Prisoner

As the Kraglins' claws dug into my arms, dragging me deeper into their lair, I fought to remain conscious.

The pain in my head was a constant throb, but I forced myself to focus. This was my chance to learn about their hideout, to find their weaknesses and discover where they had taken the people of Basil.

I let my eyes flutter half-closed, feigning complete unconsciousness while carefully observing my surroundings.

The cave walls were rough and jagged, covered in a thin layer of dampness that made them glisten in the faint, eerie light.

As we moved, I noticed subtle markings and disturbed earth along the path, which were unsurprisingly traps set by the Kraglins to catch intruders.

They had cunningly camouflaged pits lined with spikes, narrow passages rigged with tripwires that would release deadly projectiles, and sections of the ceiling ready to collapse at the slightest touch.

Simple yet effective, they blended seamlessly into the natural environment of the cave.

We passed through several narrow passages, the air growing colder and more oppressive.

The deeper we went, the more I noticed the signs of Kraglin habitation. Small alcoves and niches carved into the stone served as their living quarters, cluttered with crude bedding and the remains of their meals.

'Disgusting', I barely controlled my nausea at the sight of half rotten body parts.

The stench of decay and filth was overwhelming, but I kept my focus.

In larger chambers, I saw groups of Kraglins gathered around makeshift hearths, their guttural chatter filling the air.

"Another one eh?", one of the Kraglins sitting across the hearth called out, his shrill voice reverberating against the walls.

"These humans never learn.", one of my escorts rasped in a low growl, making his fellow kinsmen laugh at the expense of my misery.

These spaces seemed to be communal areas where they planned their raids and shared their spoils.

Piles of stolen goods, including weapons, armor, and other valuables, were strewn about haphazardly.

As we moved deeper, the atmosphere grew even darker and more foreboding.

The Kraglins seemed to take no notice of the increasing gloom, their eyes adapted to the low light.

I, however, strained to see, noting every detail I could.

The passageways became narrower and more treacherous, with more traps and obstacles designed to thwart any would-be rescuers.

Finally, we reached the entrance to the dungeons. The passage opened up into a wide, yawning cavern, the darkness within seeming to swallow all light.

There was no door to mark the boundary, just the oppressive sense of despair that emanated from within.

The air was colder here, damp and heavy with the scent of mildew and unwashed bodies. I could hear faint, muffled sounds from deeper inside—cries of pain, whispered prayers, and the clinking of chains.

Crossing the dungeon entrance, I felt the temperature drop even further, the air becoming increasingly oppressive.

The Kraglins dragged me deeper into the dungeon, their guttural voices echoing off the stone walls. I forced myself to stay conscious, my eyes barely open as I took in my surroundings.

We passed by numerous cells, each one a grim reminder of the Kraglins' cruelty.

Inside, I saw people from Basil, their faces pale and gaunt, eyes empty and hollow as if the very essence of their lives had been drained away.

Among them were others—elves with their once-bright eyes now dull, and dwarves who sat hunched over, their spirits seemingly broken.

Their expressions were haunting, a testament to the horrors they had endured.

Some stared blankly at the walls, while others rocked slowly back and forth, whispering to themselves in a bid to retain their sanity.

The sounds of their suffering: muted cries, whispered prayers, and the occasional clink of chains echoed off the stone walls, adding to the suffocating atmosphere.

The Kraglins continued to carry me, their claws digging into my flesh as they moved deeper into the dungeon.

I saw the crude iron bars of the cells, the rough stone floors stained with who knew what.

The moans and whispers of the prisoners filled the air, a haunting symphony of suffering and despair.

Finally, at the end of the dungeon, the Kraglins unceremoniously flung me into a dark, cold cell.

I landed hard on the damp stone floor, the impact sending a fresh wave of pain through my body.

The cell was pitch black, the only sound my ragged breathing and the distant echoes of the dungeon.

I lay still, my mind racing despite the pain. I had seen the traps, the living areas, the lifeless captives, and now, the heart of their dark domain.

My plan was risky, but it was the only hope we had. As long as I stayed patient and played it cool, I could make it work.

Slowly pulling myself up, I propped my back against the cold stone wall of the cell, making sure my head wasn't in contact with the wall.

Bearing through the throbbing pain in my head, I reassessed the state of my injuries.

Ignoring the absolute mess my head was in, I found out that my left arm was bent at an unnatural angle, and now that the adrenaline rush was over, the pain finally set in.

"Arghhh", I groaned, dark spots dancing in my eyes.

"O Seraphina, nymph of healing, Bestow thy blessings upon my allies! Rite of Regeneration!", whispered a familiar voice besides me.

Instantly, I could feel a refreshing feeling flow through my veins. The throbbing in my head decreased to a great extent, and I could finally place my thoughts together.

'It can't be, can it?'

"Greater Healing", mumbled a melodic female voice from my other side, and the refreshing feeling multiplied exponentially.

My head felt perfectly normal again, and my arm twisted back in its original position with a SNAP!

All my injuries were gone, and in a moment, I was back at my peak again.

"That was the last of our mana, you better be a good fighter and not put it to waste." repeated the voice, prompting me to look in the woman's direction.

"Glad to see you're still alive and kicking.", I shot back at her, eliciting a gasp of surprise.

"Ryne? How are you here? Don't tell me they got you too.", Sasha remarked.

"Hey I'm here too, in case you didn't notice.", Jacob chimed in.

"Happy to see you too man. Looking sharp!",

I pointed at him with a thumbs up, upon seeing his emaciated face with dirt smeared all over his body.

"You don't realize the severity of our situation do you?", he retorted, his face drawn into a grave expression as he pulled closer to me.

"I do. Atleast I think I do. That's why I infiltrated this place." I replied matter-of-factly.

"You what?!" exclaimed Sasha, her face wide in shock.

"Actually, don't answer that. Just know that getting out of this place isn't going to be as easy as getting in". She affirmed with grim determination.

"I know. I've seen the traps, I've seen their colony. With the number of entrances outside and the amount of Kraglins living here, there are bound to be more entrances."

"Problem is, we will have to venture into the colony for that, because I'm pretty sure the exits aren't going to be in the dungeon if anything." I confirmed.

"Ye-Yeah about that. We need to go there even if the exits weren't there. That's where they are keeping Duncan and Lana." Sasha continued.

"Why are they keeping them there and not here?", I inquired, dreading the answer.

"What else? To breed them of course.", a deep, grating voice replied, sounding like metal grinding against stone.

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It was larger and more muscular than any other Kraglin I had seen, with sickly gray-green skin marked by glowing scars. Its eyes burned with an intense, unnatural light.

"Fuck, it's the warden.", Jacob sighed, preparing himself for the worst.

Twisted horns crowned its head, and its mouth was filled with razor-sharp teeth.

A low growl rumbled from its chest. Its massive hands ended in long, curved claws, and its body was covered in rough, scaly armor and strange, pulsating growths.

"You already look half dead, boy. You really think you can escape?"

"It doesn't hurt to try.", I cheekily replied, feigning an exhausted voice.

The creature paused, staring at me with those burning eyes.

Then, with a screeching sound, it clawed at the bars of the cell. The sound echoed through the dungeon, a harsh reminder of the steel that separated me from this monstrous creature.

I braced myself, every instinct screaming to be ready for whatever came next.

"It seems you have a death wish boy. Let me fulfill it for you."

the warden growled, his voice screaming murder and his eyes holding a promise of death.