..
Elise returned the smile with a soft nod and took the vial before shifting her gaze toward the boys, who were still sorting through their newfound treasures.
Each Relic held immense potential, and yet, the mystery of the box and the dungeon remained.
Had they uncovered everything?
Or was there more hidden within its depths?
..
---
Location: The Eclipsed Labyrinth.
Year: 2026
Date: February 19th
Time: 11:18 PM
POV: Third Person
---
Garrick turned slightly, looking over his shoulder at one of the three remaining Bloodhounds.
Garrick Johnson "Justin."
A young man with brown eyes and disheveled brown hair stepped forward. His clothes were in tatters, his body covered in fresh wounds—his shoulder still bleeding from an earlier encounter. Despite his injuries, he gripped a longsword tightly in his hand as he approached Garrick.
"Boss, you called?" Justin Calloway asked, standing at attention.
Garrick held out the dagger he had retrieved from the box. "You're an assassin. This will serve you better than a sword."
Justin's eyes flickered with understanding as he reached out and took the dagger with both hands. "Thank you, Boss. I'll make good use of it." He gave a respectful bow.
"Don't forget about your sword," Garrick reminded him. "I know a dagger fits your style, but that sword has saved your life—and Michael's and Diego's. Don't disregard it." His gaze shifted momentarily to the other two Bloodhounds, both in a similar wounded state.
Justin nodded. "Yes, Boss."
He turned and walked back toward his comrades, ignoring the glowing screen floating in front of him.
Michael Jordan, his black eyes gleaming with curiosity, smirked. "So? What can it do?"
Justin glanced down at the dagger in his grip and read the details aloud.
//
____________________________________
[Relic]
---
Name: Cursed Void Fang Dagger.
Type: Dagger.
Rarity: Rare.
Effects: Inflicts wounds that are difficult to heal.
- Has a chance to siphon vitality from the target upon a critical strike.
____________________________________
//
Justin whistled. "Damn… Hard-to-heal wounds and life steal on critical hits? That's solid."
Diego Jordan, or DJ as he preferred to be called, chuckled and slapped Justin's back. "Sounds like you just became our emergency medic! If I ever get messed up in battle, I'm diving behind you, man!" He burst out laughing.
Michael smirked. "Guess we just gotta make sure you keep landing those crits, huh?"
The group shared a brief laugh despite their exhaustion and their loss.
Meanwhile, Zayne reached into the Chest, pulling out the remaining items. First, he lifted a jagged horn with a rough texture and a faint magical hum.
//
____________________________________
[Material]
---
Name: Chimera's Severed Horn.
Type: Crafting Material.
Rarity: Rare.
Effects: Enhances crafted items with beastly Resonances.
- Grants limited elemental resistance to whatever is forged with it.
____________________________________
//
Zayne nodded in approval before finally grasping the last item—a tattered cloak.
//
____________________________________
[Relic]
---
Name: Sentinel's Shroud.
Type: Cloak.
Rarity: Very Rare.
Effects: Reduces visibility in shadows.
- Grants limited resistance to soul-based attacks.
____________________________________
//
He held the cloak up, inspecting its worn fabric. "Not bad… That soul resistance is handy, but aside from that, it's just a glorified bedsheet," he muttered, unknowingly dismissing an ability that might one day save his life..... Or is it today?.
..
.
A dull throb pounded against Damian's skull, forcing a low groan from his lips. His fingers instinctively reached up to massage his temples but was stopped by his mask, "Ugh… my head…"
As he blinked his eyes open, the first thing he saw was a pair of cute silver-black eyes staring at him, unblinking.
"Hi, Nyxi…" Damian mumbled, his voice rough from disuse. He sighed, already guessing the answer to his next question. "Let me guess… it's been days?"
Nyxi, the small serpent-like creature coiled on his lap, tilted her head but remained silent. Damian let out another sigh as he sat up, wincing slightly at the lingering headache. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone to check the time.
---
February 20th
12:21 AM
---
'Huh? It's only been a few hours… I think?' He frowned, his groggy mind struggling to piece together how long he had been out.
Shaking off his thoughts, he finally took a moment to glance around. A short distance away, the rest of his group sat gathered around a campfire. The warm glow of the fire flickered against the cold stone walls of the underground chamber, casting elongated shadows that danced with the movement of the flames.
