The Dungeon and The Deprived

"One who fears the shadow they cast at day, will drown in it at night."

- Abraham Yesver, Current President of the Atlanterra Confederation

Spoken in the Western summit towards the royals of Erica that he calls as "filthy inbreds".

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Uuuugh…"

My head… no, even my body… it hurts so much…

"Why did this happen again…? Ah, right… I fell because of that monster…"

As I mustered the strength to open my eyes, I saw a faint light from above that is covered by a few tree branches, leaves and overhanging vines.

"Aaaargh… Darn it… Did I break some bones?"

I tried to check my body for injuries, but the overwhelming feeling of pain just told me that I was hurting all over but not where the worst of it are.

"Hurk-! Aaahhh!!!" I screamed after I tried to drag myself across the ground to lay my back on the wall of the ravine and saw one of the few injuries that I sustained which was my right leg.

"KIH-! IRGH-!!! Wha-?! AAAHHH!!!"

My ankle was dislocated and when I raised my left arm to move it, instead of a working one, what I saw was nothing but a stump that has been burned from the end to almost my elbow.

"F***! Was it from the explosion?!"

Even though shocked beyond my wits with the degree of my injuries, I knew that I can't let it stay like this. With my right hand, I pulled my leg and kept it close as I undid my leather belt and bit down on it.

"Come on… c'mon… YARGH! AAAAAHHHH!!! Hurk… hurk… Gwaa---!"

With a push against a sunken stone near it, I popped my ankle back in and the pain I received made me puke and almost pass out.

"Kih-! Argh…!"

Once I got to move my foot again, I tried to stand up and endure through the immense amount of pain that I am feeling. With one of my arms destroyed by the explosion earlier, I clutched it close as I looked around for anything that I can use.

"T-Those are…" I saw from a few meters away some parts of my manabike and some supplies in my bag. I approached it and saw some useful things that survived the explosion.

Headlight, sleeping pack, warding lamp…

I continued to rummage the surrounding area, finding things that aren't damaged or are still usable. Except for the first three objects, what made me thankful was two things.

"My mana pistol and canteen!"

As soon as I found my water canteen, I used my usable hand and my teeth to open it and drink some water but what came out was just a few drops that didn't even parch my throat.

"What the…? Ah!"

It was only when I looked at it properly that I saw a hole near its bottom.

"Dammit! Kh-!"

After cursing, I calmed down as I looked up at the ravine and noticed something strange at the light coming from above.

"W-what the…?" I murmured after realizing it.

The ravine above felt strangely shallow and the light coming down seemed like it was filtered through water.

"…!" It was only after thinking about it intently that I realized what was wrong.

"Damn it!!!"

After taking my remaining belongings, I ran deeper into the ravine with the faint light of my manabike headlight illuminating the way.

"Huff! Hah-hah-hah-!"

Even though my feet are as heavy as Lead and the stump of my dismembered arm was hurting so much, I kept on running away from where I was as my instincts told me that I am definitely at the maw of death right now.

"GRUOGH-!!!" from somewhere in the caverns, a resounding growl echoed which made me surer than ever of the danger that I am feeling.

"Sh*t!"

"GRAAAAAAHHHHH-!!!"

"F***!!!"

I ran around the labyrinthine tunnels, trying to get as far away as I can from the monster that I was hearing to be coming closer and closer.

"DAMN IT-!!! MOVE!!!"

I was in extreme pain to the point that I felt like my body was being quartered yet the adrenaline from desperation kept me moving… yet I can feel like the monster is getting closer quickly than I can gain distance from it.

"ABAGH-! Argh!" As bad luck struck me, my ankle once again gave in, and I stumbled on the ground while wincing in pain. This is when I realized that the shaking of the ground became stronger and stronger.

"No… No, NO, NO!!!"

"GRUUUOOOOGHHHH-!!!"

*GYAG-!!!*

"AAAAAAAHHHHH-!!!"

Finally, I came face to face with the monster which was the very same one that I met earlier. A Giant Grizzly pack leader. One that has a still bleeding wound on its forehead.

"GRAAAAAAAHHHHHH-!!!"

"NO! Hah-hah-hah-hah---!"

