Arriving to the Dungeon

The morning was calm. With the oppressive shadow of the jungle behind them, Fenix felt a momentary sense of relief. Yet, as they traveled, an unsettling, familiar sensation crept into his chest. The feeling was identical to what he experienced when he first gazed upon Dark Mountain—a strange connection that pulled at his soul. And now, it was happening again.

'I don't like this at all.'

Consumed by his thoughts, Fenix felt his brow furrow deeper. His face grew paler than usual, his hands restless. Nerves gnawed at him, but a decision had formed in his mind. He needed to tell Aldric the truth. The sooner, the better.

'I'll tell Aldric later about my Soul Trial. It'll be for the best. That way, we can prepare for whatever comes.'

The path ahead had cleared, allowing the group to return to their earlier formation. Two carriages, pulled by Vix's summoned beasts, moved steadily. Aldric took the reins while Fenix rode alongside Rein and Lena, their formation slightly shifted.

Rein sat resting, eyes closed but not asleep. His head leaned against his hand, supported by his knee, his posture relaxed but alert.

Lena, sitting across from him, worked on maintaining her bow. The string had begun to fray, and her focused eyes watched every detail as she adjusted it with practiced ease.

Fenix rose and approached Aldric, the weight of his secret heavy in his chest. He walked slowly, considering his words carefully. How could he explain the connection between his Trial and the strange appearance in the jungle?

Aldric noticed him approaching and shifted slightly, making space on the bench beside him. He kept one hand steady on the reins.

"How are you feeling, Fenix?" Aldric asked, his tone serious and steady.

'One of the few times he calls me by my name and not 'kid'. He's worried. Makes sense, I've been off lately.'

"I've been better," Fenix replied, his voice low and tight.

A pause settled between them before Fenix broke it. "There's something I need to tell you, Aldric. Something that's been bothering me for days."

Aldric nodded, his eyes never leaving the path ahead. "I figured as much. Go on."

Fenix took a deep breath, steeling himself. "A few nights ago, when I was on watch in the Blackroot Jungle... I saw something." He hesitated, a chill creeping down his spine. "I don't know what it was, but it was watching me."

Aldric's expression remained calm. "There are many intelligent predators in the Soul Realm. Some are curious. It's not uncommon. But... it's more than that, isn't it?"

Fenix swallowed hard and nodded. "It looked like death itself. Like a Reaper. And the thing is... I saw it in my Soul Trial. I don't know why it's here. Before entering the academy, they told me that Trials are either visions of the past or illusions. So why do I feel like it's still watching me?"

Silence. The wheels creaked over uneven stones as Aldric mulled over the words. Finally, he spoke.

"I don't know what connection there might be, but it's clearly linked to you. If you trust me, tell me more. Maybe I can help."

Fenix hesitated but finally nodded. This was Aldric—his mentor, protector, and someone he trusted more than most. If anyone should know, it was him.

"You know my Aspect relates to fire, right?" Fenix began.

Aldric nodded. "Of course."

"It doesn't. Not really. The flames are just... a projection of it. I don't fully understand how it works."

Fenix paused, nerves making his chest feel tight. But he pushed forward.

"My Aspect is Chaos."

The reins in Aldric's hands tightened slightly, though his face showed little reaction. "Chaos? I've heard of unique Aspects that resemble chaos, but not true Chaos."

Fenix glanced around, lowering his voice. "That's because it's not supposed to exist. I consumed a god's fragment. Like the five families, but mine is different. It's not known to the public."

Aldric's face hardened. Silence stretched, his thoughts clearly racing. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly.

"Fenix... don't tell anyone. Not a soul. My mother hinted at something, but she wasn't specific. Now I know why she assigned me as your protector, not just your mentor. It makes sense now. It also explains why you're stronger than any normal two-core Awakened."

Fenix listened, his gaze unreadable.

"It all makes sense now," Aldric said, his voice steady but heavy. "Anything else I should know?"

Fenix hesitated but nodded. "Yes."

Aldric's brow lifted slightly. "Is it as insane as what you've just told me?"

"I don't know. But it's connected, I think."

Fenix's voice dropped to a whisper. "I've been feeling something strange. Like the dungeon is calling to me. It's the same feeling I had in my Soul Trial, before the massacre. Before the mountains shattered."

Aldric's eyes darkened. "So, you're saying it's dangerous to go there."

Fenix nodded. "I don't know what will happen, but it won't be good."

Aldric sighed but nodded. "We don't have much choice. If you want to understand that power, we have to face it. And don't worry. You're not alone. We're six strong Awakeneds. I promised Selene I'd protect you, and I mean it."

The final stretch of the path to the dungeon was dark and hostile. The trees were scarred, marked with deep scratches and clean, sharp cuts. Many lay broken and fallen, their trunks torn apart. Yet, there were no signs of monsters. It might have been logical to assume that territorial disputes had occurred, but no corpses were left behind. Only pools of blood stained the earth, and dark smudges marked the leaves that hung low across their path.

