Chapter 13: Warden of the Lower Floors

The streets of Orario were alive with activity as Maki and Scathach returned from their journey to the Land of Shadows. The bustling crowds and lively markets were a stark contrast to the blood-red skies and haunting silence of the shadowed realm. Despite the familiarity of the city, a tension loomed in the air. The fracture had left its mark, and whispers of unnatural phenomena within the Dungeon circulated among adventurers.

As Maki adjusted to her newly gained power, her thoughts kept drifting back to the trials she had faced and the cryptic warning Scathach had given her. The path ahead was uncertain, but there was no time to hesitate.

At the Guild headquarters, Eina Tulle awaited them with a worried expression. She handed them a scroll bearing the Guild's crest, her usually calm demeanour replaced by visible concern.

"The Dungeon's activity has been... irregular," Eina explained. "Monsters stronger than usual have been reported, even on the mid-levels. And the lower floors—" She paused, swallowing hard. "—adventurers have gone missing."

Maki frowned, gripping the scroll tightly. "So, the fracture affected the Dungeon too?"

Scathach opened the scroll, scanning its contents. Her expression was unreadable, but her crimson eyes gleamed with intrigue. "It seems the Dungeon is reacting to the singularities, manifesting distortions similar to what we encountered in the Land of Shadows."

Eina nodded. "The Guild is advising all adventurers to avoid the lower floors until further notice, but we need experienced adventurers to investigate. The Loki Familia and Ganesha Familia have both declined—they're focused on securing the city."

"Sounds like the perfect job for us," Maki said, her lips curling into a smirk.

Scathach nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The lower floors will test your new strength, and they may hold clues to the singularities' origins."

Fully prepared with supplies and sharpened weapons, Maki and Scathach descended into the Dungeon. The upper and mid-levels were eerily quiet, as though the creatures that usually roamed there had retreated deeper. Even so, Maki felt the tension mounting with every step.

By the time they reached the entrance to the lower floors, the atmosphere had shifted. The air was heavier, almost suffocating, and the faint sound of whispers echoed through the darkened corridors.

"Stay sharp," Scathach said, her spear materializing in her hand.

Maki nodded, gripping her own weapon tightly. "Whatever's down here, it's not going to catch me off guard."

The first signs of the distortion appeared as they ventured deeper. Cracks in the walls glowed with an unnatural purple light, and the ground beneath them pulsed as though alive. The creatures they encountered were unlike any Maki had faced before—twisted amalgamations of beasts and shadow, their movements erratic and unpredictable.

Despite their grotesque forms, Maki handled them with precision. Her newfound strength allowed her to dispatch the creatures quickly, her spear strikes imbued with the power of the shard. Scathach watched closely, offering guidance when needed but allowing Maki to take the lead.

As they entered a vast chamber deep within the lower floors, the ground trembled beneath their feet. From the shadows emerged a towering figure clad in dark armor, its presence exuding an overwhelming sense of dread. Its weapon, a massive halberd, gleamed with an otherworldly light.

"Let me guess," Maki said, readying her spear. "This thing's the source of all the trouble?"

Scathach's expression hardened. "It is the Warden, a manifestation of the Dungeon's reaction to the singularities. Its power rivals that of a demi-god."

"Great," Maki muttered, her adrenaline spiking. "Just what I needed."

The Warden let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the chamber. Without warning, it charged, its halberd swinging in a wide arc. Maki dodged just in time, the weapon striking the ground and leaving a deep crater.

She countered with a flurry of precise strikes, aiming for the gaps in the Warden's armor. Her attacks landed, but the creature seemed unfazed, its movements relentless.

"Maki, focus on its movements," Scathach instructed, darting in to deliver a devastating blow to the Warden's side. "It has a pattern—exploit it."

The Warden retaliated, swinging its halberd with incredible speed. Maki ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the attack. She studied its movements, noticing a slight hesitation before each swing.

With Scathach's guidance, Maki began to anticipate the Warden's attacks. She timed her strikes carefully, aiming for its exposed joints. Each hit chipped away at the creature's armor, and with each successful blow, Maki's confidence grew.

The battle was grueling, and the Warden's strength seemed almost endless. But Maki refused to back down. She channelled the shard's power into her spear, its glow intensifying as she delivered a final, devastating strike to the Warden's chest.

The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into a pool of shadow. As the chamber fell silent, Maki stood over the remains, her chest heaving with exertion.

"You fought well," Scathach said, a rare note of pride in her voice. "The Warden was no ordinary foe."

Maki grinned, wiping sweat from her brow. "Told you I've got this."

As the shadows dissipated, a strange object appeared in the center of the chamber. It was a shard similar to the one Maki had obtained in the Land of Shadows, its light pulsing with an ominous energy.

Scathach examined it carefully. "This shard is connected to the singularities. It appears the Dungeon is harbouring fragments of their power."

"Think we'll find more of these down here?" Maki asked.

"Undoubtedly," Scathach replied. "Each fragment will bring us closer to uncovering the truth behind the singularities—and the entities manipulating them."

Maki pocketed the shard, her determination renewed. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but she was ready to face it.