Chapter Twenty

- No

She feels herself drowning in the darkness, stretching her arms forward hoping to reach it.

She yearns for the light, hoping to return.

- I can't... they'll be killed.

The light seems so far away, dimming with every breath.

- Please.

Her thoughts wavers, the darkness encroaching on her remains.

- I don't want to die.

She whispers a prayer, a last ditch effort.

- Anyone... I'll do anything.

Her fall cease. Above her a light glows, a red light that surrounds an abyssal darkness.

The darkness around her are slowly consumed, pulling her into it's grasp.

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She hears a voice, a language she cannot comprehend. The meaning however, is not lost on her.

- Anything... I accept, do with me whatever you wish.

She slowly floats towards the light, within it the abyssal darkness seems to stir. Closing her eyes, she is also consumed.

////

Her eyelids flutter open, meeting with a warm, golden light that seems to envelop her entire being. She blinks slowly, her vision blurry at first, but gradually clearing to reveal a familiar ceiling above her. The surface is adorned with swirling patterns that she had carved herself, seeming to shift and shimmer in the soft light.

Her gaze drifts to the sides, taking in the sight of her room, something she didn't think she would see again. The room is small, with stone walls, She lies in a cozy, bed with wooden posts. A small, flame dances in a nearby lantern.

As she tries to sit up, a gentle hand on her shoulder eases her back down. "Easy, Holga," a familiar voice whispers. "You just woke up. Rest for a moment."

Holga turns her head to face her friend, "Elara, you... I'm alive, how?"

Elara's eyes, filled with tears, smile warmly at Holga. "You're alive... You're back. It's a long story."

"What... what happened?" Holga asks, her voice a whisper.

Elara's expression turns grave as she recalls the incident immediately after Holga was attacked. Going through the story her face brightens when she mentions a certain person and his leader.

"Wow." Holga whispers, her mind in turmoil. Memories slowly return, the darkness, the voice, the abyssal void. 'Could it be?' She shudders.

Holga smiles weakly at Elara. "I'm glad you guys are ok."

Elara's face crumples, tears streaming down her face as she hugs her friend tightly. "You're okay Holga, we thought we lost you."

Holga pulls herself from her friend's suffocating hug. "Ok ok, enough. Where are the boys." She asks.

Elara, still trying to put her friend in the tightest hug known to mankind casually replies. "They're at the guild. They still need to give the report."

////

Once again, Dagon finds himself flabbergasted as he listens to what could only be a tale of legends.

"So, there were two Undead Ursagorath? Then they fused into one?" The three members of the Stormbringers stare at him with a serious look on their faces.

Members of Ironhaven are seated behind on the couch, their faces etched with shock. "That little girl. She... she did..." Rollo trails off, a distant look in his eyes.

Dagon's eyes widen in disbelief. "And she just... erased the Ursagorath? And the forest, just like that?"

Jarred nods solemnly. "That's what happened. We were there, we saw it. She saved us, Dagon. She saved Holga."

Shin's voice is barely above a whisper. "We thought she was gone, but... but Holga's alive. She brought her back."

Dagon's gaze drifts to the side, his mind reeling with the implications. "This... this is beyond me. We could be looking at the birth of another Sovereign. But... the Sins, we're either blessed... or we're doomed."

The room falls silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air. The Stormbringers' tale has left everyone in stunned disbelief, their minds struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the situation.

As the silence stretches, the door bursts open, and a flustered-looking Maple rushes in. "Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late! I had to... uh... take care of something."

Her eyes scan the room, taking in the solemn faces. "What's going on? Did I miss something?"

The Stormbringers and Ironhaven exchange knowing glances, their faces still etched with shock and awe. Dagon's voice is barely above a whisper. "Maple... we were just discussing your... participation in the... recent events."

Maple's grin falters for a moment before she shrugs nonchalantly. "Oh, that? Yeah, I guess I didn't even get to do anything. The monster just died. I was happy for nothing."

The room erupts into a mixture of gasps, whispers, and disbelieving laughter, as the weight of Maple's words sinks in.

Dagon stands from his seat, a strained smile on his face. "Either way, we have to thank you, Maple. Effective immediately you have been promoted to S - Rank."

...

...

Maple stares at the guild master for a few moments, suddenly steam erupts from her head with her eyes turning into swirls. "Everything is happening so fast, I don't know what's going on."

Taking a deep breath, Maple stares into the air for a few seconds. Dagon is about to motion to the girl, but a flash of light disrupts him.

The light finally clears to reveal. "What's up, Maple. What's so important?" Chrome standing next to Maple with a large cup in his hands, presumably mead.

Dagon's eyes widen in surprise, his gaze fixed on Chrome. "Chrome, where did you come from... How did you..." 'Teleportation? I didn't sense anything, not even the slightest shift of mana.'

Chrome, taking a sip of his mead answers. "Oh? I got a message from Maple saying something important was happening." Dagon notices how Chrome stares at a particular spot in the office with a frown.

Maple quickly nods her head. "I've just been promoted to S Rank, but I didn't do anything."

Chrome sighs. "It's probably because of the monster you defeated."

Maple recoils. "Ehh? Wasn't that just a normal monster?"

Priscilla's, expression turns serious, her eyes fixed on Maple. "Normal monster? It was an A rank monster that had never been recorded before. And that's before it evolved." Silvari remains silent, still watching Maple with a curious look. 'I just knew there was something up.'

Maple's eyes widen in shock. "What... what does this mean?"

Dagon's gaze is fixed on Maple. "It means you're S Rank now. We don't have a lot of those, so there aren't many quests we can offer S Rank adventurers."

Maple's face pales, her eyes wide with feat and uncertainty. "What!! But that's the whole reason we became adventurers in the first place. Chrome."

Hearing Maple call him, Chrome takes a long drink of his mead.

Dagon then looks at Maple with a serious expression. "Don't worry, Maple. I said there weren't 'many' not that weren't any at all. There's a quest already set up for your party already."

Maple's eyes light up with excitement. "Really? What is it?"

Before Dagon can answer however, Jarred cuts in. "Before you get into that, we have to go check up on Holga." He retrieves small pouch that produces a clanking sound. "Maple please have this, it's our token of appreciation." He hands it to Maple who jingles the pouch with a giggle.

Chrome grabs the pouch, going through it's contents. "Ten platinum coins."

"It's the least we could do, it costs almost that much to do what you did for Holga." Kai gives Maple a warm smile.

Shin bows before Maple. "Thank you, Maple." The Stormbringers take their leave.

Rollo shares a look with the rest of Ironhaven before standing as well. "We should leave too. Thanks a lot kid." The members of Ironhaven take their leave as well, with Silvari watching just a bit longer.

With the two party's leave, Chrome realizes he had given Maple his cup of mead when he grabbed the pouch. Looking at Maple, he sees her taking hesitant sips.

"I'll take that, thank you." Maple reluctantly hands it over to Chrome with a pout.

Dagon makes his presence known again. "Now, about your quest." He walks back to his seat.

Chrome immediately cuts Dagon off however. "Does this involve your 'other guest'?"

Chrome's eyes narrow as Namarie shimmers into the room.