldn't help but think about the magic he had seen before. The fiery crown and wings of Tipha, and the caped armor of Arianna, all made from magic. He wanted to cast magic like that. It would make everyone swoon over him! Of course, if that was the case, he wouldn't be on this journey, and that magic seemed to take a toll on them afterwards. He felt bad that Tipha and Arianna were doing all of the heavy lifting.
Suddenly, he snuck between the elf women and led the party. "Little Clive? What are you doing?" Arianna cooed.
"Get behind us!" Scolded Tipha, "It's too dangerous!"
"Let me lead!" Clive answered back, "You two haven't rested at all since we've entered the dungeon…I can take—?" Clive realized that the area of floor he had stepped on felt…different. A red magical circle started to glow beneath his feet, and just before he could jump to the elves, he disappeared.
"Clive!?" Arianna yelled, trying to reach out for him.
"Tch…teleportation trap." Tipha scoffed. "Why won't he listen." She then turned towards a waterfall and pointed to it. "Come on Ariana, he must be somewhere in the lower regions."
A worried Arianna gripped her staff tightly. "O-Ok!"
***
"Ugh…" Clive groaned as he blinked awake, the faint, ethereal glow of the moss coating the cave walls casting everything in a ghostly blue hue. He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the grogginess. He sat up, his cloak rustling against the rocky floor. The air in the cave was cold, but peaceful. The soft noise of distant water trickled somewhere nearby. "I'm going to be in so much trouble." he said, nervously laughing to himself.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, something caught his attention near a rock. A small, but noticeable movement. Clive brought out his knife, prepared for a fight…until he clearly saw what it actually was—a tiny creature, curled up into a trembling ball. He leaned closer and realized it was a little white-haired fox, its fur streaked with grime and its shivering body frail. "A fox? Here?" Clive whispered.
He rummaged through his small pack until he found some bread portions that he was going to eat. It wasn't much, but it was something. He crept closer, careful not to startle the little fox, and extended his hand with the bread. "Hey little guy…I got some food for you."
At first, the fox didn't move. It merely lifted its head, peering up at him with wide, tired eyes, its nose twitching at the scent of food. Clive sat still, waiting patiently. A few seconds passed, and then—hesitantly—the fox stretched its neck forward and gingerly nibbled at the bread. It chewed slowly, as though unsure whether to trust him, but too hungry to resist.
"There you go… " Clive whispered softly, trying to reassure the little creature, "You probably haven't eaten in days…" After finishing the small offering, the fox lifted its gaze back to Clive. He noticed that something shifted in its behavior—as if it was trusting him. It slowly brushed its hide against him, whimpering in the process. Clive reached out a hand, his fingers trembling a bit as he placed them gently on the fox's back. Its fur was soft but matted, like it hadn't been cared for in a long time.
As he stroked its back gently, Clive felt a strange warmth spread through his palm. He glanced down, noticing the Oshoen Emblem on his hand beginning to glow, casting a soft light blue shimmer that reflected off the cave walls. "W-what?" Clive muttered, confused. The fox didn't pull away from the light. In fact, it almost seemed to relax under Clive's touch, as though the light from the emblem was calming it. The glow brightened slightly as Clive continued to pet the creature, and the fox's breathing became steadier, its fragile frame showing signs of recovery, however slight.
Suddenly, a ripple of light flickered across its fur, and the fox began to tremble—not out of fear or weakness, but as though something was changing within it. Clive immediately pulled his hand back, eyes widening. The glow from his emblem intensified for a brief moment, filling the cave with an otherworldly light. He watched in awe as the little fox's body started to elongate, limbs stretching and morphing. The white fur faded away, replaced by smooth, pale skin. Its tiny paws became small hands and feet. The fox ears and a bushy tail remained, but now, in front of Clive, lay a small girl.
She had silver hair that cascaded down her back, her fox-like ears twitching slightly. Her body was petite, maybe around the age of six, but Clive wasn't entirely sure about that. This thing wasn't human. She had soft features, her eyes closed as if she was still resting from her transformation. The long, bushy tail flicked lazily behind her, draped in white and silver fur.
The little girl opened her eyes slowly, blinking as if adjusting to the new form she was in. Her eyes were a brilliant gold, shimmering with an innocent curiosity. Her short-length silver hair shaped her head nicely. She looked up at Clive, her fox ears twitching with awareness. "Mas…ter…?" she muttered.
"Huh?!" Clive said, waving his hands in front of him. He didn't know how to explain that he didn't feel like he deserved that kind of loyalty. He had just been trying to help, like anyone would have. "I'm not your Master or anything, I just gave you some bread because you looked hungry!"
But the girl only tilted her head, her silver hair falling over her fox ears as she regarded him calmly. "...hero…save me" she said quietly, her voice carrying a serene certainty that caught Clive off guard. She then stared at the emblem on the back of Clive's hand. "...you…are Master no?" Suddenly, the girl stepped forward, wrapping her small arms around him in a sudden embrace.
"Wait—" Clive started, but his protests melted away as he felt her tiny, warm form press against him. Her hug was surprisingly tight, like she'd found something to cling onto. Her face nuzzled into his chest, her fox ears twitching slightly as her tail curled around her own legs. Instinctively, Clive wrapped his own arms around her too. She reminded him of a little sister, and the instinct to take care of her settled in his chest like a gentle warmth.
Still, he tried to keep his voice light, even though he felt a lump forming in his throat. "You don't have to call me 'Master.' You can be free. You don't owe me anything."
The girl pulled back just enough to look up at him, her arms still around his waist. "...I…want to…" she said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "...I…belong…to you now."
Clive sighed. He didn't expect to become responsible for a little wolf girl, especially at his current power level, but it is what it is. "Fine." He then took off his brown cloak and put it around the girl after realizing that she wasn't wearing anything. "You can come with me."
The girl smiled back at him with a youthful grin, clutching the brown cloak around her body. She then tugged at Clive's white tunic. "...N-Name..." she muttered.
"Your name?" Clive asked.
"I…no name…"
"You don't have a name, huh?" Clive sighed. "Would you like me to give you one?" The girl cutely nodded in agreement. Clive also noticed that she was swinging her tail from side to side. "Alright." he chuckled. "How about…Lima?" Clive said, giving the girl a head pat. As for where he got the name, it was completely random.
"Me…Lima…" Lima muttered, with a wide smile on her face. "Lima! Lima!"