Jin stepped cautiously into the cavern, the air thick with dampness and the scent of decay. The cave walls shimmered faintly with minerals, casting eerie reflections that barely illuminated the path ahead. His breath came in sharp bursts as he clutched his chains tightly, his body still aching from the earlier battle outside. The fruit he'd risked his life for was carefully secured inside a cloth bag strapped to his back.
The echoes of his footsteps bounced off the jagged walls as he ventured deeper. Shadows danced ominously across the cavern, hinting at hidden dangers lurking just beyond his sight. Yet Jin pressed forward, driven by equal parts curiosity and desperation. He had heard tales of dungeons like this—ancient ruins filled with traps, treasures, and horrors—but never imagined he would find himself inside one.
Suddenly, voices echoed from further in. Jin froze, his heart pounding. He edged closer, keeping low as he peered around a rocky corner.
There they were—the Snow Wolf Escort and the Flareborn Clan.
The two groups stood together, their torches flickering against the dark. But something was wrong. Their faces were tense, their weapons drawn—not in defense, but out of frustration.
"We're trapped!" one warrior from the Snow Wolf Escort shouted, slamming his sword against the towering iron gate that sealed the entrance.
"No matter how much force we use, it won't budge," another from the Flareborn Clan added.
Jin's eyes narrowed. So they were stuck. A closer look revealed a series of intricate symbols etched along the gate and the walls—a locking mechanism that likely required precision and skill to open rather than brute strength.
Feeling a mixture of amusement and unease, Jin stepped into the torchlight.
"Need a hand?"
The sudden appearance of the boy caused weapons to rise instinctively before recognition set in.
"It's him! The wood carrier!" one warrior muttered.
Ronan, the leader of the Snow Wolf Escort, eyed Jin suspiciously. "You survived? Impressive. But what are you doing here?"
Jin smirked. "Looks like I'm not the only one lost in the mountains."
Kyle, the Flareborn leader, gritted his teeth. "Don't play games, boy. If you can open this gate, do it now. We don't have time to waste!"
Jin shrugged. "And if I say no?"
Kyle's glare sharpened, but Ronan quickly interrupted. "Listen, we don't have time for arguments. If you can help us, you'll get a share of the treasure. How about it?"
Jin weighed his options. Despite his distrust, he needed allies if he wanted to survive whatever awaited inside. "Deal," he said.
---
Jin examined the symbols carefully. Instead of using mana, he relied on his sharp eyes and steady hands. Twisting and pressing the markings like intricate puzzles, he unlocked the gate through pure logic and observation. With a final click, the gate creaked open.
The warriors stepped through cautiously, their torches revealing a vast chamber filled with pillars and crumbled statues. At its center lay a massive stone door, partially ajar, with flickering blue light seeping through the cracks.
As they advanced, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The first trap triggered—a hail of spikes shot out from the walls. Chaos erupted as warriors scrambled for cover.
Jin barely avoided a spike that grazed his shoulder, and one unlucky Flareborn soldier screamed as a spear impaled his leg.
"Move!" Kyle barked, rallying his men to push forward while leaving the injured behind.
Jin clenched his teeth, helping one of the fallen men to safety before catching up with the group.
Trap after trap greeted them—collapsing floors, poisoned arrows, and even spectral beasts summoned by ancient mechanisms. The dungeon claimed lives mercilessly. Screams filled the air, but Jin pressed on, saving whoever he could along the way.
Yet, he noticed the uneasy glances from the Snow Wolf Escort. Whispers passed between them, especially from Kyle and Ronan, whose eyes seemed to linger on Jin more than the dangers ahead.
Finally, after hours of struggle, they reached the final chamber.
The treasure rested atop a stone pedestal—a crimson orb pulsating with heat, bathing the room in a fiery glow.
"The Emberheart!" Kyle exclaimed, his voice filled with greed.
As the warriors reached for it, the chamber began to shake violently. Statues lining the walls came to life, their stone forms wielding massive weapons.
A battle erupted, but this time, the warriors fought with desperation. Jin jumped into the fray, using his chains to shatter stone limbs and protect the others. Despite his exhaustion, he refused to fall.
Finally, the last guardian crumbled, leaving the group panting and bloodied.
"It's ours," Kyle said, cradling the orb.
But Jin felt something was wrong. The looks they gave him—cold and calculating—set off alarm bells.
Before he could react, Ronan shoved him hard. Jin stumbled back just as the floor beneath him gave way.
"No!" Jin shouted, clawing at the edge, but Kyle stepped forward and stomped on his fingers.
"You were useful," Kyle said with a smirk, "but we can't share this prize with a worthless loser."
Jin's grip slipped.
He fell.
Darkness swallowed him as the sound of laughter and fading footsteps echoed above.
---
Jin's body crashed into the depths, pain flaring through him as he tumbled into the unknown. The air was thick, heavy, and suffocating. His breathing quickened, but he forced himself to move.
Wincing, he pushed himself up, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The walls around him glowed faintly with strange markings, and the air buzzed with an ominous energy.
Rage boiled inside him as he staggered to his feet.
They betrayed him.
Kyle. Ronan. The Snow Wolf Escort.
He clenched his fists.
But they underestimated him.
Jin wiped the blood from his mouth and looked ahead into the abyss.
If this was where they left him to die, then he would survive—and he would rise stronger than ever.
---