Chapter 15: Shadows of the Past

The air in Orario carried a palpable tension after the skirmish at Babel. Though the adventurers emerged victorious, whispers of shadowy threats and singularities unsettled the city's peace. For Maki, this new challenge wasn't just another fight—it was a personal mission to grow stronger, to uncover the truth behind these new enemies, and to protect the fragile balance of her new home.

But the shards of darkness held secrets deeper than she imagined.

The next morning, Maki and Scathach were summoned to the Twilight Manor, the home of the Loki Familia. Inside, the rowdy energy of the Familia had been replaced by an air of seriousness. Finn Deimne, the Familia's leader, greeted them in the strategy room alongside Loki herself.

"Glad you could join us," Loki said, her usual mischievous grin tempered by a sharp edge. "We've got a lot to talk about."

"Talk fast," Maki replied, crossing her arms. "Those cloaked freaks aren't going to wait for us to figure things out."

"Straight to the point, huh? I like that," Loki said with a chuckle before gesturing toward Finn. "Tell 'em what you found."

Finn stepped forward, his piercing blue eyes meeting Maki's. "We've identified traces of the energy those cloaked figures were using. It's not from this world."

Scathach's expression remained calm, but her voice carried a note of concern. "Explain."

"The energy is foreign, similar to certain divine relics but... tainted," Finn said. "And the shards they left behind resonate with something deep within the Dungeon."

Loki interjected, "If this keeps up, whatever's down there might wake up. And believe me, you don't want that."

Maki frowned. "So what's the plan?"

"We need someone to investigate the deeper floors," Finn said. "Your strength, speed, and combat instincts make you ideal for the job."

Maki smirked, the challenge igniting her competitive spirit. "Finally, something worth my time."

Armed with the shard and new supplies, Maki and Scathach prepared for a deep dive into the Dungeon. They weren't alone—Bete Loga, the sharp-tongued werewolf from the Loki Familia, joined their party. Though reluctant, his knowledge of the Dungeon's deeper floors was invaluable.

"Try not to slow me down," Bete muttered as they stepped into the elevator that would take them to the fiftieth floor.

"Don't worry," Maki shot back with a grin. "I'll leave you some scraps."

Scathach chuckled softly but kept her focus on the task ahead. The deeper they ventured, the heavier the air became, and the more the Dungeon seemed to shift around them. Walls pulsated with a faint, otherworldly glow, and the usual sounds of monsters were replaced by an eerie silence.

"This isn't normal," Bete said, his ears twitching. "Even for the deeper floors, this is... wrong."

Scathach stopped, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "The Dungeon is responding to the singularity. It's adapting."

"Great," Maki muttered, gripping her spear. "More surprises."

As they pressed forward, they encountered a figure standing alone in the middle of a massive chamber. Dressed in armor that shimmered with a faint golden hue, the figure carried an air of authority.

"Another cloaked freak?" Bete growled, stepping forward.

"No," Scathach said, her voice low. "This one is different."

The figure turned, revealing a strikingly familiar face: Artoria Pendragon, the legendary King of Knights. But this version of her was cloaked in shadows, her usually brilliant Excalibur replaced with a weapon of dark energy.

"You've come far," Artoria said, her voice echoing with power. "But you've only scratched the surface of this chaos."

Maki narrowed her eyes. "What's your deal? Friend or foe?"

"I am neither," Artoria replied. "I am a fragment of the singularity, placed here to test your resolve."

Before they could respond, Artoria raised her weapon, and the chamber exploded into motion. The walls shifted, forming a labyrinth as shadowy knights materialized around them.

The shadow knights charged, their movements swift and coordinated. Maki and Scathach moved as one, their spears cutting through the onslaught with deadly precision. Bete darted between enemies, his claws slashing through armor with ease.

But Artoria was the true challenge. Her strikes were calculated, her presence commanding. Every swing of her blade sent shockwaves through the chamber, forcing Maki and the others to stay on the defensive.

"You call yourselves warriors," Artoria said, her tone cold. "Prove it."

Maki growled, her frustration mounting. "Fine. You want proof? Here it is."

She charged, her spear glowing with the power of the shard. Artoria met her head-on, their weapons clashing in a blinding burst of energy. Maki pushed harder, her determination outweighing her frustration. Scathach joined the fray, her strikes creating openings for Maki to exploit.

Despite their combined efforts, Artoria seemed untouchable. Every attack was countered, every strategy anticipated. Maki's frustration grew, but Scathach's calm voice cut through the chaos.

"Patience, Maki. Study her movements."

Maki took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She began to notice patterns in Artoria's attacks, subtle tells that revealed her next move. Armed with this knowledge, Maki adjusted her approach, finding openings where there had been none.

With a final, perfectly timed strike, Maki's spear connected with Artoria's blade, shattering the dark weapon. Artoria stepped back, her expression unreadable.

"You have proven your resolve," she said. "But the path ahead will only grow darker."

Before they could ask more, Artoria dissolved into light, leaving behind a fragment of her power. Maki picked it up, the energy coursing through her.

As they exited the chamber, Bete broke the silence. "What the hell was that?"

"A trial," Scathach said. "And a warning."

Maki studied the fragment in her hand, her resolve hardening. "Whatever's waiting for us, we'll be ready."

Scathach placed a hand on Maki's shoulder, her crimson eyes meeting hers. "Together, we will face it."

Maki nodded, her grip tightening on her spear. The journey ahead was uncertain, but she wouldn't face it alone.