Outcasts in Another World

The bustling energy of Aurelia’s Adventurer’s Guild Hall felt different this time. Kalsei, Steph, and Darius entered, no longer the weary adventurers barely scraping by at mid-level, but as fully fledged warriors, hardened by sixty days of relentless combat. The room buzzed with activity, adventurers of all ranks scurrying about, discussing quests, or lounging around the guild's tavern. But Kalsei had only one thing on his mind: Seikan.

“Finally feels like we belong here,” Kalsei murmured, glancing around at the familiar faces. He gave a small wave to a group of adventurers who returned it with respectful nods. Two months ago, he was the cheerful upstart, always joking and hardly taken seriously. Now, even the veterans acknowledged him with a glance.

Steph, walking beside him, adjusted her dark cloak. Her Void-Touched Staff pulsed faintly in the low light of the guild hall. “We’re still not high enough level to join the search, though,” she said, her voice tight. “And they’re still out there looking for Seikan.”

Darius, ever the quiet observer, placed a reassuring hand on Steph’s shoulder. "You're getting closer every day. The guild knows your potential now. They wouldn’t hold you back for much longer." He nodded toward the guild master’s office. “Let’s get the latest update on the search. The sooner we know what we’re dealing with, the sooner we can prepare.”

The trio made their way to the back of the hall, where the guild master’s office loomed. Its thick, oak door stood as a reminder that the most important decisions in Aurelia passed through here. As they approached, Kalsei knocked lightly, his usual carefree attitude subdued by the weight of the last two months.

“Come in,” came the gruff voice from within.

They stepped into the office, where Guild Master Ferethos, a middle-aged man with graying hair and sharp eyes, sat behind a massive desk cluttered with papers, magical maps, and reports. His face was etched with fatigue, a clear indication of the toll the current situation was taking on him. As they entered, he glanced up from a stack of papers, his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Kalsei and his companions.

“Kalsei, Steph, Darius,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I hear you’ve been making waves.”

Kalsei flashed his usual grin, but there was a more serious tone to his words than usual. “Just trying to level up as fast as we can, Ferethos. We’re ready to join the search. Any word on Seikan?”

Ferethos sighed, rubbing his temples. “The search parties haven’t returned with much. That area near the Emberfall Highlands is... unpredictable. Dangerous for even our best teams. It’s like something is actively trying to keep us out.”

Steph stepped forward, her voice sharp. “Then why haven’t you sent us? We’ve fought through worse, and we’re stronger now. We can help.”

The guild master looked at her, his eyes softening for a moment. “I know you want to help. But this isn’t just about your strength. It’s about what’s happening in that region. There’s a force—something dark—that’s growing stronger the closer we get to the heart of the highlands. The terrain, the magic, it’s all unstable. We’ve lost good men out there. You’re not ready for what’s waiting in those mountains.”

“We’ve faced void monsters, ancient traps, and arcane guardians,” Kalsei said, stepping forward, his golden eyes flashing with determination. “We’ve done nothing but fight for sixty days straight. If we’re not ready now, when will we be?”

Ferethos stood up from his desk, walking over to the window that overlooked the city below. The evening light cast long shadows across the room, giving the office an almost eerie atmosphere. “I admire your determination, Kalsei. Truly. But the guild isn’t just holding you back to protect you. We need you here, helping with the smaller quests, keeping the city safe. We can’t afford to lose more people right now. There are too many variables out there.”

Steph crossed her arms, her frustration evident. “So we’re supposed to sit here while Seikan is out there? Alone?”

Darius, always the voice of reason, stepped in. “We understand the risks, Guild Master. But we’re asking for a chance. If we can’t join the search, at least give us more difficult quests. Let us prove we’re ready.”

Ferethos turned back to them, his expression thoughtful. After a long pause, he nodded. “Fine. I’ll allow you to take on a higher-tier quest. If you complete it successfully, we’ll revisit this conversation. But I warn you, this isn’t going to be easy. The Emberfall Highlands are unlike any other region, and the magical instability there is spreading.”

