They ran.

They ran until the deafening sounds of the massacre outside faded to a muted hush, eventually succumbing to the suffocating embrace of the narrow tunnel.

They ran until the enveloping darkness made everything in their sight indistinguishable, with the distant opening of the cave entrance reduced to a mere speck of light in the distance.

Their labored breaths and thunderous footsteps reverberated through the eerily silent tunnel. For a fleeting moment, Talax wondered if they had exchanged a dangerous situation for an even more treacherous one, but the haunting images of the ruthless slaughter he had witnessed earlier propelled him to continue running.

They maintained their frantic pace until the darkness enveloped them to such an extent that making out their next step became an impossible task. Yet, Qalo appeared determined to continue his way deeper into the mountain, seeking protection within the shroud of darkness. However, Ferdinand eventually made them stop.

"I... I can't... go on..." The nobleman's voice faltered, each word strained by his labored breaths, rendering his speech nearly incomprehensible. Talax, though grateful for a respite from the relentless running that had persisted for what felt like hours, was also desperate for a break.

The two humans came to a stop. Ferdinand collapsed to the ground, his armor protesting with a jangling symphony. Talax bent over, clutching his sides, and inhaled deeply in an attempt to steady his racing heart. Qalo, however, continued onward, oblivious to their presence, until the sound of his stumble and subsequent fall reached their ears.

Talax couldn't determine whether the orc's fall was a result of exhaustion or the absence of light. The echoes of their labored breathing resonated in the barren tunnel, creating an eerie soundscape. After a few moments of shared silence, punctuated only by their rasping breaths, Talax reached out a hand to help Franny rise. The nobleman emitted a strained groan, burdened by the weight of his armor, as they moved forward to join Qalo.

Muttering an incantation, Franny conjured a small spark that hovered above the nobleman's head, casting a feeble glow to guide their path. Talax surveyed their surroundings with a tinge of disappointment. The narrow tunnel could barely accommodate their trio walking side by side, its walls composed of tightly packed earth, emanated a raw and earthen scent. The tunnel maintained a perfectly circular shape, with a subtle depression leading further into the depths of the mountain. It was as if someone had drilled his way out of the heart of the mountain in a straight line.

Talax kept looking around, trying to find something that could break the monotony of the empty tunnel, until they nearly stumbled over Qalo.

The big orc lay sprawled on the frigid, unyielding ground, his massive frame contorted into a fetal position as he tightly clutched his knees. Rocking back and forth incessantly, he emitted incoherent murmurs, the sounds of his distress echoing through the desolate tunnel. The sight before Talax had no connection to the image he had of the formidable warrior who had stood by his side in countless battles. For a fleeting moment, he remained frozen in disbelief, his gaze fixed blankly upon Qalo's shaking form.

Franny, wearing a worried expression, glanced at Talax before cautiously lowering himself to a crouch. As if approaching a wounded animal, he gingerly shook Qalo's shoulder, hoping to rouse him from his troubled state.

"Qalo?" Franny whispered, his voice filled with concern. Receiving no response, he persisted, his tone gentle yet reassuring. "You're safe now. We're all safe." The orc momentarily halted his rocking, as if for a moment acknowledging Franny's words, but then resumed his unintelligible murmuring.

The nobleman turned to Talax, a mixture of perplexity and concern etched across his features. "What's wrong with him?" Franny inquired, his eyes searching Talax's as if he had all the answers.

"I believe... that the creature awakened some deeply buried memories," Talax responded tentatively. He had witnessed the profound anguish reflected in Qalo's eyes when they had stumbled upon the creature's lair. In that moment, he had recognized the gravity of their situation, knowing that they stood no chance against such a formidable opponent. Talax had glimpsed the haunting shadows dancing within Qalo's gaze as he stared unseeingly at the lifeless forms scattered across the putrid glade.

The two humans settled down beside Qalo, allowing him to confront his inner demons in solitude. They made a few attempts to communicate with him, yet he offered no sign of recognition or acknowledgment. Exhausted and beaten, they stood by their friend, trying to regain some energy after the relentless pursuit.

