The air grew heavy, thick with an ancient malice as the Shadowborne Titan stood before them, a colossal figure formed from darkness and void. Its red, ember-like eyes burned through the shadows, fixating on the three adventurers with a hunger that felt almost palpable. The chamber seemed to shrink under its presence, chaotic energy flooding every crevice.

Kalsei took a deep breath, his hands tightening around the hilt of the Shattering Blade. He glanced at Seikan, who was already assessing the situation with cold calculation, and then at Steph, who stood a little behind, her new Void-Touched Staff already raised in preparation.

"Alright," Kalsei quipped, though his grin was slightly forced. "One massive, shadowy, ancient thing versus the three of us. No big deal, right?"

Steph sighed, her eyes focused on the Titan, her expression bored but tinged with apprehension. "Every time you open your mouth, something worse happens."

Seikan’s eyes flickered toward the two briefly before focusing again on the Titan. "Enough. Focus. This creature is not like the others. We must be strategic."

The Titan’s deep growl resonated through the room, a low rumbling sound that sent a shiver down Kalsei’s spine. Without warning, it moved—a massive, clawed appendage sweeping across the chamber floor with startling speed.

Kalsei’s reflexes reacted just in time, and he leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the Titan’s claws. The sound of its attack crashing into the stone floor echoed through the chamber, sending cracks spiraling out from the point of impact.

"That thing's faster than it looks!" Kalsei shouted, flipping backward and landing lightly on his feet. His golden eyes glowed briefly as he activated Reality Blink, warping the space around him to confuse the Titan.

The creature roared in frustration, its hulking form shifting as it struggled to track Kalsei’s movements. But this wasn’t enough to stop it. Dark energy began to gather at the center of its massive chest, forming into a pulsating, dangerous-looking orb.

"Get back!" Seikan ordered, his voice sharp.

The Titan unleashed Void Pulse, sending a shockwave of void energy that expanded outward in all directions. Kalsei blurred into motion, Void Step allowing him to phase briefly out of existence, avoiding the brunt of the attack. Seikan, meanwhile, conjured Shadow Infusion, using the shadows to absorb some of the pulse’s impact. But Steph, slower to react, was caught at the edge of the blast. The pulse hit her like a sledgehammer, sending her skidding across the stone floor.

"Steph!" Kalsei yelled, his voice filled with concern.

She coughed, pushing herself up on her staff, her dark eyes filled with irritation more than pain. "I’m fine," she muttered, though her voice was tight with effort. "But this thing is annoying."

Kalsei’s playful tone returned. "Yeah, and it doesn’t even appreciate how fabulous we are."

"Focus," Seikan hissed. He was already sketching runes in the air, casting Rune of Decay. A glowing rune appeared beneath the Titan, and dark energy began to swirl around it, leeching its strength. The Titan howled, its form shifting and flickering, but the damage was minimal. It seemed to shrug off the effect as if the Decay rune were a mere inconvenience.

"That’s not enough," Seikan growled. "We need to hit it harder."

Kalsei nodded, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the battlefield. The Titan was massive, but its movements were fast compared to its size. If they could keep it off balance, maybe they could wear it down. He raised his sword, activating Rift Strike, sending a shockwave of distorted energy directly at the Titan’s legs.

The attack hit, causing the Titan to stumble, but it quickly regained its footing. With a deafening roar, it raised both of its massive claws and brought them crashing down toward the group.

Kalsei activated Blink Strike, teleporting forward in a blur of motion to strike at the Titan’s exposed side. His blade connected, sending a ripple of energy through the creature, but the Titan retaliated swiftly, swinging one of its massive claws in a wide arc.

The blow struck Kalsei before he could dodge, sending him sprawling across the chamber.

Steph’s eyes widened slightly, her disinterested facade momentarily breaking. Without a word, she raised her staff and cast Vital Surge, channeling healing energy into Kalsei.

"You’re not dying on me," Steph muttered, though her voice was as monotone as ever. "That’s my job, apparently."

Kalsei grinned, pushing himself back to his feet. "Thanks, Steph. I’d hate to lose my most loyal fan."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Shut up and fight."

The Titan, meanwhile, was gathering energy for another attack. This time, its entire body began to glow with dark energy as it prepared to unleash Crushing Grasp. Its massive claws glowed with dark light, ready to seize and crush anything in their path.

