"I'll be damned…" a familiar voice could be heard through the haze of his mind. "You are actually alive, and manage to kill this creature."
Darkness pressed in around Dominic's senses.
The sounds of the man and world faded. The cold earth beneath him vanished. Even the pain finally let go.
It was Riven who had found him.
His ether had only just stabilized enough to move again. His breathing was still uneven as he followed the trail of the flying creature and black ichor leading away from the caravan. The sight that greeted him made him stop short.
The creature lay dead, its neck ruined beyond recognition.
Dominic lay sprawled beside it unmoving.
After saying that out of shock, Riven rushed forward, dropping to one knee beside him.
He checked for breath first. It was weak, but there. A pulse followed.
"This kid is tough," Riven muttered, relief slipping into his voice despite himself.
He did not waste time. From his pack, he pulled a glass vial etched with runes.
The liquid inside shimmered as he uncorked it and poured it carefully into Dominic's mouth, tilting his head just enough.
The healing elixir went to work immediately.
—
Dominic's consciousness surfaced slowly.
Light filtered through his eyelids. Not the harsh blaze of day, but a pale gray glow. Dawn, or close to it.
He opened his eyes.
The sky stretched above him. It was still dark but thinning at the edges. Clouds faintly outlined by the coming light.
For a terrifying second, he did not move.
He waited for pain.
However, it never came.
Carefully, he flexed his fingers. Then his arm. No pain or that grinding agony he felt before. He swallowed and shifted his leg. No pain as well.
Dominic sucked in a sharp breath and pushed himself up halfway, staring down at his own body.
He didn't see any blood, torn flesh, or twisted joints.
His clothes were ruined, stiff with dried blood and ichor, but his skin beneath was whole.
A shaky laugh escaped him before he could stop it. He sagged back down and let out a long breath.
"Phew… I'm alive."
"He's awake," Riven said.
Dominic turned his head. Riven stood nearby with his arms crossed, looking tired but very much alive.
A moment later, footsteps approached from behind him.
Mara and Kel came into view.
Mara looked relieved in a way she clearly hadn't bothered to hide. Kel stared at him like he was trying to confirm Dominic was real.
"You're lucky," Riven said, crouching beside him. "Another minute and you might've gone past what the elixir could fix."
Dominic swallowed his saliva. His throat felt dry, but intact. "It was the elixir of healing?"
"High-grade," Mara said. "We don't hand those out lightly."
Dominic winced. "I'll pay it back."
Kel snorted. "You killed a Labyrinth creature on your own with a knife. I think you've earned a debt or two."
Riven's eyes stayed on him, sharp despite the exhaustion. "That thing wasn't finished off by accident. You knew where to strike despite your fear and panic. That's actually impressive for a kid your age."
Dominic hesitated, then shrugged weakly. "I got lucky."
No one spoke for a moment.
Mara crossed her arms. Kel raised an eyebrow. Riven huffed softly through his nose.
"Luck," Riven repeated. "Sure."
Their expressions said they didn't believe him for a second.
Dominic didn't push it. He let the cool morning air wash over him. The sky slowly brightened overhead.
Dominic's gaze drifted past them.
A few meters away, the remaining members of the caravan stood in small, scattered clusters.
Some leaned against wagons. Others sat on the ground with their heads buried in their hands.
Shock still clung to them, but relief had begun to seep in now that the creatures were dead.
Whispers spread quietly. People pointed. Some stared at the ruined corpses and the others stared at him.
The boy who had been captured by one of the creatures was alive.
Then Dominic's eyes found them. The three noble children were huddled together near one of the wagons, pressed close like frightened animals.
Their fine clothes were dirtied, their faces pale. They were whispering urgently among themselves. Their eyes moved toward him again and again with faces showing expressions of anxiety, and maybe fear.
Dominic felt something cold coil in his chest.
"Yeah. I'm still alive," he thought, lips barely twitching. "Just wait there, you noble scum. I'll get back at you with everything I have."
Alaric noticed his stare.
For a split second, fear flickered across the noble boy's face. He stiffened.
Then, as if remembering himself, Alaric straightened his back and puffed out his chest, forcing his expression into something resembling anger and sneer.
It was unconvincing.
Dominic did not look away. His glare stayed sharp and hateful, unblinking.
Alaric's jaw clenched, but his eyes wavered. He eventually turned his head, pretending that he was not interested.
Riven, Mara, and Kel had shifted into quiet discussion.
They stood close together, their expressions serious.
The relief of survival had already given way to concern. This was no ordinary incident. It was not just Labyrinth ether leaking to the surface. Three fully manifested creatures had emerged.
That had never happened before.
They said that something was wrong. Deeply wrong.
Dominic listened without interrupting, piecing together what he could.
The implication hung heavy in the air. If the Labyrinth was changing, then this would not be an isolated event.
Kel finally broke the silence.
"We can't continue like this. It's too risky," he said. "If creatures like these are reaching the surface, this goes beyond a simple escort job. For the next leg of the journey, I'll contact the Council."
Mara nodded immediately. "I agreed. This needs to be reported. And we're going to need reinforcements. Who knows if more would come?"
Riven sighed and gave a short nod. "Yeah. Whatever's happening down there… I don't like it."
Dominic somehow thought that the danger was far from over.
Kel turned toward Dominic.
His gaze lingered on him for a moment, assessing. Not just checking for injuries, but weighing something heavier.
"How's your condition?" Kel asked.
Dominic pushed himself up a little straighter, then shrugged. "Most of the wounds are gone. I'm just tired."
That part was impossible to hide. His limbs felt heavy.
Kel nodded slowly. His expression tightened, conflicted.
"I'm sorry," he said after a pause. "But if another creature appears before help from the Council arrives, I may need you to lend a hand."
Dominic blinked.
"What?" He stared at Kel in disbelief. "I'm just a kid. And you're a full Arcanist. You're asking me to help?"
Kel didn't look away. "I am."
There was no arrogance in his tone. Just practicality.
"We'll pay you," Kel added.
"Oh. You should've said that first." Dominic's expression changed instantly. The shock vanished, replaced by a wide, toothy grin.
—