Blade in the dark

As Lucas made his way home, exhaustion tugging at his every step, he decided to take a shortcut through a dimly lit alley.

However, as he stepped into the narrow passage, an inexplicable sense of fear gripped him. His heart pounded in his chest, and the world around him seemed to slow down as if time itself had paused.

In the depths of his mind's eye, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of a knife emerged, shining ominously. Lucas's instincts kicked in, and with a split-second reaction, he narrowly evaded the attacker's initial strike.

His senses heightened, his awareness sharpened, allowing him to perceive the world in meticulous detail, even in the slowed-down time. He skillfully dodged several subsequent swipes, his body moving with a fluidity that defied the assailant's intentions.

Frustrated by Lucas's evasive manoeuvres, the attacker finally gave up and fled into the shadows. Overwhelmed by the surge of adrenaline and the gravity of the situation, Lucas succumbed to a panic attack.

His body shuddered uncontrollably as he collapsed in a trembling heap on the cold ground, his mind reeling from the terrifying encounter.

As Lucas lay collapsed in the dark alley, gasping for breath, his trembling form caught the attention of Lux, an adventurer for the Crimson Blades, her strawberry blonde hair cascading around her, noticing his distress.

The red rose tattoo on the back of her right hand glimmered in the dim light. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized Lucas. "I've been searching for you," she said. "Where have you been?"

Lucas, still catching his breath, looked up at Lux, a mix of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. He recounted the terrifying encounter, sparing no detail. Lux listened intently, her gaze unwavering, her hand resting reassuringly on his shoulder. "You're safe now," she reassured him. "Let's get you home."

Lucas gathered his strength and rose to his feet, leaning on her for support. Together, they navigated the darkened streets arriving at his doorstep, Lux offered a smile.

As Lux supported Lucas into his home, she couldn't help but confess the truth that had driven her search. "Lucas," she began. "I was looking for you because I was reprimanded by my superiors. They were furious that I let you out of my sight."

Lucas's eyes widened in surprise, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Why were they so desperate to find me?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

Lux sighed, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "You see, Lucas, you're the first adventurer to awaken in a long time," she explained. "They saw great potential in you, and they were eager to recruit you into our ranks."

A mix of astonishment and confusion swept over Lucas's face. He pondered Lux's words for a moment before sharing his own recent encounters. "I've already met with two people," he confessed. "Mr. Caldwell from the government offered me the opportunity to uncover the truth about what happened to my father. That was one of the reasons I left my job at the Ministry of Dungeon Affairs to work with the Crimson Blades. On the other hand, Braun of the Silver Knights offered me a substantial sum of money."

Lux listened attentively, her brow furrowed with concern. "So, what do you want, Lucas?" she asked gently, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

There was a pause, as Lucas was contemplating the weight of his desires.

Finally, he spoke with unwavering determination. "I want to become stronger," he declared. "I never want to feel the vulnerability and fear I experienced in that alley again. I want to be self-reliant, independent of anyone's generosity for money. And most importantly, I want to uncover the truth about my father's disappearance on my own terms, not having the answers dangled in front of me like a carrot."

Lux nodded, her respect for Lucas deepening. "I understand," she replied, her voice filled with unwavering support. "You have the strength within you to chase after those goals, Lucas. And know that you don't have to face them alone. The Crimson Blades will be there for you, supporting you every step of the way."

A determined smile crossed Lucas's face as he looked at Lux. "Thank you, Lux," he said, gratitude lacing his words. "I'm grateful to have you by my side on this journey."