Chapter 1 - The Lost Ones
"Are you sure it's here?" asked the figure shrouded in a dark cloak, their hood pulled low to conceal most of their features. A glint of determination shone in their eyes, which were an eerie, otherworldly white. Xia was notorious for breaking countless couples with his devastatingly handsome face and those mesmerizing, almost unnatural, white eyes. His raven-black hair framed his face, adding to his enigmatic allure.
"Yes, yes, I am 99.999% sure," replied the second figure cautiously. Their voice was steady but carried a hint of uncertainty. Taller than Xia, they wore a cloak that swayed as they moved. A wooden mask covered their entire face, with only the eyes carved out, revealing a purplish glow that added to their air of mystery. Chris, as he was known, had hair as dark as the shadows, and he was known for his perpetual silence, often leaving conversations to his charismatic brother.
"What about the other 0.001%? That tiny percentage could cost us our lives," grumbled the first figure. Their cloak rustled as they shifted uncomfortably beneath it. "First of all, don't interrupt when I'm talking; it's really disturbing," chuckled the second figure. A smirk played on their lips, barely visible under the hood. "And second, it's not my fault that our luck is that bad. We'll take this as our training, Xia."
"Training, my ass. Who gets chased by a Gold Wanderer in the Outer Death Forest?" Xia smacked Chris playfully. His enchanting looks had enticed both genders, earning him a reputation as a heartbreaker.
Chris laughed and ran toward a spot he had pointed out earlier, with Xia following cautiously. Even though they had outwitted the wanderer, the Outer Death Forest remained a perilous place. The forest loomed with twisted trees, their gnarled branches casting eerie shadows in the fading light.
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Suddenly, the ground beneath them gave way. "XIAAA, ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!!!" Chris screamed, frantically forming hand seals. The dim glow of the seals illuminated his face, revealing the sharp jawline hidden beneath the mask.
"Well, didn't you say it's training? So, take this as training," Xia laughed as he unfurled his Dark Flame Wings from behind his back. The wings, wreathed in an ethereal, dark fire, cast an eerie yet mesmerizing glow. They tumbled to the lower level but quickly regained their footing.
"Doesn't this place seem a bit familiar?" Xia mused, his voice tinged with wonder. Chris nodded thoughtfully as they drew their weapons and ventured further into the cave, which was adorned with ancient murals depicting war. The murals, though faded with age, depicted battles of epic proportions, with warriors in elaborate armor clashing amidst explosions of magic.
"Seems like these murals and this cave were created ten thousand years ago," Xia observed. His gaze traced the details of the mural, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Agreed, but at the same time, it feels like this cave is calling us... hundreds of people are calling us," Chris added. His voice held a sense of reverence as he continued to study the murals, as if he could hear the echoes of long-forgotten battles.
They reached an opening that filled their noses with the smell of blood. Before them lay a massive crater filled with skeletons clad in armor and clutching weapons. In the center of the crater, two women held babies. Tears welled up in Xia and Chris's eyes, and they couldn't understand why they felt such heartbreak.
"Look at Captain Chris's baby; he looks just like the captain!" The voice of a ghostly figure reverberated in the cavern, its form shifting in and out of existence.
"I know, right! Same with Captain Xia too!" Another specter chimed in, its translucent hand resting on Chris's shoulder.
"They both are blessed with a great family." A third apparition smiled, its face partially obscured by a spectral veil.
"Dear, what names are you planning for our sons?" The whispers of the past echoed through the cave.
"RUNNN!!! TAKE THEM AWAY!!" The shadows wailed, their voices filled with despair.
"NOOOO!!!!" Xia and Chris whispered in unison, tears streaming down their faces as they connected with memories from a time long forgotten.