The Descent into Darkness

Asvorn's vision swam in the suffocating darkness of the cave.

His breaths were shallow, each inhale feeling heavier than the last.

The deeper he went, the more unnatural the air became. It clung to his skin, thick and damp, carrying an eerie silence that made his own heartbeat sound deafening.

What is this place?

A shiver ran down his spine, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.

Something about this place felt... important. Like it was calling to him.

His fingers grazed the jagged stone walls as he moved cautiously. His footsteps echoed, bouncing off unseen depths ahead.

Then—

A sound.

A whisper?

No.

A growl.

Low. Rumbling.

Behind him.

His body tensed. He spun around, eyes straining to see in the pitch-black void.

Then—

Something moved.

A shadow detached itself from the darkness.

Glowing red eyes.

A massive shape, rising from the abyss.

And then—

It lunged.

Pain exploded across his chest as he was thrown back, slamming into the cold stone floor.

He gasped, struggling for air. Blood dripped down his side. His vision blurred.

But he saw it now.

A beast.

Massive. Feral. Fangs like curved daggers gleamed in the faint glow of its burning eyes. Its black fur blended with the darkness, making it look like a living nightmare.

It growled, thick saliva dripping from its fangs.

Asvorn's fingers fumbled for anything—a weapon, a rock—anything.

The beast lunged again.

He barely rolled aside in time. Claws scraped against stone, carving deep scars into the ground.

His heart pounded.

I'm going to die.

The thought hit him like a hammer.

He was weak. Defenseless.

He had no talent.

No strength.

No chance.

And yet—

He stood up.

Shaking. Bleeding. His vision darkening.

But he stood.

The beast snarled, its body coiling, preparing for the final strike.

Asvorn raised his fists.

Then—

The world erupted in pain.

Fangs tore into him.

His body was flung like a ragdoll.

He hit the ground, hard. Bones cracked.

His vision flickered.

The last thing he saw before the darkness took him—

Was the beast standing over him.

Meanwhile, in the Capital…

Lyara stood before the guildmaster, arms crossed.

"A job?" she asked.

The old man nodded, rubbing his beard. "Monster sightings near an old cave. Dangerous ones. We need someone strong to clear it out."

She sighed. "Fine. I'll take it."

She wasn't in the mood for a job today, but the request seemed simple enough.

"Be careful," the guildmaster warned. "Something about this one feels... off."

Lyara didn't reply. She just turned and left.

The cave smelled like death.

Lyara crouched low, scanning the ground. Blood. Dried, darkened. A trail leading inside.

She followed it.

Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword.

The air grew heavier the deeper she went.

Then—

She saw him.

Asvorn.

Lying in a pool of blood.

Unmoving.

Lyara's heart stopped.

She rushed to him, kneeling beside his battered body. His clothes were shredded. Deep wounds ran across his chest and arms. He was barely breathing.

Her fingers brushed his forehead. Still warm.

She exhaled, relief flooding her.

"You idiot…" she muttered, carefully lifting him onto her back.

Then—

A growl.

Her golden eyes flicked up.

A shadow shifted in the darkness.

The beast.

Its red eyes locked onto her.

Lyara's lips curled into a smirk.

"You must be the bastard who did this to him."

The beast lunged.

And Lyara moved.

A silver arc flashed through the air.

The sound of steel cutting through flesh.

A deafening howl.

Blood sprayed across the cave floor.

Then—

Silence.

The beast collapsed, its body split clean in two.

Lyara flicked the blood from her blade.

She didn't spare the corpse another glance.

Instead, she turned, carrying Asvorn out of the cursed cave.

He needed help.

Fast.

One Month Later…

Asvorn's eyes fluttered open.

His body ached. His head felt heavy.

Where was he?

Slowly, his vision adjusted. A ceiling. Wooden beams. The faint scent of herbs in the air.

He tried to move. Pain shot through him.

A soft voice spoke.

"You're awake."

His eyes turned.

Lyara sat beside him, arms crossed.

She looked... different.

Not in appearance. But something in her eyes.

Like she had been watching over him for a long time.

"How long…" he rasped.

"A month," she said.

His mind reeled.

A whole month?

"You almost died," she continued. "Again."

Her voice was calm, but there was something behind it.

Something heavy.

"You should've died, Asvorn," she said, not looking at him. "People told me not to bother saving you. That you were a lost cause."

She exhaled. "I didn't listen."

He stared at her, unsure of what to say.

"You wanted to catch up to me, didn't you?" she murmured. "That's why you went to that cave."

He swallowed hard.

She was right.

Lyara stood up, brushing imaginary dust from her coat.

"Rest," she said. "Eat. When you're ready… we'll talk."

With that, she left the room.

Asvorn lay there, his mind spinning.

Then—

A soft ding.

A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.

[SYSTEM INITIALIZED]

[Status Window Unlocked]

[Welcome, Asvorn.]

His breath caught.

"What… is this?"