The party trudged through the dungeon's lower floors, each battle and challenge taking its toll. Yet, amid the chaos and darkness, they found something that shifted the balance of their powers—a series of sinister relics tied to dark gods of myth. These items would not only elevate their strength but bind them to forces far darker than they could have imagined.
The first discovery had been a Fire Staff for Holly, found in a chamber where the flames of an ancient pyre still burned bright. This staff, carved from the bones of long-dead creatures, bore the mark of Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of war and destruction, often associated with fire and bloodshed. Holly, her eyes glowing with fiery intent, felt the power surge through her as she grasped the staff. The flames she conjured felt fiercer, as though the destructive spirit of Sekhmet had awakened within her, intensifying her ability to manipulate fire to devastating levels.
For Raven, the party's water mage, the treasure they discovered was a Crystal Orb of Water, unlike anything they had seen. The orb seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow, its interior constantly shifting like dark tides beneath the surface. It was imbued with the essence of Dagon, the ancient Mesopotamian god of the deep and the father of monstrous sea creatures. Raven's hands tingled with cold energy as she touched the orb, a chilling sense of power overwhelming her. The orb granted her dominion over the element of water, but with it came a darkness—a pull towards the abyss that would tempt her to unleash the destructive force of the sea upon their enemies.
Garret, the earth mage, found a Helm of the Stone Guardian, a dark relic that pulsed with forbidden energy. The helm, forged from the very stones of an ancient, cursed temple, bore the symbol of Geb, the primordial the earth. As Garret placed the helm upon his head, he felt an unnatural connection to the earth, one that allowed him to control stone and soil with frightening precision. But it wasn't just power; it was a link to the very core of the world, one that whispered dark promises in his ears and tugged at his very soul.
William, by contrast, found nothing, his Darkness element too weak and misunderstood. But the relics his companions had acquired made them stronger than ever. It was bittersweet for him, knowing that his Darkness was still too insignificant to be of any use, though he would never show his frustration.
The party arrived at the door to the 4th-floor boss room. A chilling silence blanketed the area, and the air was heavy with a suffocating energy that seemed to sap their strength before they even entered. The door, engraved with symbols of long-forgotten deities, opened to reveal a vast chamber.
The ground was cracked, with fissures running deep into the earth, and the walls were lined with grotesque statues of dark gods, their faces twisted in agony. Faint whispers echoed through the room, as if the very air was alive with malevolent energy. At the far end of the chamber, an altar loomed, its surface stained with dried blood, and at its center stood a towering figure draped in shadow.
"This... this doesn't feel right," Garret muttered, his voice tense as his eyes scanned the room. "We need to be ready for anything."
Raven's hand gripped her Crystal Orb of Water tightly, her eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. "We have to finish this," she said. "We can't turn back now."
Holly raised her Fire Staff, the flames flickering ominously. "Destiny is with us," she murmured. "This ends here."
William, standing off to the side, felt the weight of the moment. His Darkness powers might be weak, but he would not stand idly by. He focused, channeling the shadows around him, gathering them in preparation for whatever came next.
As they stepped into the room, the whispers grew louder, a cacophony of voices that rattled their very souls.
The adventurers stood at the edge of a vast cavern, its size unfathomable. The stench of sulfur and decay filled the air, and the ground beneath them trembled slightly with each beat of what could only be described as a monstrous heart. The walls of the cavern were lined with jagged rocks, illuminated by the sickly green glow of ethereal light emanating from pools of viscous liquid that dotted the landscape.
The group hesitated. They had seen countless dangers in this dungeon, fought terrifying monsters, and survived the worst of traps, but this felt different. The ominous feeling pressing down on them was unlike anything they had encountered. And then they saw it.
At the far end of the cavern, perched atop a mound of broken stone and bones, was a Dark Dragon—its scales as black as midnight, with streaks of crimson red running along its spine. The dragon's wings were spread wide, and its eyes glowed with an otherworldly fire, burning with malice and intelligence. It let out a low, rumbling growl, the sound vibrating through the cavern like thunder.
William's heart raced in his chest, but he stood by his companions, ready to fight. His G-rank Darkness element still felt weak, but he had learned to adapt over time, making use of every trick his limited abilities allowed.
