The flames danced on the walls, consuming them in an inferno that crackled and roared with ferocity. The searing heat warped the air, making it shimmer as if the world itself were breathing. Not too far from the blazing destruction, a small girl stood—unmoving, unyielding. Her long auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, glowing in the light of the flames like molten bronze. Her violet eyes, clear and deep as a polished amethyst, reflected the fire's glow. Yet, there was no fear in those eyes, only calm determination.
Before her lay another girl of the same age, crumpled on the ground. Her tangled brown hair was streaked with soot, and her striking blue eyes were wide, filled with pain and confusion. Tears streaked her dirt-smudged face as she tried to prop herself up on trembling arms, her breath shallow and ragged.
The auburn-haired girl knelt before her, her movements deliberate and gentle. Her voice, soft and soothing, carried over the din of the fire.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her violet eyes meeting the blue ones staring back at her.
The brown-haired girl swallowed hard, her lips trembling as she nodded weakly. "It… it hurts," she admitted, her voice barely audible over the roaring flames. Her gaze lingered on the reflection of herself in the other girl's mesmerizing violet eyes, framed by the flickering blaze.
The auburn-haired girl smiled softly, her expression unshaken. "Then hold my hand," she said, extending her delicate fingers toward the other girl. "Share it with me. The pain will go away."
The brown-haired girl hesitated for a moment, her small hand trembling as it reached out. The instant their fingers touched, a thread of shimmering violet light materialized between them. It curled around their hands like a living ribbon, wrapping around their fingers and weaving itself into a glowing bond. The violet thread grew brighter, radiating an otherworldly golden light that enveloped them both.
The golden glow replaced the fire's unbearable heat with comforting warmth. The pain that had wracked the brown-haired girl's body ebbed away, dissolving like mist in the sunlight. Her eyes widened as she stared at the auburn-haired girl, who had closed her eyes, her expression serene.
"It will be okay," the girl with violet eyes whispered, her voice like a lullaby. The golden light swirled around them in soft waves, casting the fire's fury into insignificance.
The brown-haired girl's breathing steadied, her body relaxing as the pain subsided. She felt the warmth seep into her very core, soothing and healing her in ways she couldn't understand. As her eyelids grew heavy, her last glimpse was of the auburn-haired girl's peaceful expression, the glow around them like a cocoon of safety.
The world faded into darkness.
When she opened her eyes again, she was staring at a white ceiling. The faint hum of medical equipment and the sterile scent of antiseptics told her she was in a hospital. Blinking slowly, she tried to process what she was seeing. The memory of flames, violet threads, and golden light felt distant, like the remnants of a fading memory.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the door to her room opened. Mira's familiar voice broke the silence.
"Captain! You're awake!" Mira exclaimed, stepping quickly into the room. Relief was evident in her expression as she approached Evelyn's bedside.
Evelyn turned her head, her gaze meeting Mira's. She saw the concern etched into her features, and behind her, the rest of her team entered the room—Kael, Finn, and Garret. Their faces mirrored Mira's relief, though they all looked worn out.
"What happened?" Evelyn asked, her voice dry but steady. She scanned their faces, trying to piece together the fragments of her memory.
Kael stepped forward, his tone serious. "We woke up two days ago, a few hours after collapsing in the dungeon," he explained. "But you... you've been out cold until now."
Mira nodded, adding, "We were so worried. You looked fine when you were brought out, but it took so long for you to wake up."
Evelyn frowned, her mind struggling to recall the events. "The dungeon... what happened there?" she asked.
The team exchanged glances, and Kael took the lead in recounting their experience.
"When the dungeon shift happened, we were scattered into different areas," Kael began. "Garret and I ended up together in a cavern that was like a furnace. Streams of molten lava cut through the ground, and the air shimmered with heat so intense it felt like breathing fire. And the monsters... they were unlike anything we'd seen before—volcanic hounds, their red eyes glowing like embers. They attacked relentlessly."
"We fought hard," Garret chimed in. "But the heat was draining, and the hounds just kept coming. It felt like we were fighting the whole dungeon."
"We managed to push forward," Kael continued. "Barely. We found a path that led to the lower floors, but by then, our stamina was almost gone."
Mira took over, recounting her and Finn's ordeal. "Finn and I were transported to what looked like ancient ruins. The floors were crumbling beneath our feet, and the air felt... heavy, like something was watching us. Spectral knights patrolled the area, their ghostly swords slicing through the air with this eerie precision."
Finn nodded, his expression still haunted. "They were terrifying. No matter how many we fought, more just appeared. It was like they were endless."
"We pressed on," Mira said, her voice tight with emotion. "Floor after floor, until we reached the last one. But by then, we were completely spent. Finn went down first, then Garret and Kael. I was the only one still standing when you and Aria found us."
Evelyn's brow furrowed as the pieces started to fall into place. "And then?" she prompted.
"I collapsed too," Mira admitted, her voice quieter. "Everything went dark after that."
Kael looked at Evelyn, his expression serious. "What happened to you, Captain? And Aria?"
Evelyn's gaze dropped to her hands as she tried to recall the events. "Aria and I were together after the dungeon shift," she said slowly. "We fought our way through the monsters, just like you did. Floor after floor, until we reached the last one. I remember watching you all collapse, surrounded by monsters. We kept fighting, but... after that, everything is hazy. I can't remember anything clearly."
Before Evelyn could press further, the door opened again, and a nurse entered. "I'm sorry," she said politely. "Visiting hours are over. You'll need to let Captain Evelyn rest."
The team exchanged uneasy glances but nodded. One by one, they left the room, Mira lingering for a moment before following the others out. Evelyn watched them go, frustration gnawing at her. Something felt wrong—like there was more to the story than they were telling her.