Franny handed Talax a health potion, and with a jolt, Talax realized that his body bore numerous scrapes and wounds, leaving a trail of bloodstains across his weary frame. His fatigue had numbed his senses to the pain until now, and as he drank the potion, a wave of relief coursed through him, soothing his festering wounds.

Expressing gratitude with a nod, Talax took a moment to assess his core.

“What in the frozen hells of the lower realms!” He exclaimed in surprise, making Franny jump and look around in fright.

Athletics skill, level 10

10% to physical prowess, 10% to mobility

He had leapfrogged in the athletics skill, reaching level 10. Following their frenzied sprint through the forest, desperately evading the relentless pursuit of the deranged forest guardian, Talax was rewarded with six levels! Yet, his satisfaction was tempered by the haunting memory of narrowly escaping the clutches of the abomination's writhing tentacles. Nevertheless, the sight of new branches sprouting in his skill tree filled him with excitement.

- improved balance: your sense of balance is increased by 5% enabling you to perform precise movements with greater ease.

Passive

- Endurance boost: your stamina and endurance are increased by 10%, allowing you to perform demanding activities for longer periods of time without tiring.

Passive

- Enhanced jumping: Increases vertical and horizontal jump distances by 2%.

Passive

With great delight he realized that the Endurance boost ability was already unlocked. The other two looked like starving limps waiting for nourishment. Unfortunately, he had only one token left, and he was intent on keeping it for an emergency.

Both Improved balance and Enhanced jumping were tempting but ultimately not enough to spend his last token on them. Besides he already had locked abilities far more useful, that he couldn’t wait to unlock.

With surprise, he realized that another skill had leveled up to level 5, with new branches vying for his attention.

Evasion skill, level 5

5% to reflexes, 5% to agility

- hasty deflect: you are able to parry a powerful attack.

Active, Duration: single hit, Cooldown: 3 minutes

- Dancing footsteps: you gain the ability to perform swift, short-range movements to evade attacks, allowing you to sidestep or narrowly avoid incoming projectiles or strikes.

Active, Duration: 5 seconds, Cooldown 5 minutes

- Evasive maneuvers: you are able to perform techniques, such as rolls, dives, spins, or flips, with greater ease, allowing you to evade attacks from multiple directions and confuse opponents.

Passive

Hmm... The evasion skill had only gained one level, but the offerings were far more tempting than the athletics skill. All three abilities were incredibly useful during battle. Evasive maneuvers almost had him reaching for his last token, but he squashed his impulsive urges and stopped to consider. An ability from the evasion skill tree would greatly increase his survivability in the battlefield, something he was sorely lacking. He decided to wait, however, he could feel he was almost ready to unlock another gate and level up. Once he reached level 10, he would be getting two tokens with every level up.

Regretfully he left his core without unlocking a new ability and his thoughts were full of new abilities and ways to improve his performance during combat when a question popped up in his mind. He looked over at Franny, who was leaning against the tunnel wall with his eyes closed.

“Hey, are you awake?” He whispered and Franny opened his eyes slowly, as if reluctant to get back to reality. Nonetheless he nodded, waiting for Talax to continue.

"I have a question... When some of my skills reached level 5 and new abilities appeared, I noticed that some of them already had abilities unlocked. How is that possible?" Franny looked on for a few moments as if too tired to respond. A first for the noble who loved to show off his knowledge and showcase the ignorance of others.

“You are able to unlock abilities on your own. Sometimes through luck, other times through competence but most commonly with the help of a trainer. Some basic skills unlock abilities on their own when you have met the proper requirements, others are much more difficult to unlock, and you need guidance.”

Talax nodded, finding Franny’s words reasonable. It made perfect sense that the ability he had unlocked was tied to his endurance, which had been thoroughly tested during his desperate flight from the forest guardian. Running for his life through treacherous terrain and dangerous obstacles, had truly put his endurance to the ultimate test.

“I had my athletics skill jump 6 levels and reach level 10.” Talax revealed, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "One of the abilities was already unlocked and it got me wondering if there are more abilities I can unlock without having to spend a token."

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Franny's reaction to Talax's achievement was noticeable. He looked at him sharply, and for a fleeting moment, Talax sensed a tinge of jealousy in his friend's gaze.

