The Boss Room

"I don't think we should be together," Unable to shake the fear that if we get too close, my secrets would spill out like shadows in the light. I knew too much about the soul weapons—more than I should, more than was safe.

"It's not like you are powerless—" I shot, glancing at my left shoulder, I sensed her potential simmering just beneath the surface. She had the power to reach the boss room, to unlock abilities I could only dream of wielding. With her soul weapon, she'd surpass anything I could do.

But then there was me, Keiren Astaroth—a child of nature, blessed with a physique that was the envy of the heavens. Or so Jester said. What use was all this when I couldn't even have a reflection of happiness in my life, why did I have to pay for sins, I did not even commit? Jester had taken my life, and now here I was, reborn as Caedes, a name that carried the weight of my past.

I watched her face, the frustration and conflict etched into her features. This girl must be a bigshot with that attitude and equipment. She must be used to getting what she wanted—but she didn't trust me enough to reveal her true identity. That realization struck a chord; I could relate all too well.

Her heart was heavy, and I could feel the tremor in her voice when she spoke again. "What is your name?"

I hesitated, the suddenness of her question catching me off guard. "Theodore," I finally said, letting the name slip from my lips. It was safer that way. If I ever reunited with my real parents, they should know this name, not the one I carry now. After all, the world still saw Caedes as a criminal.

She nodded solemnly, committing it to memory. "Theodore," she repeated softly, a determined glint in her eyes.

"Lilith. That's my name. You better remember it when I meet you at the gate of the boss room!"

A smirk tugged at my lips despite myself. There was something admirable about her determination, even if it was reckless. "I'll be waiting," I replied, letting a hint of challenge slip into my voice. It felt good to tease, even if the stakes were high.

As we parted ways, I could sense the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. "I could have killed him…" she ruminated, unaware of the truth about me. I was immortal, a fact that could either protect or doom her, depending on how this all played out.

Still, a flicker of curiosity sparked in her heart as she looked ahead, determined to face whatever lay in the dark. I couldn't help but admire her resolve. Whatever obstacles we faced, we were alive, and this time we had the strength to confront them.

I melted back into the shadows, ready to face my own battles while hoping she would find her way through the darkness.

"It's finally time to level up." 

***

Lilith's POV

As I ventured deeper into the dungeon, my heart pounded with a mix of apprehension and determination. Each step I took brought me closer to the boss room, but also deeper into the unknown dangers that lurked in the shadows.

Every encounter with the slithering snakes became an opportunity for me to further hone my newfound powers. At first, the attempts to summon forth rods of pure energy were hesitant and uncontrolled, resulting in erratic movements and unpredictable strikes.

My movements were hesitant and clumsy, my powers unpredictable and difficult to control. As the creatures lunged at me with deadly intent, I summoned rods made of an eerie red energy, but my aim was off, and the rods often missed their mark or dissipated before reaching their target.

Refusing to back down, with each failed attempt, I grew more determined to master this soul weapon. I focused on channelling my energy more effectively, concentrating on the image of the rods forming in my mind and willing them into existence with greater precision.

As the battles raged on, my control over the powers began to improve, barely. I learned to anticipate the movements of the snakes, dodging their attacks with grace and precision while simultaneously launching my own counterattacks. With each successful strike, I gained a deeper understanding of the energy that flowed within me, learning to manipulate it with increasing skill and finesse.

Despite my uncertainty, I pressed on, my determination wavering. With each passing moment, I drew closer to my goal, the resolve strengthened by the knowledge that I was not alone in the struggle.

'He must be fighting those beasts too...' I thought.

Venturing deeper into the darkness of the dungeon, the air grew thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by the faint echoes of my footsteps echoing off the cold, stone walls. The darkness seemed to press in on me, swallowing me up in its suffocating embrace.

I did not want to succumb to fear. With each step, my resolve hardened. Guided by a combination of instinct and sheer force of will, I pressed on, trusting in my abilities to lead me safely through the labyrinthine corridors of the dungeon.

As I journeyed deeper into the heart of the dungeon, the path ahead grew increasingly treacherous, littered with obstacles and pitfalls that threatened to impede my progress.

With each passing moment, the silence seemed to grow thicker, enveloping me in its oppressive embrace. But I refused to be cowed.

Yes, I was a princess. Drawing upon the strength and courage that burned within me, I pressed on, my determination unwavering even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

And then, at long last, I saw it—the gate of the boss room looming ahead, bathed in an ominous glow that sent shivers down my spine.

'This is it!'

***