I stepped closer to the edge, peering down at the sea thrashing below. Waves crashed against jagged rocks, the wind whipping water into the air. The map wasn’t entirely clear, but Aiden had explained there were two entrances to Gullious Cave. One had been sealed off by an earthquake, leaving us with only this underwater tunnel.

Aiden claimed we’d be back at the boys’ dormitory in one or two hours tops—unless, of course, things went off script. Not that we even had a script. “According to plan” was starting to sound like a bad joke, especially since none of them, except Aiden, seemed like the type to plan more than a step ahead.

“So,” Seker asked, voice laced with hesitation, “the cave’s right under us, yeah?”

Aiden dropped to a crouch, nodding as he ran his fingers over the ground. “Yeah. Let me confirm something first.”

He closed his eyes and exhaled, placing one finger on the soil. A strange hum resonated, followed by green ripples spreading out from his hand. The waves passed through me without effect, but I stayed quiet, pretending I understood what was happening. No point in looking clueless.

When Aiden opened his eyes, Leo extended a hand to help him stand. Dusting off his pants, he tucked the map into his back pocket. His calm demeanor was reassuring.

“No undead in the tunnels,” Aiden announced. “We’re clear.”

“Perfect,” Leo said with a grin. “Let’s dive in.”

“I’ll go first,” Aiden replied, rolling his shoulders. “I can hold my breath longer than you guys. I’ll leave markers to guide you through the tunnel.”

“Markers?” Leo tilted his head as Aiden pulled small squares of white fabric from his pocket. They bore the Queen’s portrait with Kinowa printed above it—torn strips from some ceremonial flag, maybe?

With the cloth in hand, Aiden joined me at the edge. He glanced down at the water, studying the movement of the waves below. It was a straight drop, no slope to ease our way in. One wrong move and the current could carry us off course.

Seker shuffled closer, leaning cautiously over the edge. He inhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Oh, boy… We’re really doing this, huh?”

“Yep,” Leo chimed in, patting him on the back. “We really are.”

Aiden went over the plan again. “I’ll dive in and tie these markers to the rocks underwater. Wait two minutes, then follow me down. The markers will show you the way to the entrance.”

“Got it,” Leo replied, giving him a thumbs-up.

Aiden hesitated for a moment, whispering under his breath. “O’, Rowe, please don’t take me today.”

Leo snorted. “Hey, if you’re scared, I can—”

“Ah, fuck you,” Aiden cut him off with a smirk before leaping off the edge. He sliced cleanly into the water, disappearing beneath the surface.

We watched the ripples spread and then vanish, leaving the ocean’s chaotic rhythm in their place. I stared at the waves, the enormity of what we were doing sinking in.

Leo broke the silence, whistling softly. “And he’s gone. What an insane bastard.”

“I feel like this is my fault,” Seker muttered, eyes still fixed on the water. “I shouldn’t have—”

“Hey, don’t start that,” Leo interrupted, nudging him with an elbow. “We’re all in this together. No blame games.”

“But… you and Aiden, sure, I get why you’re here.” Seker turned to me, his expression uncertain. “But, Axel, why are you even with us? For gold? The boys’ dorm gives you a bed and meals for two gold and five silver a month. You could’ve taken some easy Guild quests and been set.”

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I crossed my arms, leaning back slightly. His words stung, mostly because he wasn’t wrong. I’d been questioning my choices a lot since getting thrown into this world. From knocking out those looters at Suzan’s hideout to ‘diving’ headfirst into madness like this—it was all so far removed from the life I used to know. Back home, the worst injury I’d dealt with was stubbing my toe. Now, I was practically lining up for trouble.

“I just want to see the artifact,” I admitted, shrugging. “Call it curiosity. Plus, Leo said it wouldn’t be dangerous. If Aiden had detected undead, I’d have bolted by now.”

“Fair point,” Seker muttered, shifting uneasily. “You’ve seen artifacts before, right?”

Leo interjected before I could answer, grinning. “Of course he has. The guards were talking about your little magic torch—the one without fire.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket, switching the flashlight on and off. “This?”

Leo’s eyes widened. “Yeah, that! How does it work?”

“With… electricity?” I said, hesitant.

His grin grew wider. “Oh, so you cast some sort of lightning spell and—”

“Guys,” Seker interrupted, looking at the water below. “Should we dive now? It’s been two minutes. What do we do?”

“You’re right,” Leo said, straightening up. “I’ll go first, check if Aiden left the markers.”

“Okay.” Seker nodded, biting his lip. “Be careful.”

Leo cracked his knuckles, shaking out his arms. “Alright, here goes nothing.”

“Don’t die,” Seker muttered nervously.

Leo laughed. “That’s the plan.”

“There! We’ve got them!”

The shout came from the forest, then, an arrow whistled past my ear, embedding itself into a tree. My instincts kicked in, and I threw myself behind a thick trunk. Seker froze like a statue, wide-eyed, until Leo yanked him behind a nearby boulder. He could’ve jumped straight into the water to escape—he was closer—but instead, he chose to drag Seker to safety.

Arrows rained down, their dull thuds echoing as they struck trees and rocks. The rustling of bushes and hurried footsteps grew louder, closer.

Leo gritted his teeth, his hand darting to the dagger at his waist. “This is bad,” he hissed.

Seker leaned against the boulder, his breaths coming in quick, shallow bursts. “This is my fault,” he stammered. “Oh gods, this is all my fault!”

“An ambush.” Leo said. “Fuck. Those cunts like that post quests on the Guild, then follow whoever picks up the quest. And they rob ‘em… but these fucks are trying to kill us!”

“Oh, gods. We’re… we’re…” Seker muttered.

“Shut it!” Leo snapped. He turned to me, eyes sharp. “Axel, I’ve got a plan.”

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. “What is it?”

“You do that crazy fireball spell of yours. Blast them. Then we jump into the water and head for the cave.”

“Got it.”

I stayed low, closing my eyes and focusing on the spell. Warmth began to build in my palm, the familiar heat of mana pooling and expanding. Not yet. I needed more. I poured everything I had into it, ignoring the strain creeping through my body.

“Fifty gold!” a gruff voice shouted from the trees. “Who could resist such an offer? Idiots! You’re all idiots!”

“Let us go!” Leo called out, his voice laced with defiance. “Or we’ll fight back!”

“Shiver me timbers!” The voice broke into laughter. “Oh no, the kids are going to fight back! Stop, you’re killing me!”

“We don’t even have gold!” Seker yelled, desperation thick in his voice. “What do you want from us?”

“Oh, we’re just hungry,” the man replied mockingly. “Suzan’s Tavern closed! Now we have to hunt for food ourselves!”

“Axel,” Leo whispered. “Now!”

I stood, unleashing the fireball into the clearing ahead. Flames erupted, the blast tearing through the air with a deafening roar. Chaos followed—shouts, the sound of trees snapping, and the crackle of fire.

“Go!” Leo yelled.

Seker and Leo dove off the edge into the water below. I took a deep breath, sprinting after them. One step—then another—then I felt the sharp, searing pain.

An arrow pierced my throat.

I didn’t even have time to process it. My body went cold, numb. My legs gave out, and I fell forward, gravity pulling me into the water. The world tilted as I hit the surface, the current dragging me toward the cave.

I was dead.

Dead as one could be with an arrow through the throat and my blood mixing with the rushing tide.