Chapter 16: The Dungeon

The first ray of sunlight was barely over the horizon when Daemon woke up. He looked in the mirror and noticed that his hair had grown a little longer than he liked. With a determined expression, he pulled it back into a makeshift ponytail. It was still dark when he left his room, and the servants were just beginning their day.

"Good morning, young master," one of them greeted with a bow.

"Good morning," Daemon responded, before leaving the house.

He quickly headed to the house of Priest, his magic teacher and father of his friend Damian. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door and waited patiently. It was Damian who opened the door, still looking sleepy.

—Daemon, what are you doing here so early? Damian asked, yawning.

—I came to inform you that today I will not be able to train with your father. "Lyana and I are going to explore a nearby dungeon," Daemon explained.

—A dungeon? Damian blinked, clearly more awake now. Let me go with you! Please!

Priest, who had heard the conversation from inside, appeared at the door. —If you go with Lyana, you'll be in good hands. But, Damian, always remember to stay on the back foot. You are a healer, and your safety is crucial.

Damian nodded enthusiastically. "I promise, father!"

After a brief chat with Priest and Damiena while he got his equipment ready, Daemon said goodbye and returned to his house for breakfast. His parents, Alexander and Elara, were already in the dining room along with Lyana.

"Good morning," Daemon greeted, taking a seat.

"Good morning, son," Alexander replied. Lyana told us that they plan to visit a dungeon today.

-Yes father. "I want to test my skills in a real situation," said Daemon, while he ate an apple.

Lyana nodded. —It is a small dungeon, known among novice adventurers. It's a good place for Daemon to start getting familiar with real combat.

Elara, with a worried expression, added, "Please take good care of him, Lyana."

"I will, Lady Elara." Daemon has proven to be a good apprentice and I know he will know how to defend himself. Also, Damian will be accompanying us and his skill as a healer will be invaluable if something happens.

Daemon nodded, yes mother, don't worry, I can also use magic. After eating breakfast and making the necessary preparations, he and Lyana headed to the exit of the village, where Damian was already waiting for them with a backpack full of supplies and his healing equipment.

-I'm ready! Damian announced enthusiastically.

"Okay, let's go," Lyana said, leading the way toward the Shadow Caverns.

The trip took about three hours. During the ride, the group discussed strategies and Lyana shared stories of past adventures. Upon arriving, they found themselves at the entrance to a dark and ominous cave.

"Here we are," Lyana said, lighting a torch. Remember, stay together and stay alert. We don't know what awaits us inside.

They entered the cave, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The darkness was overwhelming, but the light of Lyana's torch illuminated the way. It didn't take long for them to encounter their first enemies: a group of goblins.

Daemon watched them with revulsion. They were horrible, small beings, with greenish skin and bright yellow eyes. They carried rusty axes and pointed wooden sticks. One of the goblins rushed towards them, Daemon also attacked.

—Daemon, remember to stay calm! Lyana exclaimed, blocking another goblin with her sword. Focus and attack.

The goblin pounced on Daemon, blocking the suende's attack with his own sword, there was not much resistance, Daemon noted, then he kicked him right in the ribs that made him fall.

With a cry, he slashed and felt the resistance as his sword sliced ​​through the goblin's flesh. The creature fell to the ground, and Daemon stared at the blood on his sword that was greenish and stank, feeling a mixture of horror and relief.

It was his first death.

—Well done, Daemon! —Damian shouted from the rear, Damian realized that Lyana had finished off all the other goblins.

—This is... harder than I imagined.

Lyana smiled. —It's just the beginning. Keep alert. Let's move on.

The group continued on their way, heading deeper into the cave. As they moved forward, they encountered more creatures. First came the Abyssal Fungi, fungal creatures with sharp spines that emerged from the cave walls to ambush intruders. With glowing eyes and sharp teeth, the They pounced on the group with ferocity, their thorny claws seeking to tear the flesh of their enemies.

Daemon drew his sheath, prepared to face these creatures. With agile movements, he dodged his attacks, launching precise slashes that cut into the creatures. Meanwhile, Lyana channeled her magic, sending blasts of water so fast that they literally split the monsters in two, while Damian kept up the rear.

But the battle was not over. From the shadows emerged the War Shadow, dark humanoids with long arms that ended in three sharp claws like knives. With guttural growls, the War Shadow lunged at the group.

Lyana backed away, preparing a defensive spell as the War Shadows pounced on them. With a swift movement, she unleashed a magical barrier that repelled the creatures' attacks, while Daemon took the opportunity to counterattack. With accurate blows from his sword, he managed to take down one of the War Shadows, but the others continued their relentless advance.

The combat dragged on, with the group fighting valiantly against the creatures around them. The Abyssal Fungi continued to emerge from the shadows, while the War Shadow attacked with ferocity.

-Something is not right! —Lyana said, visibly alarmed, as the number of War Shadows and Abyssal Mushrooms continued to increase.

-What's happening? Daemon shouted, trying to hold his ground.

—This dungeon shouldn't have so many monsters. I have come here many times and there have never been so many monsters. This dungeon is known to be one of the weakest. Something is disturbing the flow of monsters.

Damian also seemed worried. —What do you think could be causing this?

Lyana frowned. Don't know. But the only option is to go deeper to the boss of the dungeon, if we kill him he may stop creating more monsters. You guys, cover yourselves and find a safe place. I'm going to finish them all.

With a cold and determined look, Lyana prepared herself, to cast a powerful spell. Daemon and Damian walked away to a safer place.

Lyana spread her hands and began to recite an ancient chant:

"Waters of the abyss, freeze evil!

Eternal ice, cover everything in your glacial mantle!"

A torrent of water emerged from her hands, running through the cave quickly. Instantly, the water transformed into ice, freezing the monsters in place. The War Shadows and Abyssal Mushrooms were trapped in the ice, unable to move.

Daemon and Damian watched in fascination as Lyana controlled the ice with impressive skill. Within a few minutes, the entire cave was covered in a layer of ice and the monsters had been defeated.

"Incredible..." Daemon murmured, admiring Lyana's power.

"I've never seen anything like it," Damian added, not even from my father.

Lyana smiled, she may be a swordswoman but I can also do little magic tricks and winked at them, Damian turned around blushing, Daemon watched this and couldn't help but laugh.

It's done, let's move on. "We can't waste any more time," Lyana said, becoming serious again.