The corridor was silent except for the sound of Tarin's footsteps and the faint clinking of metal from the guards' armor.
"Inventory delivery?" the soldier repeated suspiciously.
Tarin forced a nervous smile and nodded quickly. "Yes, sir! Supplies for the upper barracks. Food, tools… normal stuff."
The guard narrowed his eyes. For a moment, it seemed like everything would fall apart.
Then another soldier groaned beside him. "Just let him pass. We're supposed to search the lower cells for the escaped prisoners."
The first guard sighed. "Fine. Move along."
Tarin nodded repeatedly. "Yes sir. Of course sir."
He walked forward slowly, trying not to look suspicious. Every step felt heavier even though the entire group of warriors was technically weightless inside his inventory space.
Inside the strange floating storage world, Ace and the others stood quietly between crates and weapons.
"Is this normal for you?" Kael whispered.
"Not even close," Ace replied.
After what felt like forever, Tarin finally reached the outer supply exit of the prison tunnels. Once outside the fortress walls and safely hidden behind a large rocky hill, he quickly expanded the portal again.
"Okay… you can come out now!"
One by one, the warriors stepped out of the floating storage space.
First Kael, then Liora, followed by Gorath who stretched his shoulders after crouching inside the strange dimension. Seris stepped out calmly, while Ace and Amagi came last.
Fresh mountain air filled their lungs.
They had escaped Caldryn.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Amagi turned to Tarin.
"You helped us escape one of the most dangerous prisons in Caldryn," he said seriously. "That means something."
Tarin scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Well… I mostly helped because I didn't want to get caught either."
Ace laughed softly.
Amagi crossed his arms. "So tell me, Tarin. What do you want now?"
The young inventory mage looked down at the ground for a moment before answering.
"I just want a place to stay," he said quietly. "Somewhere people don't think I'm a criminal or a servant for cursed soldiers."
He looked up with a small hopeful smile.
"Somewhere people think I'm… a good person."
The group exchanged glances.
Finally Amagi nodded.
"Then come with us."
Tarin blinked. "Where?"
"To Eldoria," Ace said.
Gorath gave a deep approving rumble. "A kingdom that rewards usefulness."
Liora smiled slightly. "And we could definitely use someone who carries an entire armory in his pocket."
Seris added calmly, "Just try not to store me in there again."
Tarin laughed for the first time since meeting them.
For the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful.
Behind them stood the dark mountains of Caldryn.
Ahead of them waited Eldoria.
And with a new ally beside them, the Six continued their journey—knowing the war with the wizard Vaelros had only just begun.