Outside the room, the team exhaled collectively, the tension that had been building during their conversation finally releasing.
"She doesn't know," Kael said, his voice low.
"Not yet," Mira replied, crossing her arms. "But—we'll have to tell her eventually."
Finn, who had been quiet since leaving the room, looked up. "She deserves to know, Mira. Aria—"
"Not now," Mira interrupted sharply. "She just woke up. Let her recover first."
Kael nodded reluctantly. "Mira's right. She's been through enough. We'll tell her when the time is right."
Finn frowned but said nothing more. The team stood in silence for a moment before dispersing, each of them carrying the weight of unspoken truths. Inside the hospital room, Evelyn lay staring at the ceiling, her mind churning. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something her team wasn't telling her—something about Aria, and what had really happened in that dungeon.
Three days had passed since Evelyn woke up in the hospital. Each day, her team members came to visit her, their conversations light and carefully skimming the surface. Evelyn noticed the unease they carried—unspoken concerns that they refused to share. But what gnawed at her the most was the absence of Aria.
No matter how many times she asked, her team would dodge the question, offering excuses or hastily changing the subject. It was a delicate dance, but Evelyn had grown tired of it.
On the third day, Mira arrived with Guild Master Vera Lennox. Vera was an imposing figure, her commanding presence softened only slightly by her genuine concern for those under her care. Her sharp, calculating green eyes seemed to miss nothing as she entered Evelyn's room.
"How are you feeling, Captain Ardane?" Vera asked, standing at the foot of the bed.
"I'm fine, Miss Vera," Evelyn replied, sitting upright. Her tone was polite but laced with an undercurrent of impatience. Her gaze shifted to Mira, who stood silently beside the Guild Master. "But I do have a question."
Vera tilted her head slightly, as if granting Evelyn permission to speak.
Evelyn looked directly at Mira. "For the past three days, all of you have visited me. You've told me stories, made small talk, and tried to reassure me that everything is fine. But not once has Aria visited me. And every time I've asked about her, all of you have made excuses or evaded the question. I'll ask again, Mira—where is Aria? Answer me. In all honesty."
Mira froze, guilt flashing across her face. She looked at Vera, who nodded, signaling her to speak.
"I..." Mira hesitated, her hands clenching at her sides. "I'm sorry, Captain. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how."
"Tell me what?" Evelyn's voice was tight with frustration, her blue eyes narrowing.
Mira took a deep breath, then began. "In the dungeon... after we were scattered, and after I fainted on the last floor... Aria—she—" Mira faltered, her words catching in her throat.
"Say it!" Evelyn demanded, her voice rising.
"I told her about your corruption," Mira blurted out. "I told her that you hadn't been using a guide. She—she tried to fix things. I don't know exactly what happened after that because I blacked out. But I know she stayed with you."
Evelyn's breath hitched. Her chest tightened as anger and worry churned inside her. "What do you mean she tried to fix things? What happened to her?" she asked, her voice trembling as she barely held onto her composure.
"Where is Aria? If all of us are safe, then what I last saw—her scream—what does that mean?" Evelyn's voice cracked as she shouted. "Tell me right now what happened!"
Vera stepped forward, placing herself between Evelyn and Mira. Her expression was firm but calm. "Evelyn, you need to calm down," she said sternly. "At this rate, you'll increase your corruption rate again, and it's only just come down."
Evelyn's head snapped toward Vera. "What do you mean, my corruption rate?" she demanded.
Vera sighed, her shoulders softening slightly. "Let me explain," she said, her tone more measured. "We don't know the full details of what happened, but based on Mira's account and what we observed after you all exited the dungeon, this is what we believe occurred."
Evelyn's fists clenched, but she nodded for Vera to continue.
"When Aria learned about your corruption," Vera said, her voice steady, "she must have realized how close you were to losing control. Your monitoring device showed your corruption level had reached 96%. That's... dangerously high, Evelyn. At that point, most people succumb to it."
Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest. She hadn't realized it had gotten so bad.
"But something happened," Vera continued. "In the final moments inside the dungeon, your corruption level began to drop. Rapidly. The only explanation we have is that Aria intervened. She guided you—helped you regain control, even when you were on the brink of losing it."
Evelyn's hands gripped the edges of her blanket. "And after that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"After you all lost consciousness," Vera said, her voice steady, "Aria carried each of you out of the dungeon. By herself."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "What?"
"One by one," Vera continued. "She handed you over to the medics and collapsed shortly after. Though her injuries weren't severe, she hasn't woken up yet."
Evelyn's breath came in short gasps. "She's... she's unconscious?"
Vera nodded. "Physically, she's fine. There are no signs of severe injury. But she hasn't woken up yet, and the medical team isn't sure why."
Evelyn's emotions surged like a tidal wave—anger at herself, fear for Aria, and guilt that she had been oblivious to the extent of her own corruption. "This is because of me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's my fault."
"Captain—" Mira began, but Vera raised a hand to silence her.
"This isn't the time for blame," Vera said firmly. "What matters now is that you focus on your recovery. Aria needs you to be strong."
Evelyn's fists tightened. "Take me to her," she demanded.
"Not yet," Vera said. "You're still recovering, and your corruption rate is being monitored closely. Your corruption level could spike again, and we can't risk that."
Evelyn glared at Vera, but she knew the Guild Master was right. She couldn't help Aria if she wasn't fully recovered. But the thought of Aria lying unconscious, after everything she had done for them, gnawed at her relentlessly.
"I'll recover," Evelyn said, her voice low but resolute. "And when I do, I'm going to find out what happened to Aria—and I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back."