As it brought down its' claws to crush me, I managed to slip through and even with a dislocated foot, run away as fast as I can… but it didn't give up too.

"HROOOOOOAR-!!!"

"HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH---!"

With it still behind me, I didn't give any thought to my pain, all that was on my mind was saving my life!

However, it was proven to me that luck is once again not on my side.

"AHH-! D-DEAD END---!?"

At a wrong turn, I ended up in a tunnel that ended there and then, pinning me between it and my predator. As I realized that, my legs finally gave in and I stumbled down to the ground.

"Kih-! N-no choice, then!"

I pulled out my mana pistol and pointed it at the Giant Grizzly that appeared at the mouth of the cave. I poured my mana into it, forming a bullet… but then, I realized that it would be pointless to fire such a measly gun and believe that it can kill this huge and powerful beast.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed by despair… by hopelessness…

"F-F-Forgive me… Father… Mother… Elder brother… Syrene---!"

I turned my gun around and pointed it into the side of my head as I began to beg forgiveness to my loved ones.

"I'm sorry… Hik-! Martha… I can't… I can't fulfill my promise---!"

As my finger began to pull on the trigger and the gigantic bear charged towards me with the full intent of killing me before I do it myself, although my mind is telling me to just give up and do it… one thing kept repeating in my heart again and again.

["I don't want to die---!"]

I don't want to leave them!

I don't want to leave this world without helping my family, my people!

I don't want to die… I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!

I DON'T WANT TO DIE!

"I'M NOT GOING TO DIE!!!"

"GRAAAAAHHHH-!!!"

"NOT HERE-! NOT NOW---!!!"

In one final act of defiance, I stood up and pointed my gun to the monster and faced it with no fear anymore.

"NEVER!!!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

At the Bougainvillea Baronetcy's manor, a late autumn sleet storm forced every remaining errand to be done outside the mansion to be postponed for tomorrow.

At a certain place in the manor, the head maid of the mansion's servant staff was startled after one of the maids snapped her out of her trance.

"Lady Martha? Lady Martha!"

"Ah!" caught surprised by being called, Martha was taken aback for a moment.

"Geez! We were looking for you around the mansion all this time and you were just here in the garage?" the young maid complained before puffing up her cheeks.

"S-Sorry, Abby… I was watching the rain and got careless."

"I can see that… Hrm? An umbrella and a warm towel? Were you waiting for someone, Lady Martha?" the young maid commented after seeing the objects Martha was clutching on her arms.

"W-Well, yes. Young Master Jonathan is meant to return today from his trip around the territory, so I was waiting for him… but I guess with the harsh sleet storm, he won't be here until later…"

"I guess you're right about that… Anyways, you're being called by Madame Selena to the master's bedroom. She said that she wants you to bring the box from the study room."

"-!" hearing that made Martha's eyes flinch for a moment before she immediately put it under control with a soft sigh.

"I understand… Abby, tell everyone that they are dismissed until supper time and that unless directed by I or the Madame, no one is allowed near the master's bedroom."

"E-Ehh?"

"Am I understood, Abby?"

"A-Ah! Y-Yes! I understand, Lady Martha…"

After the young maid responded that she received her instructions loud and clear, Martha entered the manor house with a straight posture, leaving Abby confused about the sudden change in her posture, tone and demeanor.

"W-What could all of that be about?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The small study room of the mansion contained nothing but old books of various subjects, most of which contains outdated information, as well as official records and documents owned by the Baronetcy to run their lands and its affairs.

"Ah! Martha-san!"

"Y-Young Lady Syrene? What are you doing here, my young lady?"

"Mother told me to go here so I can play with my dolls. I was supposed to be reading my books, but she told me that I can take the day off today."

"I… I see. That's nice to have, isn't it?" Initially, Martha was surprised but immediately changed her tone as she gave the child a kind remark.

"Umu! Well… why are you here, Martha-san? Are you here to play with me?"

"Ahaha! Unfortunately, my young lady, I am still at work. Let's play later once I have nothing else to do, okay?"

"Ogey!"

After Syrene turned away and returned to talking with her stuffed toys and dolls, Martha went to the study table and pulled out the chair to reveal a wooden box that has the crest of House Bougainvillea inside the drawer.

