We were deep underground now, far beneath the surface where the light couldn't reach. The air was damp, thick with the stench of rot and decay. My boots squelched against the wet stone floor as we moved, the flickering light of my torch casting long shadows on the rough, moss-covered walls. Each step felt heavier, more oppressive, like the weight of the dungeon itself was pressing down on us.
Dog, my wolf companion, trotted ahead, his nose low to the ground, sniffing out danger in the dark corridors. His fur bristled every few minutes, alerting me to the faint sounds of distant movement. We weren't alone down here.
"How much deeper do we need to go?" Zeke asked from behind me, his voice tight with frustration.
"Until we find him," I replied, keeping my eyes forward. "Prince Gray is down here somewhere."
We had been sent on this mission by the Angels not just to prove our worth but to retrieve someone of extreme importance—Prince Gray of Asolde, heir to one of the most powerful kingdoms in the region. According to the intelligence we had received, he had been captured and imprisoned by a rival faction in this hellish dungeon, buried deep beneath an abandoned fortress.
But, as with everything involving the Angels, the mission came with complications. No one had mentioned the traps, the shifting walls, or the creatures that slithered just out of sight. It was almost as if this dungeon was alive, and it didn't want us here.
Zeke tapped my shoulder. "Ryuji, do you hear that?"
I stopped. The faint sound of footsteps echoed through the damp stone corridor ahead. They were slow, deliberate, and getting closer.
My heart raced. "Get ready."
Zeke reached for his sword, the faint metal scrape against the scabbard echoing ominously. I gripped mine tighter, eyes scanning the dark ahead, while Dog stood still, muscles tense and ears perked, sensing something before I did.
From the shadows emerged a figure—a man, cloaked and hooded, much like us. For a brief moment, I thought it might be another agent of the Angels, but then I caught a glimpse of something shimmering beneath his cloak—a crest. The crest of Asolde.
"Prince Gray?" I asked cautiously, lowering my weapon slightly.
The man looked up, revealing a sharp, handsome face with bright silver eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the dark. He was younger than I had expected, no more than a few years older than me, but there was something regal about him—something cold and calculating.
"You're here to rescue me, I assume," he said, his voice smooth but laced with bitterness. "It took you long enough."
Zeke scoffed, stepping forward. "We nearly got eaten alive by whatever's crawling around in this pit. Maybe a little gratitude wouldn't kill you."
Gray's gaze flicked to Zeke, unimpressed. "I'm still alive, aren't I?"
I stepped between them before things could escalate. "We're here to get you out. That's all that matters. But first, we need to make sure the way is clear."
Gray crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You think I've been sitting here idly, waiting for a rescue? I know this dungeon better than you think."
Before I could respond, he moved past me, striding confidently down a side corridor that seemed to twist into the darkness.
"Wait!" I called, hurrying after him, with Zeke following closely behind.
Gray didn't slow down. "This dungeon is a labyrinth," he said, his voice echoing slightly. "But there's a way out—if you know where to look."
I wasn't sure whether to trust him or not, but what choice did we have? We had to get out of here, and quickly. The longer we stayed, the more likely it was that something would find us.
As we moved deeper into the dungeon, the air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in. The distant sound of grinding stone made my stomach churn—another trap resetting itself somewhere in the darkness. This place was a death trap.
Dog suddenly let out a low growl, his hackles rising. I stopped short, holding my hand up to signal the others. Something was coming.
From the shadows ahead, I saw movement—a blur of black and grey, too fast to be human. Zeke swore under his breath, unsheathing his sword.
"They're here," Gray muttered.
"Who's here?" I demanded, already bracing for the worst.
Gray's face tightened. "The dungeon's guardians. Be ready."
Out of the darkness, grotesque creatures slithered into view. Their bodies were serpentine, covered in scales that shimmered like oil in the torchlight. Their mouths were filled with rows of jagged teeth, and their glowing yellow eyes were fixed on us, unblinking.
I raised my sword, heart pounding. "Zeke, back me up!"
Without hesitation, Zeke charged forward, swinging his blade in a wide arc as one of the creatures lunged at him. The sound of metal against scale rang through the narrow corridor as the creature hissed in pain, retreating momentarily.
Dog leaped forward, sinking his teeth into another one's side, pulling it away before it could strike. I followed up with a downward slash, severing its head in one swift motion.
Gray, to my surprise, fought alongside us, moving with precision and grace, his blade cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. He wasn't just a pampered prince—he could handle himself in a fight.
After what felt like an eternity, the last of the creatures fell, its body twitching before going still. I wiped the sweat from my brow, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
"We need to move," Gray said, sheathing his sword. "There will be more of them."
I nodded, though exhaustion was creeping in. "Lead the way."
We continued through the twisting maze of corridors, following Gray's lead. He seemed to know exactly where he was going, as if he had memorized the layout of the dungeon. Finally, after what felt like hours, we reached a large iron door, covered in runes that glowed faintly in the darkness.
Gray stepped forward, pressing his hand to the door. The runes flared brightly for a moment before the door creaked open, revealing a passage that sloped upwards.
"This will take us to the surface," he said, turning to face us. "Once we're out, you'll need to be ready. There are enemies waiting for me outside—enemies who won't hesitate to kill you if they think you're helping me."
Zeke grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Sounds like fun."
I shot him with a look of concern, Zeke was always the one who would rush in without a thought in his mind. How does one do that? No fear at all. As we exited the dungeon I could feel the enemy's presence, ready to devour my very essence.
I gripped my sword tight, channeling my mana and focusing it on protecting me.