Kalsei straightened, his grin returning. “Finally. Give us your best shot.”

Ferethos reached into a drawer, pulling out a scroll sealed with the guild’s crest. “This just came in this morning. There’s been an outbreak of magical anomalies in the ruins of Velorth. Powerful elemental creatures have been sighted, and the locals are terrified. If you can clear it out, I’ll reconsider your request.”

Kalsei grabbed the scroll with a nod. “You won’t be disappointed.”

As they left the office, Steph looked at Kalsei with a raised eyebrow. “Magical anomalies, huh? Sounds like a warm-up for what’s coming.”

Kalsei shrugged, twirling the scroll in his hand. “Hey, we asked for something tough. Besides, this’ll be a good way to test our new skills. Right, Darius?”

Darius smiled faintly, his eyes scanning the crowd in the guild hall. “It’ll be dangerous. But if you’re serious about joining the search for Seikan, this is the kind of challenge you’ll need to face.”

Kalsei’s grin widened. “Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let’s head to Velorth and show them what we’ve got.”

The journey to Velorth took them a day and a half, the sun dipping low on the horizon as they approached the ancient ruins. Once a bustling city, Velorth was now little more than crumbling stone buildings and overgrown pathways, the remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. But even in its dilapidated state, there was something unsettling about the place—an underlying energy that made the hair on the back of Kalsei’s neck stand on end.

“This place is... eerie,” Steph muttered as they passed through the crumbling archway that marked the entrance to the ruins.

Darius nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “It’s been abandoned for centuries. But recently, there’s been a surge of magical activity. The elemental creatures we’re after are likely drawn to that energy.”

Kalsei scanned the area, his golden eyes flickering with a hint of excitement. “So what’s the plan? We charge in, take out the big bad, and call it a day?”

Steph rolled her eyes. “As usual, you’re oversimplifying things. We need to figure out what’s causing the anomalies first. Rushing in blind will get us killed.”

Darius agreed. “We’ll need to scout the area and locate the source of the magical disturbance. It could be something as simple as a rift to the elemental planes or a corrupted artifact that’s drawing these creatures here. Either way, we’ll need to be careful.”

The trio moved deeper into the ruins, their footsteps echoing off the cracked stone pathways. The air grew colder as they ventured further, and the once-distant hum of magic became more pronounced. Kalsei felt a familiar tingle in the air—like the buzz of electricity before a storm.

As they approached the center of the ruins, a low rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. The air shimmered, and suddenly, a massive form erupted from the ground in front of them. A towering elemental, its body composed of swirling wind and jagged shards of rock, loomed over them, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

System Alert: Gale Warden Detected!

Class: Elemental Warden Level: 21

Health: 4000 Mana: 1200

Abilities: Cyclone Slam, Shard Burst, Wind Barrier

Weakness: Fire, Disruption Magic

Kalsei whistled, gripping his Shattering Blade tightly. “Well, looks like we found the welcoming party.”

Steph stepped forward, her Void-Touched Staff already glowing with dark energy. “Darius, stay back and cover us. Kalsei, let’s see if we can wear it down before it calls for reinforcements.”

Darius nodded, drawing his sword as he took up a defensive position behind them. “I’ll keep an eye on the area. Just don’t get yourselves killed.”

The Gale Warden roared, raising its massive arms as the wind around it whipped into a frenzy. With a thunderous slam, it sent a gust of wind and rock shards flying toward them.

Kalsei moved first, his golden eyes flashing as he activated Reality Blink, warping time and space around him. He dodged the attack effortlessly, his body flickering out of existence for a split second before reappearing on the other side of the elemental. “Gonna have to do better than that, big guy!”

He darted forward, his blade gleaming as he unleashed Rift Strike, sending a shockwave of energy through the Warden’s rocky form.

The shockwave rippled through the Gale Warden’s rocky body, sending cracks splintering across its surface. The creature roared, its howl echoing through the ruins as it reeled back. Wind whipped around them, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.

