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Chapter 88: A Moment’s Respite
Chapter 88: A Moment’s Respite
The scent of blood and burnt magic still lingered in the air as Seraphis led the way into the chamber at the end of the 23rd floor. It was a rare safe zone—a space where the dungeon’s twisted magic wouldn’t spawn more monsters.
Elowen collapsed against the cold stone wall, her daggers still clutched in her hands, her fingers twitching from adrenaline. “That… was hell,” she muttered, exhaling sharply.
Sylvaine leaned against her staff, her usually pristine robes now tattered and stained with both monster blood and her own. “We needed this break. Any longer and we might’ve been fighting on empty.”
Seraphis didn’t respond at first. Her mind was still wired, her instincts sharp, scanning the dimly lit chamber. No threats. No traps. Just an eerie silence and a long-overdue chance to breathe.
She let out a slow breath before finally speaking. “We rest here. Eat, recover, and prepare. We still have more floors to go.”
The Campfire’s Glow
Elowen didn’t hesitate to drop her pack onto the ground, fishing out some preserved rations while Sylvaine used her magic to summon a small flame. The flickering light cast long shadows against the dungeon walls, making the already ominous space feel slightly less suffocating.
Seraphis sat cross-legged, pulling out a small flask of water and taking a measured sip. Her throat was dry, her muscles aching from the relentless battles, but she pushed through it. They weren’t done yet.
Elowen passed out strips of dried meat and hard bread, chewing absently. “I hate dungeon food,” she grumbled. “Once we get out of here, I’m eating something real.”
Seraphis smirked faintly. “You mean stealing something expensive?”
Elowen grinned, winking. “Same thing.”
Sylvaine let out a small laugh, rubbing at a gash on her arm before murmuring a healing spell over it. The wound slowly closed, but the exhaustion remained. “How many more floors do you think we have before the final battle?”
Seraphis took another sip of water before answering. “We’re past the halfway point. But the hardest fights are still ahead.”
Elowen groaned. “Great. More pain.”
Wounds and Scars
Sylvaine turned serious as she looked over Seraphis and Elowen’s injuries. “Let me heal you two before you fall apart.”
Seraphis waved her off. “Focus on yourself first.”
Sylvaine rolled her eyes. “Don’t be stubborn. You’re both barely holding together.”
Elowen sighed but relented, rolling up her sleeve to reveal deep claw marks on her arm, dried blood crusted around them. “Fine, fix me up first.”
A soft golden glow emanated from Sylvaine’s hands as she pressed her magic into the wound. The torn flesh knitted itself back together, the pain fading.
Seraphis watched silently. She had long since learned to endure pain, but even she knew that pushing too far without recovery was dangerous.
When Sylvaine turned to her, she didn’t argue. The healer pressed her glowing hands against Seraphis’ shoulder where a gash from the Blood Hunters still oozed sluggishly. The magic burned at first, then cooled, sealing the wound shut.
Seraphis flexed her fingers. “Thanks.”
Sylvaine gave a tired smile. “Try not to get torn apart again, okay?”
Seraphis smirked. “No promises.”
The Weight of the Dungeon
As they sat in relative peace, the weight of their journey settled onto them.
The dungeon had tested them relentlessly—monsters, traps, illusions, assassins. It wasn’t just physical exhaustion that plagued them, but mental fatigue.
Elowen tossed a small rock at the wall. “You ever wonder why we do this? Why we take these damn missions?”
Seraphis looked at her. “For survival.”
Sylvaine exhaled softly. “And purpose.”
The three of them sat in silence. There was no right answer.
For now, all that mattered was making it to the end.
A Much-Needed Rest
Seraphis finally stood, stretching her sore limbs. “We should sleep in shifts. I’ll take first watch.”
Elowen frowned. “You sure? You need rest too.”
Seraphis nodded. “I’ll wake one of you in a few hours.”
Elowen sighed but didn’t argue, rolling out her bedroll and curling up against her pack. Within minutes, her breathing slowed as exhaustion took over.
Sylvaine was more hesitant, but eventually, she too drifted into sleep, her staff still clutched in her hands.
Seraphis remained awake, eyes trained on the darkened corridors beyond.
Even in a safe zone, she never let her guard down.
The dungeon was still waiting.