The Garden of the Great King Al-Haitham

The sun was high in the sky, casting its warm glow over the dense forest that surrounded the entrance to the Thornshadow Vault. The towering trees swayed gently in the wind, their dark green leaves whispering secrets of ancient times. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, and the faint sound of running water echoed from somewhere deep within the woods. Tsukiyomi Ray, standing before a grand, moss-covered stone gate, couldn't help but feel a sense of both awe and trepidation.

"This is it," Ray said, his voice steady but quiet. His pale fingers traced the intricate carvings on the gate's surface. Symbols and runes, etched with precision, glowed faintly with an eerie blue light.

Tsuki, the towering Fanrir beside him, shifted her weight, her sleek fur catching the sunlight. "This place reeks of danger," she muttered, her sharp golden eyes scanning their surroundings. Her tail swayed in irritation, betraying her wariness.

Wogg, the Orc Leader, let out a low grunt. "Danger is where strength is forged, Mistress Tsuki. Our master will grow stronger here." He gave Ray a glance, his tusks gleaming as he smirked. "If he doesn't trip over his own feet, that is."

Ray ignored Wogg's remark, his attention focused on the ancient script engraved into the gate. It was written in an unfamiliar language, the kind that could have baffled even seasoned scholars. Yet, as he stared at it, his system hummed to life, the text shimmering and rearranging itself before his eyes.

[This is the Garden of The Great King Al-Haitham. King uses this house as his leisure home. No one other than his servants are allowed to enter.]

Ray's brow furrowed. "A leisure home? This doesn't feel very welcoming." He stepped back, brushing his white hair out of his face. "Looks more like a tomb than a garden."

Tsuki growled softly. "Doesn't matter what it was. What matters is what it is now. A dungeon—and a dangerous one."

Ray nodded, glancing at the gate. The energy emanating from it was overwhelming, yet strangely familiar, tugging at something deep within him. He clenched his fist, feeling the weight of his responsibility as a Lunarian and a necromancer. "Let's move. We'll take it one step at a time."

With a push, the gate groaned open, revealing a swirling vortex of dark energy. One by one, the trio stepped through, their forms swallowed by the unnatural light.

---

The First Floor: Verdant Wasteland

The light faded as quickly as it had enveloped them, leaving the trio standing in a new world entirely. The first floor of the Thornshadow Vault was nothing like Ray had imagined. A sprawling field stretched out before them, filled with overgrown plants and massive, thorn-covered vines. The ground was uneven, with patches of cracked stone and pools of black water scattered throughout. Towering above the field were twisted trees with glowing blue leaves, their roots sprawling like the veins of some colossal beast.

"It's beautiful... and haunting," Ray whispered, taking in the sight.

Wogg sniffed the air. "Smells of decay and magic. I don't trust it."

"Keep your guard up," Tsuki said, her claws glinting in the faint light. "We don't know what kind of monsters roam here."

As if on cue, a low growl rumbled through the air. From the shadows of the thorny underbrush emerged three creatures. They resembled wolves, but their bodies were warped and grotesque, with jagged bones protruding from their backs and glowing red eyes that locked onto the intruders.

"Lesser Thornwolves," Tsuki identified, baring her teeth. "Low-level monsters. Should be easy."

Ray nodded, summoning his weapon. The APW materialized in his hand, shifting seamlessly into the form of a sleek black spear. He spun it experimentally, its weight familiar yet still somewhat unwieldy. "Let's see what I can do."

The Thornwolves didn't wait for an invitation. With snarls that echoed through the wasteland, they charged.

Ray moved to intercept the first one, but his inexperience showed. His swing was clumsy, and though the spear struck the wolf, it only grazed its side. The beast retaliated with a snap of its jaws, forcing Ray to backpedal.

"Master, focus!" Tsuki growled, leaping into action. Her claws slashed through the second wolf with ease, its body vanishing in a puff of dark smoke. A small crystal, glowing faintly, was left in its place. "These things drop items! Grab them as you go!"

Wogg handled the third wolf, his massive axe cleaving through it with brutal efficiency. Another crystal appeared where the beast had been.

Ray gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance as the first wolf lunged at him again. This time, he sidestepped and thrust his spear forward, impaling the creature through its glowing eyes. It let out a final, guttural whine before disintegrating, leaving behind a glowing shard.

He picked it up, feeling its faint warmth in his palm. "What is this?"

"Dungeon spoils," Tsuki said, sniffing at the shard Ray held. "Crystals, herbs, weapons—you'll find all kinds of things in dungeons. Keep it; we'll sort it out later."

Ray nodded, tucking the shard into his Dimensional Storage. He felt a small surge of satisfaction at his first successful kill, though the clumsiness of his attack still nagged at him.

---

Traversing the Floor

The group moved cautiously through the wasteland, encountering more monsters as they went. Ray found himself improving with each fight, learning to time his attacks and anticipate his enemies' movements. Tsuki and Wogg were relentless, cutting down anything that crossed their path with practiced ease.

The dungeon seemed to stretch endlessly, with winding paths and hidden traps. Several times, they stumbled upon ancient chests, containing small treasures like healing potions, enchanted trinkets, or rare herbs. Each item was carefully stored away in Ray's Dimensional Storage.

After what felt like hours, they came to a clearing. At its center was a large, circular platform, surrounded by massive thorn-covered pillars. Strange symbols were etched into the ground, glowing faintly with the same blue light as the gate.

"This feels like a trap," Wogg muttered, gripping his axe tightly.

"It's the entrance to the boss room," Tsuki said, sniffing the air. "The scent of magic is stronger here. The boss isn't far."

Ray stared at the platform, feeling the pull of the dungeon's energy stronger than ever. It was as if the very floor was alive, pulsing with power. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "We need to find the boss room. Stay alert."

---

As they stepped onto the platform, the air around them shifted. A low rumble echoed through the clearing, and from the shadows emerged a massive creature—a Thornback Lizard, its scaly body covered in jagged, poisonous thorns. Its eyes glowed a fierce green, and it let out a deafening roar, shaking the ground beneath them.

"Mid-boss," Tsuki growled, her muscles tensing. "Stay behind me, Master."

Ray nodded, gripping his spear tightly. The Thornback Lizard charged, its massive tail whipping through the air. Tsuki darted forward, claws meeting scales in a clash of sparks. Wogg followed, his axe carving into the beast's side.

Ray hesitated, watching the fight unfold. His companions were strong, their movements precise and deadly. He felt a pang of inadequacy but shook it off, focusing on an opening. The lizard swung its tail again, knocking Wogg back, and Tsuki growled in frustration as her claws failed to pierce its hardened scales.

"Now's your chance!" Tsuki yelled.

Ray surged forward, his spear glowing faintly as he channeled his mana. With a shout, he thrust it into the lizard's underbelly, finding a weak spot. The beast let out a pained roar, thrashing wildly before collapsing in a heap.

As it disintegrated, it left behind a larger, brighter crystal and a strange, thorn-covered dagger.

Wogg picked up the dagger, inspecting it. "Looks cursed. We'll need to check it later."

Ray exhaled, his heart pounding. He glanced at his companions, who both nodded in approval. "Not bad for a beginner," Tsuki said with a smirk. "Let's keep moving."

With the mid-boss defeated, the trio pressed onward, the promise of the boss room and greater challenges looming ahead.