The clinking of chains and the occasional groans of discomfort filled the dungeon. The Starborn sat in a rough circle, each one worn down but restless. The oppressive silence was only broken by the faint sounds of distant footsteps echoing through the hall.
Sosuke leaned back against the damp wall, his purple eyes fixed on the group. "We need to figure something out. Fast."
"Really? I thought we'd just stay here and see what happens," Reid said, leaning casually against the bars, his chains rattling as he exaggeratedly stretched. "You know, test our luck."
Lyra shot him a flat look, her usual sarcasm absent. "Not the time, Reid."
Reid smirked but backed off, humming to himself as he inspected the cell door.
Arthur, sitting cross-legged with his head bowed, finally spoke. "We can't force our way out. Whatever this place is made of, it's suppressing our mana completely." His voice was calm but tinged with frustration. "Even if we break free of the chains, there's no guarantee we can fight our way out."
Rin fidgeted with the pendant around her neck, her fingers lightly tracing its smooth surface. "What if we don't fight our way out? What if we sneak out instead?"
Ren, who had been eerily quiet, finally looked up, his silver eyes sharp. "How do you propose we do that? We're chained up and powerless."
Rin bit her lip, glancing at Arthur and Lyra. "I'm just saying… brute force won't work here. We need to outthink them."
Lyra nodded, her serious demeanor surprising everyone. "She's right. The guards didn't even bother checking in on us after Julius left. That means they either think we're harmless or they're too arrogant to care. We can use that."
Reid perked up. "Arrogance, huh? My specialty."
Arthur ignored him and shifted his focus to the chains binding them. "These shackles are sturdy, but look here—" He tilted his wrist, showing the thin, brittle pin holding the cuffs' lock mechanism together. "They're relying on the mana suppression to keep us weak. Physically, this isn't as indestructible as it looks."
"So what do we do? Snap it with sheer willpower?" Reid teased, raising a brow.
"No," Arthur said dryly. "But if we can create enough leverage…" He glanced around the cell, his eyes landing on a small, loose stone near the base of the wall. "That might work."
Lyra picked up the stone, inspecting it. "It's sharp enough. If we wedge it in the mechanism and use some force, we can break the pin."
Arthur nodded. "Exactly. Let's start with mine. Once I'm out, I'll help the rest of you."
Rin handed the stone to Arthur, who carefully positioned it against the pin. "Keep watch," he murmured, his tone calm but focused.
Lyra moved to the bars, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of approaching guards. The rest of the group held their breath as Arthur applied steady pressure, the sound of scraping metal filling the air.
After a tense moment, there was a faint snap, and Arthur's shackles fell to the ground.
"Got it," he whispered, flexing his wrists.
"Great, now hurry up and do mine," Reid said, holding out his wrists.
"Patience," Arthur muttered, already working on the next set of chains.
One by one, the Starborn were freed, their movements cautious but purposeful. Arthur took the lead, peering through the bars. "The hall's empty. We'll need to stay low and move fast. There's no telling how long we have before the guards check on us."
Reid stretched dramatically, clearly unconcerned. "So what's the plan, oh fearless leader?"
"Simple," Arthur replied, his voice steady. "We find an exit, avoid getting caught, and figure out where they're keeping our weapons."
"And if we run into guards?" Ren asked, his tone sharp.
Arthur's gaze darkened. "We'll deal with it when it happens."
Sosuke rested a hand on Ren's shoulder. "We've got this. Stay focused."
Ren nodded, though his jaw was tight with frustration.
The group slipped out of the cell, their movements quiet and deliberate. The oppressive aura of the dungeon still lingered, but the flicker of hope in their eyes was undeniable.
Lyra paused at the end of the hall, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's a staircase up ahead. If this place is anything like what Julius said, the exit won't be easy to reach."
"Great," Reid muttered. "Love a good challenge."
Arthur shot him a warning look before motioning for the group to move forward. As they ascended the stairs, the air grew heavier, the tension palpable. They were far from safe, but for the first time since arriving in this hellish realm, they felt a spark of determination.
The real challenge was just beginning.
"Wait," Sosuke raised his hand, stopping the group. "We can't leave without our weapons."
"Escaping is more important than any tool," Arthur replied sharply, cutting through Sosuke's suggestion like a blade.
"But… mine is different. You don't understand." Sosuke's brow furrowed, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I need it. It's an extension of me. I can barely function without—"
A deafening crash from above interrupted him, followed by the chaotic clamor of guards yelling and rushing in all directions. Something—or someone—had attacked.
"Fine!" Arthur shouted, his voice barely cutting through the noise. "Let's hurry while they're distracted!"
The group bolted up the staircase, moving quickly and silently, following a series of directional signs carved into the stone walls.
"It's almost like they wanted us to find it," Reid quipped, his grin evident even in the dim light.
"Stop right there!" a deep, commanding voice boomed from the shadows of the long hallway ahead.
The group skidded to a halt, turning toward the source of the voice. Emerging from the darkness was an ominous figure. It wasn't a blight—but neither did it seem fully human.
The man stood tall and composed, clad in a crimson red suit reinforced with black armor. A black cloak draped over his shoulders, blending into the poorly lit hall. The golden glow of his mask's eyes pierced through the shadows, radiating menace.
"Just who are you kids?"
Sosuke instinctively stepped to the front of the group, his arm outstretched protectively. "Starborn."
"Never heard of it," the man replied, his tone disinterested. "You need to get out of here and back home."
Reid crossed his arms, smirking. "What do ya know? The mysterious man turns out to be an ally."
Before anyone could respond, a guttural roar echoed down the corridor. A guard appeared, charging around the corner behind the man. The towering blight's spear gleamed as it thrust forward, aiming for the figure's chest.
The man moved with terrifying speed, his form blending seamlessly into the dim surroundings. He sidestepped the spear, his movements fluid and precise, like a crimson shadow dancing through the chaos. His arms wrapped around one of the blight's massive limbs, and with a horrifying crunch, he tore it clean off.
"Hellflame," the man muttered coldly.
In one motion, he flipped backward, his leg arcing like a blade. When his foot connected with the blight's skull, it exploded with a burst of heat, the head splitting in half as the body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
The Starborn stared, stunned into silence.
"Keep moving," the man ordered, stepping over the remains of the guard. "I'll lead you out."
Arthur hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Alright, let's go."
The man took point, his movements swift and calculated as he guided them through the labyrinth of hallways. Every step felt like a gamble, but no guards intercepted them.
"Who are you?" Sosuke asked, his voice tense but grateful.
The man didn't break stride. "You can call me Crimson Shadow."
Reid chuckled, his arms still crossed. "Fitting."
Crimson Shadow led them to an unassuming door at the end of a narrow corridor. He pressed his gloved hand against it, and the lock clicked open with a faint glow of mana. "I figured you'd want your things back." Inside the stolen weapons and items lay on a table in the center of the room. Two guards raised their weapons and rushed toward Shadow without hesitation. "Just grab your things, I'll kill em."
Starborn moved swiftly, following the strangers orders and taking their things with them. They all followed Arthur's lead to the exit afterward, trusting Shadow with the guards they struggled so much with before.
Shadow clapped his hands together, igniting them in flames. He drove his fiery first through the first one's body, creating an explosive burning reaction. The second recoiled back, not expecting the force of Shadow's ability. Shadow effortlessly evaded the attack from the second guard and connected his fist with its face. It burst into flames, falling to its knees then collapsing entirely.
He sprinted out the room, catching up with the Starborn at unsettling speed. "The exits up here! You all better be ready to run even faster than this!"
As the exit drew closer, the anxiety was building up inside the team.