The tension in the group grew with every step. The last time they approached this place, Tier III beasts had been lying in wait, guarding the entrance. But now... the bodies of those same beasts lay scattered across the path, their throats sliced cleanly. Rivers of blood trailed from their severed heads, soaking into the dirt.

Vix frowned deeply. "What happened here? What a disturbing sight."

For an Awakened with her experience to say such words, it was clear that the scene was more than unsettling. It was a warning.

Rein's voice was sharp. "Stay alert. This could turn bad at any moment."

At his command, the group summoned their weapons. Vix called upon her beasts once more, conjuring additional guardians. A massive, three-meter-tall creature with leathery wings and a serpentine neck materialized. Its talons were like blades, sharp and gleaming. Alongside it, four more beasts emerged, each radiating a sinister aura, their eyes glinting with silent menace.

Fenix felt the call of the dungeon growing stronger, a pull from deep within his core. It gnawed at him, an unrelenting pressure that left his chest tight.

The carriages moved slowly, wheels crushing the corpses beneath them. Flesh tore, intestines spilling onto the earth under the weight of the carts.

"Disgusting," Lena muttered, her eyes averted from the carnage.

But Fenix could only stare at the clean cuts that marked the corpses. He had seen such precision once before. The memory gnawed at him.

'It knows I'm here. It's waiting.'

And then, they saw it.

A massive stone door, towering over five meters tall, embedded into the mountainside. Its surface was ancient and dark, veins of glowing essence pulsing through it. It radiated a heavy, oppressive power, as though it had been waiting for this exact moment.

Aldric stepped forward, his expression grim. "So, how do we open it? Did anyone figure this out last time?"

Doran shook his head. "We only found the door. Lena and I were scouting, but there were too many beasts around to get closer. It was suicide for just the two of us."

Vix stepped forward, observing the door. "Well, we'll have to figure it out now."

Rein nodded sharply. "Let's rest first. I don't sense enemies nearby, but stay cautious. Whatever killed those beasts didn't just vanish."

The group formed a small camp, parking the carriages near the door. Vix's summoned beasts formed a perimeter—two standing guard, while the winged ones flew overhead, scanning the area for threats.

Sitting in a circle, the tension thick, Orin spoke. "Alright. What are our options?"

Doran flexed his muscles, a grin tugging at his lips. "We could try breaking it down."

Without waiting, he summoned his massive axe. His Aspect amplified his strength, turning him into a living weapon. With a battle cry, he swung the axe overhead, slamming it into the door.

'CRTTT.'

The sound echoed, but the door remained unmoved. Not a scratch marked its surface.

Frustration darkened Doran's face. "Well, that didn't work."

The group took turns trying different methods. Searching for hidden mechanisms. Probing the surrounding stones for switches or triggers. Nothing. The door was impenetrable.

And all the while, the pull in Fenix's core grew stronger.

His heart hammered in his chest. Something told him the answer. His intuition burned inside him. Slowly, he approached the door, hand trembling.

He extended his arm, pressing his palm flat against the stone.

And he felt it.

His soul essence, draining from him, seeping into the door. It flowed out of him in a steady stream, and the veins across the door's surface pulsed brighter. The stone groaned, shifting, grinding open little by little. But Fenix could feel his strength draining with every moment. His core felt empty, hollow. Pale, weak, blood dripping from his nose. Darker than it should be.

He staggered, but kept his hand pressed firm until, at last, the door creaked open, revealing darkness beyond.

Fenix collapsed to his knees, gasping. His body felt cold, as though something vital had been torn from him.

Aldric rushed to him. "What did you do? Are you alright?"

Fenix wiped the blood from his face and nodded weakly. "I'm fine. I... I just touched it. My essence flowed into the door, and it opened on its own."

Aldric's expression tightened, but he said nothing. Not yet.

They stepped inside.

The air changed instantly. Cold, heavy with an ancient weight. Torches lined the walls, flames flickering softly, casting long shadows. The marble floors gleamed underfoot, untouched by time or ruin.

Six massive pillars stood to each side, towering towards the ceiling. They framed a grand passageway that led deeper into the darkness. Along the walls, statues stood like silent sentinels, each clutching an ancient instrument, their gazes hollow and cold.

At the far end of the room stood another door. Smaller, but just as foreboding. Before it, resting upon a solitary pedestal, was an ancient bowl. Its surface was worn, but faintly glowing, as if it had waited for centuries.

Fenix approached, heart pounding, every step heavy.

"What is this place?" Lena whispered, eyes wide with awe.

Fenix stared deep into the bowl, shadows reflected in its depths.

'And why does it feel... like it's waiting for me?'