Seikan’s eyes widened as he saw the attack forming. "It’s going to try to grab one of us! Stay spread out!"

Kalsei nodded, darting to one side of the chamber, while Steph moved to the other. Seikan remained in the center, focusing on preparing another spell. As the Titan’s claws descended, Kalsei activated Void Step once again, phasing out of reach just as the claws slammed into the ground where he had been standing.

"Now!" Seikan shouted.

He cast Adaptive Shackles, dark chains erupting from the ground to bind the Titan’s legs. The creature howled in rage, struggling against the bindings, but for a brief moment, it was immobilized.

Kalsei seized the opportunity. He activated Void Blade, sending a blade of pure void energy slicing through the air toward the Titan’s exposed chest. The attack hit with a resounding crack, piercing the Titan’s defenses and causing it to roar in pain.

Steph, not one to be left behind, raised her staff and cast Shadow Fang, sending a wave of dark energy at the Titan. The spell struck its side, tearing through the swirling shadows that made up its form. The Titan let out a guttural scream, its body flickering as the damage took hold.

Despite the onslaught, the Titan wasn’t finished. With a deafening roar, it broke free of Seikan’s shackles, its form rippling with raw void energy. Its glowing eyes fixed on Seikan, and with terrifying speed, it lunged toward him.

Seikan barely had time to react as the Titan’s massive claws closed around him. The creature lifted him off the ground, its crushing grip squeezing the life from him.

Kalsei’s heart raced as he watched Seikan struggle in the Titan’s grasp. "Seikan!" he shouted, rushing forward. He activated Reality Blink, warping the space around him to close the distance between himself and the Titan. In a burst of speed, he leaped into the air, bringing his blade down in a powerful strike.

The Shattering Blade connected with the Titan’s arm, sending a shockwave of energy through its form. The Titan howled in pain, its grip on Seikan loosening just enough for him to slip free.

Seikan landed on the ground, gasping for breath, but quickly regained his composure. "Finish it," he rasped.

Kalsei nodded, his eyes glowing with determination. He activated Rift Strike one last time, sending a massive shockwave of energy through the Titan’s body. The creature let out one final, bloodcurdling scream before its form collapsed into a swirling mass of shadows, disintegrating into nothingness.

Shadowborne Titan defeated! 2000 experience points earned.

New Quest Reward: Shadowborne Titan Core

Kalsei collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. "That... was way too close."

Steph walked over, offering him a hand. "You’re lucky I’m here to keep you alive," she said, her tone flat but with a hint of warmth.

He grinned up at her, taking her hand and standing. "I always knew you had a soft spot for me."

She rolled her eyes, though there was a faint blush on her pale cheeks. "Don’t push your luck."

Seikan, now back on his feet, approached the center of the room where the Titan had fallen. He knelt down and picked up the glowing core it had left behind, studying it with interest. "This will be useful."

Kalsei raised an eyebrow, watching Seikan as he inspected the glowing core. "Useful for what? Are we going to sell it for a ton of gold or—"

"No," Seikan cut him off, his voice cold and focused. "This is a Shadowborne Titan Core. It contains immense power, a fragment of the void itself. I can use it to enhance my magic or create a powerful rune. It’s a rare artifact. Far more valuable than gold."

Steph, standing a little off to the side, folded her arms across her chest. "As long as you don’t use it to blow us all up, I’m fine with whatever magical experiment you have in mind."

Kalsei chuckled, though his body was still sore from the battle. "Yeah, let’s avoid any explosions, please. I’m not in the mood for any sudden magical fireworks."

Seikan slipped the core into his pouch, securing it tightly. "Let’s get out of here. We’ve spent enough time in this dungeon, and I have no desire to see what else it might throw at us."

The trio gathered themselves, exhaustion weighing heavily on their bodies but determination keeping them moving. The oppressive air of the dungeon lingered, but the worst of it had passed. As they made their way back through the winding corridors, the once-threatening walls now seemed subdued, as if the defeat of the Titan had pacified the dungeon’s hostility.

The trio walked in silence for a while, their bodies still thrumming from the battle. Eventually, in what seemed like an hour, the flickering torchlight of the entrance came into view. The fresh air outside beckoned them, and Kalsei couldn’t help but grin as they stepped into the afternoon sunlight.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, stretching his arms overhead. "I thought we were going to be stuck down there forever. I can’t wait to get back to the guild hall."

