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After what felt like hours, I finally finished harvesting anything useful from the monster. My body ached, muscles sore and stiff from the relentless work. I'd pushed myself hard, and now every joint and tendon protested. I needed to rest, to gather my strength. But even in quiet moments, I had to keep moving and keep doing something productive.

The corpse, what was left of it wasn’t doing me any favors either. The stench had become unbearable. Rot and decay had settled into every inch of the cave, and no amount of distance could mask the smell. So, I dragged the remains to the farthest corner, my muscles screaming in protest with every heave. The body was heavy, disgusting, and left a trail of filth behind it, but at least it was out of my immediate space now.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Ohh Right..Fire.

I needed a fire, both for warmth and to drive away some of the damp chill that clung to the cave.

Also, I may have forgotten my memories but I still remember just starting a fire in a cave… that's a big no-no, need a place with a tall enough ceiling.

I needed one–not just for warmth, but to drive away the damp chill clinging to the cave. The moss's faint glow was eerie at best; a proper fire would give me tangible light and heat. I could already feel my sanity slipping; darkness wasn't good for my mental health.

Using the monster's bones as makeshift tools had been surprisingly effective. I'd dug a shallow pit in the dirt, maybe five inches deep, cutting through loose soil with jagged bone edges. Not bad for improvised gear. There was a strange satisfaction in repurposing the very thing that had tried to kill me.

Once the pit was ready, I started on the tinder. Moss and lichen would have to do–they were everywhere, clinging to the walls and glowing faintly with that sickly green light. I tore off clumps, rolling them into little balls, creating a loose layer at the bottom of the pit.

I glanced at the fat I'd harvested earlier. Oily and dense, it clung to my fingers; I knew it would burn well. Placing small clumps of moss and lichen on top in a crisscross pattern, I hoped to create something that would catch fire and burn slowly.

"Here goes nothing," I muttered, grabbing two of the monster's bones to use as makeshift fire starters.

The bones were smooth, and getting enough friction wasn't easy. My hands were weak, and each attempt sent stinging soreness up my arms. But I kept at it. Each stroke brought a little more heat, a little more friction. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I worked, focusing entirely on the task. It was frustratingly slow, but I had time.

"Come on, you bastard... light up"

A faint tremor of strength returned as I kept the motion going. Little by little, my muscles responded. The moss began to smolder, a tiny wisp of smoke curling up from the pit. My heart skipped a beat. Leaning in, I blew gently on the ember, hoping it would catch.

A small flame flickered to life.

"Yes!" I hissed, a surge of triumph coursing through me.

The fat crackled, igniting quickly, and the moss glowed brighter as the flame spread. Soon, a small fire burned steadily, casting warm light around the cave. I sat back, watching the flames dance, feeling the warmth seep into my skin. The fat worked better than anticipated, burning cleanly and feeding the flames like proper fuel. Maybe this ugly monster wasn't entirely useless after all.

Not bad for a first try, I thought, leaning back on my hands. My body felt heavy and exhausted, but the heat was soothing, numbing some of the pain in my limbs. I let out a long breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. The air was still thick with decay, but at least I had warmth now.

As I sat there, letting my muscles rest, I marveled at how far I'd come in such a short time. I wasn't even sure how long it had been since I'd woken up here – hours, maybe days. Time felt warped in this place.

I'm still here. I'm still alive.

I glanced at the fire again, flames reflecting in my eyes. There was something hypnotic about it – the way it swayed and flickered, casting shadows on the cave walls.

I shook my head, dispelling the fog of warmth threatening to lull me into sleep. It was tempting to drift off by the fire, but I couldn't afford that luxury. Not yet. My body was sending signals – thirst, hunger – gnawing sensations at the back of my mind. Manageable for now, but I couldn't ignore them for long.

I needed water, at the very least. Soon.

Focus, Lexi. Don’t get comfortable yet. Work comes first.

Taking a deep breath, I drew in the warm air and let it out slowly. My mind settled, the haze of exhaustion lifting slightly as I entered a quick meditative state. Just a couple of minutes. I felt the warmth settling deeper into my muscles, the ache fading, replaced by a sense of calm. The fire crackled softly, its glow flickering behind my closed eyes.

The world seemed to slow, the cave's noises fading into the background. I focused on my breathing – steady and controlled. This brief moment of stillness sharpened my mind, reset my focus.

Deep in meditation, I recalled the moments leading up to the outburst: the chaos, the fury, the raw energy tearing through me like wildfire.

Exira... The thought echoed, my subconscious latching onto it as I tried to rewind events. I needed to understand what had happened – how I'd summoned that power.

