Elowen was standing outside the huge dungeon, perhaps waiting for something or a signal to enter, or maybe she was afraid to do so. The forest seems cold and dangerous, especially after hearing about the dangers that lurk within the depths of it. But she couldn't sit idle for much longer. She has to find all nine keys and return to her mother. The air shifts, and the Moonveil butterfly appears again, carrying the message. Elowen looks at the butterfly, then at the gate. She knows the guards are watching her closely. She looked at the notification bar, which appeared due to the Moonveil butterfly.
[System Notification]
[Quest Notification: 34/1100 Quest Initiated!]
[Quest Activation: Finding the Firefly Lantern...]
[System Activate...]
[Loading Quest: Finding the Firefly Lantern...]
[Objective: Retrieve the Firefly Lantern from the heart of the dungeon.]
[Time Limit: 10 minutes!!]
She took a deep breathe and looked at the dungeon in front of her. This is it. I'm going to complete all quests. The air shifts as she steps into the dungeon. She enters a vast, dimly lit chamber, its walls lined with ancient stone and strange symbols that pulse with dark energy. As she steps deeper into the dungeon, more and more of those markings appear, but they're only visible when the lights pulse on or off. As soon as she crosses the threshold, a strange hum fills the air. The dungeon is alive, ready to present its first challenge. But something unexpected happens.
She stops abruptly as she hears something approaching, and turns around. In the distance, another light pulses on, but this time it's moving in opposite direction, almost like a slow motion camera shutter. From the shadows, Elowen hears the sound of shifting feet, the rustle of clothing, the murmur of voices. She started walking toward the noises , trying not to look too anxious. She didn't know why, but she sensed an uneasy feeling that something bad was happening. It felt as if something big was going to happen. Something important.
She saw one figure step out of the shadows. At first glance, she assumed he was some kind of beast, a demon or a monster. He had long, tangled brown hair that fell over his shoulders, pale skin covered with tattoos, and dark brown eyes that seemed to glow even in the darkness. He wore a black leather jacket with a leather band holding back his long locks, and pants ripped into pieces around his knees. His right leg was wrapped with bandages, and there were a couple of scratches on his face.
But he was not alone; there were fourteen other figures standing in the room, scattered throughout the space, their eyes fixed on her. They, too, are players, each of them ready to play their part in this twisted game. Elowen's eyes widen in surprise. She hadn’t expected to find anyone else here—especially not so soon. But here they are, other adventurers, their eyes glowing faintly in the dungeon’s eerie light. Some stand frozen in place, others appear to be sizing her up. A few seem unbothered, absorbed in preparing for the trial ahead.
For a moment, she simply observes them, noting the differences in their appearances: a warrior with a massive sword, a mage with a shimmering staff, a rogue with a hood drawn low over their face, a knight clad in weathered armor, the metal glinting in the fading sunlight; a sorceress with eyes like molten gold, her robes flowing like liquid silk; a ranger with a quiver of arrows slung across their back, the tips gleaming sharp and deadly beneath the cloak of forest green; and a bard, her lute strapped securely to her side, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as though she already knew the outcome of this encounter. Each one was unique, a reflection of their chosen path, yet all were bound by the same unspoken understanding that the trials ahead would change them forever. There was an air of competition among them, tempered by an unspoken camaraderie, with each person aware that the dungeon had a way of twisting everyone’s intentions into something far more dangerous.
Suddenly, a soft breeze stirs the air, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers. Everyone stopped and looked at each other in confusion before realizing what the scent reminded them of. For a moment, Elowen wondered if she was smelling perfume, but then noticed how the rest of the players' faces changed, their expressions suddenly becoming surprised and tense as they saw it: the Herald butterfly carrying their message.
The Heralds are a special breed of enchanted butterflies that serve as both messengers and guides throughout the game. These butterflies are larger than ordinary forest butterflies, with wings that shimmer with faint, glowing symbols etched into them. When they appear, they come in small groups, each one carrying a different color or glow based on the type of message they bear.
[Welcome, Player]
[You have entered the realm where fate is as fragile as the wings of the butterfly. Before you can proceed, you must first complete your registration]
The butterfly flaps its wings, and a glowing scroll appears before them, inscribed with a series of intricate symbols.
[Take heed. Your unique ID number shall be assigned only once you acknowledge the rules that govern this world. Once you claim your identity, there is no turning back. The number you are given will determine your path. Proceed carefully, for the choices you make will ripple through the fabric of this place, just as a butterfly's wings stir the air across vast distances]
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The butterfly's wings flutter again, and a faint, melodic hum fills the air as the registration process begins.
[Complete the task before you, and embrace the fate that awaits. Your journey begins now!!]
The butterfly flew toward the players, hovering near their faces and gently landing near their eyes before stinging them. In doing so, it glowed faintly at the corner of their eyes, revealing an embedded ID number.
Ashlan Darkmoor ___ID: BFL-27391
A warrior with a massive sword. His butterfly is a shadowy black, almost imperceptible.
[Butterfly: Black, symbol of secrecy and shadows]
Valeria Ravenshade ___ID: EQR-18504
A healer with the ability to mend wounds and soothe pain. Her butterfly shimmers in a soft golden hue.
