Dungeon Raid Part I

Uravis watched as Arin and his team walked off, his mind racing with excitement and anticipation ashe remembered what Arin said.

He was going to a real life dungeon, and if he was lucky he would have an opportunity to battle a real life beast as well.

There was a possibility he would get badly injured, but who cares, the thrill was enough to push him forward. He was going to be part of something big, something that would test his skills and abilities.

He switched back to himself when he had seen that no one was looking at him, and made his way back to Claire's cottage, thinking of an excuse to give her regarding his departure. He did not want to worry her or raise any suspicions.

Telling her he was going for a dungeon raid was worrisome, and would risk him revealing his hidden identity which would make her worry and then hinder what ever he was doing.

As he entered the cottage, he saw Claire looking at her reflection in the mirror, she was in a long, flare, off shoulder black dress, that stopped on her ankle, she had a crown of flowers on her head, flowers he recognized from the bouquet, that she weaved to a crown.

Around her neck was the necklace, as beautiful as her eyes, even adding more to the beautiful of her emerald green eyes. She was checking herself out, with a happy smile on her face.

She looked away from the Mirror, her eyes settling on Uravis, her expression then brightened up and she turned around.

"How do I look?"

Uravis closed the door behind him, a smile finding its way to his lips. "You look lovely, Claire. I am almost jealous," he wiped off a fake tear away from his cheek while sniffling, when his eyes landed on her again he covered his face and feigned sobs.

"You're so pretty feel like even girls will steal you away from me. I am even blinded by how gorgeous you look," he paused and peeked through his fingers, "Ah, so..so.. beautiful," he strained and crumpled to the ground, going on all fours till his forehead was on the ground.

He heard her chuckle softly and move to his side, she sat on the ground in a lotus position, making sure she did not ruin the dress with how she sat

"You are really funny you know, You even got these for me without even asking what I liked or what my cloth size was."

"Well," he started, raising himself up, he sat down in the same position and leaned back against the wall. "I just thought of the colors that make you, you. Orange and black for your hair, Green for your eyes and how humble you are. Then the silver, represents purity, it's impossible to get a white chain and I didn't want something artificial," he explained earning a smile from her.

"Thank you so much, Uravis. This means alot more than you think." she said, her fingers tracing the outline of the pendant. Then her expression suddenly turned cold, causing Uravis to shiver, already knowing what would come next

"Where did you get money for these?"

He hesitated, raising his hands to his neck, he gave a nervous laugh and an innocent smile.

"That will not work on me this time, Where did you get these? And I want answers now," she repeated, standing her ground.

Then an idea popped up in Uravis' mind, he could kill two birds with one stone with the excuse that suddenly came up in his head. He reached for her hand and held it in his, gazing up at her with a pitiful expression.

"You see, a group of adventurers wanted me to join them for a raid outside the village for very valuable items, so they gave me money to persuade me to join them, so i used that money to buy these for you," he explained, sounding as convincing as he could and deep down hoping she would believe him.

After a brief moment of silence, Claire's eyes widened, "What raid? And why did you accept?" she asked, almost yelling, she was already getting worried.

He rubbed her palms gently with a smile, "I accepted because I am tired of sitting and doing nothing. I want to move around a bit and I saw this as an opportunity."

"But you might get hurt."

"I am ready for anything that comes my way, so don't worry, I will be fine out there. Okay?" he assured her, earning a slow nod. "Now, I have to change and get moving," he patted her cheeks and rose up to his feet, helping her up as well.

He vanished through the halls leading to the rooms and returned wearing a cloak on a new pair of pants and shirt. "Wish me luck," he uttered expecting her to say goodbye, but she shocked him by throwing her arms around him, in a warm hug.

'Okay this is sudden,' he thought, reluctantly wrapping his arms around her. "You know I am not staying out for long, right?"

"I know," she mumbled against his chest and gazed up at him, "I was just reminded of something," she replied and pulled away. "Please be careful and return back safely."

"I will," he bade farewell and hurried out of the house, leaving Claire by herself again.

She placed cupped her cheeks and smiled, "He is exactly like him."

______

Uravis shifted back to Drakonis the second he stepped out of the village, he felt glad that he had told Claire about his whereabouts, and she would not be too worried about him.

He saw Arin and the other warming up as they waited for him, there were two girls and two guys, plus him, making three. Five adventurers.

They made their way into the heart of the forest, where a cave stood. With a spiraling blue threshold gate at the entrance, with an intense aura around it. Uravis could see the others getting extremely excited but he kept his excitement within.

They have been waiting for this moment for what felt like eternity, while Uravis was stunned at how much power emanated from the within the gate, but then he felt it was all too easy. From the moment they stepped into the forest to when they arrived before the gate.

No wild animals or trap to stop them, it was like in his games, he knew there was something wrong.

"Wait,"Uravis muttered, reaching for the sword in the sheath at his back. "Something is wrong."

"What do you mean by that? We are here already what's the hold up," A blonde haired guy, Tyson said, frowning deeply at Drakonis.

"It's too easy," Uravis added and earned a scoff from Tyson, he turned to the told the other girls and told them to follow him, which they agreed to, leaving Drakonis and Arin behind.

Arin turned to him, gripping his sword tight, "You feel it too right?" Drakonis nodded then he sighed, "They are so stubborn."

Uravis patted his shoulder with a genuine smile, "Let's catch up with them and make sure they don't..."

An ear blasting scream interrupted him, from one of the girls, they hurriedly made their way with Arin following behind him cautiously surveying every corner of the cave, without hesitating.

They ran for close to five minutes, following the sounds of the scream, then they saw the others, standing on a boulder, surrounded by a bubbling black goo that Uravis could recognize from anywhere.

He groaned, throwing his head back in annoyance and also frustration "Great, just awesome, flesh eating slime mites in real life."