Damian turned his gaze back to Nyxi, who remained sprawled lazily on his lap, her tail flicking idly. "Hey, Nyxi, are you hungry?" he asked, gently cupping the small creature in his palms and lifting her slightly.
*Hiisss*
Damian raised an eyebrow, tilting his head in mild confusion. "Not in the mood, huh?" He couldn't relate—his stomach felt like a hollow pit. He hadn't eaten in days, and the hunger gnawed at him relentlessly.
Pushing past the discomfort, he slowly rose to his feet. His body still ached, and the remnants of his headache lingered as he steadied himself. With careful steps, he made his way toward the fire where the others sat.
The sound of approaching footsteps caused them to look up. As soon as they recognized him, Zayne immediately stood and rushed toward him, his expression shifting from mild shock to immense relief.
Zayne's first instinct was to pull Damian into a hug, but the moment he got close, a warning hiss stopped him in his tracks.
*Hissssss*
Nyxi, now coiled securely around Damian's shoulder, glared at Zayne with narrowed eyes, her tiny fangs barely visible. The message was clear: Back off.
Zayne let out a tired sigh, shaking his head with a half-smile. "Damian… it's great to see you're alright," he said, the relief evident in his voice.
Damian smirked beneath his black mask, the intricate bluish lines faintly glowing as they caught the firelight. 'Thanks for that, Nyxi,' he thought, giving his little companion an appreciative scratch behind the head.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about you?" Damian asked, glancing past Zayne toward the others, who were now approaching as well.
Zayne nodded. "I'm good. Come on, the others will want to see you."
With that, the group closed the distance, their eyes filled with unspoken concern and curiosity.
..
They all sat around the bonfire, their gazes locked onto Damian, who did his best to ignore their curious eyes. The flames crackled, casting flickering shadows on the fragmented stone pillars that had been destroyed during the battle. The others sat on these ruins, while Damian remained on the hard floor, his back against a cold stone wall, one leg folded beneath him. His black mask, adorned with mesmerizing silver engravings.
Mira's red eyes gleamed with curiosity as she studied his disheveled form. "Damian, how did you fare after the separation? From the state of your clothes, it couldn't have been good." Her gaze drifted from his torn attire to Nyxi, the small snake curled contentedly on his shoulder.
Damian Derulo 'Great, I should have just stayed on the cold, hard floor,' Damian thought. He sighed. "Nothing much, just some small confrontation," he answered vaguely, his voice carrying his reluctance.
Elise frowned, clearly not satisfied. "What about the snake and the mask?" she pressed.
'God, I really hate people.' Damian exhaled sharply through his nose. "I found both of them in a chamber. That's also where I got this sword." He rested his hand on the hilt of the blade strapped to his waist.
Elise narrowed her eyes. 'Another vague answer. Is this how he always talks?' she mused, though her expression remained unreadable.
Zayne, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "I'm just glad you're okay… I-I thought you were dead. It's my fault you're here." His hands were clasped tightly together.
'That's right' Damian thought, nodding internally.
"If you had died, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself…" Zayne's grip tightened, his knuckles turning white.
Damian scoffed internally. 'Oh please. Maybe you'd be sad for a few days, but then you'd move on with your perfect little life like nothing ever happened' He fought the urge to roll his eyes.
Zayne exhaled shakily. "For all we know… we might be all that's left of our family." His mind drifted to their missing father.
'You mean your family. I know for certain that little bundle of annoyance is out there somewhere,' Damian thought, recalling his younger sister. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine, and that's all that matters," he said, hoping to put an end to the conversation.
Zayne hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, you're right." A small smile tugged at his lips.
Damian Derulo 'Phew, finally—'
Garrick Johnson's deep voice cut through the moment. "So, young man, what's up with your little snake friend?" He squinted at Nyxi, his eyes filled with suspicion.
'You have got to be kidding me.' Damian didn't even hesitate. "None of your business."
A heavy silence followed. Nobody had expected that response. The awkward tension in the air thickened as all eyes fixated on Damian, their expressions varying between disbelief, amusement, and irritation.
