Adventurer's Zone - Sector 10
A group of adventurers from Sectors 4 and 5 arrives at Sector 10, led by Thunder, an adventurer from Sector 1. Thunder, a man standing at 1.70 meters with piercing yellow eyes and dark hair falling messily over his forehead, walks at the front with determination. His steps are firm, and though his expression is severe, there's a hint of worry in his eyes.
The atmosphere in Sector 10 is grim. The adventurers' faces reflect the exhaustion and pain of recent battles. A mix of tension and sadness hangs in the air as they assess the devastation around them.
Thunder, with a firm but grave voice, gives orders: "Those with healing abilities, tend to the wounded. The rest, make sure there are no more enemies in the perimeter." His tone leaves no room for doubt, but deep down, he feels the pressure of the responsibility weighing on him.
Thunder approaches Freya, who is kneeling next to the remains of what was once her team. Her eyes are red from crying, and her body trembles slightly. She feels devastated, unable to look Thunder in the eyes, knowing she failed to protect her team.
Thunder, softening his voice but keeping his firmness: "Tell me every detail of what happened here." Though his words are a request, there's an urgency behind them; he needs to understand everything to make the right decisions.
Freya looks up, feeling a lump in her throat. The words come out with difficulty, laden with guilt and shame: "They… ambushed us. I wasn't prepared, I… I couldn't save them." Her hands tremble as she recounts the events, each word a reminder of her failure. The helplessness and pain are reflected in her eyes, and despite her determination, she feels small and defenseless in the face of the tragedy.
The injured adventurers are taken to Sector 3, where the best healing mages of the kingdom begin to tend to their wounds. Thunder, knowing there is no time to lose, decides to take Freya to the highest-ranking zone, where the nobles reside, to report what had happened.
When they arrive at the great hall of the castle, Freya kneels before King Lauren, her body still trembling with nerves and guilt. The king, an imposing man but with a surprisingly calm voice, observes Freya with a mix of interest and concern.
King Lauren, in a calm but authoritative voice: "Freya, right? Tell me everything that happened." His tone is soft, but there is insistence in his words, a need to understand the threat.
Freya nods, taking a breath to calm herself, and begins to recount every detail to the King. As she speaks, her voice trembles less, finding in the retelling a way to confront her pain.
King Lauren, thoughtful, strokes his beard as he listens: "I see… so it was an angel. It's been a long time since one of these beings has been seen." His words, though spoken quietly, echo in the hall, revealing a deep concern that he tries to hide.
After learning of the events, the King orders the best nobles and adventurers in the kingdom to patrol day and night to ensure the kingdom's safety. Though he maintains a calm facade, a shadow of doubt begins to grow within him.
Meanwhile, in Sector 3, in the adventurer's zone…
Aric finally awakens after being unconscious for 10 hours. As he opens his eyes, a sharp pain shoots through his body, from head to toe. He feels disoriented and confused, unsure of exactly where he is.
Aric, in pain and disoriented, mutters: "Where am I? What happened? My whole body hurts… ahhgg." He tries to move, but every movement brings a wave of pain.
A doctor approaches, her tone professional but compassionate: "You're in Sector 3. Your friend Eldric also woke up a little while ago. He said he wanted to talk to you." Her words, though comforting, do little to ease Aric's growing anxiety.
Still feeling pain with each step, Aric heads to Eldric's room. His mind is clouded by recent events, and the weight of losing Nyra weighs heavily on him, making him feel an uncomfortable sadness he can't shake off.
Aric, worried: "Eldric, how are you?…" But as he sees him, Aric realizes that Eldric is not well. His eyes are red, and his face reflects a mix of pain and despair. The grief over Nyra's loss shows in both of them, a reminder of the cruelty of the world they live in.
Suddenly, dark memories start flooding Eldric's mind, taking him to a past he had buried deep in his subconscious.
Eldric's Flashback:
An unknown nobleman, with a cold and disdainful voice: "Damn it, why did that child have to be born?"
A guardian, with a defiant but pained tone: "Don't call him that, he's our son, and although you don't want to believe it, he has your blood."
Unknown Nobleman, with barely contained fury: "No one can know about that child. What would happen to my life if people find out I had a child with my guardian?"
Guardian, with tears in her eyes but determined: "I don't want anything to do with you. I'm leaving, and I'll take care of him myself."
Unknown Nobleman, threatening: "You know if you dare say a word, I'll take you and that child down."
Guardian, in a low but firm voice: "Don't worry, Eric, I won't tell anyone. In return, I want nothing to do with you."
Eric, with a final tone: "Fine, Yeni, it's best for both of us. Get out of here; I never want to see either of you again."
Eldric jolts awake, his breathing quickening and his heart pounding. He doesn't fully understand those memories, but the pain and confusion he feels are real. He brings a hand to his head, trying to clear his mind.
Aric, concerned: "What's wrong, Eldric? You seem lost."
Eldric, trying to regain composure, forces a weak smile: "Don't worry, it's nothing."
Eldric, determined, quickly changes the subject: "Aric, what if we take on lots of missions? That way we can gain experience and get materials for your skill."
Aric, nodding with renewed determination: "It's decided. We'll become stronger."
Both young men, united by pain and the need to surpass themselves, decide to take a few days to recover before launching back into battle.
Two days later…
Freya remains in the castle, feeling trapped and anxious. Though she has calmed down since the recent events, her worry for the kingdom's safety and the need to find her parents keep her in constant tension.
Freya, yawning as she looks out the window of her room: "This is my chance… There must be evidence on how to bring this island down. I need to leave this kingdom and find my parents. But… then, why did that figure tell me to wait for Aric and Eldric?"
Just then, Freya hears voices in the hallway. Her heart racing, she hides behind the door, listening intently.
King Lauren, in a low voice, speaking with a mysterious entity: "Umm… how does this crystal work?"
Mysterious Entity 2, with a sinister tone: "You just have to kill your enemies and absorb their souls. That way, you'll grow stronger."
King Lauren, with a dark smile and a calculating look: "Good… We'll descend to the lower kingdom and start a war. I'll absorb the finest souls."
Freya feels the ground disappear beneath her feet. She can't believe what she just heard. Without wasting time, she rushes back to her room, panic taking over. She no longer cares about bringing the island down; her only concern now is escaping before King Lauren's plan is carried out.
Freya, back in her room, whispering nervously: "What was that thing? Why did it look so much like what I saw in the forest? Although this one seemed different… I have to get out of here and find Aric and Eldric, tell them everything and escape."
With this revelation, Freya decides what she must do to fulfill her desire to find her parents and stop King Lauren's dark plan.
End of Chapter 7