"We're going to need everything we've got for this," Alden said, his hand resting on his bow as his eyes stayed focused on the beast. "Stay sharp."
Raven, Holly, Garret, and the rest of the group braced themselves for the battle ahead. The dragon's massive claws dug into the stone floor as it lifted its head, roaring into the cavernous expanse. The very air around it seemed to distort with the power it exuded.
The battle began almost immediately.
The Dark Dragon unleashed a torrent of shadow-infused fire, sending waves of dark flames crashing toward them. Raven, using her water element, created an enormous shield to absorb the flames, the steam rising from the impact. Holly responded with her own fiery magic, casting explosive fireballs that collided with the dragon's thick scales but did little to harm it.
Garret, with the Helm of Geb now firmly placed on his head, slammed his mace into the ground, causing the earth beneath the dragon's feet to quake, summoning stone pillars to rise up and try to bind the beast. The dragon screeched in anger as its massive wings swept down, shattering the pillars and sending Garret sprawling backward.
Alden's arrows, infused with wind, streaked through the air toward the dragon's exposed underbelly. Each arrow struck with precision, but the creature's armor-like scales seemed to deflect the attacks. The dragon roared in frustration, snapping its fangs at the group as it flapped its wings, sending gusts of wind that knocked them off their feet.
The fight was long and brutal.
For what seemed like hours, the dragon used its dark breath attacks and devastating claws to keep the group at bay. Raven's water shield protected them from some of the attacks, while Holly's fire magic provided offensive power. Garret's earth-based attacks created tremors and stone barriers that helped to slow the dragon's movements, but it was a relentless, overwhelming force.
But even as the battle raged on, the dragon's eyes began to glow brighter, its energy shifting. It seemed to be calculating, watching the group's every move, studying them like prey. William could feel it—a dark, oppressive force pressing down on them all. He could sense the creature's intelligence, and something about it made him feel unease.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the dragon spoke. Its voice was deep and resonant, echoing in their minds.
"You fight well, mortals, but you are not worthy of the treasures you seek. Still, I admire your persistence."
The group paused, their weapons at the ready, but the dragon's voice sent a chill through their bones.
"What do you mean?" Raven demanded, her voice laced with suspicion.
The dragon's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, it simply observed them. Then it spoke again, this time with a dark amusement in its voice.
"I will give you a choice," the dragon said, its tail flicking behind it like a serpent's. "The treasures you desire—the items you have found, the very relics you cherish—will be yours. I will allow you to leave with them… but in exchange…"
It paused, letting the words hang in the air like a heavy weight.
"You must leave one of your own behind," the dragon continued, its eyes now fixed on William. "The one who is weakest… the one who is already destined for the abyss."
The group froze. William's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing. He didn't understand. Weakest? Was the dragon talking about him?
"I-I don't—" William began, but Raven's sharp gaze silenced him.
"William," she said, her voice low and filled with an edge he hadn't expected. "Stay quiet."
Raven's eyes flicked to the dragon, her expression unreadable. She was calculating, weighing the options in her mind. William had always been weak, his abilities barely above G-rank, and he had been a mule for the group, serving them with his weak stealth abilities. They had barely made it this far—he had been nothing more than a liability in their eyes.
The dragon's voice echoed again, as if it could read their thoughts. "The choice is simple. Leave the boy, and take your treasures. Fight and die for him, and I shall ensure that none of you leave this place alive. What is your decision?"
William stood there, his breath shallow, his heart pounding in his chest. The room was silent except for the dragon's ominous growls. Raven's gaze was still fixed on the beast. Then, her eyes shifted toward William.
He could see it in her face—hesitation. It lasted only a moment, but it was there. He couldn't be sure if she was contemplating the dragon's offer or weighing something else entirely. And then, the decision was made.
Raven turned back to the dragon, her voice cold and calculating. "We will leave him."
William's chest tightened. The words cut through him like a blade.
The dragon's eyes glowed with approval. "Very well. You will leave your sacrifice, and in exchange, you will take the treasures."
The dragon's massive wings flapped, and the cavern shook with the power. It moved to the side, revealing the treasures it had promised—crystal orbs, armor, and relics, each one more magnificent than the last.
