The Door of Freedom

"Man, I'm glad I met you guys on time. Otherwise, I would've died here without knowing the taste of freedom," Erik remarked, breaking the silence with a sigh.

"Likewise," Illeron nodded, offering a smile of agreement.

Azrael finished eating the bread and wiped his mouth with his sleeves, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of the dungeon's strange manipulation of time.

"I'll make you another pot of soup, just wait a bit," Kaitlynn smiled before heading outside.

"Two days, old man, and we're still stuck inside this dungeon?" Azrael leaned back against the rock, his frustration evident.

"Don't think I'm a lazy man, kid. I've worked for over two centuries. Tell that to this moron, Illeron, my friend. He keeps saying this dungeon's not opening. But I found it in just two days," Erik proclaimed proudly.

Illeron snorted and crossed his arms. "You found it? What you found is a door that can't even be opened. For all our luck, that might not even be the exit door."

"Shut up. It's definitely the exit door," Erik glared at Illeron.

"I agree with Illeron, old man. Two centuries, and you found it only today," Azrael jeered.

Erik shrugged. "We found it, right? The only problem is how do we open it."

Azrael suddenly remembered something and frantically patted his pockets, realizing he wasn't wearing any pants.

"My dress? Where is it?" he asked in a panic.

Erik pointed to Azrael's sides. "There, I found it after you collapsed. You need it anyway."

Azrael crawled towards his dress, his movements still a bit unsteady from his recent ordeal. With careful fingers, he searched for the pocket containing the ring and key.

"What is it?" Illeron asked, crawling closer to him, curiosity evident in his voice.

"This, my friends," Azrael declared, holding up the key and ring for them to see, "might be our ticket out of this hell hole."

***

Azrael relished the soup Kaitlynn had whipped up, grateful for the nourishment it provided. It was made from plants and fruits found within the dungeon itself. These were special, unique to the mystical confines of such places.

While some of these plants could be grown outside, many were exclusive to dungeons, much like the creatures dwelling within them. Arthur's white dragon was a perfect example. He had rescued the dragon as a hatchling, and it had grown alongside him, forming a strong bond.

Dungeons were mysterious realms, full of secrets that often eluded human understanding. Some were dangerous, others offered brief respites from the chaos. Yet, they all held a certain allure, drawing adventurers to explore their depths in search of answers.

"How does this key help us open the door?" Illeron's curiosity got the better of him as he posed the question.

"Just wait, let me try something, alright?" Azrael responded, his fingers tracing the rough surface of the rocky doors. He had instructed the others to remain silent about their plan. If this didn't work, he didn't want to raise false hopes among the former slaves.

Azrael ran his fingers along the rough texture of the rocky door, feeling for any sign of a lock or mechanism. Yet, the surface remained stubbornly featureless.

He retrieved the metallic ring from his pocket and pressed it against the door, hoping for some reaction, but there was none. Frustration gnawed at him as he tried again, this time sliding the ring onto his finger before touching the door once more.

At first, nothing happened. The door remained unchanged, its surface cold and unyielding. But as Azrael concentrated, channeling his mana through the ring, subtle shifts began to occur.

As Azrael channeled his mana into the ring, intricate markings emerged on the surface of the door, spreading outwards in a mesmerizing pattern. The ring glowed with a radiant light, illuminating the cavern with an ethereal glow. A series of faint clicks reverberated through the chamber as the door responded to the magic.

Dust fell from the ancient stone as it shifted, revealing the runes forming a unified design. In the center, a burst of brightness heralded the appearance of a keyhole, etched into the surface with remarkable precision, catching Azrael's eye with its undeniable significance.

"Wow! Amazing!" Illeron exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe as he took in the sight before him. Erik, equally stunned, could only manage a dumbfounded nod, speech temporarily eluding him. Despite her weakened state, Kaitlynn couldn't contain her excitement, clapping her hands in silent cheer.

Azrael, pleased with their reactions, couldn't help but grin triumphantly as he inserted the key into the lock and turned it with a satisfying click. The heavy rock doors slowly began to part, revealing a dark tunnel beyond.

With a sense of accomplishment, Azrael withdrew the key and ring from the lock, their task completed. The once-glowing ring now dull, its magic expended. He tucked them away, his focus now on the passage revealed before them.

"Finally! We're free!" Erik's voice boomed with exhilaration, breaking the silence of their long captivity.

Illeron wasted no time, embracing Azrael tightly, his gratitude overflowing as he thanked him over and over. Kaitlynn, unable to contain her joy, rushed forward and enveloped them both in a tight hug, tears streaming down her cheeks as they reveled in their newfound liberty.

With their spirits soaring, they swiftly collected their belongings, eager to leave their confinement behind. Erik took the lead, striding ahead to spread the news of their freedom among the other former slaves. 

Azrael, now fully attired and with his pouch securely fastened to his waist, looked every bit the determined and capable individual he was. Illeron observed him with a mixture of awe and admiration, hardly able to believe that such a talented person was his friend.

Despite Illeron's admiring gaze, Azrael remained focused, his attention fixed on Kaitlynn, who awaited him with eager anticipation.

"You saved us, again," Kaitlynn expressed, her smile radiant with gratitude. "I'm really sorry for always being a bother and needing your help like a damsel in distress."

Azrael's features softened at her words, though a hint of something flickered in his eyes before he pushed it away.

"Well, it's a gentleman's duty," he started to say, then corrected himself with a wry smile, "I mean, yes, it can be quite troublesome. You should focus on training and becoming strong so you won't need rescuing all the time."

Kaitlynn chuckled softly, her laughter carrying a mix of amusement and determination.

"I'm not sure if I'll ever be as strong as you," she admitted, her smile sheepish yet hopeful, "but I'll do my best."

"Let's go," Erik called out, breaking the quiet atmosphere of the cave. Illeron offered Azrael a supportive pat on the shoulder before heading towards the cave's entrance.

Azrael took a moment to gather his thoughts, inhaling deeply as he prepared to follow his friends. This marked the conclusion of their journey, and he couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and uncertainty.

With cautious optimism, he trailed after Illeron and Erik, his mind racing with hopes for a smooth return to the surface.