After which, she left the study room and headed to her bedroom where she took out a small, yet heavy case made of metal that she brought with her to the door of the master's bedroom.

"Martha Fumiko I. Robinson, third child of Knightly House Robinson and Head maid of Bougainvillea manor. Requesting permission to enter!"

Shortly after she knocked thrice and identified herself, the door was opened by Selena and after she entered, was immediately closed and locked behind her.

"M-madame… is it…?" Martha muttered as she realized what was happening.

"Yes… against my wishes, he wanted to prepare one for us. And given that you received training in the Imperial Academy, he wants it to be you who writes it on his behalf."

"I understand your wish. I shall do my utmost best to get it done."

The two women went past the folding divider screen that hides the bed of Joseph, whose pallor has turned another degree of paleness and on the desk beside him is a basin with a few blood-stained cloths.

"Joseph, darling… She's here."

"Urghhh…" as Joseph opened his eyes, it was accompanied by a pained groan that escaped his lips.

Martha caught a glimpse on his eyes that once held a passionate burning fire of ambition and compassion. Now… it was clouded by a white fluid that seemed to glisten like glitter dust, a clear indication that his body has began to severely deteriorate and has lost its ability to hold magic energy.

"I will leave you two alone, Martha. If ever something happens, call us so we can help."

"I understand, Madame. You can leave the master to me." She replied with a curt bow.

After Selena left the room, Martha moved the tea table and one of its chairs next to Joseph's bed, after which, she helped him sit up and piled pillows behind him so that he can comfortably sit.

"T-Thank you… young Martha…"

"I thank you for your patience too, my lord. Well then, shall we begin?" she asked after sitting down and placing a parchment into the typewriter that she brought.

"Mmm…"

After a short pause to gather his remaining strength, Joseph began to speak with a commanding tone befitting his rank as a noble and feudal lord.

"I, Joseph Hiryuu E. Bougainvillea. Lord of the Bougainvillea Baronetcy of East Serafina and its territories, write this letter with my witness and ghostwriter, Martha Fumiko I. Robinson, as my last will and testament to my family and what I would leave them in the event of my death…"

While operating the typewriter, Martha kept up a professional expression even if the words she was jotting down is starting to make her cry.

"To my firstborn son and heir, Joshua Souryuu H. Bougainvillea, I leave my estate and what little possessions our family are left with… in exchange, I ask of you to take care of our people and dedicate your life to serving and protecting them as I and our ancestors have done since antiquity…"

She held her tears back, not wanting to have them stain the parchment or affect her work that would waste the little strength that her master has left in order to speak.

As Joseph continued to speak his last testaments which Martha quickly imprinted into the parchment using the typewriter, he covered everything from what Joshua would receive as the heir, the percentage of the inheritance that Jonathan would be given as the second son and instructions that he commands to be followed regarding Syrene's marriage negotiations in the far future.

As the parchment's remaining lines inched towards its end, Joseph spoke about a certain subject that Martha didn't expect would be covered… as well as his commands.

"In regard to our membership in the Demesne Association of East Serafina… Upon my death, I command for the Bougainvillea Baronetcy to rescind its membership and obedience to its tenets."

"M-My lord…" Martha can't help but mutter beneath her breath upon hearing his words.

"I… cannot saddle my children with the burden of bending their knee to this organization that I only followed out of my own incompetence. Joshua and Jonathan… they are young men whose ambitions are matched by their abilities."

"M-master Joseph… He… his eyes…!" Martha spoke in her mind, as she saw the very same passionate fire burn once again inside Joseph's eyes.

"Unlike me, they can prove something and will not stop until they have proven it beyond anyone's doubt. Thus, may it be sanctions or consequences put by the association or the marquisdom's magistrate, I know that they will face it rather than forever be crushed beneath someone else's boots."

 "M-My lord… if I may ask…" Unable to keep it in anymore, Martha interrupted Joseph with a question. "H-How do you know that young master Joshua and Jonathan would be able to stand up against them? Y-You say that they have ambitions matched by their abilities, but I fear that they… they cannot make use of those yet."

Asked with those questions, Joseph gave a smile as he told her something that only she should know.

