It felt like a dungeon, though Lior wasn't entirely sure. The air was thick with tension, and the ground beneath him hummed faintly with energy. He blinked a few times, still disoriented from the sudden fall, his body aching from exhaustion.
He sighed deeply, brushing the dust off his clothes. "We're probably supposed to clear this dungeon," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "Let's finish it quickly before something unusual happens."
Night raised an eyebrow. "You just had to say that, didn't you?"
Lior gave him a tired look. "What? I'm just saying we should—"
Before he could finish, Night's expression sharpened. He tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his blade. "Wait… something's here."
The others turned, scanning the dimly lit hall. From the corners where light failed to reach, something stirred. A faint shimmer of movement, the sound of claws scraping against stone.
"Solaris, Ignis," Lior ordered calmly, "light it up."
The two nodded and raised their hands. A burst of radiant flame and golden light filled the chamber—revealing a scene that sent chills down their spines.
Dozens of creatures stood there, their bodies shimmering with scales that pulsed faintly like veins of crystal. Their eyes gleamed a fierce yellow, and arcs of electricity flickered across their skin. They were beasts—strange ones, unlike anything they'd seen before.
Aqua's eyes widened. "I've never seen anything like them…"
The beasts let out a synchronized screech that echoed across the chamber.
Lior took a step forward, tightening his grip on his sword. "Everyone—battle formation!"
The creatures charged. Sparks flew as their claws met steel and magic. The team split into groups, moving like lightning themselves to meet the assault head-on.
Ignis unleashed a wall of fire, but the flames were torn apart by crackling lightning bolts. Terra raised barriers of stone that shattered under electric strikes. Aqua sent torrents of water that hissed into steam when struck by energy blasts.
"These things—" Night gritted his teeth, slicing one down, "—are using lightning magic! That's impossible!"
"Apparently not!" Solaris shouted, launching a beam of light that collided with another beast's bolt mid-air, creating a thunderous explosion.
The fight was furious—fast, wild, and chaotic. Every strike sent shockwaves through the chamber. Even Lior, with all his experience, felt his arms numbing from the intensity of their magic.
When a brief pause came, Lior raised his hand. "I'll call in the foot soldiers—" He reached out to summon them, but his connection faltered. "What?" He tried again, harder this time, but nothing happened. "They're… not responding."
Night parried another incoming strike. "It's like something's blocking the summon link!"
"Then we'll just have to finish this ourselves," Lior replied, eyes burning with determination.
They fought relentlessly, cutting through the horde piece by piece. The air smelled of ozone and scorched earth. Every move was faster, every dodge sharper, every spell more desperate.
Finally, after a long and exhausting struggle, the last beast fell with a heavy thud, sparks flickering out around its body.
Lior exhaled heavily, his shoulders rising and falling. "That… took longer than I wanted."
Before they could rest, their eyes turned toward a massive gate ahead, towering high and sealed with intricate lightning-shaped symbols.
"Looks like the final room," Solaris said, wiping the sweat from his brow.
But as they approached, something unexpected happened.
Night, Solaris, Ignis, Aqua, Terra, and Sylph began to glow faintly—then one by one, they vanished, fading into particles of light.
"Wait—what's happening!?" Lior shouted, reaching out as the last spark of Night disappeared.
A voice echoed faintly in his mind. "It seems this part's yours alone, Lior…"
Silence filled the chamber.
Lior clenched his fists. "So it's just me then…" He stared at the gate for a long moment, then took a deep breath and pushed it open.
Inside was chaos incarnate.
Dozens of lightning beasts filled the vast chamber, their bodies glowing with unstable energy. At the far end stood a massive creature—clearly the boss. It radiated power, its mane made of pure lightning.
The moment Lior stepped in, the entire room came alive. Bolts of electricity rained from above, shaking the ground. He dodged, rolled, and countered with every ounce of strength he had left.
His blade crackled as he clashed against the boss's claws. The fight was brutal—every hit threatened to shatter him, every dodge barely saving him by an inch. Still, he pressed on, his heart pounding like a drum.
At last, with a surge of energy and a desperate cry, he channeled every bit of his magic into his sword and struck the beast straight through the chest.
A blinding flash engulfed the room.
When it faded, the beast's body dissolved into streaks of blue light—and the dungeon fell silent.
Lior stood there, panting heavily, his clothes scorched and torn. Then, a soft chime echoed in the air as the system's voice spoke:
[Congratulations. Lightning Magic Unlocked.]
He smiled faintly, relief washing over him. "Lightning magic, huh? Guess that explains all this mess."
But as he turned to leave, a shadow moved behind him.
He froze, spinning around and raising his blade. The boss—who should have been gone—was standing there again.
Lior's instincts screamed danger, and his energy flared. "You again?" he muttered, readying for another fight.
But instead of attacking, the creature lowered its head. Its voice rumbled like thunder.
"My name… is Volt."
Before Lior could even respond, the system pinged again:
[New Elemental Contract Formed — Lightning Elemental: Volt.]
Lior blinked in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me… Another elemental?"
Volt bowed his head once more, electricity dancing across his form. "From now on, my lightning is yours to command."
Before Lior could say another word, a surge of energy surrounded him. The dungeon began to fade away, its walls dissolving into light.
And just like that—he was back.
He jolted upright in his bed, the sunlight pouring through his window. He turned to check the time—and froze.
Nearly three days had passed. It was less than an hour before they were scheduled to leave for the capital.
Lior groaned, running a hand through his hair.
Then he smiled faintly, a spark of lightning flickering at his fingertips.
"Welcome to the team, Volt." ⚡