'Ugh, I'm questioning my life choices,' Damian thought, shifting uncomfortably under the scrutiny.
Zayne cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "It's okay, Damian. We've been through battles together, and he's earned our trust."
'Then you're an idiot.'
Zayne continued. "And besides, I'm curious too. That snake helped you during the fight with the Chimera and wouldn't let us approach you after you were unconscious." He glanced at Nyxi, who let out a soft, adorable hiss before nuzzling against Damian's neck.
'So that's why I was alone… Thanks again, Nyxi.' Damian exhaled. "Like I said, I found her in the same chamber as the mask and the blade. One thing led to another, and she bonded with me." He prayed internally that this would finally end the conversation.
His words made the others eyes widen. They exchanged glances before the Jordan brothers began whispering amongst themselves.
Mira Valen leaned forward, her excitement barely contained. "When you say bonded, do you mean like a contract pet, like in manga?" Her crimson eyes sparkled.
" Yeah " Damian sighed and answered trying not to go into details.
Mira's enthusiasm only grew. "Cool! How did it happen?"
This question drew the attention of even the usually silent Adrian Vaughn, who had been focused on the meat roasting over the fire.
'Oh my God. This is not going to end, is it?' "I don't know, I was unconscious when it happened... " Damian groaned internally as he answered. Desperate for an escape, his eyes darted to Adrian, who was holding a massive chunk of steaming meat. "What's that?" he asked, hoping to change the topic.
Adrian glanced up. "Monster meat." He gestured toward the corner, where a butchered Minotaur lay in pieces, blood and sinew pooling around it.
Damian's stomach churned. 'Yeah, I'm not eating that.'
Adrian smirked. "It's not as bad as you think."
" It's okay I'm fine " Damian said flatly, already scanning the area for a place to rest.
Zayne Callister " ...Damian, have you eaten anything since you arrived in this dungeon? " Zayne asked looking away from the meat.
Damian Derulo "No" Damian said in a grunt as he rose up to his feet, which woke Nyxi.
Zayne Callister " Damian, you need to eat— where are you going? " Zayne asked as his gaze followed Damia as he walked away.
Damian Derulo "To sleep, wake me when you are ready to go" Damian answered without looking back.
Zayne Callister "At least eat a bite" Zayne said a little loudly as damian walked away.
Damian Derulo "I'm fine" Damian said before stopping a couple of meters away from them as his stomach growl silently.
Zayne Callister '....Liar' Zayne thought as he remembered their childhood when Damian would always say he was fine even when he wasn't.
..
Lying down on the cold, unforgiving ground, Damian closed his eyes. He wasn't actually tired—he just wanted to get away from them. He preferred the silence, the solitude.
The flickering firelight cast long shadows over his resting form. The quiet murmur of voices drifted in the background, but Damian paid them no mind. For now, he had peace, and that was all he wanted.
..
.
---
February 20th
7:49 AM
---
*Brrrrr*
*Brrrrr*
Damian stirred awake to the vibrations of his phone's alarm. Sitting up, his body responded with a series of satisfying pops. The hard ground had made sleep nearly impossible, forcing him to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
With a lazy swipe, he deactivated the alarm before stretching his upper body, arms reaching skyward as he yawned beneath his mask. Blinking groggily, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced around.
That's when he saw it—Nyxi yawning.
Damian froze. Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and snapped a picture.
*Click*
Damian Derulo 'Ah, so adorable.' He thought, a goofy smile forming behind his mask.
Nyxi, hearing the sound, looked toward Damian in confusion. Tilting her tiny head, she watched him curiously.
*Click*
Damian Derulo 'Oh my gosh! Best thing to wake up to.' He nearly melted on the spot.
A voice suddenly interrupted his blissful moment.
Zayne Callister "...What are you doing?"
Damian flinched slightly and turned toward the voice. Standing a few feet away, Zayne had his arms crossed, his expression somewhere between amusement and disbelief. He had originally come to wake Damian and suggest they start moving, but upon arrival, he had witnessed something unexpected.
Damian, the brooding, antisocial loner, was taking pictures of his adorable little snake—with an expression that could only be described as utterly smitten.
