The sun hung low above the treetops, casting long shadows across the edge of the village. Jean sat against a stone, fiddling with a broken piece of bark. His eyes felt distant, like he was trapped. All he could think about was that nightmare; it clung to him stubbornly. He remembered that nightmare—after all, it was a memory he tried to shove deep inside himself. It was the kind of dream that numbed a person. It was to the point he couldn't understand true pain.
Nearby, Elise was sprawled across the grass, the sun beading off her face, flipping through a tattered grimoire. She read every page with little enthusiasm. It was as if she was forced to read the fine print on a contract. She had a confused face, mumbling to herself, "Fireball, fireball, combustion... why does everything have to explode? Can I seriously not cast such a simple spell? Ugh... well this sucks."
Ronan, always alert even in his sleep, sat on a sturdy tree stump. He meditated with his arms crossed. He had the usual smirk; it made him look like a douchebag. His eyes opened, and he yelled in an annoying tone, "Because explosions are awesome. It's like the universal law of magic... duhh."
Elise glared at him as she reached her arm out towards him. "Fireball!" A flame sparked from her hand and shot out towards Ronan.
He jumped back, grabbing his groin. "Woah, woah, woah... not the groin, buddy." He then looked down to pat his charred pants.
A rhythmic clank of metal cut through their banter. The trio's heads turned as Callum emerged from the forest trail, along with the Knightsguard faction. His armor was scratched, smeared in dried mud. He even had a fresh scar traced along his cheek, but he still carried himself in a proud manner. Despite all of his visible wounds, he remained like iron, radiating with an unyielding will.
"I leave you alone for two days," Callum sighed, dropping his sack at the foot of a tree. "Somehow, you guys haven't killed yourselves yet."
Jean rose to his feet, offering a polite nod in response. "The probability of death was quite low."
Elise rolled onto her side, giving a little stretch. "Hah... did you see? I almost set Ronan on fire. Accidentally..."
"Don't lie. You did that on purpose. I want kids when I'm older. Don't do that ever again!" Ronan said, jumping backward. "You're probably jealous of my perfect hair."
Callum shook his head and scoffed. Lydia had appeared from the treetops, dropping to her feet, awkwardly quiet. Her steps dragging, she held a tired face like she hadn't slept in days.
Jean questioned, "Where were you?"
Lydia's eyes widened when she saw Callum. "Tying up loose ends," she mumbled. "I'm back."
Ronan leaned towards her and nudged her. "You always say creepy stuff. At least tell us. You vanished when Callum left— isn't that a little spooky?"
She didn't respond.
Callum's voice cut through their bickering, "Stop teasing one another. We move to the Fifth Door soon."
Ronan nodded, pulling a poorly drawn map from his pack. "The Fifth Door's here, while we are over here."
"Come on, you've got to be kidding. That's a napkin with random crayon markings on it. Be serious, Ronan!" Lydia barked.
"Oh seriously, you expected me to buy a map?" he said with a sarcastic face. "We don't have any money for one. I just redrew one on a napkin."
"Stop it. Ronan, do you know the way?" Callum said.
"Yes sir!" Ronan yelled in a militaristic voice.
While they were talking, Jean instinctively tightened the cloth around his forearm, concealing the faint glow pulsing beneath. No one noticed.
The group began their plunge into the forest. The trees thickened, the branches twisted overhead, blocking the sun. On their path, they walked past ancient symbols carved into tree bark. The closer they approached the Fifth Door, the more twisted things became. Everything felt as if it was alive, waiting to attack. The air grew humid and damp. The sunlight felt pale, as if everything went black and white.
A rustle in the underbrush snapped Ronan to alertness. His head snapped backward as he pulled his sword out.
"Company."
Without any warning, two skeletal beasts bursted from the dense brush. Their eyes looked as if they were raging, their jaws clamped down hungrily.
Elise jumped backward, aiming her hands towards the beasts. "Ugh, fine." She began to summon a gust of wind that slammed one beast against a tree. You could hear its back crack against the tree.
