The village of Black Hollow was in ruins. The dungeon's emergence had left a scar on the land, and the survivors huddled together in the square, their faces pale with shock. Leon sat on the edge of the well, his hands trembling as he clutched the rusty dagger. Lila leaned against him, her small frame shivering despite the warm night air.
"Leon," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What was that thing?"
Leon shook his head, his mind still reeling from the encounter. "I don't know," he admitted. "But it's gone now. We're safe."
Safe. The word felt hollow. The dungeon loomed in the distance, its dark spires piercing the sky like jagged teeth. The runes on its walls pulsed with an eerie light, casting long shadows over the village. Leon couldn't shake the feeling that the dungeon was alive, watching them.
"Leon," a voice called out, breaking the silence. It was Old Man Garret, his face grim as he approached. "You've got some explaining to do."
Leon looked up, his heart sinking. Garret's eyes were hard, and the other villagers were staring at him with a mix of fear and suspicion.
"What do you mean?" Leon asked, though he already knew the answer.
"You went into that… that thing," Garret said, his voice trembling with anger. "And you came out alive. How?"
Leon hesitated. He didn't have an answer. He had acted on instinct, driven by the need to save Lila. But now, as he thought back, he realized how impossible it all seemed. He had faced a monster—a creature that should have killed him—and somehow, he had survived.
"I don't know," he said finally. "I just… I couldn't let Lila die."
Garret's expression softened, but only slightly. "You're lucky to be alive, boy. But that thing… it's not natural. It's evil. And you brought it here."
Leon's stomach churned. "I didn't bring it here," he protested. "It just… appeared."
"And you're the only one who went inside," Garret shot back. "What if you woke it up? What if you're the reason it's here?"
The accusation hit Leon like a punch to the gut. He opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out. The villagers were murmuring now, their fear turning to anger.
"He's cursed," someone said.
"He's dangerous," another added.
Leon's heart raced. He had always been an outcast, but this was different. This was worse.
"Enough!" a voice boomed, cutting through the noise. Everyone turned to see a tall, hooded figure striding into the square. The man's face was hidden in shadow, but his presence was commanding. Leon recognized him immediately—it was the traveler who had saved him earlier.
"Kael," Leon whispered.
Kael ignored him, addressing the crowd instead. "This boy is not your enemy," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The dungeon is. And if you waste your time blaming him, you'll all be dead by morning."
The villagers fell silent, their anger giving way to fear. Kael turned to Leon, his piercing gaze locking onto his.
"Come with me," he said. "We need to talk."
---
Leon followed Kael to the edge of the village, where the forest loomed like a dark wall. The traveler stopped beneath a gnarled oak tree and turned to face him.
"You've got potential, Leon," Kael said without preamble. "I felt it the moment I saw you. But potential means nothing if you don't know how to use it."
Leon frowned. "Potential? I'm the weakest person in the village. I can't even lift a sword."
Kael chuckled. "Strength isn't just about muscles, boy. It's about willpower. Determination. And you've got both. You just don't know it yet."
Leon didn't know what to say. He had spent his entire life being told he was worthless. Hearing someone—anyone—say he had potential was… strange.
"What do you want from me?" he asked finally.
Kael's expression turned serious. "The dungeons are a threat to this world. They're not just random occurrences—they're part of something bigger. And I believe you're connected to them."
Leon's heart skipped a beat. "Connected? How?"
"I don't know yet," Kael admitted. "But I intend to find out. And if you want to protect your sister, you'll come with me."
Leon glanced back at the village, where Lila was still sitting by the well. She looked so small, so vulnerable. He thought of his mother, lying in bed, her life slipping away. He thought of the promise he had made.
"Okay," he said, turning back to Kael. "I'll come with you."
---
The next morning, Leon and Kael set out for the forest. Lila had begged to come with them, but Leon had refused. He couldn't risk her life again. Instead, he left her in the care of Old Man Garret, who had reluctantly agreed to look after her.
As they walked, Kael explained the basics of magic. "Magic is everywhere," he said. "In the air, the earth, the water. It's a force that connects all living things. But only a few can harness it."
"And I'm one of them?" Leon asked, skeptical.
"You are," Kael said. "But your magic is… different. I can't explain it yet, but I know it's tied to the dungeons."
Leon didn't know how to feel about that. The idea of being connected to those terrifying places made his skin crawl. But if it meant he could protect Lila, he was willing to learn.
They stopped in a clearing, and Kael handed Leon a small, glowing crystal. "This is a mana crystal," he explained. "It's a conduit for magic. Hold it in your hand and focus."
Leon did as he was told, closing his eyes and concentrating. At first, nothing happened. But then he felt a faint warmth in his chest, like a spark igniting. The crystal began to glow brighter, and a strange energy flowed through him.
"Good," Kael said, sounding impressed. "Now, try to shape it. Imagine it as a weapon."
Leon frowned, trying to picture a sword in his mind. The energy responded, swirling around him and taking on a faint, blade-like shape. But before he could fully form it, the energy dissipated, leaving him breathless.
"Not bad for your first try," Kael said with a grin. "You've got a long way to go, but you're on the right track."
Leon nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had a purpose. And he was determined to see it through.
---