23.- A Home in The shadows

The air inside the dungeon was cool and damp as Sebastian and the young woman crossed the entrance from the forest. The contrast between the bright sunlight outside and the bluish gloom inside enveloped them like a familiar embrace. They had spent a whole day exploring the outside world, but now they were back, and something in the young woman seemed to vibrate with excitement. Her steps were quicker, almost eager, as she guided him down the corridor towards the main chamber, her warm hand clasping his.

"Where are we going so fast?" he asked, smiling at her enthusiasm. She didn't answer with words—she never did—but she gave him a bright look, her green eyes sparkling with a spark he already recognized: she wanted to show him something.

They reached the main chamber, where the red orb floated above its pedestal, emitting a soft hum that resonated against the stone walls. The young woman let go of his hand and ran towards the orb, her fingers brushing the air in front of it. A blue hologram materialized with a flicker, filled with icons that spun like fireflies. She smiled—a wide, genuine smile—and touched one decisively.

The orb pulsed, sending a wave of energy that made the floor tremble beneath Sebastian's feet. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, reaching for a wall for support as the chamber began to change. The cold, damp stones were covered with green vines and spongy moss, softening every edge until they resembled velvet. The floor transformed into a carpet of fresh grass, dotted with wildflowers—violets, yellows, whites—that sprouted as if summer had suddenly arrived. A sweet, earthy scent filled the air, mingling with the smell of moss and stone they knew so well.

The young woman spread her arms and spun around, laughing soundlessly, her green hair waving like a waterfall. It was a spectacle—not just the transformation, but she herself, so alive and free. Sebastian stared at her, wide-eyed. "How…?" he murmured, more to himself than to her.

She stopped, pointing to the hologram and then to the walls, the floor, the flowers, as if saying: I did this. Her eyes gleamed with pride, and he nodded, a mix of awe and warmth growing in his chest. "You're amazing," he said, his voice soft but firm. There was no doubt or fear this time, just pure admiration.

He liked seeing her like this—happy, powerful, sharing her world with him. She came closer and took his hand again, squeezing it with a smile that said more than words could. Then, she returned to the hologram and touched another icon. The dungeon shook again, a deep roar echoing from its depths. Sebastian staggered, half-laughing as he leaned on her. "Not again!" he joked, but she remained steady, her eyes fixed on the hologram with an almost playful concentration.

The ceiling creaked and opened, revealing a stone staircase that climbed into the darkness. At the same time, the entire chamber seemed to sink with a soft hum, as if the dungeon were growing from below. "Wait… are we going down a level?" Sebastian said, looking around. The walls were now deeper, more marked by time. They had moved to the fifth level, and a new floor loomed above them.

The young woman let out a sigh of excitement, her fingers trembling as she looked at the staircase. There was so much to do, so much to discover, and he could feel it in her grip—it was her world, and she was its heart. "Let's go," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She looked at him, nodded enthusiastically, and together they climbed the steps, Esmeralda following them with silent steps.

The fourth floor greeted them with a denser gloom, the air cold and heavy with moisture. The walls were covered with twisted roots and fungi that glowed with a soft light, painting dancing shadows on the floor. Huge stalactites hung from the ceiling like fangs, forming a natural labyrinth. Sebastian felt a chill, but not of fear—there was something alive here, an energy that seemed to whisper around him.

The young woman stopped, closing her eyes for a moment. He watched her, curious, as she extended a hand, as if touching something invisible. Then, with a quick gesture, she moved her fingers, and the stalactites began to twist. They lengthened and curved, forming a winding path that disappeared into the darkness. The walls creaked, opening small niches where she placed some of the gems from the goblin chest—red, blue, green. The gems shone instantly, illuminating the corridor with multicolored sparkles that seemed to pulse.

Sebastian stepped forward, marveling. "How do you do that?" he asked, turning to her with a smile. She pointed to the hologram—still floating in her mind, he supposed—and then raised her hands to the ceiling, as if shaping the air itself. He laughed, shaking his head. "It's incredible. You're like… an artist with this place."

She smiled, proud, and took his hand again, guiding him along the path she had created. As they explored, he noticed how moss grew beneath their feet, how the roots seemed to lean towards her. It was her home, and she was making it more hers with every step. "You know," he said, looking at the flowers that sprouted in a corner, "with a little work, this could be cozy. Maybe some aromatic herbs, some light… a place for us."

She looked at him, tilting her head, and then nodded quickly, as if she loved the idea. Together, they continued walking, hand in hand, transforming and discovering. The dungeon didn't seem so cold or strange now—with her by his side, it was a canvas full of possibilities, a home they could build little by little.