Lydia flicked her wrists, sending translucent daggers towards the creature's chest. The daggers pushed the monster back, but only for a second.
Jean instinctively clawed at the beast, exposing part of its ribs.
[Claw Attack: Unlocked]
Callum rushed in with his shield, pushing the monster back.
Ronan jumped from behind, giving the final blow to the back of its neck. The beast's head giving a thud to the ground.
[Unnamed Monster 15 EXP]
They pressed forward. The trees got tighter the farther they went into the forest. The ground felt soft but spongy, as if it was an alive monster—waiting to eat if it was hungry.
Finally, they reached a wide, crumbling bridge. The group looked down at the water rushing below. The drop was around fifty feet—most likely death if you were to fall. At the center stood a figure... massive, silent, unmoving.
A golem.
It seemed to be a mixture of obsidian and granite. Its body was broad, with gold veins that pulsed with life. It had no eyes, yet it felt as if it could see. On its face was a glowing symbol etched deep onto it.
The golem raised its massive arm and slammed into the ground with incredible force. The bridge shook with so much force, you could hear rocks falling.
"The bridge won't hold for too long!" Jean yelled.
Jean's crystal began to pulse sharply, pain flaring up, radiating around his arm.
Callum stepped forward to protect, his voice yelled in a low tone. "Get ready. It's guarding the door."
Elise exhaled with exhaustion, magic charged up from her fingertips. "Thanks, Captain Obvious."
The golem charged.
Ronan struck first, hitting it with a powerful spinning kick. "Okay. That's solid rock. That's fine. I don't think I can deal damage."
Elise hurled a giant fireball. The heat barely scorched the golem's surface.
Lydia summoned twin blades, throwing them perfectly. One exploded on impact; the other slid off with a disgusting noise.
Jean lunged forward, his fist extended, but the golem's reach was much bigger and faster.
He tried to dodge backward, but he wasn't fast enough.
Midair, a violent pulse—a pulse similar to his arm—exploded through his leg. The crystal flooded pain into his legs. This was a pain he could never forget.
His leg twisted in a gruesome manner. Bones snapped and muscles tore, only to restore itself back together. This time, his leg was alien.
Digitigrade. Predatory. Almost dog-like.
[Leg Status: Digitigrade]
Jean landed ten feet away. He felt taller but weird. His legs bent backward in an awkward position for his human body.
Elise stared in disbelief, mouth gaping open. "What the fu... what's wrong with your legs?"
Jean said in an uneven, rough voice, "I don't... I don't know. Oh shit, I think I'm going to faint."
Ronan slapped him on the back while dodging the golem. "Bro. You got a werewolf DLC or something?" His joke eased Jean's mind a little.
But the golem attacked again.
Jean took a deep breath, his senses sharpening. He felt fast—faster than he could ever be. His claws began to grow as he jumped onto the golem's back.
He began to claw at its back. He kept on clawing until he reached its core. He grabbed the core and began to claw at it in a feral way.
Callum barked orders. "Jean, stop! It's already dead!"
[Golem Defeated 50 EXP
[Level Up: Level 4]
Jean panted heavily, staring down at his legs in disbelief.
Their gaze swept towards Jean. They all were frozen, not knowing how to react.
Even Ronan looked uncertain. He didn't give his cocky remarks after taking a closer look.
Callum stepped forward, feeling pity. "Can you walk?" He then grabbed Jean's arm to help him, but Jean pushed him away.
Jean nodded slowly, rising up from his butt. He looked like a baby still learning how to balance.
They began to walk, following the path ahead.
The Fifth Door stood ahead, massive with demonic carvings. They could feel its ancient powers from afar, as if it was whispering to them.
It felt almost hypnotic.
Before anyone could speak, a great gust of wind came down. It felt like a restless wind spirit was angry.
A new sound cut sharply through the air—wings beating against the sky.
Jean's eyes jumped upward.
Something with gigantic wings was flying towards them. Its black wings looked fast, yet unstoppable.
Something was coming, and it seemed angry.