The rhythmic clinking of pickaxes echoed through the damp, dark mine, reverberating in the confined space. Miners labored under dim light, the heavy stench of ore and the thick dust in the air making every breath oppressive. With each strike against the rock wall, shards fell, producing crisp, sharp sounds.
A seasoned man was guiding a visibly inexperienced young miner deeper into the tunnels. The lantern in the older man's hand swayed gently, casting light on the uneven path. The younger miner, named Falton, had only joined the mining team three months ago, and his face betrayed unmistakable nervousness.
"Relax, Falton. No need to be so tense," the man, Caro, said in an even tone, glancing back at him. "We're heading into unexplored territory soon."
"Y-yes, Brother Caro," Falton stammered, swallowing hard and clutching his tools tightly.?
Caro chuckled lightly, noting Falton's stiff demeanor. "Don't worry. Though it's an unmined area, as long as we stay calm, there won't be any major problems."
The two continued deeper into the mine, the air growing colder and damper. Falton glanced around uneasily before asking, "Brother Caro, why are we going so deep? Don't we usually work closer to the entrance?"
Caro stopped and turned to explain. "A few days ago, the Federation's exploration team detected a significant magical energy surge deep in the mine. They suspect there might be rare mana ore down here. Since our mining company holds the extraction rights, this is a rare opportunity." He paused, smiling wryly. "And the team leader thought it'd be a good chance for the rookies to get some experience. This time, it's your turn."
As the lantern's light illuminated the path ahead, Caro continued, "Rare mana ore like this doesn't come around every day."
Falton's eyes lit up with anticipation, and his tense expression softened slightly. "Rare mana ore… What luck!"
"It's lucky, sure, but don't let your guard down." Caro warned, his tone turning serious. "Deep zones like this come with risks. If anything unusual happens, retreat immediately. Got it?"
Falton nodded vigorously. "Got it, Brother Caro. I'll be careful."
They ventured further, the faint glow of the lantern appearing ever dimmer against the encroaching darkness. The walls began to shimmer faintly with veins of light, their ethereal glow lending a surreal beauty to the cave. As they passed through a narrow passageway, Caro slowed his pace, listening intently to the sounds around them.
Suddenly, a low rumble emanated from deep within the mine, vibrations traveling through the walls and into the ground beneath their feet. Falton's face paled as he asked nervously, "Brother Caro, what was that sound?"
Caro lifted the lantern, peering toward the source of the noise with a furrowed brow. "Probably just a shift in the deep rock layers. It's not uncommon, but we should still be cautious."
Suppressing his unease, Falton followed closely behind Caro. After walking for a while, they entered a spacious chamber, its walls adorned with crystalline formations that emitted a faint glow. Caro examined them closely, his expression unusually focused. "Looks like our assumptions were correct. The veins here are definitely unusual."
"Are these crystals rare mana ore?" Falton leaned in with growing excitement.
"Not yet," Caro shook his head. "True rare mana ore emits a much stronger magical pulse." He jotted down notes about the location and then motioned for them to continue. Before long, they came across an even more distinct vein of mana ore. Pale blue and violet lights intertwined across the rock face like a celestial aurora.
"This is incredible!" Falton exclaimed in awe.
Caro nodded slightly. "The quality of these veins is impressive, but the truly rare ore core should still be further in.
As they pressed on, they eventually spotted a small crystalline core embedded in the rock wall ahead. It emitted a soft, star-like radiance, captivating in its beauty. Caro's gaze sharpened. "This is what we're looking for—a Starlight Core, an exceedingly rare ore nucleus."
"Why is it called a Starlight Core?" Falton asked curiously.
"Because its glow is faint yet profound, like the twinkle of stars in the night sky. These cores are hidden deep within the earth and are incredibly hard to find, symbolizing rarity and value." There was a hint of reverence in Caro's tone. "This is my first time seeing one too."
Falton stared at the core with wide eyes, full of wonder. "It must be worth a fortune."
Caro smiled faintly. "Certainly, but extracting something this delicate requires skill. A single mistake can destroy its integrity. We'll mark its location and leave it to the surface team." As he began jotting down its position, a deafening roar shook the cave. The ground quaked violently, rocks and debris tumbling from the ceiling. The walls cracked as though the earth itself was roaring in fury.
"Damn it! The mine's collapsing!" Caro's face turned grim.
The mana vein ahead crumbled with the tremor, massive stones crashing toward Falton. He froze in terror, unable to move. In the blink of an eye, Caro lunged forward, shoving Falton aside. The falling debris struck Caro instead, pinning him to the ground with a heavy thud. Dust filled the air, thick and suffocating.
Falton, sprawled on the ground and gasping for breath, scrambled to his feet. Seeing Caro trapped beneath the rubble, his face turned ashen. "Brother Caro!"
Caro grimaced through the pain, gesturing weakly. "I'll manage… Just go get help. This place could collapse completely at any moment!"
Falton shook his head stubbornly. "I can't leave you!"
Caro's expression hardened. "Don't be reckless! Staying here won't save me. Fetching help is the only chance we've got!"
Trembling, Falton clenched his fists, his face a mask of anguish. Taking a deep breath, he finally nodded and said hoarsely, "Brother Caro, hang on. I'll bring help!"
He hesitated a moment longer before rushing toward the exit, glancing back repeatedly at Caro's direction, silently praying for his safety.
Inside the collapsing mine, Caro's consciousness began to waver. His daughter, Ellia, appeared in his mind's eye, her smiling face vivid and warm. He murmured, "Ellia… I'm sorry…"
Time seemed to freeze in the darkness, each second stretching into eternity. The tremors intensified, cracks widening, and the walls groaning as they neared collapse.
Caro's vision blurred, and the image of Ellia grew fainter. Reaching out instinctively, he felt only the cold, sticky sensation of his blood-soaked hand. The icy reality of his injuries overwhelmed him.
With a final, labored breath, he closed his eyes and whispered, "Ellia… forgive me…"