But none of that mattered to William. His world was crashing down around him. The betrayal, the abandonment—it all hit him like a tidal wave.
The dragon's dark laughter filled the cavern as the rest of the group moved to claim their spoils, walking past him without so much as a glance. Raven, Garret, Alden, and Holly passed him by, their eyes averted, their faces unreadable.
He was nothing more than a pawn in their game.
And as the dragon loomed over him, William knew that his fate had already been sealed.
The Dark Dragon loomed ominously over William, its immense form casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the light. Its crimson eyes glowed with malevolent delight as it surveyed its captive, savoring the palpable fear emanating from him. To the dragon, unlike the trembling humans who quaked in terror, William was nothing more than a source of amusement. A prize, an instrument of suffering, to be savored before his inevitable demise.
At the far end of the room, the adventurers stood, near the exit, paralyzed by the dragon's chilling proposition. It offered them the treasures they had fought so hard to obtain—the fire staff, the crystal orb, and the helmet—in exchange for their betrayal. The goal was within reach, yet the dragon demanded a price.
And that price was William's life.
Raven, her dark hair flowing in the subtle breeze stirred by the dragon's presence, exchanged a brief, knowing glance with Alden. Her lips curled into the faintest of smiles, one that hinted at anticipation, as if she had been waiting for this moment. Her gaze never wavered from the dragon, and with a slow, deliberate nod, she spoke.
"We'll leave," Raven said, her voice ice-cold but measured, "but you must honor your word."
The dragon tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing as it savored her words. "You may leave," it rumbled, "but your companion will remain."
Alden, his hand resting lightly on his bow, allowed his gaze to linger on William for the briefest of moments. "He was dead weight," he said flatly. "This is the price for the treasures. We all knew what we signed up for."
Garret, the earth-elementalist, let out a heavy sigh. "He was always a liability. Couldn't even fight properly. He's lucky to be alive."
Holly, the fire mage, crossed her arms and cast one final, dismissive glance at William. "He was a mule. Nothing more. He knew the risks."
None of them turned back to look at William as they made their way toward the exit, each step devoid of hesitation. Not a single word of remorse or regret passed their lips. They had made their choice, and there was no turning back.
William's heart pounded in his chest, his breath ragged as the crushing weight of their betrayal took root. His hands trembled as he tried, futilely, to reach for them, but they were already at the door. The dragon, however, ensured that all he could do was watch.
"Go," the dragon purred, its voice dark and thick with satisfaction. "Leave him. Your treasures await."
With one final, indifferent glance at their former comrade, the adventurers fled through the door. No remorse. No guilt. Just the cold satisfaction of survival. To them, William was nothing more than a casualty in their pursuit of power.
As the door slammed shut, the dragon turned its full attention to William, its enormous maw stretching into a grotesque, tooth-filled grin. It was time to feast.
The dragon moved closer, its massive claws reaching down to scoop William into the air. The air around them thickened with the stench of death, its decay seeping into the very fabric of the room. The dragon's eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as it scrutinized its helpless prey.
"Now, for the fun part," the dragon murmured, its voice dripping with dark amusement. "I could end this quickly—a snap of the neck, a quick burn. But that would be too merciful."
The dragon dropped William to the stone floor with a sickening thud, its tail wrapping around him like iron chains, pinning him in place. His vision swam with pain as the creature loomed over him, savoring the moment. The cold, malevolent gaze of the dragon never left his face, delighting in the slow, inevitable end that was about to unfold.
"I'm not going to kill you quickly," the dragon chuckled darkly. "No, I want to hear your screams. I want to savor every agonizing moment."
The dragon's claws descended, raking through William's side with cruel precision, tearing through his armor and digging deep into his flesh. William's scream echoed through the room as the blood poured freely, staining the stone beneath him. But the dragon's hunger was far from satisfied.
Its tail, sharp and spiked like a vicious whip, lashed out, wrapping around William's torso, crushing the air from his lungs. The pain was unimaginable, but the dragon held him firm, its gaze a constant reminder of the torment to come.
"You're so fragile," the dragon crooned, its voice rich with dark pleasure. "But so wonderfully full of fear. I can feel the trembling in your heart. The quiver in your limbs. It's exquisite."