Straining to remember, fragments of memories surfaced – bits and pieces from long ago, when life wasn't about survival but about learning, training, and family.

.

A familiar voice drifted into my mind, soft yet strong.

“Lexi, sit here," Mom had said, her voice calm but firm. I remembered sitting next to Arisa, my little sister, her silky hair slipping between my fingers as I ruffled it, earning a playful swat.

Mom stood before us, arms crossed, exuding her usual unshakable confidence. It was a lecture we'd heard many times, but this time felt different. She was about to reveal something deeper.

"Alright, before we delve into combat, it's high time I properly explain our house's origin art." She paused, her eyes meeting mine, then Arisa's. There was a weight beneath her words, making them feel heavier.

"The name Exira was coined by your father…, who was also its first user." She rarely spoke of Dad, and when she did, her tone held a mix of pride and sorrow, as if mentioning him reopened an old wound.

"Exira, in its most primitive form, is a type of mental manipulation – or self-hypnosis, if you will," she explained. "It allows the user to assert dominance over others."

I furrowed my brow, not fully grasping the depth of what she was saying. Mental manipulation? Dominance? It sounded abstract, detached from our usual combat training. Yet, as she spoke, I sensed the power of her words.

"As you delve deeper into its mysteries, one truth remains," she continued. "Exira is fueled by pure emotions, but most importantly – by one's will."

Her eyes hardened when she said that, gaze piercing as if daring me to question her. She wasn't just talking about a technique; she was speaking of something fundamental, tied to who we were as House Drakesiers.

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"That's the first tier of Exira," she said, her voice lowering to emphasize the gravity. "At this level, Exira is formless. It can mimic other powers, whether elemental or physical. But its most efficient use is asserting dominance over others."

.

I remembered shifting uncomfortably, trying to process what she meant by "dominance." It sounded vague, distant from practical training. Yet I realized she wasn't talking about physical strength or combat prowess. She spoke of something deeper – will. The raw power to impose your will upon others, to shape reality through sheer determination.

"When you understand why that is," she said softly, "you will find your path to the next tier."

I hadn't fully grasped her meaning then. Nodding along, I tried to look serious but inwardly was lost in thought. What was my path? My core ability?

"From there," she continued, "is an unknown path. I cannot tell you what yours will be, because every Exira user has different core abilities. Mine, Nora's, Sebastian's, Mathias's—we all have unique Tier I properties."

Her words hung in my mind as I slowly returned to the present. The memory stirred something inside me, something buried too long. Mom was right. Exira wasn't just a power or technique; it was an extension of will, a manifestation of inner strength.

A faint smile touched my lips as my determination hardened, like a blade sharpened on a whetstone. I had to get back to my family—to Mom, Arisa, Aunt Nora. Even if my memories were fractured, I knew I had a family. I wasn't alone in this world.

They're out there. Waiting for me.

As my resolve grew, I felt something stir deep within – a subtle vibration under my skin, becoming a pronounced sensation, like a presence reaching out from within.

Exira.

I sat perfectly still, breathing slowly, focusing on the feeling. The warmth of the fire on my skin, the steady beat of my heart, the cool cave air – all faded into the background. I felt the power building, like a coiled spring ready to snap. It was the same energy from before, but now controlled, not wild and erratic.

Exira... it's responding.

Mom's words echoed: "Exira is fueled by your emotions... but most importantly, by your will."

I understand now. It wasn't about unleashing raw power; it was about controlling it, shaping it, bending it to my will. I'd done it once in rage and desperation. Now, I am calmer, more focused.

I concentrated, trying to direct the energy, to shape it as Mom had said. I pictured my family, reuniting with them, standing by my mother's side – not as a burden but as an equal. The more I focused on that goal, the stronger the feeling became. It was as if the very air pulsed with energy, vibrating in sync with my heartbeat.

But as quickly as it built, the sensation began to fade, slipping out of grasp like sand through fingers. I clenched my teeth, frustrated but not disheartened. It was there. I just needed practice, to strengthen my connection.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes. The fire still flickered, casting shadows on the walls. I hadn't mastered Exira yet, but I was closer than before. Next time, I'll be ready.

Soon, I thought, clenching my fist. Soon, I'll control it. And when I do...

I didn't finish the thought. No need. I knew what I had to do.

With renewed resolve, I stood, a sense of purpose burning within. The path to mastering Exira lay ahead, and I was ready to walk it.

All right, let's get to work.

First, I needed to assess my inventory. Slowly, I stretched my limbs, shaking off lingering stiffness.

So what do I have on me? I mentally ticked off the items as I checked them.

The earring was what I remembered first – its familiar cold presence against my skin. The small metal dragon, curled into the shape of an eight. It had saved my life more than once, taking away pain during memory surges. But what else could it do? I needed to figure that out.