"Your ability to accumulate numerous skill levels in such a short time is truly remarkable. Personally, I've only managed to advance one level in athletics, although reaching level 15 has made it more challenging for me to progress further. Athletics serves as a prime example of a basic skill through which one can unlock various abilities with dedicated training. While I might be able to assist you in unlocking some abilities in your swordsmanship or athletics skills, I'm afraid we won't have sufficient time now that we've entered the dungeon."

Talax's excitement for unlocking more abilities was tinged with a sense of unease when he heard Franny's words. The skeptical gaze he cast around the empty tunnel reflected his doubts about the time constraint.

"You really believe we won't have enough time?" Talax inquired, his skepticism evident in his tone.

Franny's response was earnest and serious. "I know we won't. Dungeons are filled with hidden enemies at every corner," he explained, his expression conveying the weight of his words. Talax raised an eyebrow, a gesture of doubt, but Franny shook his head in response.

"We have yet to enter the dungeon itself," Franny clarified. "Right now, we're merely in the tunnel that leads to its entrance."

Talax let out a murmured exclamation of frustration. "Great," he muttered under his breath. However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Qalo stirred and slowly rose to a sitting position. His eyes were red rimmed, as if he was crying, and he looked around like he had no idea where he was.

“Are you ok?” Franny asked softly.

"I... Yes," Qalo replied, his usually high-pitched voice sounding raspy and rough like sandpaper. He coughed a few times trying to clear his throat. Talax and Franny exchanged puzzled glances and then waited for the orc to provide some explanation for his peculiar behavior.

For long moments Qalo avoided their gazes, looking everywhere but at the two humans. After a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of a burden, he finally began to speak, his voice heavy with a mix of vulnerability and reluctance.

"I already told you, I grew up in a small clan, deep in the Voragrim mountains," he grumbled, finally glancing at them. "My old man, he was a tough warrior. But once he saw that my ma's blood ran strong in me, he kicked me out. He thought I was a shame, reckon I'd threaten his position in the clan 'cause I was weak."

The big orc took a breath, trying to keep himself composed before going on. "Left me all alone, scrounging' for scraps to survive, while the other clan members laughed at me and threatened me. The other kids found it hilarious to cut me up and use my blood to scribble symbols on their skin, like their folks did before going to war..." his voice trailed off until a ghost of a smile appeared on his face. "But then my uncle stumbled upon me. He took me in, took care of me, fed me, trained me, and showed me the ways of the mountains."

His face drooped with a heavy expression. "Till one winter, the gnolls came at us. They were tough fighters, but they knew they couldn't take on our berserkers head-on. So, they chose sneaky attacks. Kept raiding our village, trying to get lucky. Then one night, they managed to kill a bunch of warriors and snatch the chief's daughter. Urgun..." He let out a weary sigh. "Quickly, a bunch of seasoned warriors got together to launch a counterattack and rescue her. But in my foolish youth, I wanted to prove myself, you know? Wanted to show I ain't no weakling. What a moron... My uncle tried to stop me, but I wouldn't listen. I was dead set on proving I was as fearsome a warrior as my old man. Never mind the fact that my skills barely scraped level 5. Such details meant nothing to my dumb, young mind."

“So, I tagged along with the warriors. And my old uncle joined too, despite being well past his prime. He just wanted to keep me safe... We tracked the gnolls through the night, never taking a break. And then, before we even knew what hit us, we got ambushed by some corrupted forest guardian." The orc's face grew haunted once again as he relived those forgotten memories.

"The sight of Urgun's lifeless body stirred a frenzy in the clan warriors, and we started fighting that beast. But it was a real powerhouse. Its fiery lashes and blazing showers tore through our ranks..."

"Fire?" Talax blurted out in surprise, earning a stern look from Ferdinand, who was captivated by Qalo's story. The tusked orc glanced at Talax and nodded.