Without a word, Damian swiftly pocketed his phone and gently scooped Nyxi into his palm before carefully placing her back on his shoulder. Rising to his feet, he dusted off his clothes with a few firm smacks before turning and walking away.
Zayne, still grinning smugly, trailed after him.
Zayne Callister "Not gonna lie, Damian, but that was kind of adorable."
His eyes flicked toward Nyxi, his grin widening.
Zayne Callister 'But seriously… it really is painfully cute.'
His gaze lingered on the tiny serpent resting contentedly on Damian's shoulder, her gleaming dark silver eyes only adding to her undeniable charm, Zayne's focus on him made unable to notice Damian's neck and ears that were red.
..
.
When they arrived, the others were mostly ready. A few meters away, the remains of their last meal lay near the quenched bonfire—only bones and scraps remained of the devoured Minotaur.
Damian walked off to a nearby wall, leaning against it with his arms crossed. Zayne, meanwhile, went to check on the others, making sure everyone was prepared.
Across the camp, Mira stood beside Elise, her gaze drifting toward Damian. After exchanging a few hushed words with Elise—and hesitating for a brief moment—she finally worked up the courage and approached him.
Mira Valen "Good morning, Damian." She greeted him with her usual cheerful smile.
Damian Derulo "Morning." His reply was curt but polite.
Mira then turned her attention to the tiny serpent coiled comfortably on Damian's shoulder.
Mira Valen "Hi there~" she cooed, waving gently at Nyxi.
Nyxi, however, didn't even spare her a glance.
Mira's smile faltered slightly, the rejection stinging more than she expected. She pouted a little before looking back at Damian.
Mira Valen "What's her name?"
Damian hesitated for a second, then answered plainly.
Damian Derulo "Nyxi."
Mira Valen "Nyxi... It suits her." She nodded thoughtfully before her eyes brightened with excitement. "Can I hold her for a little bit?"
She had been dying to hold Nyxi ever since she first saw her, but she never asked—partially because she wasn't close to Damian, and partially because she had a feeling he wouldn't allow it. But now, she couldn't resist. Nyxi was just too cute.
Damian glanced at Nyxi, silently asking for her opinion.
The tiny snake let out a soft hiss, subtly tightening her coils around on shoulder. The answer was clear.
Damian Derulo "Sorry, doesn't seem like she wants that." He responded without hesitation.
Mira Valen "Oh… okay." Disappointment was evident in her voice. She sighed and turned back to Elise, walking over before suddenly hugging her.
Elise, used to Mira's affectionate nature, simply smiled and stroked her head. It was an amusing sight—Mira was taller than Elise, yet here she was, being comforted like a child.
Damian observed the scene briefly but quickly lost interest. 'Maybe this interaction will make her stop talking to me altogether,' he thought. 'Doubt it, though.'
Before he could dwell on it further, Zayne's voice cut through the air.
Zayne Callister "Alright, everyone, gather up!"
The group moved closer, their expressions shifting to seriousness.
Zayne Callister "I scouted ahead an hour ago. And fifteen minutes into my walk, I reached a huge golden door… and I'm pretty sure it leads to the boss room."
A thick tension settled over the group.
They were finally at the end of this nightmarish dungeon. The possibility of escape was within reach—but so was the greatest danger they had ever faced. Every mini-boss they had encountered had pushed them to their limits. The thought of what the actual boss could be was terrifying.
Sensing their fear, Zayne took a step forward, his expression turning firm.
Zayne Callister "I know what you're all thinking. 'Can we really do this?'" He paused, looking each of them in the eyes. "The answer is yes. We've made it this far. We've fought, bled, some died... but we survived against enemies that should have killed us. We've pushed past fear, exhaustion, and pain. We didn't come this far just to die at the finish line."
The group remained silent, hanging on his words.
Zayne Callister "Yeah, this boss is going to be tough. Maybe the hardest fight of our lives. But I trust each and every one of you. We've got strong fighters, quick thinkers, and an unbreakable will. If we work together, we will make it out of here alive. So don't let fear win."
A few members of the group nodded, their expressions hardening with determination.
Damian, however, rolled his eyes.
