Trembling roars shot throughout the corridors, their sounds bouncing off the long narrow hallways, amplifying their sounds and creating a noisy reverb.

It had been roughly five to ten minutes since Enya had left Mr. Bones and the demon rat to their violent clash. Her eyes, once clouded with tears, were now dry, marked only by dark shadows and a few pink blemishes.

Her fingers gripped and held tightly around Pell’s skull as she ran. She held the remaining memory of her friend close to her chest.

As she walked, the looming darkness and isolation of the hallways sent their graceful hugs. After a while, the rumbling noises died out, and Enya walked in complete utter silence. She didn't even encounter a single undead along the way, further reinforcing the feeling of loneliness.

Enya made it back to the study with little to no problem. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. But the atmosphere of anxiety and expectation enveloped her as soon as she saw the door.

She entered and shut the door behind her, scanning the familiar surroundings. The floor was still littered with various items from Pell’s bag, left in disarray after her earlier search. She glanced down at Pell’s skull, her expression softening. The skull that didn’t move, sigh, or even call her a brat, and her eyes furrowed slowly as she stared at it.

Looking up briefly, she spoke with a whisper, “Status.”

She stared at the screen that appeared before her. She still wanted to ask Pell what exactly the system screen was, and why it existed. Some novels she read mentioned it, but others did not.

Mana: 20/20

With only Pell’s skull available, Enya would need to expend extra mana to regenerate the missing parts of his body. Fortunately, even a single bone like the skull could significantly enhance the efficiency of the spell, thanks to the combination spell devised by Sable.

Enya crouched in the center of the room and carefully placed Pell’s skull on the floor. She then set the small, papery talisman on the desk before returning to her position. She still wasn’t sure of what its true purpose was, but it didn’t matter right now. Pell could tell her once he was alive again—undead again.

The skull rested unevenly on the ground, bearing the marks of battle—chipped pieces around the base and top, and a prominent crack running down its front. Despite the damage, his skull was still roughly intact, though that probably did not matter for the spell.

The spell didn't work before, because Pell was still alive. However, now that he was gone... Perhaps it would work? She could only have hope as she mentally prepared herself.

She extended her hand toward the skull, pausing just inches away. Her focus was unwavering as she prepared to cast the spell that she had barely just learned.

Enya willed the power inside of her to move. The surrounding air stiffened as she guided the mana along her mana channels. Power surged to her right arm as bright ghostly wisps appeared a few centimeters away from her palm.

The circular circuit formed in front of her, and her mana began to pour in, filling the channels and creating the patterns.

Enya watched as the spell came to life as the mana she infused intertwined and linked together. Once the mana channel had spread out and filled every pattern, it then contained itself inside the circuit, marking the successful completion of the spell.

Ding!

The status screen notification sound rang out in her head. She willed her status screen to appear in front of her, and her eye’s widened at the message.

Skill: Summon Skeleton has been activated.

System Notification: Reanimation failed. Target vessel is currently occupied by a soul under the control of [Sanctum: Tower of Sable].

Enya’s hand and fingers twitched. The control she used over the spell circuit in front of her palm shimmered. Her mana channel became disrupted, and the spell circuit followed suit, dissipating into the air.

Sanctum? Tower of Sable? Under control?

Questions flooded Enya’s mind as she read the notification. The dungeon had been the one that reanimated Pell, turning him into an undead skeleton. His soul flames had disappeared, however, even now, the dungeon still held control over him? Was Pell still alive? Did the dungeon own the physical skeleton?

“Why…!” Enya cried out in frustration. Why was the dungeon still exerting control over Pell? Pell was gone—his soul-flames were extinguished. Now she couldn’t even bring him back because the dungeon was being selfish?! Did this mean the spell wouldn’t work on any of the dungeon residents?

Pell mentioned it once, briefly in passing. Sanctums were… bases? Homes? Something along those lines—a former dungeon, turned into some type of operable fortress. Like they had concluded early on, the one who wrote the books Enya read—Sable, he—he was the one who owned this dungeon.

Her eyes, filled with a mix of blankness and lifelessness, stared at the screen before her. In a fit of emotion, she swatted the screen away, though she knew she could simply will it away with her thoughts. Her frustration had overtaken her composure.

Enya took a deep breath, drawing mana back into her body and channeling it into her palm. She began to recreate the intricate mana patterns, preparing for another attempt at the spell.

The spell shattered halfway through forming its intended circle. The mana from her palm burst with a powerful force, causing the surrounding mana to scatter in a chaotic dance. Her body was engulfed in a mind-numbing pain that caused her to wince. In a split second, her vision blurred and she began swaying unsteadily.