"Yes, those guardians, they're like elementals or something close to it. They're mighty strong, but they got one weakness that can be their downfall. They can be twisted and influenced by outside powers, losing their true purpose and turning into something else entirely. The corrupted guardian we faced was infused with fire mana, and it unleashed all sorts of fiery attacks that only a few could endure. One by one, our warriors fell, while me and my uncle mostly hung back, not doing much in the fight. But I couldn't hold myself back any longer. Dreams of glory and greatness consumed me, and I charged in without a second thought."

Qalo's shoulders slumped, and Talax knew all too well that this tale wouldn't end on a cheerful note.

"I was brought down by one brutal blow, nearly snuffing me out then and there. My uncle tried to help. He fought with all his might, tryin' to get the creature's attention and lure it away from me. And he succeeded. The beast forgot all 'bout me, chasing after him instead. But my uncle, he couldn't stay quick enough forever. He dodged blow after blow, but one fire whip managed to grab him, rootin' him in place."

"In that final moment..." Qalo's voice quivered, and Talax was taken aback to see tears streaming down the big orc's face. Talax wasn't the touchy-feely type, but witnessing his friend in such anguish compelled him to reach out and gently touch his friend's shoulder, tense as an iron wire, doing his best to offer some comfort. "In that final moment... He looked at me... And he smiled..." Qalo hiccupped once more, his expression twisted with self-disgust. "And I didn't do a damn thing to save him... I just stood there like a fool... froze in place... until I finally snapped out of it and found a hiding spot. I cowered in a hole like a coward, waiting. Waited until I couldn't hear the screams no more. Till the sound of bones breaking under the creature's feasting faded away... along with my uncle and all my clanmates."

With a hollow voice, he whispered, "And then I bolted, ran like the wind without glancing back. Ever since, I've been wandering from town to town, too scared to even consider going back to my clan. Turns out, me old man was right all along. I'm weak and a bloody coward." The tunnel fell into a heavy silence as each of the three friends was lost in their own thoughts.

Talax, unsure of how to offer comfort, remained silent for a moment. But as usual, his big mouth couldn't resist opening.

“Now that we are exchanging deep, dramatic experiences I guess I should share my own.” Franny looked at him like he was crazy, but Talax shrugged as if to say, “what’s your problem?”

Besides, Qalo gazed at him with genuine interest, as if searching for a new topic to latch onto, something to divert his mind from the distressing memories. And that was exactly what Talax wanted.

So, he spilled the beans and told them everything. How he woke up in that majestic cathedral, with no memory of his past. How he was swiftly confronted by two deities who struggled to analyze him and almost sent him to his death. And, finally, how he found refuge with an elderly man who provided him aid until he attempted to take his life. At that point Franny, who ended up listening to him in rapt attention, spoke up.

“Why did the old man tried to kill you?” Talax paused, unsure if he should tell them the truth. His void magic had been kept a secret up until that point, and he was planning on keeping his magic to himself until he had no other choice. He considered telling them the truth but something inside him urged him to keep it a secret. He didn’t mind Qalo finding out, he was sure that the big man would take it in stride, not really bothered by his void magic if he even knew what that meant.

Ferdinand on the other hand was more difficult to predict. The nobleman was well educated and took seriously what he had learned, sticking to his teaching to the letter. So Talax was unsure how he would react if he told him about his weird magic. He was sure that the noble would have learned about void magic and the rumors surrounding it. In the short time they knew each other,they had become friends, living one intense situation after the other tended to do that. Despite their friendship, Franny’s rigid beliefs and attitude, would probably make him wary of Talax.

So, he chose to tell a partial truth. “I have a secret, a secret that I cannot share. When Bene learned the truth about me, he thought it was a good idea to kill me...”

Qalo said with laughter. “So mysterious!” But Franny was looking at him with guarded eyes, as if usure how to react to the information he was given. Talax kept looking at him with steady eyes, waiting to see his reaction. Finally, he spoke up.

"What you have disclosed is indeed deeply troubling. It is unsettling to learn that you have drawn the attention of not just one, but two deities," Franny expressed with a concerned tone.

Talax nodded and tried to ease Franny’s mind. “I wouldn’t worry about the Gods; I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. As for Bene, he unfortunately made some wrong assumptions and acted impulsively. If he had stopped for a moment and listened, things would have worked out differently.”

