**Narrator:**
When Sai opened his eyes, a heavy fog clouded his mind, and his body felt utterly drained, devoid of strength. Every fiber of his being protested as he attempted to move. Desperation crept in like a shadow. His hand fumbled for the healing potion tucked within his cloak, fingers brushing against the cool glass. With fierce determination, he uncorked it and gulped down the bitter liquid. Instantly, warmth surged through his limbs, a flicker of strength returning. As he blinked, his vision sharpened, and the stark reality of his surroundings came into focus—the black knight who had stood against him lay motionless, a cold figure on the stone floor.
With a grim expression, Sai picked up the knight's sword—his own weapon lay shattered beside him—and turned toward the looming doors that concealed the curse. The air thickened with an ominous energy, a palpable reminder of the malevolence trapped beyond those ancient thresholds.
His heart pounded as his hand met the cold metal of the door handle. Gritting his teeth, he pushed the cursed doors open with a heavy groan. Darkness swirled inside, revealing a dimly lit chamber that seemed to hold its breath. In its center floated a glowing orb, pulsating with an eerie, unnatural light that cast flickering shadows on the stone walls. His breath caught in his throat.
**Sai (thinking):**
*This is it. The cursed... I have to destroy it.*
With resolve, Sai raised the sword high above his head, channeling every ounce of strength and fury into the swing. The instant the blade touched the artifact, the world erupted in an ear-shattering explosion. A shockwave of pure energy blasted through the chamber, hurling Sai like a rag doll against the unforgiving stone walls. The very foundation of the dungeon trembled, the force reaching even Hana and the mysterious man waiting outside.
---
**Hana:**
"What was that?!" Her voice trembled with fear.
**Mysterious Man:**
"Don't look at me—I have no idea." Anxiety sharpened his features as his brow furrowed.
---
Inside the chamber, Sai groaned, pain flooding his senses as he slowly regained consciousness. Every muscle ached, protesting against his will. But then something caught his eye. Where the cursed orb had floated ominously, two items now lay on the ground: a small black orb pulsing with malevolent energy and an old book, its pages worn and frayed by time.
Tentatively, Sai reached out and touched the black orb. The moment his fingers brushed against its surface, the orb latched onto him with a violent jolt, searing pain coursing through his body like wildfire.
**Sai:**
"Haaah! Damn it, Zaroth!" he gasped, gritting his teeth as the pain surged, overwhelming him. His entire body trembled, sweat beading on his brow.
In a flash of light, the artifact absorbed the sword he had wielded, pulling it into itself before vanishing completely. Breathing heavily, Sai's gaze fell to the old book resting on the ground, its worn cover whispering secrets of the past.
**Sai:**
"I'll deal with you later…" His voice was hoarse yet resolute. He tucked the book under his arm and staggered toward the exit, each step a battle against the protests of his exhausted body.
---
**Meanwhile, outside the dungeon...**
Hana and the mysterious man stood in stunned silence as the dungeon doors creaked open, releasing a cloud of dust into the air. From the shadows emerged a figure—Sai, with golden eyes glinting like stars, his face splattered with blood, and an expression that drifted between consciousness and oblivion. He took a few faltering steps toward them, but his body finally betrayed him, collapsing onto the ground.
**Hana (rushing to his side):**
"My lord! Are you alright?" Panic surged through her, filling her voice with urgency.
But Sai didn't respond. His body lay still, weakened from immense blood loss and the relentless battle. Kneeling beside him, worry creased Hana's brow, her heart racing as she assessed the situation. She placed her hand on his forehead, feeling the heat radiating from his skin, and whispered a prayer to the spirits for his recovery. Tears streamed down her cheeks as panic coursed through her veins, leaving her feeling helpless.
"Please, Sai! Don't leave me!" she cried, shaking him gently. "You have to wake up!"
The mysterious man watched with concern but knew they had to act quickly. "We need to get him to the infirmary," he urged, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. "He's lost too much blood."
Just then, the heavy sounds of armored footsteps echoed through the clearing. The butler, a tall figure clad in dark attire, appeared at the entrance, flanked by a group of knights. Their expressions were grim but resolute as they rushed toward the scene.
**Hana (her voice breaking):**
"You came just in time!" She turned to the butler, desperation etched across her face. "Take our lord to his room and call the best healer in town!"
The butler nodded sharply, his demeanor professional and efficient. "Yes, my lady. Prepare the stretcher!" He signaled to the knights, who swiftly gathered around Sai, lifting him gently but firmly onto the stretcher.
**Butler:**
"Move quickly! We must act fast to save him."
Hana stood, her heart racing as they began to carry Sai away. Fear clawed at her chest, but there was no time to grieve. The knights moved with purpose, and Hana kept pace beside them, refusing to leave his side.