Steph wasted no time, her staff pulsing with dark energy as she cast Lifebane. Dark tendrils shot out from her staff, wrapping around the Warden’s massive form, siphoning its energy. The elemental struggled against the spell, its movements becoming sluggish as its power was drained.

“Keep at it!” Darius called from behind, scanning the perimeter for signs of other enemies. “We don’t want this thing calling for help.”

Kalsei grinned, his golden eyes flashing with excitement. “Don’t worry, we’ve got this!” He activated Temporal Fracture, creating a rift in time around the Warden. The air around the elemental shimmered as time slowed, the creature’s movements becoming sluggish and uncoordinated.

Seizing the opportunity, Kalsei dashed forward, his blade cutting through the air as he struck the Warden’s core with a powerful slash. The elemental staggered, its form flickering as cracks spread across its body. “Looks like you’re falling apart,” Kalsei quipped, dancing backward as the creature swung wildly in his direction.

Steph raised her staff again, casting Shadow Fang, her upgraded dark magic slashing through the Warden’s weakened defenses. Each strike drained more of the creature’s life force, the energy flowing back into Steph and strengthening her.

“Almost there,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the final blow.

The Warden, now barely holding itself together, let out a final, desperate roar. It raised its arms and unleashed Cyclone Slam, sending a powerful gust of wind and jagged rocks flying toward Kalsei and Steph.

Kalsei blinked out of existence just in time, using Void Step to phase through the attack and reappear behind the elemental. “Nice try!” he shouted, leaping into the air with his sword raised high. With one final strike, he brought his blade down, shattering the Warden’s core.

The elemental let out a deafening roar as its body disintegrated into a whirlwind of dust and rocks. The winds died down, and the ruins fell silent once again.

System Alert: Gale Warden Defeated!

Experience Gained: 6000

Kalsei landed lightly on his feet, grinning as the victory screen flashed before his eyes. “And that’s how you take down a walking rockstorm.”

Steph lowered her staff, wiping sweat from her brow. “That was tougher than I expected.”

Darius stepped forward, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. “Good work, both of you. But I have a feeling that was just the beginning.”

Kalsei shrugged, still grinning. “Bring on the rest. If they’re anything like that guy, this’ll be a good warm-up.”

Steph shot him a look. “You’re way too excited about this.”

“Hey,” Kalsei replied with a wink. “We’re here to level up, right? Might as well enjoy it.”

Darius shook his head, his expression serious. “We need to stay focused. If the anomalies are as widespread as Ferethos said, there could be more powerful creatures lurking deeper in the ruins.”

“Then let’s not waste time,” Steph said, her eyes scanning the crumbling stone structures around them. “The source of the anomalies has to be close.”

The trio moved deeper into the ruins, their senses heightened as they navigated the maze of crumbling buildings and overgrown pathways. The air was thick with magic, and the faint hum of elemental energy grew louder the further they went.

As they rounded a corner, they came face to face with another group of elementals—this time, smaller but more numerous. Fire and ice swirled around the creatures as they advanced, their eyes glowing with the same unnatural light as the Gale Warden.

System Alert: Elemental Swarm Detected!

Class: Elemental Minions Level: 18

Health: 1200 Mana: 600

Abilities: Flame Burst, Ice Spikes, Elemental Surge

Weakness: Physical Attacks, Disruption Magic

“Well, looks like we found their friends,” Kalsei said, drawing his sword once more.

“Don’t let them surround us,” Darius warned, his sword at the ready. “We take them out quickly before they overwhelm us.”

Steph nodded, already preparing a spell. “I’ll focus on the ice elementals. Kalsei, you handle the fire ones.”

“On it,” Kalsei said, charging forward with a burst of speed.

The next few minutes were a blur of action as the trio fought off the elemental swarm. Kalsei darted between the fire elementals, his blade slicing through their fiery forms with precision. Each time one of them exploded into flames, he dodged nimbly, avoiding the bursts of heat and sparks that followed.