Next, were the bone blades harvested earlier. I'd done makeshift work on them, testing weight and sharpness. Far from perfect – horribly unbalanced without proper pommels or grips – but lethal. I gave them a couple of swings. They'd do for now but needed improvement for long-term use.

Task #1 Lexi, turn those two bone blades into workable blades.

What else? My clothes were tattered, but functional enough for now. I’d torn some strips of fabric to use as makeshift bandages, wrapping my wrists and hands. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than nothing, at least my pants survived.

Sigh… pretty limited let’s see the artifacts I’ve been ignoring till now.

So, I have this bracelet on my wrist as a gift from Aunt Nora, one of the few things that survived whatever madness had brought me to this cave. The memory of her crafting it brought a faint smile to my face, even though the details were still blurry.

I could remember fragments of those moments, her teaching me the basics of enchanting, her steady hands as she infused magic into the bracelet. I ran my fingers over its surface, feeling the small markings etched into it. There were three distinct symbols, but one of them had faded, almost completely blurred out.

Three charges… I recalled her explaining that the bracelet was enchanted with rejuvenation designed to heal the wearer in times of need. And that’s exactly what must’ve happened after my outburst with Exira.

So, that’s what healed me, well one mystery solved so many more to go.

I concentrated, trying to connect with the bracelet, willing it to respond, but nothing happened. No magic stirred within me, no connection formed. It must’ve been triggered automatically when my power surged out of control.

Figures. Only works when I’m fatally wounded. I gave a small, dry chuckle.

Next on the list was the ring on my right index finger. A dark metal band, cold to the touch, with a dragon engraved along its surface. I turned it slowly in the dim light, recognizing it instantly. The Drakesier family ring.

My heart lifted for a second as I gazed at it, the symbol of my house and everything it represented. It had been a part of me for as long as I could remember, but the joy was short-lived as reality set in.

Great. It’s only good for controlling House Drakesier’s facilities and showing my authority… which are nowhere near here. I sighed, feeling the weight of disappointment. As much as I wished it had some hidden ability that could help me in my current situation, it was useless out here, But it could help me immensely if I find any people.

Finally, I reached for the pendant hanging around my neck, my fingers brushing the cool metal. The moment I touched it, a faint purple glow pulsed from within, and a wave of recognition hit me. The family heirloom. A spatial storage pendant, filled with everything I could possibly need.

The realization sent a surge of excitement through me. If I could access its storage, everything would change. This cave would turn into a survival breeze, a “pay-to-win” dream scenario.

I closed my eyes, focusing, willing myself to connect with the pendant, imagining it responding. I mentally reached out with Exira, straining to activate it, hoping to tap into its hidden storage. Minutes passed. Nothing. The glow flickered weakly, but no door to a treasure trove opened, no magic responded. Frustration built.

Come on... work!

Still nothing. I sighed, dropping the pendant against my chest. For now, it was useless, just like the ring. I'd have to figure out how to access its power later. Maybe it required something I was missing, or my connection to Exira wasn't strong enough yet. Either way, it wouldn't help now.

Fuck…Later. I’ll deal with it later.

For now, I had enough on my plate. Survival had to be on my terms, with tools I could actually use.

I sighed, sitting back by the fire. Now that my immediate surroundings were secured, it was time to think about tools and weapons. The monster's bones could be useful beyond blades. The femur or humerus could be turned into containers – maybe carve out a hollow for storage or use them to carry water. Speaking of water, I'd need a way to store it once I found some. If this cave system had fish, then water couldn't be far.

I ran my hands over the bone blades again, thinking of ways to refine them. A pommel to balance the weight, I reminded myself. Without it, any swing would be sloppy, and the force would be too concentrated in my wrists. Maybe I could fashion some sort of grip using the monster’s hide. I’d already set aside some leathery pieces from its chest and back small, but they’d do for grips or even bandages if I was careful. It was just a matter of stitching everything together somehow.

The claws I'd harvested would come in handy too—sharp, durable, varied in size. Some could be small knives or throwing weapons; smaller ones could become needles or awls. Fine work wouldn't be easy, but I didn't need perfection—just function.

Tools and weapons... check. But what about skills?

I clenched my fists, the firelight casting long shadows over my knuckles. There was so much I didn't remember, but I had to start somewhere. No more stumbling in the dark. I had to rebuild my skills, piece by piece.

A flicker of resolve burned inside, echoing the fire before me. Tomorrow, I'll start working on the tools. Then, I'd find water. And then... I'd figure out Exira to be combat-ready. One step at a time.

I'm not going to die here. Not until I have my answers.

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