Damian Derulo 'Nice pep talk.' His thoughts were laced with sarcasm. He wasn't immune to fear, throughout his entire life it has been more like an unavoidable friend, but thanks to Hollow Veil, the emotion was dulled to the point of insignificance.
Zayne Callister "Alright, let's move."
With that, the group gathered their things and set off, heading deeper into the dungeon toward the golden doors that would decide their fate.
..
.
---
February 20th
8:11 AM
---
A heavy silence loomed as they stood before the enormous golden gate, the air thick with tension. The door was not merely an entrance; it was a verdict. Beyond it lay their salvation or their annihilation.
The polished surface of the gate shimmered with ancient celestial engravings, shifting subtly as if aware of their presence. Each character pulsed with golden radiance, whispering silent warnings to those who dared enter. No one spoke. No one dared to breathe too loudly.
Zayne took a steady breath, his fingers flexing around the hilt of his crimson reaver before he turned to his comrades.
"This is it. The final battle. No second chances, no resets. Watch each other's backs, trust in each other, and most importantly—do not let fear take hold. We fight together, we win together. Now, let's finish this."
A shared nod of determination spread through the group. Weapons were drawn, magical auras ignited, and final preparations were made. Then, with steady hands, Zayne pressed against the golden gate.
With a deep, resonant groan, the doors parted. A gust of stale, ancient air greeted them, carrying whispers of forgotten battles and silent screams of those who had come before. Beyond the threshold lay an abyssal void, its depths consuming all light.
The team exchanged glances, steeled their nerves, and stepped inside. The moment the last foot crossed the threshold, the massive doors slammed shut behind them, sealing their fate. Then, as if on cue—
---
[ System Notification ]
-
- You Have Entered The Boss Room -
The Trial of Gold stands before you.
Your path to salvation lies in victory.
Defeat The Gilded Behemoth to clear the dungeon and claim your rewards.
Warning: Failure to triumph will result in complete eradication.
-
Environmental Effects Activated:
Gravity Surge: Movement speed reduced by 25%.
Celestial Suppression: Magic effectiveness reduced by 20%.
Divine Domain: Boss gains 15% increased resistance to all damage types.
-
Countdown to Engagement: [ 00:60 ]
Fate Has Been Sealed.
-
[ Good-Luck Challenger ]
---
Damian Derulo 'You have got to be kidding me' A chill ran down his spine as his survival instincts activated. He felt his body's weight increase a notch, not to the point of limitation, but noticeable.
As the notification faded, the abyss before them pulsed with light. Suddenly, golden runes ignited across the chamber floor, illuminating the void in a dazzling cascade of celestial energy. The darkness retreated, unveiling a vast, awe-inspiring throne room.
Colossal pillars adorned with golden glyphs stretched toward the heavens, their surfaces shifting with divine inscriptions. The polished golden floor reflected the ethereal glow of countless floating sigils, and at the heart of it all—a grand golden magic circle pulsed with an ominous rhythm.
At the far end, an imposing golden throne rested atop a raised platform. It was not just a seat—it was a monument to power. And upon that throne, a nightmare in gilded form awaited.
A titan of unfathomable size, its body a cathedral of gold and celestial energy, stirred. Its massive form was adorned with intricate pulsating runes, each one exuding ancient, overwhelming power. In one hand, it gripped an object so massive that at first, it seemed like a fallen tower—until with a radiant burst, the golden structure shifted, revealing its true form—a colossal war hammer forged from solid gold and divine wrath.
With deliberate, calculated motion, the titan rose. The sheer weight of its presence sent a shockwave through the chamber, causing the ground to tremble violently. Dust rained from the towering pillars. Every step it took was an earthquake, a harbinger of doom.
Its glowing golden eyes, hollow and ancient, locked onto the intruders. Its grip on the war hammer tightened, the golden monolith resting against its broad shoulder.
The silence was suffocating.
Then—
Diego Jordan "How the hell are we supposed to beat that thing?!!!" DJ's panicked voice shattered the moment, his entire body trembling as cold sweat ran down his face.
No one had an answer.
Because standing before them was not just a boss—
It was a Gilded Behemoth, just as it's name stated.
And it was ready to crush them all.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To Be Continued.....
A/n : Character images have been uploaded on the discord...
https://discord.gg/u2yVtVkudz