“Ah..! Ah….w-wha…” Enya cried out. She clutched her head with her hands as the world started to spiral and morph around her. Something went wrong. What was happening? She found herself in a state of confusion, as her thoughts were all over the place, unfamiliar with this kind of sensation.

Ding!

Her eyes flinched as she jolted her neck upwards. Her status notification had rang out once again.

System Notification: Your mana has reached 0 out of 20.

System Notification: You have been inflicted with Mana Burnout for attempting to use more mana than is available.

As Enya read the words on the screen, she struggled to make out every other word, but she could still comprehend the primary message. She had depleted her mana pool, a crucial threshold for any mage.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

She had forgotten to top her mana back up with a potion. Trying to cast the spell again with a depleted mana pool would be akin to taking a dose of poison. However, Enya had been careless, and continued to pour mana into her spell without checking her reserves. It was a surprise that a failed spell still took most of her mana regardless. This was something she would have to make note of.

As her body wobbled, her knees gave way moments later, causing her to stumble. She collapsed to the ground, using her knees and hands as a support, before eventually tipping over onto her elbows and lying on the ground.

Everything had gone wrong. She couldn’t prevent her vision. She couldn’t save Pell. The spell she spent so long learning and trying to use, all for the sake of escaping with Pell, was useless. She couldn’t even use it to save her friend. The damn dungeon wanted to oppose her. What was the point of everything she did so far? Her thoughts spun in her mind as she stared at the scattered and assorted items from the backpack that lay across the room, before her vision eventually faded to black.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ZiLMGqb.png]

Enya’s mind drifted into a dream. She found herself wandering through the corridors of a luxurious palace with walls adorned with intricate tapestries and gilded accents. A smell reminiscent of flowers, like the blue lilies, filled the halls. Soft and distant strums of a harp and the gentle chords of a piano echoed through the halls, mingling with the gentle rustle of gowns and murmured conversations.

With each step she took, she passed by glittering rooms featuring extravagant furniture and large chandeliers with multiple tendrils which held orbs of light that spread across the rooms. She wore no shoes as she skipped across the palace, as she could feel the plush carpet beneath her feet. The soft bristles and fuzzy fur sent a sensation of comfort, luxury, but also normalcy.

Everywhere she turned, there were glimpses of a life she couldn't quite remember but felt deeply connected to. There was a large and elegant banquet table topped with sumptuous dishes. A variety of delicacies were presented before her—all of different but equally beautiful presentation.

In the dream, she was not alone. Figures moved with grace through the palace, their faces indistinct but their presence familiar. Each walked with a flair of elegance and strict discipline. They all stood straight and moved with practiced sequence. There was a sense of belonging, a feeling of warmth.

She caught glimpses of herself—or perhaps someone like her—in the polished mirrors that lined the hallways. A figure dressed in fine fabric, a robed dress of black and purple, adorned with jewels around her neck that sparkled like the fleeting embers of a flame. A delicate balance between grace and restraint surrounded her, as though she were chained to a paradise that was only an island in the center of a continent.

Despite the splendor and opulence she was seeing, there was an underlying sense of melancholy, as if something… essential, was… missing from this perfect picture.

She then found herself inside a magnificent garden. It felt serene, with its winding paths, blooming flowers, and the gentle sound of cascading water that flowed from the fountain. A profound sense of peace and freedom enveloped her, a connection to nature that was free from high walls.

But even in this tranquil haven, there was a sense of something that which was lost—something she couldn't quite grasp. It was as if she was searching for a truth hidden just out of reach, a truth about herself and her place in this world of dreams.

The figures from the palace appeared almost ghost-like at the edges of her sight, their laughter now infused with a subtle touch of sadness. Two figures stood out from the crowd of faces, their presence more grand and impressive than the rest. Their smiles reached their ears, but the sound of laughter was muted, as their visages slowly distorted.

Her world shuddered, and was suddenly consumed by the ominous sound of cracking skies. The serene garden dissipated, and the people before her flickered in and out of existence. The world tore itself apart, trying to rectify what reality had truly been all along. Soon, everything disappeared into a deep black, as she felt her body falling down into a deep abyss.

Enya’s consciousness stirred. Slowly emerging from the depths of her pleasant and melancholic dream, her body tensed, signaling her return to reality. The beautiful world she dreamed of, the opulent palace, the mesmerizing banquet, and the serene gardens, all slipped away like sand between her fingers.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ZiLMGqb.png]

“Agh…” Enya groaned. She pushed herself up into a cross-legged position as she rubbed circles at her temple with the ball of her palm.

