The moment Ethan stepped through the crack, the jagged terrain of the rocky cavern stretched endlessly before him. The rift behind him shimmered once, then snapped shut, leaving nothing but cold stone.

"Damn…" he muttered, his voice echoing faintly. "So it won't open again until 1/3rd of the monste—" His thoughts froze. No… its a dungeon break. So six hours minimum before it opens again.

He clenched his fists. "How the hell am I supposed to find Lirael and Silvie in a floor this big?"

At once, he sent his thoughts outward.

Lirael! Silvie! Can you hear me?

A tremble brushed his mind.

Master! Master, it's me! Silvie's voice was choked. They're hurting Sister Lirael!

Ethan's breath caught—then a sudden pull tugged at his very core. A chill washed over him as his Vitality dropped, draining sensation that left his limbs heavy for a heartbeat. His gaze shot to the ring on his finger.

"The ring…". [Vitality Share].

If his vitality was draining then… it meant that pther wearer was injured.

Silvie's voice cracked through again, more desperate this time.

Master, there are so many—more than ten! One of them is really strong! Sister Lirael is fighting them, but… she can't hold on! I-I'm trying to heal her, but—

The link faltered, breaking into muffled sobs. Ethan's jaw tightened,

"Damn it…" He dragged in a breath, trying to force down the rising panic. Think. There has to be a way.

Then it hit him—the ring's second ability. Location resonance.

Closing his eyes and focused. A faint tug brushed at the edge of his senses, a beacon in the darkness. His eyes snapped open, sharp with determination.

"There!"

Silvie! Hold on! I'm coming!

Master, hurry! Her cry was shrill with fear,

Ethan turned toward the solid wall where the signal pulsed. Without hesitation, he summoned Nyxfang and Seloria. Seloria prowled forward, eyes burning with fury as though she already sensed Lirael and Silvie peril. She paced, snapping at the air until Ethan pointed.

"That way—tear through!"

Seloria roared, her claws lashing, and slammed herself against the stone. The cavern shook with the impact, dust raining down from the ceiling.

Ethan raised his hand, conjuring spheres of fire that lit the cavern in a harsh orange glow. Heat pressed against his face as he hurled them at the wall, each explosion cracking the rock further.

Nyxfang let out a guttural growl and rammed his massive body against the weakened stone. Shards flew, the noise like thunder in the confined space. The wolves joined in, claws and fangs raking the wall without care for their bleeding hides.

"Keep going!" Ethan roared, his own voice nearly drowned out by the crashing stone. "Faster! Don't stop until we reach them!"

The smell of scorched stone and sulfur filled the air, as another wall appeared after they broke the first.

He gritted his teeth.

Just hold on, both of you. I swear—I'll kill them all!

---

The moment Lirael and Silvie were hurled into the dungeon's crack by Alfred's force, they hadn't even regained their footing before shadows closed in around them. Around ten men,with their blades gleaming in the dim cavern light, their smirks hungry.

A single figure stepped forward, peeling back his hood. Green hair spilled free, catching the faint glow of the crystals embedded in the cave walls. His emerald eyes gleamed with arrogant calm.

Lirael's heart clenched.

"Veyron!!"

He tilted his head, almost amused. "So spirited already." He didn't look at her when he spoke, instead turning to Alfred. "Alfred, if she resists like this, it will be troublesome to subdue her. Cripple her. Make sure she can't so much as lift a finger."

Alfred's lips curled into a cruel grin. "As you command." His blade rang as he drew it and lunged.

Steel flashed. But instead of falling, Lirael's bow snapped up. The impact rattled her bones and sent her staggering back, but she had blocked.

"What?" Veyron's eyes narrowed, a rare slip in his composure.

Lirael's arms trembled, but she forced breath through her lungs. "You won't break me again."

Before Alfred could press the advantage, she notched an arrow in one fluid motion and loosed. The shaft whistled through the cavern, forcing Alfred to twist his blade up in a hurried block. The clash sent a sharp crack through the air, his wrists jarred from the strength behind the shot.

Veyron's lips parted slightly. "Impossible… she actually made him guard seriously."

Alfred growled, irritation flashing in his eyes. "You little—!" He feinted to the side and slammed a brutal kick into Lirael's stomach.

"—ghk!" She folded, the taste of blood flooding her mouth as she crashed to the stone floor.

"Sister!" Silvie cried, her tiny hands flaring with pale light. Healing warmth rushed into Lirael's body, knitting flesh and easing broken breath.

"Tch." Veyron's gaze slid toward Silvie, his expression curling into disdain. "So the little one's a healer. Kent."

The noble stepped out, lips curling into a predator's smile. "My lord?"

"Take her. Don't kill her, just keep her busy."

Kent chuckled darkly, running his tongue over his lips. "As you wish. But… Lord Veyron, since she's of no real use to you, might I have her to use? I owe her a debt. A painful one. And I would like to atleast use her to repay that humiliation" His eyes slid to Silvie with unashamed hunger.

Veyron waved lazily, eyes still fixed on Lirael. "Do as you like. Just keep her intact enough. It will be entertaining to let her suffer again in front of that man when we have him."

Kent sneered, his boots scraping on the stone as he strode forward. "Perfect. Until then, I'll amuse myself."

Silvie's eyes went wide. "No—stay away from me!" But she didn't run. She pressed her hands harder to her sister's wounds, sobbing. "Please, just heal, heal, heal—"

Lirael forced herself upright despite the ache in her ribs, the glow of Silvie's magic holding her together. She gritted her teeth, her bow trembling in her grip. "Don't you dare touch her!"

With a cry, she drew back her string—water rushing into form, dozens of spectral arrows glittering around her. Her voice rang out like a vow.

"[Moonflow Volley]!"

The cavern erupted in a storm of liquid arrows, each one slicing through the air with the sound of tearing silk. Kent's sneer turned into a curse as he threw his blade up, the barrage driving him back. Arrows struck his arms and shoulders, drawing blood with every impact.

"Damn it—!" he snarled, forced entirely on the defensive as the water blades tore at his flesh.

Veyron only clicked his tongue and blocked the attack but still git grazed by it and some men to got injured too. "Useless, even at the end. Pathetic."

With a flick of his hand, he signaled the rest of his men forward. "Go. Wear her down. She won't last long. I will handle that healer."

The men surged, blades glinting.

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