Steph, on the other hand, unleashed a barrage of dark magic, her Shadow Fang slicing through the ice elementals like shards of glass. Her spells drained their energy, weakening them before they could launch their icy spikes.

Darius held the line, his sword flashing as he blocked the elemental surge with calculated strikes. Whenever one of the creatures got too close, he dispatched it with a single, decisive blow.

The fight was intense, but after what felt like an eternity, the last of the elementals crumbled to the ground, their forms dissolving into nothingness.

System Alert: Elemental Swarm Defeated!

Experience Gained: 9000

Kalsei wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. “Okay, that... was a workout.”

Steph leaned on her staff, catching her breath as well. “I thought you wanted a challenge.”

“I got one,” Kalsei replied with a grin. “But now I could use a nap.”

Darius sheathed his sword, his eyes still scanning the area for any signs of more enemies. “We’re not done yet. The source of the anomalies is close. I can feel it.”

Steph nodded, her expression serious. “Let’s find it before more of those things show up.”

They moved deeper into the ruins, the magical energy in the air becoming almost suffocating. The ground beneath their feet trembled, and the walls of the ruins seemed to pulse with a faint, eerie glow.

As they reached the center of the ruins, they came upon a massive stone altar. At its center was a glowing orb, pulsating with raw elemental energy. The air around the orb crackled with power, and the very ground beneath it seemed to warp and twist as if reality itself was bending under the strain of the magic.

“This is it,” Darius said, his voice low. “The source of the anomalies.”

Kalsei approached the altar cautiously, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied the orb. “So, what do we do with it?”

Steph stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the swirling energy inside the orb. “We disrupt it. If we can sever the connection between this orb and the elemental planes, we should be able to stop the anomalies.”

Darius nodded, drawing his sword. “But be ready. Severing that much magic is going to cause a reaction.”

Kalsei grinned, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. “Reactions are my specialty.”

Together, they approached the altar. Steph raised her staff, dark energy swirling around her as she prepared to cast a disruption spell. Darius stood ready, his sword raised to defend them from whatever came next.

As Steph’s spell connected with the orb, the ground beneath them shook violently. The air crackled with electricity, and a deafening roar echoed through the ruins.

From the altar, a massive form began to materialize—an elemental being unlike anything they had ever seen. Its body was composed of swirling fire, ice, wind, and stone, and its eyes glowed with an intense, otherworldly light.

System Alert: Elemental Titan Detected!

Class: Titan of the Elements Level: 25

Health: 10,000 Mana: 4000

Abilities: Elemental Overload, Earthquake Slam, Frost Barrage, Flame Burst

Weakness: Disruption Magic, Combined Elemental Attacks

Kalsei’s eyes widened, but his grin never faltered. “Now this is what I’m talking about.”

Steph’s eyes glowed with dark energy as she readied herself for the fight. “Stay focused. This thing could destroy us if we’re not careful.”

Darius raised his sword, his expression grim. “Let’s take it down.”

The Elemental Titan let out a thunderous roar, its body crackling with energy as it charged toward them. The ground shook beneath its feet, and the air around it pulsed with magic.

Kalsei was the first to move, his body blurring as he activated Reality Blink and darted around the Titan’s massive form. His sword flashed as he struck at the creature’s legs, sending shockwaves of energy rippling through its elemental body.

Steph unleashed Lifebane, the dark tendrils wrapping around the Titan’s form and draining its energy. But the creature was massive, and the spell barely slowed it down.

Darius charged forward, his sword gleaming as he struck at the Titan’s core. But the creature retaliated with a massive swing, sending a shockwave of elemental energy through the air.

The battle raged with a ferocity that made the earlier encounters seem like mere warm-ups. The Elemental Titan swung its massive arms, each movement sending waves of elemental energy crashing toward the trio. Fire, ice, wind, and stone swirled together, creating a chaotic storm of power that threatened to tear the ruins apart.

Kalsei darted between the Titan’s attacks, his agility allowing him to avoid the worst of the blasts. His eyes flashed golden as he activated Temporal Fracture, freezing the Titan in place for a few precious seconds. “Steph! Darius! Now’s your chance!”

