Sean lay on his bed, staring at the wooden beams above. The whispering voices of the other children still echoed in his mind, blending with the memories of the sneering townsfolk and the dull ache of abandonment. He closed his eyes, willing sleep to take him, even if it was just a temporary reprieve from reality. Slowly, exhaustion dragged him under.
But peace didn't come.
The dream began innocuously—a vast, empty field stretching endlessly under a blood-red sky. He was alone, the air around him eerily still, almost suffocating. Then, the silence shattered. Screams erupted from all directions, piercing his ears and making his heart race.
Sean turned, his breath catching in his throat. Dark, grotesque creatures surged across the field, their twisted forms unlike anything he had ever imagined. Their eyes glowed an unnatural green, and their bodies oozed with black ichor. Jagged claws slashed through anyone in their path—men, women, children—all falling like fragile dolls. The ground beneath their feet turned slick with blood as the monsters advanced, leaving destruction in their wake.
Sean wanted to run, to flee from the horror, but his legs felt rooted in place. He could only watch as the chaos unfolded before him. One of the creatures turned its gaze toward him, its soulless green eyes locking onto his. It let out a guttural roar, its malformed body lunging toward him with terrifying speed.
Sean screamed.
He bolted upright in his bed, gasping for air. Cold sweat clung to his skin, and his heart hammered against his ribs. For a moment, he sat frozen, the vivid imagery of the nightmare seared into his mind. The massacre, the creatures, their unrelenting cruelty—it all felt too real.
He ran a hand through his damp hair, his fingers trembling. *What was that?* he thought, trying to make sense of it. But no matter how much he tried to piece it together, the dream eluded him, like grains of sand slipping through his fingers.
Shaking his head, Sean swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. The room was still dark, the faint light of dawn barely filtering through the window. He decided to shower and get ready for the day, hoping the routine would help clear his mind.
The orphanage provided the essentials—soap, plain uniforms, and meals—but nothing beyond the bare minimum. After his shower, Sean dressed in his well-worn uniform and headed to the small dining area. Breakfast was a simple bowl of porridge, accompanied by the distant chatter of the other children. They kept their distance, as always, but Sean didn't mind. He had grown used to eating alone.
Once finished, he gathered his schoolbag and left the orphanage. The orphanage paid for his tuition at the local school, a small institution that served those who couldn't afford the luxury of magical education. While other children attended the prestigious Lunaria Academy, Sean and his peers were left to study basic subjects in cramped classrooms. It wasn't glamorous, but it was something.
As Sean approached the school gates, he noticed a peculiar energy in the air. Students clustered in groups, their voices filled with excitement. Some gestured animatedly, while others laughed and chattered with barely contained glee. Sean frowned, a flicker of curiosity stirring within him.
"What's going on?" he muttered under his breath.
The urge to ask someone gnawed at him, but he quickly dismissed the thought. *What's the point?* No one would answer him. He was invisible to them—unless they wanted someone to mock.
With a dejected sigh, Sean pushed past the crowd and made his way to his classroom. The corridor was quieter, but as he approached his class, a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. The door was slightly ajar, and muffled laughter came from within. Sean hesitated, his instincts screaming that something was off. But he had no choice. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.
The instant he stepped inside, a bucket of foul-smelling water tipped over, drenching him from head to toe. The liquid splashed onto the floor, pooling around his feet as laughter erupted from the students.
"Nice one!" someone shouted, their voice brimming with amusement.
"Guess curses don't repel water!" another added, their words cutting through the laughter like a blade.
Sean stood frozen for a moment, the cold, disgusting water dripping from his hair and uniform. His fists clenched at his sides, but he refused to react. That was what they wanted. Silently, he grabbed a rag from a nearby shelf and began wiping his face and clothes. The laughter continued, echoing in his ears as he made his way to his seat at the back of the class.
"Enough!"
The sharp voice of their teacher silenced the room. Mr. Dallin entered, his stern expression sweeping over the students. He was a tall man with graying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor. His presence alone was enough to command respect—though Sean suspected it was more out of fear than admiration.
"Settle down, all of you," Mr. Dallin said, his tone firm. The students quickly straightened in their seats, the remnants of their laughter dying out.
Sean kept his gaze fixed on his desk, his soaked uniform clinging uncomfortably to his skin.
Once the class was quiet, Mr. Dallin began speaking. He greeted them and went over the day's agenda, his voice steady and measured. But there was a noticeable shift in his tone when he addressed them again.
"As you've likely heard," Mr. Dallin said, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "the school has been granted the rare opportunity to participate in a dungeon exploration trip."
The classroom erupted into chaos. Excited whispers and gasps filled the air, and some students couldn't contain their cheers. Sean's head shot up, his heart skipping a beat.
A dungeon trip?
Mr. Dallin raised his hands, motioning for silence. "Yes, yes, I know you're all thrilled," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "This is a unique experience, and one that very few get to have. However, I must remind you that dungeons are not without danger. You'll need to be cautious and follow instructions at all times."
Sean's chest tightened. A dungeon trip was unlike anything he had ever experienced. Dungeons were places of mystery, filled with treasures and monsters alike. For those with magic, they were opportunities to prove their strength and gain valuable resources.
But for someone like Sean? It was terrifying. He couldn't shake the image of the creatures from his nightmare, their glowing eyes and jagged claws.
As the students around him buzzed with excitement, Sean sat frozen in his seat, torn between fear and the nagging sense that this trip would change everything.