Ren and Akio sat in the cramped cage, the air thick with the stench of filth and damp stone. The goblin camp outside was filled with the sound of grunts and distant clatters, their captors going about their grim work. Ren glanced at Akio, who remained silent, lost in thought, both of them waiting for a chance to escape.
Suddenly, the rattling of keys echoed through the narrow dungeon. Five goblins approached, their eyes gleaming with cruel intent. One of them, taller and carrying a jagged blade, unlocked the cage with a rusty key. They reached in, yanking Akio out roughly, and bound his hands behind his back with thick, grimy ropes. Ren tensed but knew there was little he could do at the moment. As Akio was dragged away, he gave Ren a quick look, one that said, stay strong before the cage door slammed shut, locking Ren inside once more.
The goblins led Akio down a narrow hallway, grunting and laughing as they tossed him into a dimly lit chamber. Akio hit the ground hard, biting back a groan as the door slammed shut behind him. The goblins walked off, their footsteps fading into the distance. Akio struggled with the ropes binding his hands, twisting and turning until, after several minutes of effort, he managed to slip free. Rubbing his wrists, he stood up and scanned the room.
Weapons lined the walls—machetes, axes, knives, all rusted but dangerous. His eyes fell on a pot bubbling in the corner, and as he moved closer, the foul stench hit him. Peering inside, he recoiled in horror. Human body parts—arms, legs, heads—floated in a sickening stew, their flesh bubbling in the murky broth. The grotesque sight stirred something in Akio, a deep anger bubbling within him. Just then, a goblin entered the room, its eyes narrowing when it saw Akio standing free.
With a snarl, the goblin drew a long blade and charged. Akio felt his body protesting from exhaustion—his magic reserves nearly drained. But he had just enough energy for one last spell. Summoning his strength, he cast Flame Bullet and aimed at the goblin's knee. The fiery orb shot forward, hitting its target and causing the goblin to stumble. Akio seized the moment, grabbing an axe from the wall and, with a single swing, decapitated the goblin. The creature's head hit the stone floor with a thud, and its body slumped to the ground.
Breathing heavily, Akio wiped the sweat from his brow and noticed a key hanging from the dead goblin's belt. He snatched it up and, with urgency fueling his steps, hurried back to the cage where Ren was waiting. He unlocked the door, and Ren immediately grabbed a weapon from the goblin arsenal as they exchanged a grim nod.
"Let's move," Ren whispered, his voice filled with resolve.
The two made their way through the dungeon, moving cautiously through the winding corridors. Just when they thought they might have a clear escape, a low growl rumbled through the passage. Emerging from the shadows was a massive black dog, its fur matted and filthy, its eyes glowing a fiery red. The beast snarled, baring its fangs before pouncing toward them.
Akio barely raised his axe in time, the dog's powerful jaws clamping down on the blade with a ferocious snap. The force of the impact sent Akio staggering backward, but Ren was ready. With a swift and precise motion, he swung his axe, severing one of the dog's legs. The beast howled in pain as it collapsed to the floor, thrashing wildly. Without hesitation, Ren delivered the final blow, cleaving the creature's head from its body.
Panting, the two stood over the lifeless beast for a moment, their breaths ragged from the exertion. But they couldn't linger. The dim light of the dungeon exit flickered ahead, a beacon of hope. Without a word, they broke into a sprint, their hearts pounding as they ran faster and faster toward the exit.
Bursting out of the dungeon and into the fresh, cool air, they found themselves in the middle of a dense forest. The trees loomed around them, tall and foreboding, but the sensation of freedom was overwhelming. They had made it. Ren and Akio leaned against a tree, catching their breath, their bodies aching but alive.
For now, they were safe, but both knew the fight wasn't over.