Steph let out a small sigh, wiping some dust off her dark robes. "And here I thought you liked dungeons."

"Only when there’s treasure at the end," Kalsei replied with a wink.

Seikan said nothing, already focused on their next steps. He was still deep in thought, likely plotting what he could do with the Shadowborne Titan Core. The group continued down the path back to the capital, the once-foreboding dungeon now a distant memory.

The capital was bustling as usual. The sounds of merchants calling out their wares and the chatter of cityfolk filled the air as Kalsei, Steph, and Seikan approached the massive stone building that housed the Adventurer’s Guild. Its imposing structure loomed over the square, a constant reminder of the dangers that lay beyond the city’s walls.

As they entered the guild hall, they were greeted by the familiar sight of adventurers lounging around, boasting about their latest quests, and guild staff rushing to and fro. The large notice board near the entrance was covered in new quests, ranging from monster hunting to resource gathering.

Kalsei stepped up to the counter, flashing a charming smile at the receptionist. "Hey there! We’re here to turn in a contract. Defeated a big bad in the dungeon."

The receptionist, the same young woman with long blonde hair they had received the quest from, smiled warmly at Kalsei. "Another one? You guys have been on a roll lately. What was it this time?"

"A Shadowborne Titan," Seikan answered, his voice cold and matter-of-fact.

The receptionist's eyes widened, clearly impressed. "A Shadowborne Titan? That’s... that’s no joke. You’re lucky to be alive. Hold on, let me pull up the contract details." She tapped a few keys on a magical tablet-like device, bringing up their quest log.

Quest Completed: Dungeon - Forgotten Ruins (Copper Rank) Details: A recently discovered dungeon near the southern ruins has been reported to contain rare materials and magical artifacts. Explore the dungeon and retrieve any valuable items. Beware of dangerous creatures that inhabit the area.

Rewards:

2500 experience points

Rare Materials (Lesser Sandworm Horn, Griffin Feather)

1200 Gold

The screen blinked, alerting the receptionist. "Oh! Look at that!" She remarked excitedly. "You completed a hidden quest."

Hidden Quest Completed: Defeat the Obsidian Titan

Rewards Earned:

3500 Gold Coins

2000 Experience Points

Shadowborne Titan Core

Kalsei watched the screen light up with their rewards, grinning broadly. "That’s more like it."

"Your reward will be deposited in your guild account," the receptionist said, looking up at them with a small smile. "And as always, thank you for your service to Aurelia."

"Aurelia," Seikan murmured, taking note of the name of the capital they had not deemed to ask before now. The name sounded latin.

Steph crossed her arms, her usual bored expression still intact. "Great. Now we can move on to something less... death-inducing."

Kalsei shrugged playfully. "Where’s the fun in that?"

As they turned to leave the counter, they caught the attention of some of the other adventurers lounging in the hall. A few raised their tankards in salute, while others eyed them warily, clearly intimidated by the fact that they had taken down such a powerful foe.

One adventurer, a burly man with a scar over one eye, approached them. "You three took down a Shadowborne Titan?" he asked, his voice gruff.

"Yup," Kalsei said, smiling brightly. "Wasn’t easy, but we managed."

The man chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I’d say. Don’t hear about Titans falling every day. You lot are making a name for yourselves."

Seikan’s cold voice cut through the conversation. "We have work to do." Without another word, he turned and headed for the stairs that led to the upper levels of the guild, where they had private quarters.

Steph followed, though she cast a quick glance back at Kalsei, who was still chatting with the burly adventurer. "Come on, Kalsei. You can bask in the glory later."

Kalsei flashed her a grin, waving to the adventurer before catching up with his companions. "I was just being friendly," he said, a teasing tone in his voice.

Steph rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Sure, sure. You just can’t resist being the center of attention, can you?"

Kalsei winked. "Hey, someone’s got to keep our reputation alive, right?"

As they reached the upper level of the guild hall, they entered their private quarters—a large room with comfortable chairs, a sturdy table, and a fireplace that crackled warmly in the corner. Kalsei immediately flopped into one of the chairs, letting out a contented sigh.

"Home sweet home," he murmured.

Seikan sat down at the table, pulling out the Shadowborne Titan Core and placing it in front of him. He stared at it for a long moment, his mind clearly turning over plans and ideas.