"If it's true that they are not yet ready, those two would be right here in the manor, twiddling their thumbs and arguing about what should be done without any of their arguments helping anyone out… Especially that boneheaded brat that slipped out to look for trouble in the woods."

"!!!"

"They are ready… I know it in my heart. And because of that, I am at peace. I might be at death's doorstep and yet, I am at peace."

As if he knew that all will be well, Joseph turned his head towards the open window where Mt. Akira is located, the same place where right now, a battle of life-and-death is yet to be finished.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I don't want to die…

"I will not die…"

["That's right… you will never die."]

Some people say that when this world and its machinations has decided something, nothing, not even the greatest achievements of mankind can stand against it.

["We are children of Promethea and if it wills, we shall disappear without a trace."]

These words are oftentimes spoken in the face of a terrible calamity… a hopeless situation which cannot be bargained with nor evaded or endured through.

You have accepted the hopelessness of the situation, the inevitable end of your life and the unavoidable destruction of everything that you worked for and everything you wish to protect.

Although admirable, such ways are not in the vocabulary of some people… and for the second son of House Bougainvillea, it definitely wasn't the case.

"GROAAAAAAR!!!"

"AAAHHH-!!! HAAAAH-!!!"

With that deathly growl that I knew would be my end, I woke up and found myself inside a tent made of monster hides.

"So…"

"Ah-!"

"You're finally awake."

At a table beside me, an old man spoke up which gained my utter shock, enough for me to fall down from the bed.

"W-Who…? What…?" still in a daze, I nervously spoke to the unfamiliar person.

"You were trying to cross the border of life and death out there, weren't you, young bean? Good thing I found you before you became bear sh*t."

Wanting to make sure that I wasn't dreaming, I instinctively pinched my face and got another dose of shock.

"Ah! M-My arm! My foot!"

For some reason, my arm that was blown off from the explosion of my manabike was back there as if nothing happened to it. Seeing that, I touched my broken ankle and it too, wasn't dislocated or painful at all.

"Hrm? Wha'cha blabbering about, young bean? Something wrong with your limbs or somethin'?"

"T-They back! My left arm was supposed to be gone and my foot was dislocated and useless! H-How… how did this happen?!"

Finally thinking straight, I looked up to the old man who both had a bewildered and confused expression.

"A-Are you… a high-ranked wizard? Or a sage of the Holy Order?"

If he's the one who brought me back to wholeness, that must mean that he is a high-class magician capable of complex healing magic.

"W-well, sorry to disappoint youngster, but I ain't any of those nor do I know anyone like that in our village."

"V-Village! Then can it be someone that you didn't know?!" desperate for answers, not only for my sake but for someone important to me back home, I asked him about it.

"That's impossible, young'un! Just plain impossible, I say!"

However, what he responded with was something that not only sunk my hopes but made me realize that something was indeed strange with what happened earlier.

"None of us can use magic here! All of us in this village are of The Deprived!"

Later on, the old man gave me a change of clothes and some help as I got used to walking again. He said that I was passed out for a while in his tent and maybe even a day before he found me.

He gave me his name which is Anthony, and I gave him my name and nothing more, not out of distrust but instead, just a desire to remain in a cordial relationship with him.

As we walked from his woodcutter's hut to the village that he spoke about, I learned about the place and got some answers that gained my shock.

"We were all born in this place. The ancestors said that it's called a Dungeon and it is both our eternal sanctuary and prison… Here, we will be safe against the Lunarian Sect but kept inside by the monsters that surround our sanctuary."

"A-About that… are all of you really…" I trailed off at the end, but he understood what I meant.

"Yep! We're all among these people that the ancestors call as The Deprived. They say that outside the Dungeon, people can use these strange powers called Magic and because we can't do the same, this group of zealots or somethin' called Lunarians consider us subhuman and have hunted us down."

"I-I see…"

I already know about that given that the Lunarian Apostolic Sect is among the largest religions in Promethea, possibly even the largest of the Four Major Faiths.

The Deprived… I remember hearing about them back in the academy during history classes as well as in Fundamental magic and MagiTech lessons.

Although there still hasn't been any concrete evidence about where magic power initially came from, which isn't helped by the varying outlooks and claims made by the myriad of religions and cults all across Promethea, one thing that has been proven was that there was a time in the world's history when magic came out and bathed the world in its energy.