William's chest heaved as he gasped for breath, his mind clouded by pain. He tried to summon his powers, to call upon the Darkness within him, but it was weak, far too weak to fight against the dragon's overwhelming strength. His limbs were immobilized, his throat constricted. All he could do was endure.
The dragon leaned in, its breath searing against William's skin, a hot, suffocating presence. It smiled down at him, relishing in the helplessness that shone in his eyes.
"Your companions left you behind," the dragon hissed, its voice a venomous whisper. "They'll never know how sweet it was to hear you scream. How much pleasure I took in your suffering. But I will savor every moment."
The dragon's claws sank deeper into William's chest, tearing through his flesh as though it were paper. It reveled in the slow, drawn-out destruction, taking delight in the fading light in William's eyes. The creature was in no hurry, it wanted to extend the agony.
With a wicked laugh, the dragon tightened its grip, crushing the life from William's broken body with one final, agonizing squeeze. But the dragon wasn't finished yet. No, it wanted more. It released William's mangled form, only to puncture his chest again, each motion deliberate, each shred of flesh savored.
William's screams were barely audible now, his body too weak to protest. The dragon, lost in its sadistic indulgence, continued its cruel feast, savoring every bite, every tortured scream, every last shred of life that flickered within William.
"Goodbye," the dragon whispered, its voice dripping with venom. "You were nothing but a meal."
With one final, brutal strike, the dragon sank its teeth into William's flesh, tearing him apart as it consumed him alive, relishing every moment of agony, every morsel of his life force slipping away.
As William Colwen's soul spiraled through the currents of the reincarnation cycle, a soothing light began to emerge in the distance. It beckoned to him with a promise of peace, the final rest he thought he'd earned. The pain of betrayal, the agony of his death, each step in that tragic spiral began to fade, replaced by a gentle pull toward the afterlife.
But just as he reached the threshold, an ancient force intervened.
The pull was sudden, commanding, and inescapable. It tore through the serene flow of the cycle, wrenching William's soul from its destined path. In an instant, the light was gone, replaced by a vast, shrouded void. Here, time and space seemed meaningless, and the air itself felt dense with a presence older than life itself.
This was the Nether.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint rustling of unseen forces. At the heart of the realm loomed the Nether Tree, its vast, sprawling roots piercing the endless dark. Its trunk shimmered with hues of deep obsidian, streaked with faint veins of pulsing energy. Its branches stretched infinitely upward, their tips lost in an endless twilight sky.
William's soul was pulled toward the tree, not by choice but by design. He felt its presence before he could see it fully, a profound awareness that reached into his very essence.
"William Colwen," a voice reverberated, filling the void. It was neither cruel nor kind but resonated with a gravity that demanded attention. "You are here because I have called you."
"Who—what are you?" William's voice was unsteady, a fragment of his spirit trembling in awe.
"I am the Nether Tree, a shard of what once was. I am the anchor of this realm and the arbiter of the shadows that bind it. You, William Colwen, are not here by chance. I have summoned you to offer you a choice."
"A choice?" he asked, his confusion sharpening into suspicion. "Why me? Why pull me from the cycle?"
The Nether Tree pulsed faintly, its light ebbing in rhythm with the voice that followed. "Your soul burns with pain, purpose, and a bond that cannot be severed by death. It is this bond that caught my attention—a thread of devotion, stronger than most. Tell me, why do you linger on the edge of your demise? What holds you from letting go?"
William's thoughts turned to Emily. Her face filled his mind, her stubborn smile and the way she always believed in him, even when he didn't believe in himself. She was alone now, left behind in a world as dangerous as it was unpredictable. His chest ached at the thought of abandoning her.
"My sister," he said, his voice steady despite the emotions rising within him. "She's all I have left. I can't leave her. She has no one else."
The Nether Tree's branches swayed faintly, their movement more felt than seen. "A noble answer, but one wrought with consequence. You cannot return as you were, William Colwen. Death has claimed you, and life will not receive you without great cost."
"What cost?" William asked, a mix of hope and fear rising in his voice.
the leaves of the tree sway in the wind, "What cost indeed young one!"