"We need to plan our next move," Seikan said, his voice low. "The dungeon may be behind us, but there are larger forces at play."

Kalsei raised an eyebrow. "You’re still thinking about that dungeon? Come on, we just finished it."

Seikan’s cold gaze met his. "There’s more to this than just the dungeon. The relics we’ve found, the power behind these creatures—it’s connected to something greater. Something dangerous."

Steph, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, nodded slightly. "He’s right. That Titan wasn’t just some random monster. It felt... different. Like it was protecting something bigger."

Kalsei sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, fine. We’ll deal with whatever ‘bigger’ thing is out there. But can we at least get some rest first?"

Seikan nodded curtly. "Rest, for now. But we must remain vigilant."

Kalsei grinned, his playful sarcasm returning. "I’ll try not to get too comfortable. You know, just in case another ancient evil decides to drop by."

Steph let out a soft laugh, though she quickly tried to cover it with a cough. "You’re impossible."

As the trio settled in their quarters, the room fell into an almost peaceful silence. The crackling of the fireplace provided a gentle backdrop, but it couldn’t completely mask the weight of their recent battle or the looming threat Seikan continued to fixate on.

Kalsei leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. His body still ached from the Titan's crushing blows, and despite Steph's healing magic, the bruises on his ribs would serve as a reminder of how close they'd come to failing. But it wasn’t just his physical pain that lingered. There was something about that fight, the oppressive presence of the Titan, that gnawed at him.

"I can't stop thinking about that thing," Kalsei said softly, more to himself than to the others. He sat up, looking at his companions. "You both felt it too, right? That thing wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill dungeon monster. It was like it had... a purpose."

Seikan's eyes flicked up from the Titan Core in front of him, narrowing slightly. "I told you before. The magic in that dungeon was different. The creatures we fought weren’t just guardians. They were placed there to protect something, or someone. The Titan was likely the final line of defense."

Steph, sitting on the edge of one of the armchairs, shifted slightly. "A defense for what, though? We've fought plenty of monsters, but none of them felt... like that."

Kalsei nodded, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "It was almost like it was alive in a way that was more than just some dumb brute. It felt like it knew what it was doing. Like it was waiting for us."

Seikan’s lips tightened, but he didn’t respond right away. His mind was clearly elsewhere, likely already dissecting every moment of the fight, every rune he had read on the walls of the dungeon, every flicker of dark magic that had permeated the air.

Finally, Seikan spoke, his voice low and distant. "If we assume the dungeon was created by a powerful sorcerer or divine being, it stands to reason that whatever lies beyond the Titan is something of monumental importance. The relics we’ve found, including this core," he gestured to the Titan Core on the table, "are connected to that power. We need to figure out what it is, and quickly."

Kalsei sighed, running a hand through his soft white hair. "Yeah, well, figuring that out doesn’t sound like much fun."

Steph smirked faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Fun isn’t exactly what we signed up for, is it?"

"True," Kalsei conceded with a chuckle, his light tone returning. "But it’d be nice if saving the world came with more treasure and fewer ancient curses."

Seikan ignored Kalsei’s comment, his sharp gaze still fixated on the core in front of him. The artifact pulsed faintly, emitting a dark, eerie glow that cast strange shadows across the walls. He reached out and placed a hand on it, his fingers barely brushing the surface. As he did, the shadows in the room seemed to stretch and flicker, responding to his touch.

Steph watched him carefully, her expression unreadable. "You’re not planning on doing something reckless with that thing, are you?"

Seikan’s eyes flicked toward her, cold and calculating as always. "Recklessness is not in my nature."

Kalsei laughed softly, leaning back in his chair again. "Yeah, tell that to the last guy who tried to cast dark magic without knowing what he was doing. I heard he turned into a chicken."

Steph stifled a laugh, though a small smile curved on her lips. "I’d pay to see that."

Seikan’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond to Kalsei’s jab. Instead, he returned his attention to the core, his mind already racing with the possibilities of what he could do with it. He would need to study it further, perhaps consult with other Rune Masters in the capital. There was no room for error when dealing with something this powerful.

Kalsei stood up, stretching his arms above his head with a satisfied groan. "Alright, enough doom and gloom. We’ve earned a good meal, a drink, and maybe even a nap that doesn’t involve being attacked by shadowy titans."

Steph glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You do realize we’re still in the middle of figuring out what’s going on, right?"

