50.- A refuge of light

The second floor of Aurora's dungeon was a sanctuary of calm, a quiet counterpoint to the cosmic vastness that defined its queen. The underground lake reflected the soft greenish glow of gems embedded in the walls, casting a play of light and shadow that danced across the pulsing roots hanging from the ceiling. The air, heavy with moisture, carried a sweet scent of moss mingled with the earthy fragrance of the plants Sebastián had cultivated with such care over the years. It was a place that, despite its dark and enigmatic nature, had been shaped by his human hands into something warm, alive—a refuge within the heart of the dungeon.

Sebastián carefully adjusted a heart-shaped vine, ensuring it framed the entrance to his small room perfectly. He'd spent the last hour decorating the space with some of the most curious plants he'd discovered in the dungeon's corners, transforming the cold stone chamber into a cozy nook that felt like his own. Phosphorescent mushrooms, gathered from the third floor after years of studying their magical properties, bathed the room in a soft, warm light, casting dancing shadows across the rough walls. In the center, a small garden of multicolored flowers—blues, purples, golds—filled the air with a sweet, soothing perfume that stood in stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere sometimes felt in other parts of the dungeon.

I'm no expert at decorating, Sebastián thought with a gentle smile, stepping back to admire his handiwork, but I think it turned out pretty cozy. The vines formed a natural arch that beckoned one inside, the mushrooms created an intimate glow, and the flowers added a touch of life that made him feel at home—an unlikely home in a place as strange and eternal as this. There was something comforting in the simple act of tending, of shaping something beautiful amidst the darkness. It was his way of finding peace, of reminding himself that, even trapped in the dungeon of a cosmic entity, he could leave a mark of humanity.

At that moment, a commanding presence filled the doorway. Kaili appeared, her tall, voluptuous figure silhouetted against the faint glow of the mushrooms. Her six iridescent wings, translucent as fine glass, shimmered with hues of purple and blue that seemed to dance with the shadows, casting a spectacle of light that captured the eye. Her pale purple skin glowed with a soft inner luminescence, and the golden, silver, and red runes tracing her body pulsed with an arcane energy that seemed to hum in the air. Her horns—sharp and elegant, like those of a gazelle—rose from her forehead, adorned with gems that sparkled with their own light, while her black hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, framing a face of cruel, seductive beauty.

She surveyed the room with an expression that blended curiosity and disapproval, her dark eyes—deep wells where sparks of power flickered—taking in every detail with an intensity that made Sebastián feel slightly self-conscious. There was something about the way Kaili looked at him, a mix of innate superiority and an interest she didn't seem to fully acknowledge, that always put him on edge, though after a hundred years, it also filled him with a strange warmth.

"You shouldn't bother decorating your room so much, human," Kaili said, her voice ringing with the arrogance that defined her, though a playful undertone slipped through, as if she enjoyed needling him. She crossed her arms beneath her chest, lifting her curves in a way that felt deliberate, her runes flashing with a red glint that mirrored her incredulity. "It's a waste of time and energy. What do you even gain from these… trinkets?"

Maybe for you, Sebastián thought, holding back a chuckle as he adjusted a multicolored flower threatening to droop from its stem. He didn't let her comment faze him; he'd learned to navigate her sarcasm with patience. "I like having a nice place to rest," he replied, his voice soft but firm, his eyes meeting hers for a moment before returning to the plants. "Not everything's about fighting, Kaili. Wouldn't you like to do the same with your chamber? Imagine how beautiful you could make it with a little effort."

Kaili frowned, her wings darkening slightly as she regarded him with disbelief, as if the very idea insulted her nature. "What for?" she shot back, her tone sharp but tinged with curiosity, her runes pulsing with a golden glow that betrayed her interest. "Decorations are pointless. All I need is a place to recharge my strength for what actually matters: battle, power, my queen's will." She waved a dismissive hand, her long, graceful fingers brushing the air as if sweeping the notion away entirely.

Sebastián sighed, but a spark of amusement lit his eyes as he watched her. There was something endearing about her stubbornness, the way she clung to her pride like it was armor. "I get that you're a warrior, Kaili," he said, his voice laced with a patience honed over a century by her side, "but there's more to life than fighting. Sometimes, relaxing and enjoying beauty can be just as important as swinging a sword." He paused, bending to pick up a phosphorescent mushroom that had fallen to the floor, and added with a smile, "Besides, don't tell me you don't appreciate a little beauty. Look at this place—it's a break from everything, isn't it?"

