A Mysterious Door

As soon as we made our way in the portal everything around us completely changed. The wide-open field surrounded by a strange alien-like forest was replaced by a cold and dark cave. Only a glimmer of light was visible from the small luminescent crystals embedded in the cave's surfaces.

"Whoa, it's so pretty."

Gwen whom I'm carrying in my right hand spoke.

"It's like stars at night."-Miya

"Hmm, this place seems like the twilight caverns. There shouldn't be anything dangerous for now only slimes and kobolds wander around here."

Seph explained to us the current place we're in, it's definitely a great thing that she's here with us since we don't know anything. Although I can't help but wonder how the others are fairing.

"Um, Luke. Mind letting us go?"-Laura

"Oh yeah. Just don't mess around now, it could be dangerous."

"Seph just said there are only slimes and kobolds. If they're like the ones from video games then we'll be fine."

"I'm sure we'll be fine, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. So promise me you two wouldn't fight each other. Understood?"

"Fine, just stop treating me like a child…"

I let go of the two and let them stand up on their own. I looked at Laura a scowl on her face as she looked around the cave.

"Laura I'm not treating you like a child. You're someone important to me. So of course I prioritize you being safe."

"Hahh, fine I get it…"

"Good, now let's see what we're dealing with."

As soon as I stopped talking a screen appeared in front of all of us.

{Trial 1: Basic Instinct. Escape through the caverns.}

"Hmm, that seems easy enough."

"Don't underestimate the trials Luke."-Seph

"It's here to test everything. From skills to even your character. It's best to always keep your guard up."

"I know, but I feel like there won't be anything that'll be hindering us. Just a hunch."

"Weren't you just talking about being careful and safe?"-Laura

"I did, but somehow… never mind you're right. Let's just start walking and see where we go from there."

"Yay adventure!"-Gwen

Gwen gleefully went ahead of us her distance between us already a couple of meters ahead.

"Hahh, I figured she was gonna do this."

Laura walked up behind me and patted my back.

"Guess you shoulda kept holding her."

I let out a deep sigh and said.

"Let's just find her. Come on, she shouldn't have gone far."

We started walking through the dimly lit cave, our footsteps echoing around the walls. As we kept walking I took a further look at the skills I have.

[Innate abilities: Will of the Monarch (1.5/5), Blade of Entropy (1.5/10), Skin of Eternity (1.5/10)]

[Skills: Soul link, Mana control, Enhanced senses, Anti-Mana, Creation, Eye of the beholder, Mana absorption, New skill: Dual Cultivation.]

'What's the will of the monarch?'

[Will of the Monarch: The ability to telekinetically move objects from the user's will. Current skill level: only small objects.]

"!!!"

My eyes opened wide at the description of the skill. I couldn't help but feel extremely satisfied by what it does. I mean who wouldn't be excited to have telekinesis?

I instantly started testing it on the rocks on the ground, and as soon as it started floating the girls jumped in shock.

"D-did that rock just float!"-Miya

"I thought you said there were only slimes and kobolds! Not ghosts!"-Laura

"I-I thought so too! Maybe me being here did something!"-Seph.

I chuckled internally, a sadistic smile forming on my lips. The girls were frozen on their feet as they watched the stone float in front of me. A few seconds later all three started to hide behind me. I can feel Seph's large breasts pressed against my back as she sheepishly hid behind it. Her thin dress barely protecting her nipples from touching my lower back.

I turned my head toward them, their fear was a lot more apparent than I thought. Especially for Seph, although I can guess why she is afraid considering that she lost her powers. But I didn't expect Laura to be this scared. I'm not complaining though, this just adds to the fuel of teasing I can use on her.

I floated the rock a bit higher and started pulling it toward me.

"Kyaa!"-Miya

"Luke do something."-Laura

"L-Luke!"-Seph

In that moment I can't help but let out a stifled laugh. Seph seemed to catch on as she pinched the skin on my back.

"Ahh! Okay okay, that was me hahaha."

"Luke how do you already have skills?"-Seph

"I don't know, but I already had them when I checked on my stats. Apparently, it's one of my innate abilities."

"You don't suppose that our kiss also did that?"

I looked at her face seemingly lost in thought with her thinking. I nudged her shoulder and said.

"I don't think so, the description of my skill stated that I gain experience and nothing else. I think I might've had this skill since the beginning, just that I wasn't able to use mana."

"Hmm… okay."

Seph accepted my explanation suspiciously as if she didn't believe in the words I said. Could she know something she's not telling me?

"Hey, Seph can you tell me what's going on in your mind? About us? And who I am to you."

Seph looked at me with her eyes quivering, but before she can say anything, a scream further down the cave took our attention.

"Gwen!"

We all looked at each other a faint trace of fear in their faces. I told them I'll go on ahead since I can fend for myself I also added to stay right behind me but keep their distance if anything happens. They nodded their heads in understanding and as soon as they did I bolted toward Gwen's direction.

There were large rocks and puddles in the way, but I expertly moved through them with ease. The girls couldn't really catch up except for Seph who seemed to be athletically adept but I can't afford to slow down.

"Seph take care of them for now! Ima go on ahead!"

I quickly yelled at Seph trailing behind me to take care of the girls in case I go too far and monsters come out. She nodded her head and slowed down considerably.

I saw the two girls look at me with a worried expressions on their faces. I nodded toward them reassuringly as I picked up my pace and sprinted down the narrow path.

A fork in the road appeared so I stopped briefly to hear where the scream would come from.

"Kyaa!"

Hearing her cry toward my right I instantly ran toward that direction. As soon as I entered the tunnel the cave grew darker and darker. The luminescent crystals are nowhere to be found.

"Shit! Gwen where are you."

I screamed for her name ignoring any enemies that might hear me shouting.

"Ahh!"

Without a moment's hesitation, I ran toward the voice. I kept running as my eyes began to adjust to the pitch-black darkness.

Reaching a dead-end I turned to my left where an opening was available. I entered inside and to my surprise, a massive door was in front of me.

"Where am I."

I quickly surveyed the room. There were lanterns hung around the walls but there was no light coming from them. The walls were made of dark bricks a black aura coming off of them.

Over the distance from where I'm standing a faint glow came out of the massive door. Beckoning for me to come closer.

My brain is screaming danger, but every fiber of my being is wanting me to approach it.

"What's happening to me."

I took a step forward and immediately the lanterns lit up revealing a grandiose chamber in front of me. Instantly catching my attention was the giant door with an intricate design resembling a dragon's face. It has two large horns curving forward, massive bone-like wings, and abyss-colored eyes.

Most would feel fear at the sight of the creature in front of them, but the more I looked at it a feeling of longing welled within me.

I took a step further into the chamber, my feet light like walking down a familiar road. The lanterns seemed to react to my movements as the closer I get the brighter they become.

I took one final step before reaching a staircase leading up to the door.

I can't help but second-guess myself. What if all this was a trap? What will happen to the girls if I disappear? Most importantly, where is Gwen?

Before I even realized it, I was already right in front of the door. As if my body was instinctively moving toward it.

I took a deep breath preparing myself for what was to come. If this turns out to be a trap I will do anything in my power to come back safely to my girls.

With my head clear and my breathing relaxed, I grabbed the claw-like handle.

As soon as my hand came into contact with it a feminine voice whispered into my ears.

"You shouldn't be here."