"Yeah, but we can’t figure anything out on an empty stomach." Kalsei flashed her a grin before heading toward the door. "Come on, let’s hit the tavern. Maybe we’ll overhear something useful."

Seikan remained seated. "You two go ahead. I’ll stay here and study the core. There’s much to be learned from it, and I need time without distractions."

Steph stood up, giving Kalsei a pointed look. "You heard the man. Let’s leave the ‘distraction’ behind."

"Hey!" Kalsei pouted, putting on a mock-offended expression. "I’m the brains of this operation, you know."

Steph rolled her eyes, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. "Sure. Let’s see those brains get us some dinner, then."

The two left Seikan to his studies, making their way back down the winding staircase of the guild hall and out into the bustling streets of Aurelia. The cool night air greeted them, and the warm glow of lanterns illuminated the cobblestone streets. The city felt alive, in stark contrast to the oppressive darkness they had just escaped in the dungeon.

Kalsei led the way, his usual playful bounce in his step returning as they neared the tavern. "You know, we really should celebrate. Defeating a Titan is no small feat. I mean, we could’ve died back there, but we didn’t! That’s worth at least one round of drinks."

Steph gave him a sidelong glance, her dark eyes shimmering in the lamplight. "You’re too cheerful for someone who was nearly crushed to death."

Kalsei shrugged. "That’s how I cope. Better to laugh about it than dwell on it, right?"

Steph’s expression softened ever so slightly. She wasn’t one to admit it, but Kalsei’s light-hearted attitude was something she’d come to appreciate, even if she wouldn’t say it out loud. It was the reason she could tolerate him—he had a way of making the darkest moments feel a little less overwhelming.

They arrived at the tavern, the familiar smell of roasted meat and ale wafting through the air. The din of conversation and laughter spilled out into the street as they pushed open the heavy wooden door. Inside, the tavern was alive with adventurers recounting their latest quests, tradesmen discussing business, and locals enjoying their evening.

Kalsei made a beeline for the bar, leaning casually against the counter. "A plate each of that delicious roast that lured me us here," he called to the bartender. "And an ale."

Steph took a seat at a nearby table, watching him with her usual expression of mild disinterest. "You know we don’t really have time for this, right? We should be planning our next move."

Kalsei plopped down in the chair across from her, handing her one of the ales with a grin. "We’ll plan after we drink. Besides, I need something to wash the taste of shadowy void monsters out of my mouth."

Steph took the mug with a sigh but didn’t argue. She wasn’t particularly fond of ale, but after everything they’d been through, she wasn’t going to complain about a few moments of peace. She took a sip, her expression never changing as she placed the mug back on the table.

Kalsei, on the other hand, took a long swig, setting his mug down with a satisfied sigh. "Now this is what we needed," he muttered contently as the barmaid brought their meals to them.

As they sat there eating, the noise of the tavern filling the air, Kalsei’s gaze drifted around the room. He watched the other adventurers, some of them new, others veterans, and wondered how many of them had faced the kind of danger they had just survived. It was strange, how normal everything felt after what they’d been through.

Steph followed his gaze, her dark eyes thoughtful. "Do you ever wonder why we do this? Risk our lives over and over again?"

Kalsei blinked, surprised by the question. He hadn’t expected that kind of introspection from her. "Honestly? Not really. I guess... I just don’t think about it too much. It’s better than being bored."

Steph smirked, though it was tinged with something more serious. "You’re always looking for an escape. Maybe that’s why you never stop moving."

Kalsei frowned slightly, but then his expression softened. "Maybe. But isn’t that what we all do? Keep moving so we don’t have to think about the stuff that scares us?"

Steph’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she looked away. "Yeah. I guess so."

They sat in silence for a while, the noise of the tavern washing over them. It was a rare moment of reflection, and though Kalsei didn’t usually dwell on deeper thoughts, he found himself appreciating the quiet companionship they shared.

After a while, he leaned back in his chair, grinning again. "Alright, enough of the heavy stuff. Let’s finish these meals and get back to work."

Steph rolled her eyes but took another sip of her ale. "You’re insufferable," she muttered, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

Kalsei beamed. "And yet, here you are. Stuck with me."

Steph didn’t respond, but there was a warmth in her dark eyes that belied her usual disinterested exterior. She took another sip of her ale, allowing herself a brief moment of quiet satisfaction.