Kaili raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a cruel smile that nonetheless held a hint of amusement. "Beauty?" she echoed, her tone sarcastic as she stepped closer, her wings unfurling slightly and casting reflections that caressed the walls. "What does beauty have to do with strength? Beauty's fleeting, weak. Strength is eternal, solid, real." Her words were firm, but there was a faint note of doubt in her voice, as if Sebastián's ideas, absurd as they seemed to her, were slipping into her mind like a persistent whisper.

Sebastián let out a soft laugh, shrugging as he placed the mushroom back in its spot, his fingers brushing the leaves with a tenderness that stood in contrast to Kaili's vibrant presence. "Beauty can be a source of strength too," he said, his voice low but brimming with conviction as he turned to face her. His eyes traced her form—the pronounced curves of her hips, the gleam of her runes, the fierce elegance of her wings—and he added, almost thoughtfully, "Even you have a beauty that inspires strength. The way you move, like every gesture's calculated, the way your runes glow when you're determined… it's beautiful, Kaili, and that makes you more powerful, even if you don't see it."

Kaili blinked, clearly caught off guard by his words. Her runes pulsed with a vivid golden glow, reflecting a mix of confusion and something warmer, something she didn't know how to name. For a moment, her usual arrogance faltered, and her dark eyes studied him with an intensity that wasn't disdain but a curiosity that seemed to grow with each word he spoke. "That doesn't make sense," she muttered at last, though her tone lacked its usual confidence, and her wings fluttered slightly, as if trying to hide the faint unease she felt. "How could something so… trivial strengthen someone like me?"

Sebastián smiled, a gentle smile that lit up his face as he bent to adjust another vine, his movements calm against Kaili's electric energy. "I'm not a warrior like you," he said, his voice tinged with humor as he glanced at her sidelong, "but I promise you, sleeping in a pretty room helps me wake up with more energy to face the day. And you… well, you could try it sometime. Imagine your wings shining among flowers, your runes reflecting off glowing mushrooms. It'd be fit for a queen, don't you think? I swear you wouldn't regret it."

Kaili didn't answer right away, but Sebastián caught a flicker of reflection in her dark eyes, a spark that hadn't been there before. She crossed her arms again, lifting her chin in a gesture of pride, but her runes continued to glow with a soft gold, as if his words had planted a seed in her mind. "Hmph," was all she said, her tone lighter than usual as she turned to leave, her wings unfurling with a whisper that filled the air with iridescent reflections. But before she vanished completely, she paused at the threshold, tilting her head just enough to glance back at him over her shoulder. "If you're so set on this nonsense, at least make my chamber worthy of a Throne of Chaos," she said, her voice teasing but with a playful gleam in her eyes that hinted at a veiled invitation.

Sebastián laughed, a warm laugh that echoed in the small room as he nodded. "Deal," he replied, his tone full of amusement as he watched her go, her imposing figure fading into the shadows of the hallway. There was something about that exchange—the blend of her arrogance and curiosity, her sarcasm and unexpected softness—that filled him with a quiet satisfaction. After a hundred years, he'd learned to see past her façade of power, to spot the tiny glimmers of humanity she didn't even recognize in herself. And that, to him, was already a small triumph.

Sebastián lingered a moment longer in his room, taking in the space he'd created. The phosphorescent mushrooms cast a glow that made the flowers seem to pulse with life, and the vines framed the entrance like a portal to a gentler world within the dungeon. But then, his smile faded slightly as he noticed something unusual: the plants, which usually radiated a vibrant, cheerful light, looked dim. The multicolored flowers were drooping, their petals less bright, and the vines covering the walls seemed duller, as if they'd lost some of their vitality.

Something's off, he thought, frowning as he knelt to inspect one of the flowers. Over the years, he'd learned that the dungeon's plants were tied to Aurora in a deep, inexplicable way, as if they responded to her energy and emotions. If they were wilting, it meant something was wrong with her. A pang of worry settled in his chest, and without hesitation, he stood and headed to the fourth floor, where he knew he'd find her.

When he stepped into the main chamber of the fourth floor, he saw her lying on her bed of moss and flowers—a corner he'd cultivated with care to give her a softer resting place than her throne of bones. Her majestic figure was wrapped in a stillness that felt heavier than usual, her green hair spilling like a shimmering river over the moss, her dress of leaves and blue flowers clinging to her provocative curves. Her amber eyes were closed, but her breathing was uneven, and tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead, a sign of the tension gripping her even in sleep. The black flowers adorning her bed looked wilted too, their petals falling to the floor like a silent echo of her state.

