It was dark all that can be hear in the forest was two swords colliding they were in a battle and only one could be victorious a boy about 15 his hair was black his hair covered a bit of his right eye, holding a great sword with one hand.

His opponent was a knight they were holding a long sword they grip they sword

They both walked closer to each other they swords tip on the ground creating a small trail.

As they both dissaper all the human eye can see is sparks flying around, all of the sudden blood starts flying around as they both stop.

Coming to a sudden halt, they gracefully skidded across the lush green expanse, the air filled with the sweet scent of grass.

The knight had an arm missing there breathing getting heavier and heavier.

They clench there sword determination was in there eyes to win.

As the gentle breeze swept through, it lifted the strands of the boy's hair, unveiling a mysterious eyepatch that concealed secrets as profound as the untamed whispers of the wind itself.

"Spill the truth, Art. Did you carve out that eye just to make yourself cool?" taunted the knight, her words aimed at provoking the boy named Art, whose gaze held a quiet storm of mysteries.

Art's piercing silence spoke volumes, his intense gaze locking onto the knight. Amidst the cheerful melody of chirping birds, a crimson cascade painted the air, flowing relentlessly from the knight's wounded arm.

In a swift and daring move, the valiant knight raced to reclaim her lost arm, only to find herself halted by the sudden appearance of a thrown dagger. Her gaze locked with Art, whose hand remained frozen in the same ominous position. The battlefield echoed with suspense, as the threads of fate wove an uncertain tapestry around them.

With her remaining arm concealed a dagger, swiftly launching it toward Art. In the blink of an eye, it veered to the left, finding its mark in a tree just seconds before reaching him.

"Go to he-" Her words choked as her throat was mercilessly slit. Speechless, she witnessed Art approaching, and with a swift motion, her head parted from her body, rolling to rest against the very tree where the dagger had found its mark.

Artorian

Perched upon a solitary rock, I meticulously wiped the crimson stains from my blade, barely catching a glimpse of the elusive sun obscured by thick foliage. Towering trees enclosed the sky, casting an eerie shadow over the world below.

Rising to my feet, I glanced one last time at the lifeless face of the fallen knight, her eyes once alight with vitality now void of any trace of life.

"May you find peace in the afterlife," I murmured, offering a quiet prayer. With determined steps, I sprinted back to the place where I had first encountered her, my thoughts wandering to Rose and Liz, hoping they had discovered the elusive door in my absence.

Dodging the silent predators lurking in the shadows, my sharp eyes soon spotted the pair waiting ahead. As our gazes met, Liz, with her characteristic enthusiasm, waved me over. "Art, I’ve found the entrance to the dungeons!" she announced, her innocent smile adding a touch of whimsy to the discovery.

Liz was like a vision from a twilight realm. Her blonde locks cascaded like sunlight, and her gaze glowed a deep ruby red, blending an elfin grace with a vampiric allure. Meanwhile, Rose, with a pout and arms crossed, huffed, "What do you mean, 'I found it'? Clearly, it was me, Art."

Rose, with her crimson hair and ruby-like eyes, embodied a human blessed with a spark of the divine. There was something ethereal about her presence, an undeniable hint of otherworldly energy in her vibrant features.

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As we stood before the hidden dungeon entrance, the thrill of discovery settled over us. Liz and Rose exchanged a moment of acknowledgment, a silent agreement that this shared success was a testament to our bond. A new chapter in our adventure awaited, filled with untold mysteries within the labyrinth.

Liz and I turned together, entranced by the enchanting sight of endless green meadows under the open sky. The birds' song filled the air, adding a tranquil pause to our journey—a reminder of the beauty that mirrored the harmony within our quest-weary hearts.

I found Rose focused on the cryptic symbols carved onto the Labyrinth's door, her pen moving swiftly across her journal as she sketched the runes.

"Rose, any idea what they mean?" I asked, a note of anticipation in my voice.

She looked up, determination flashing in her eyes. "Some symbols are unfamiliar," she admitted, but her focus remained unbroken as she captured each one carefully.

As snowflakes began to drift down from the sky, I turned to my companions, concern in my gaze. "We should head back; the cold is getting worse, and we aren’t dressed for it," I said. Together, we started our journey home, the forest now cloaked in winter's delicate embrace.

As the sun sank, casting a warm glow over the landscape, the distant lights of our village began to twinkle. Quickening our pace, we yearned for the familiar warmth of home.