Once they finished eating, Kalsei pushed back his chair and stood up, stretching his arms. "Alright, time to head back. Seikan’s probably neck-deep in that Titan Core by now, and we don’t want to miss out on whatever crazy plan he’s cooking up."

Steph followed him out of the tavern, the cool night air greeting them once more as they made their way through the quiet streets of Aurelia. The city had settled down for the night, the once-bustling market square now empty save for a few lantern-lit stalls. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft silver glow over the rooftops.

As they walked in silence, Steph glanced at Kalsei from the corner of her eye. "You really don’t worry about any of this, do you?"

Kalsei shrugged, his hands casually resting behind his head as he walked. "I mean, sure, I worry sometimes. But if I let that stop me, we wouldn’t get anything done. Besides," he added with a playful grin, "you and Seikan are always there to save my skin, so what’s there to worry about?"

Steph rolled her eyes, but her tone was softer now. "You’re ridiculous."

"I try," Kalsei said with a wink.

They made their way back to the guild hall in comfortable silence, the weight of the day’s events still lingering but no longer oppressive. By the time they reached their quarters, the fire had burned down to glowing embers, casting a warm, faint glow across the room.

Seikan was exactly where they’d left him, sitting at the table with the Shadowborne Titan Core in front of him, his gaze intense and focused. He didn’t look up as they entered, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"How’s the core treating you?" Kalsei asked, flopping back into his chair by the fire.

Seikan finally glanced up, his expression unreadable. "It’s... fascinating. There’s more power in this than I initially thought. The void energy it contains is unlike anything I’ve seen before."

Steph leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "Is it dangerous?"

Seikan’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Everything is dangerous if you don’t know how to handle it. But with the right precautions, this core could be the key to unlocking new abilities, new magic that we haven’t even begun to explore."

Kalsei raised an eyebrow. "New magic, huh? Sounds like you’ve got a plan."

Seikan’s eyes gleamed in the dim light. "I always have a plan."

Kalsei chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course you do."

Steph pushed herself off the wall, walking over to the table and sitting down across from Seikan. "So what’s the next step? We’ve completed the contract, handed in the quest, and survived the dungeon. What now?"

Seikan’s gaze flicked to the core, then back to his companions. "We need to head to Eldraxis. There are scholars there who can help us understand this artifact better, and there are more relics to uncover. The Titan was just the beginning."

Kalsei stretched, a grin spreading across his face. "Eldraxis, huh? Sounds like an adventure. Is that the capital of magic? Because it sounds magicky."

"Eldraxis is a mystical capital, known for its history of arcane mastery and magics," Seikan replied dryly. "So in a sense, it is 'magicky'." He turned to face Kalsei. "And before you ask how I know this.. I spoke to someone whilst you were gone."

Kalsei gave Seikan a proud smile. "I'm so proud of you. You spoke to someone." He leaned back in the chair grinning.

Steph, as always, remained more reserved. "I guess that’s our only option if we want answers. But you’d better not drag us into another ancient curse."

"No promises," Kalsei said with a laugh.

Seikan stood, tucking the core away in his pouch. "Get some rest. We leave at dawn."

Kalsei yawned exaggeratedly, settling back comfortably in his chair. "Finally, some shut-eye. I thought you’d never suggest it."

The next morning came swiftly. As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, Kalsei, Seikan, and Steph gathered their belongings and prepared for their journey. The guild hall was still quiet, most adventurers still asleep after a long night of drinking and storytelling.

They made their way to the guild’s stable, where a cart waited for them, its wheels creaking slightly as the stablemaster loaded their supplies. Kalsei climbed into the back, settling in with a contented sigh.

"Road trip time," he said, grinning at Steph as she climbed in beside him.

Seikan took his place in the back of the cart, his eyes scanning the area as they prepared to leave the safety of Aurelia behind. Eldraxis was several days’ journey to the west, and the road ahead was sure to be filled with its own challenges.

As the cart began to roll out of the guild’s courtyard, Kalsei leaned back, staring up at the sky. "You know, I think this is going to be fun."

Steph glanced at him, her expression as neutral as ever. "You say that now, but just wait. I’m sure we’ll run into something that’ll make you regret those words."

Kalsei laughed, his golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "Bring it on. I’m ready for whatever this world throws at us."

Seikan, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, allowed a small, satisfied smile to cross his lips. "Let’s hope you’re right."