From rocks that only contained magic particles after a certain geological period, all the way to the variance of evolutionary traits inherited by animals that turned them to Biome-specific magical beasts, these are all things that proved that magic wasn't native to the world and almost all living things only came to adapt to it eventually.

For instance, it has been proven through fossils that the creatures we now refer to as Monsters and Magical beasts came from a common ancestry line whose only difference was about how magic shaped their appearance and at times, gave them unnatural abilities such as breathing fire or forming ice shells around their bodies.

However, that is the catch… "Almost all". For even if many living things came to adapt to the arrival and spread of magic, not everyone were able to do so either properly or totally.

"Well, ain't nothin we care about now that we're in the dungeon. We're safe so long as we stay here and we're not gonna be in trouble over anyone's did-dodgerin."

"I can see that…" I replied as I looked up and saw the same filtered light from above that faintly illuminated the village. Just like before in the ravine, it looked like it was passing through water.

"Welp! This is our village. Over there is the village hall and that's where our chief stays. If you really wanna get some answers go get them from good ol' Marc."

"Marc… is that the name of your chief?"

"That's right. Marc Meronym Spica. He's been our chief for a while now. If'n anyone's got any answers, it definitely is 'im!" Old man Anthony spoke and hit me on the back, telling me to go ahead already. "Imma be waitin for ya at the pub! Don't be shy to ask for directions, everyone's gotta nice side here in our village!"

After we parted ways, I headed straight towards the village hall and there, saw an adolescent boy who is hunched over a table with parchment spread over it. He was scribbling on it using a charcoal-tipped stick, a rudimentary pencil. He seemed so young yet for some reason, he exudes the aura of an experienced leader.

"Chief Marc… I presume?" I spoke with a hint of courtesy, not knowing if I was talking to the real deal.

"I am… You must be the guest found by the woodcutter. Please, just let me finish this map and we can talk."

"R-Right…"

As he went back to working on the map, I sat down and contemplated about what happened during the past few hours… or maybe a day.

I was chased by Direwolves who I only got to escape from by jumping over a ridge. However, on the other side were Giant Grizzlies and its pack leader hit my manabike and made it explode. I then woke up later with major injuries at the bottom of the ravine… or that is what it would've looked like if I didn't see the unnatural filtering of light above and knew that I am now stuck in a dungeon. That realization bought me enough time to put some distance between me and the giant grizzly that chased me around until it cornered me into a dead end where I resolved myself to take my last stand.

And yet, those major injuries I had was gone by the time I woke up at the tent of the old woodcutter and I felt neither pain nor exhaustion that I am supposed to feel from everything that happened. It was strange… to say the least.

If old man Anthony was somehow a high-class mage or a Holy Order sage, it would've explained my miraculous recovery of my lost or broken appendages very easily, but the truth of the matter was that none of the people here can use magic as they belong to The Deprived, and for that same reason, they definitely don't like the Lunarian Sect.

While at the middle of my contemplation, I was snapped out of my daze by Marc, the young village chief, who has put down his pencil and turned to talk to me. I told him what happened for the past day or so, omitting some information such as me being the son of a baronet and what I am here for.

My story went with the idea of me just being an adventurer who stumbled into this place accidentally and now, I want to get out as soon as possible so that I can return to my quest before the time limit expires and the guild strikes that into my record.

"Hmm…" the young village chief, after hearing my story, sighed as he seemed to contemplate everything.

"I-Is something wrong, chief?"

"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news to you, our honored guest, but if you ask me, you should give up on getting out and just try to make a living here."

"H-Huh…?!" I blurted out, shocked with his reply.

"It's good that the woodcutter was the one that saved you, since you owe him your life anyway, go under him as his apprentice and---"

"H-Hold on just a minute! Cut that out! What do you mean I should just give up and make a living here!?"

"Haaah… I guess that old geezer didn't tell you the whole thing then, didn't he?"

"W-What…?"

As the village chief told me what the issue was, my limbs felt powerless, and my heart sank into despair.

"There's no way out of this dungeon. We've been here for the past 500 years. If there was an exit, we would've already found it already."