"If that is the case, why wouldn't you share the secret with us?" Franny inquired, raising an eyebrow with curiosity.

Talax hesitated, his expression filled with a mix of apprehension and regret. "I... I can't afford to take the risk of history repeating itself," he confessed. Franny's face fell with disappointment, but Qalo nodded in understanding.

After that they stayed silent until Talax looked at Franny and asked. “Well?” he asked, prompting Franny for a response. The nobleman looked back, clearly perplexed. "What?" he queried.

Feeling exasperated, Talax replied, "Don't you have some deep, dark secret? Some past traumatic event that can make us feel better about ourselves?" Franny stared at him as if he had lost his mind and firmly answered, "No!"

Talax sighed, shaking his head in disappointment, and leaned closer to Qalo, speaking in a conspiratorial tone. “Nobles sure live it up. They have servants to wipe their asses and shake their cocks. Pity us, mere mortals.”

Franny let out an exasperated huff, visibly annoyed by the situation. And when he heard Talax's vulgar words, he shot him a deadly glare.

"What? I don't have any secrets!" Franny retorted, his frustration evident. "I've already shared about my family. My father is a renowned general and a respected ruler. My eldest brother is a sycophant who blindly follows in our father's footsteps. Gideon the second born is a drunk. And the third brother, Malachi, is a vicious son of a bitch.”

Talax and Qalo's eyes widened in surprise at Franny's unexpected outburst. However, Talax couldn't help but smile with satisfaction, knowing that he was slowly breaking through the barriers of the stuck-up noble.

Franny continued with a tone of disdain, "My other brother is a gentle soul who seeks solace in his books, which ultimately led to his exile on the fringes of the kingdom. And finally, there's me, the anticipated disappointment of the family, destined to join my brother in the remote backwoods."

Franny's words dripped with a mixture of bitterness and resentment.

Talax turned to Qalo, seeking his opinion. "What do you think?" he asked, awaiting the orc's response. Qalo shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "I've heard better."

Talax nodded in agreement. "Indeed, that was rather disappointing, Franny," he remarked, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I'll give you a modest 3 out of 10 for that attempt. Next time, try to dig deeper, connect with your inner emotions. It is bad for your health to bottle up all your emotions.”

Talax clicked his tongue in disappointment, observing the noble's reaction. Franny, who had been clenching his teeth upon hearing his nickname, turned red with anger, clearly on the verge of exploding.

"I find it extremely offensive that you belittle my..." Talax half shouted. “OK!” trying to cover the affronted noble’s voice. “Let’s get rolling. I want to finally see the fabled dungeon. I have started to think that maybe it doesn’t exist and your uncle has us chase him around for nothing.”

"I assure you the dungeon is very much real, as real as Qalo's stink," Franny declared, still seething with anger.

"Hey! What did I do?" the orc asked, genuinely confused. Franny shot him a venomous look and replied through gritted teeth, "You agreed with him," pointing accusingly at Talax.

“What? He was right. Your story was disappointing! No monsters, no battles, no nothing. Although I would have given you a 5 not a 3 like Talax.” the orc remarked in a nonchalant manner, causing the noble to freeze in place.

"5?! That is utterly outrageous! I have never received a poor grade in my life, not even in the memoirs of the illustrious and discerning alchemists! Mind you, those were exceptionally dry. My governess used to say that my insights were truly... insightful!" Franny half-shouted, flapping his arms in agitation making him look like a disgruntled chicken.

Confused by the mention of a governess, the orc walked ahead in the dimly lit tunnel, paying little attention to the noble's rant. "What's a governess? Some kind of servant?" he asked, his focus shifting away from Franny.

“No! Yes!” Franny answered, frustration etched on his eclectic features.

“There you have it.” Qalo said absently as the fuming noble trailed behind him.

Talax followed behind his friends, wearing a deep smile on his face. He relished in their antics, grateful that he had momentarily diverted their attention from the weight of their dire circumstances and past traumas.

Whistling softly, he strolled along the desolate tunnel, his steps infused with a lively energy. He couldn't contain his excitement as they approached the entrance to the long-awaited dungeon.