Kingsland Arc Chapter:40 - New Dawn, Lingering Shadows
The Return to the Surface.
The first rays of morning sunlight hit their exhausted faces
"Golden light glinted off dust motes caught in the morning breeze, warming faces that had grown too familiar with shadows."
as they stumbled out of the dungeon's yawning maw. Their clothes were torn and coated in grime, a testament to the brutal struggle they had endured. Freya took a deep breath, the fresh, breezy air a stark contrast to the stale, magical chill of the underground.
"We're back," she said, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "And we're all alive."
They made their way to the nearest settlement, a small, bustling town named Alpine. The first stop was a local tavern,
"The tavern's rough wooden benches creaked beneath them; the scent of stewed apples and spiced ale mingled with laughter and evening chatter—a stark contrast to the dungeon's silence."
where they rented a handful of rooms. The group immediately collapsed, sleeping the entire day through.
Chou flopped heavily onto a bench. "Wake me up next year."
Rafaela, half-asleep on the table, murmured, "If the Legionnaire tries coming back, tell him to wait outside."
By evening, Freya, along with Yue Xin, Rafaela, and Miya, felt a renewed sense of purpose. They decided to go into town, their focus on a nearby dress shop. Their current attire was beyond repair, and they needed new clothes before heading to the capital. They found an array of practical but stylish tunics and trousers, purchasing a new set for everyone in both parties.
The next morning, the group gathered for a hearty breakfast. "Warm bread filled the air, mingling with spiced porridge. The clatter of plates and cheerful banter pulled at even the weariest souls."
Ronin's new tunic was a dark, simple gray, while Kaelen wore a deep blue. Kaelen grinned at Ronin's tunic. "Gray suits you. Makes you look mysterious…in a 'lost in a dungeon' kinda way."
Lamus's new clothes were a forest green, and the girls wore dresses in soft, earthy tones. Miya spun in hers, a smile lighting her face. "No more rags for me. This feels like a celebration!"
They shared a few jokes about their new looks before heading out.
They chartered two wooden carriages, one for the Blades of Dawn and another for the Shadows of Wrath. The road to the capital, Crownfall, was long, and they had a report to deliver to the Adventurers' Guild president, Albert.
Back in the Capital
A day later, the carriages rumbled into the sprawling, bustling city of Crownfall. The adventurers' guild was a hub of activity, filled with travelers, merchants, and adventurers of every rank. As they entered, a hush fell over the crowd. Murmurs rippled through the hall.
"Hey, look, they're back!" a man whispered.
"They were the ones who went into the dungeon!" a woman exclaimed.
The receptionist, Jessa, looked up, her expression shifting from focused efficiency to profound relief. "Miss Freya! Thank the gods, you're all safe! And… Ronin, is he alright?"
Freya: "Yes, he's fine. We're all here."
Jessa: "Sir Albert has been expecting you. Please, go right in."
Freya knocked on the oak door of Albert's cabin. "Come in," a firm voice answered.
The door creaked open, and the entire group entered to find not only President Albert but also Master Baelish, their mentor.
Albert: "You're all back safely. Well done, Freya."
Freya: "Thank you, Sir Albert. I was just doing my job."
Freya (surprised): "Master Baelish? You're here?"
Baelish (a deep sigh of relief): "I'm glad you're all safe. I came to the guild to check on Chou, Yue Xin, Rafaela, and Ronin since they hadn't sent word. Albert filled me in on everything. Thank you all." Baelish's eyes swept over his students, a rare smile of pride on his face.
Baelish: "Are you all unharmed?"
Chou: "Yes, Master Baelish, we are."
Baelish: "Ronin, are you fine?"
Ronin: "Yes, Master, I'm alright. Everyone helped me, and my new companions also helped us a great deal."
Baelish: "New companions? Who?"
"Leo, Luna, and Saber," Ronin called.
Luna and Leo rose up from the shadows that clung to Ronin's feet, their spectral forms solidifying. Saber, in his black cat form, stepped out from behind Ronin's legs.
Both Albert and Baelish stared, intrigued and shocked.
Albert: "What are these? Shadow wolves? What are they doing here?"
Freya: "They're safe, Sir Albert. They're Ronin's companions, and they helped us defeat the Legionnaire."
Albert: "Where did you find them?"
Ronin: "Deep in the dungeon."
Baelish's eyes narrowed. A cat in the depths of a dungeon? And it survived? He sensed an immense and ancient mana signature emanating from the small black feline. Saber, for his part, was surprised to see Baelish; he recognized the man from the distant past, but gave no sign of recognition, keeping his face impassive.
Baelish crouched down and gently petted Leo, Luna, and Saber in turn. "I'm looking forward to our training sessions together," he said softly. "Thank you for saving them."
Albert also felt the surge of power from Saber. "It's rare to see someone with shadow wolves as companions," he said. "And a cat surviving at the depths of the dungeon is a miracle. Good luck, kid."
Ronin: "Thank you, Sir Albert."
A Confession and New Beginnings
After they left the cabin, Ronin's party went to the receptionist, Celine. Ronin pulled out the collected mana stones from his satchel, handing them over. Chou, Yue Xin, and Rafaela were surprised he had managed to keep them.
"Your first quest is complete," Celine said, sliding a bag of coins across the desk. The clinking sound was music to their ears. "Here is your reward."
Ronin told Chou to take it. "Shadows of Wrath have completed their first quest successfully!" Chou announced to the guild hall, a grin stretching from ear to ear. Their small triumph was met with cheers from the other adventurers.
A few moments later, Freya and her party came out of the cabin.
Baelish and the Shadows of Wrath said their goodbyes to the Blades of Dawn. Baelish's party would stay the night at Freya's home before making their journey back to the forest.
The next morning, the air was filled with the sound of birds chirping and the happy clatter of plates. They ate a final meal together before Baelish and Freya sat in the hall, sipping tea.
Freya: "Master, why don't you all stay a few more days to rest? They're all still tired."
Baelish: "Thank you for your concern, but we need to return. I need to train them more; they will face harder missions in the future. I hope they didn't hold you back in the dungeon."
Freya: "No, they did not. They did incredibly well. They maintained their composure, they were careful, and they have all grown so much. I believe the fight has helped them become even stronger."
Baelish smiled. "I feel the same. It was a trial by fire, but they passed with flying colors."
Soon, everyone was ready to go. Freya hugged each of them in turn. "It was good working with you, Shadows of Wrath. I'm looking forward to working with you all again."
Chou: "We won't disappoint you, Miss Freya. We'll come back even stronger!"
With that, Baelish, Chou, Rafaela, Yue Xin, Ronin, and his new companions—Leo, Luna, and Saber—got into their carriage and began the long journey back to Zevery Forest and Baelish's home.
Later...
They continued their training, taking on various quests and gaining more experience. With each mission, their bonds grew stronger, and they became a force to be reckoned with.
While Ronin and his friends celebrated their triumph, a far greater evil was awakening, its shadow stretching across Kingsland and beyond, poised to plunge them all into a new era of war and revelation.
Whispers of bandits growing bolder drifted through the guild halls, and murmurs suggested darker shadows lurking beyond the city's edge. Even in celebration, unease lingered.
Baelish occasionally gazed into the flickering fire or toward the horizon, as if haunted by silent memories. Ronin wondered what secrets his mentor kept hidden.
One quiet evening, Ronin watched children playing in the market square. Their laughter was lively but tinged with a cautious edge. Something was shifting in Kingsland. The road ahead held dangers beyond monsters—dangers woven by men and demons alike.
[To Be Continued in Volume 2]