[Butterfly: Golden, symbol of healing and light]
Fenwick Thornfield ___ID: XQD-94027
A former knight with a strong sense of honor, now trapped in the game. His butterfly is a strong crimson red.
[Butterfly: Crimson, symbol of strength and courage]
Lyra Windrider ___ID: VJH-56283
A scholar and mage, gifted with magical abilities but often unsure of herself. Her butterfly glows a deep amethyst purple.
[Butterfly: Amethyst, symbol of wisdom and introspection]
Dax Silverthorn ___ID: ZKP-14785
A rogue with a history of betrayal, now seeking redemption. His butterfly flickers a dark green.
[Butterfly: Dark green, symbol of change and renewal]
Kael Dawnspire ___ID: PQC-71036
A former prince who lost his throne, driven by vengeance. His butterfly shines a fiery red-orange.
[Butterfly: Red-orange, symbol of passion and ambition]
Juno Emberstone ___ID: DZW-59184
A quiet and mysterious archer, who rarely speaks but always observes. Her butterfly gleams with an ethereal white light.
[Butterfly: White, symbol of purity and perception]
Briar Goldleaf ___ID: VUX-85263
A skilled trapmaker, capable of setting deadly snares. His butterfly is an eerie deep violet.
[Butterfly: Deep violet, symbol of cunning and traps]
Cynthia Smith ___ID: FNP-37419
A passionate artist, now forced to confront her fears. Her butterfly shines a vivid yellow.
[Butterfly: Yellow, symbol of creativity and illumination]
Orin Bloodraven ___ID: GJK-23870
A mysterious wanderer, seeking to understand the ancient magic of the forest. His butterfly glimmers in a sea-green hue.
[Butterfly: Sea-green, symbol of ancient magic and the unknown]
Arianna Steelwing ___ID: MNB-62913
A noblewoman who’s hidden her true intentions. Her butterfly is a bright pink.
[Butterfly: Pink, symbol of deception and charm]
Galen Hollowbrook ___ID: JYX-87420
A strong and brooding warrior, driven by his own guilt. His butterfly is a dark, stormy grey.
[Butterfly: Grey, symbol of burden and strength under pressure]
Solene Blackthorn ___ID: CWL-58627
A kind-hearted sorceress who uses magic to protect others. Her butterfly is a soft lavender.
[Butterfly: Lavender, symbol of protection and care]
Vespera Duskwood ___ID: LQT-93142
A quiet, deadly assassin with unmatched precision. Her butterfly glows a faint silver.
[Butterfly: Silver, symbol of death and quiet strength]
Vorn Frostwhisper ___ID: RVD-70349
A barbarian from the northern lands, fierce and unpredictable. His butterfly is a bold amber hue.
[Butterfly: Amber, symbol of primal strength and unpredictability]
Elowen Ulfr ___ID: THS-11130
A skilled moon spirit who has entered the dungeon to save her village. Her butterfly is a glowing silver-blue, symbolizing resilience and clarity.
[Butterfly: Silver-blue, symbol of renewal and resilience]
This Butterfly Mark will serve as the magical connection. The butterfly’s shimmer is a constant reminder of the players’ progress and the rules they must follow. At times, the butterfly may react to the game’s challenges. If any player gets too close to a source of forbidden light, their butterfly will shimmer more intensely, almost as if warning them that their actions may trigger a trap.
Everyone looked at the butterfly, whose wings softly shimmered in the air, giving off an eerie vibe. But they were determined, no matter what lay ahead. They did not want to give up on reaching their goal, even knowing that the end of their journey would be anything but pleasant. With renewed determination, they all stepped forward, readying themselves for this deadly game.
[The time for registration has passed]
[The doors are now closed]
[Mysterious Voice]
[The time for registration is past. The numbers have been assigned, and your fate is sealed. The first game is about to begin]
The scroll unfurls, revealing the details of the game ahead. A chill runs down their spine as the words slowly materialize in front of them.
[Your First Game: The Flickering Trials]
[Objective: Retrieve the Firefly Lantern from the heart of the dungeon, but the room is filled with traps triggered by light]
[Description: Each player, now identified by their unique number, must navigate through this deadly trial where only one source of light, the Firefly Lantern, can be safely used. The room’s traps are triggered by the slightest excess of light, making it a game of patience, caution, and strategy]
[Rules!!]
1. No Light Allowed: Player must avoid all sources of light except the Firefly Lantern itself. Any artificial light will trigger an invisible trap, causing a burst of poison to fill the room.
2. One Step at a Time: The room is filled with pressure-sensitive floors. Moving too quickly will cause the ground beneath to collapse, sending them plummeting into a pit filled with venomous creatures.
3. Dimming Glow: Once Player takes the Firefly Lantern, its glow will begin to fade after one minute. If the player doesn’t find the exit before it goes out, the entire dungeon will be plunged into complete darkness, making the quest infinitely more difficult.
The scroll disappear into dust, and the Herald butterfly vanish with a loud and gentle hum.
The game begins!!
Every move you make is a step toward life… or death!!