She had a bad dream, Sebastián thought, his heart tightening with a mix of concern and a protective instinct as he approached her side. He knelt beside her, his eyes tracing her face with tenderness as he noted the pallor of her skin and the way her hands clutched the moss, as if seeking comfort. There was something heartbreaking about seeing her like this—so powerful, so vast, yet so fragile in that moment—that stirred a deep need in him to shield her.

He reached out and gently brushed her forehead, her skin cool beneath his warm, calloused fingers. "Easy, Aurora," he whispered, his voice full of tenderness as he swept a strand of green hair from her face. He plucked some fresh, absorbent leaves from a nearby plant, using them to carefully wipe the sweat from her brow, his movements slow and gentle so as not to wake her. Then he took her hand, small and cold, and laced his fingers with hers, feeling a warmth that seemed to radiate from her despite her condition. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, a gesture of protection and comfort that steadied his own breathing, as if caring for her brought him peace too.

As Aurora slept, Sebastián noticed her murmuring something in her dream, her voice barely a whisper but heavy with distress. "I won't… not Sebastián…" The words caught him off guard, his heart clenching as he looked at her, a mix of worry and tenderness flooding his chest. What did you dream about, Aurora? he wondered, his hand squeezing hers gently as he vowed to himself to be there for her, no matter what she faced.

Knowing she'd wake up drained after such an intense dream, he decided to do something to help her recover. He remembered the revitalizing mushrooms he'd found in the dungeon, known for their restorative properties that could soothe the mind and rejuvenate the body. They'd be perfect for her. He rose carefully, making sure not to disturb her sleep, and returned to the second floor to gather them.

With practiced hands, he collected the mushrooms from the garden, their rounded shapes glowing with a faint blue light that seemed to pulse with energy. He also fetched some water from the underground lake, its crystalline purity a calming touch he'd noticed over time. Back in his room, he used a small makeshift cauldron to prepare a nourishing soup, blending the mushrooms with the water and some aromatic herbs he'd grown. The scent filled the air, a comforting mix of earthy and sweet notes that made him smile, knowing it could help Aurora feel better.

When he returned to the main chamber, Aurora was starting to stir, her amber eyes fluttering open slowly as a flicker of confusion crossed her face. The weight of the nightmare still clouded her mind, but when she saw Sebastián at her side, his expression a blend of concern and warmth, a wave of relief washed over her. "You're awake," he said with a gentle smile, his voice warm as he leaned toward her, his eyes searching hers with a worry he couldn't hide. "You had a bad dream, didn't you?"

Aurora nodded, her breathing still shaky as she tried to sort through her thoughts. "It was… it was awful," she murmured, her voice breaking as her amber eyes filled with tears, an echo of the fear she'd felt in the dream. "They told me… they told me to kill you, Sebastián. But I couldn't… I didn't want to…" Her hand sought his with an almost desperate need, her fingers trembling as she looked at him.

Sebastián felt a lump in his throat at her words, his hand tightening around hers as a mix of concern and tenderness enveloped him. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Aurora," he said, his voice low but steady, his eyes locking with hers with an intensity that comforted her. "I'm here with you. Whatever those dreams say, you decide who you are. And me… I trust you. I always will."

Aurora felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, tears sliding down her cheeks as she gazed at him, her heart lightening with his presence. "Thank you, Sebastián," she whispered, her voice quivering but full of gratitude as she squeezed his hand back, finding solace in his warmth. For the first time since waking, she felt she could breathe a little easier, the nightmare's weight easing with the certainty that she wasn't alone.

Sebastián adjusted her pillow, made of soft leaves and soothing flower petals he'd gathered himself, helping her sit up comfortably. Then he picked up a wooden spoon he'd carved long ago and offered her some of the soup he'd made, its warm aroma filling the air and bringing a touch of calm to the chamber. "Here, this'll help you feel better," he said sweetly, his voice full of care as he brought the spoon to her lips.

Aurora took the soup, the earthy, slightly sweet taste of the revitalizing mushrooms filling her with a warmth that seemed to spread through her whole body, easing the exhaustion the nightmare had left behind. But more than the soup's effect, it was Sebastián's presence that comforted her—his genuine concern, his selfless care, the way he looked at her with an affection that asked for nothing in return. As he fed her patiently, Aurora felt a deep gratitude swell in her heart, a sense of belonging she'd never felt so clearly before.

I'm not alone, she thought, her gaze softening as she looked at him, a glimmer of hope shining in her amber eyes. I have Sebastián… I have my family. And for the first time since awakening in the dungeon, Aurora felt she truly belonged here, that she'd found a home not just in the dungeon, but in the people who stood by her—in Kaili, with her strength and growing humanity, and in Sebastián, with his tenderness and ability to make her feel loved, even in her darkest moments.