At the entrance to the adventure guild, I walked in and approached the receptionist with pride. "We found the dungeon entrance," I announced, marking our success in the guild’s records.

Our quaint village, full of familiar faces, held the guild as its heart—a place where both alliances and blades were forged. Next door, the blacksmith’s hammer rang out rhythmically, and the cozy inn invited weary travelers with its warm light.

I noticed Liz sipping from a crimson vial with a refined grace that hinted at her centuries-old etiquette, her choice of drink a subtle reminder of her unique nature.

"Here's your reward," said the receptionist, handing over a small pouch. But the moment was interrupted by a voice laced with irritation. "Watch where you're going, brat!" Turning, I saw a bunny demi-human berating Rose, who was now on the floor.

"Tch, what a weakling. Tell me, are you a pathetic human?" he sneered, his insult igniting a spark in Rose's eyes as she clenched her fists. I stepped forward, challenging him with a retort. "How can a mere human have crimson hair? Obviously, she’s a slime."

Rose seized the opportunity, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, you see, I happen to be a fire slime," she declared with a wink. Her skill in fire magic lent credibility to her claim, leaving the demi-human caught off guard.

He took a step back, clearly unnerved by Rose’s "reveal." Though her powers remained in check, a sense of respect lingered as he muttered, "Not worth my time," before walking off.

"I’ve never seen him before; maybe he's a wandering adventurer," Liz remarked as she joined Rose and me, her eyes on the retreating figure.

I helped Rose to her feet, only to receive a light chop on the head from Liz. "Rose, don’t lie about your race," she scolded. Then, she turned to me. "And Art, you shouldn’t encourage her. What would Lilith think?"

Her words resonated, reminding me of Lilith, my maid and the only slime I’d ever met. Guilt prickled at me, and I resolved to apologize to her for any unintended offense.

"I’ll apologize to Lilith," I promised.

"Good," Liz replied with a nod. Just then, the sound of snow crunching underfoot reminded us that winter had arrived, blanketing the village in pristine white.

Leading the way, I bid my friends goodbye when we reached my house. Entering, I found my younger siblings deeply engrossed in training—Arthur practicing his magic, and Sophia honing her swordsmanship. A sense of pride washed over me as I watched them.

Lilith greeted me at the door with her customary grace. "Welcome home, master," she said, bowing slightly.

"I’m sorry for what I said at the guild today about Rose being a slime," I admitted.

"It’s alright, master. Humans are often underestimated among other beings," she reassured me, her understanding highlighting the complexities of our world’s prejudices. Reflecting on the encounter, I realized the man likely targeted Rose because she appeared defenseless and human—a perception he sought to exploit.

In truth, Rose’s unique magic allowed her to summon a blade at will, much like my own style differs in complementing the strength of our group.

As I told Lilith I would retire for the night, a sudden presence caught my attention in my room. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked and mysterious.

"My lord," she said, her tone serious, "there are individuals inquiring about Lady Eva."

"She's more than capable of handling herself; you know that," I reassured the figure.

"Yes, but it's crucial for you to be aware of the situation," she replied, meeting my gaze, her eyes revealing the gravity of the message she’d brought.

"You may leave now," I instructed, my tone firm but calm.

"As you wish," she responded, then slipped back into the shadows, her presence vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared.

As I lay back on the bed, the day’s events replayed vividly, each detail amplified in the silence of the room. The confrontation at the guild, the cryptic symbols at the dungeon’s entrance, and the unknown intentions of those asking after Eva—all these pieces connected in an intricate puzzle, hinting at something deeper.

"Just don't torture anyone, Eva," I murmured again, almost as if saying it aloud might somehow reach her. Eva was strong, fiercely capable, but her past held shadows even I didn’t fully know. For her, power was both a strength and a temptation, a dual-edged sword that could either protect or consume.

My eyes drifted to the window where a soft layer of snow reflected the moonlight, casting an ethereal glow into the room. Outside, the world was peaceful, blanketed in white, but I knew the tranquility was fleeting. Winter had a way of quieting things on the surface while secrets brewed underneath, waiting for the spring thaw to emerge.

Sleep was elusive as I lay there, the weight of unspoken questions pressing on me. Who were these people seeking information about Eva? And why now? In the silence, I felt the tug of responsibility and a growing awareness that we were on the edge of something significant.

With one last glance at the snow-covered village outside, I finally closed my eyes, letting sleep take me, knowing that tomorrow would bring its own challenges and choices. And in the back of my mind, a single thought lingered: Whatever awaits, we would face it together.