Her eyes winced as the world came back into view. The blur and twisting of the surrounding room stabilized as she tried to calm and readjust her sense of balance.

“Wh-what…” she murmured in confusion. As she massaged her temples, her mind also began to wander. Why was she lying on the ground and why did her body feel so sore?

She remembered the… status screen? Yes… yes, that was it. The status screen… Her face scrunched inward as she tried to keep thinking.

The status screen had appeared in front of her. It had mentioned something about… her mana. Mana… What was it about her mana? Something about her mana... and a spell? She felt nauseous, like she had suffered a mental backlash from being disrupted during absolute focus, but this was different—this was full-body soreness.

After a few moments, as if clarity reached her mind like a falling brick from above her, she remembered everything. The recent events of the past... day? Possibly more? They all came back, rushing into her mind.

Right beside her, a solitary, cracked, and broken skull lay on the ground. Her gaze met with the deep black eye sockets, as she became motionless.

This was… Pell’s skull. The skull of her first, or she supposed, second friend—if she counted Mr. Bones as the first. This was the same person who also took care of her. The person responsible for teaching her literacy, language, and knowledge of the world. He, who had saved her during a dungeon quake from falling bricks that aimed to hurt her. This was also the same person who was easy to anger and agitate—and loved to call her a brat.

Silence passed by as she stared at the skull, unmoving. Her fingers tensed, alternating and deciding between relaxing or clenching into a fist. She stared blankly ahead, her eyes devoid of tears. They were already red, and a portion of her sleeve that she slept on was damp. It seemed like she had already cried all she needed as she suffered from Mana Burnout.

The lingering remnants of her dream had fleeted by. No emotions or memories of that experience remained. She couldn’t remember anything during her slumber, as the emotions right now overwhelmed her.

Pell was gone, and Mr. Bones was also… Her thoughts trailed off. This time, she did clench her fingers into a fist. Pell wasn’t the only person she had lost today. She had left Mr. Bones alone with the demon rat. She had run off once again.

Enya shifted her position and sat upright, bringing her knees close to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her head on top of her knees.

Minutes of silence passed by as she kept looking at Pell. Her thoughts wandered, wondering about what to do from now on. That was, until something rumbled outside.

Enya’s ears perked up, and her body shivered.

Crunch. Crunch.

A sound came from outside of the study. Something was in the hallway, moving towards the door.

Enya instinctively got up and slowly backed away from the door as she looked at it with anticipation and weariness. Her body tensed up as the sound approached. She held her breath and listened intently. She couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact nature of the sound, but it bore the same rhythm of footsteps on the ground.

Enya gulped and her body shuddered as the long silence drew out. Her thoughts raced as she became anxious. Was it Mr. Bones? Did he win? Or… did Mr. Rat… no, did the demon rat, did it come for me? She thought. Her eyes became captives of the door, unwavering, as her fingers began to sweat and become clammy.

Almost an entire minute passed in complete silence, with neither side making a single noise or movement. Enya’s eyes flashed briefly, but even her senses couldn’t detect anything outside. It seemed like the protection barrier of the room prevented her skill from fully working.

“M..Mr. Bones? I-Is that you?” Enya croaked. Her voice was dry, and she had to force the words out as she spoke.

A few moments of silence passed by with no response.

“Mr. Bones? H-hello? Are you out there?” She said, louder, with a clearer intonation.

Once more, a few moments of silenced passed with no reply or rustling of movement.

Her eyes dimmed back to their regular color as her skill wore off. Enya continued to stare at the door for a moment. It could also be Mr. Bones just sitting outside the door. But… there was also a chance it could also be the demon rat. Could it have won the fight and followed her here?

Slowly and quietly, she walked towards the door. She stepped cautiously, attempting to be as silent as possible. As she got closer to the wooden door, she carefully inched her hand towards the handle and began to slowly twist it open.

A massive force of wind and abnormal pressure slammed into the door, swinging it wide open as her hand and arm instinctively withdrew. The force of the impact sent her sprawling backwards on her rear as a thud escaped from below her.

Enya winced as she fell, but in the next instant, her eyes filled with terror as she looked up at the open doorway. There, the enormous demon rat stood, teeth fanged out, and the bloody bronze sword still embedded into its shoulder.

Enya was left breathless, unable to even let out a small yelp, as the sight of the demon rat left her stunned frozen still. In the next instant, the demon rat crept close with a single small step and its jaw snapped shut with a deafening clack!