Steph raised her staff, her dark energy swirling as she cast Shadow Fang, sending a barrage of dark magic crashing into the Titan’s frozen form. The shadows tore through the elemental creature, but the Titan’s sheer size and power absorbed much of the damage.

Darius took advantage of the opening, charging in with his sword raised high. He struck the Titan’s core with a powerful slash, the blade gleaming with a magical aura as it connected with the elemental’s heart. The Titan let out a deafening roar, its body shuddering from the impact.

But the creature wasn’t finished. The moment Kalsei’s Temporal Fracture wore off, the Titan retaliated with an earth-shaking Earthquake Slam. The ground beneath them cracked and buckled, throwing the trio off balance. A wave of stone and fire erupted from the ground, forcing them to scatter.

Kalsei blinked away just in time, his body flickering as he reappeared a few feet away from the impact zone. “Okay, that one hurt,” he muttered, brushing dirt off his shoulder.

Steph grimaced as she steadied herself, her staff glowing with renewed power. “We need to disrupt its core! It’s drawing too much energy from the elements around us!”

Darius nodded, his sword still crackling with residual energy. “We need a coordinated strike. Kalsei, can you warp us close to its core?”

Kalsei grinned, despite the chaos around them. “You want me to play taxi? Sure thing! Just hang on tight.”

With a flash of golden light, Kalsei activated Reality Blink once again, warping himself, Steph, and Darius directly beneath the Titan’s massive form. Time seemed to bend as they appeared in the perfect position to strike at the elemental’s core.

“Now!” Kalsei shouted, his blade already in motion.

Steph unleashed her most powerful spell, Lifebane, dark tendrils wrapping around the Titan’s core, draining its elemental energy and weakening the creature from within. The shadows crackled with power, merging with the elemental forces that made up the Titan’s body.

At the same time, Darius raised his sword, channeling his energy into a devastating strike. His blade glowed with a brilliant light as he brought it down on the Titan’s core, sending a shockwave of magical force rippling through the creature.

The Titan let out a final, agonized roar as its body began to crack and shatter. The elemental forces that had held it together began to unravel, the swirling fire, ice, wind, and stone disintegrating into nothingness.

System Alert: Elemental Titan Defeated!

Experience Gained: 15,000

Item Acquired: Heart of the Elements (Rare)

As the Titan crumbled into dust, the ruins fell silent. The oppressive energy that had filled the air was gone, leaving only the faint hum of residual magic.

Kalsei let out a long breath, his body relaxing as he sheathed his sword. “Well, that was fun. Who knew smashing elementals could be so satisfying?”

Steph lowered her staff, her dark eyes still glowing faintly from the power of her spells. “That was tougher than I expected. But we did it.”

Darius stepped forward, his expression calm but resolute. “We’re stronger now. This fight proves it.”

Kalsei grinned. “Yeah, and we’ve got the loot to show for it.” He reached down and picked up the glowing Heart of the Elements, the rare item radiating with magical energy. “Wonder what this does.”

Steph eyed the heart, her curiosity piqued. “It’s rare, that’s for sure. We should take it back to the guild and see what it can be used for. Maybe it’ll help us with the search for Seikan.”

Kalsei’s grin faltered slightly at the mention of their missing friend. “Yeah... Let’s head back. We’ve got a report to make.”

By the time they returned to Aurelia, the sun was already setting, casting long shadows over the city. The familiar bustle of the Adventurer’s Guild greeted them as they entered, but this time, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. Kalsei, Steph, and Darius made their way to the guild master’s office, the Heart of the Elements safely stored in Kalsei’s pouch.

Guild Master Ferethos looked up as they entered, his sharp eyes assessing them. “I take it the mission was a success?”

Kalsei tossed the Heart of the Elements onto the desk with a grin. “You could say that. We took down an Elemental Titan and cleared out the anomalies.”

Ferethos raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “A Titan, you say? That’s no small feat. Well done.”

Steph stepped forward, her expression serious. “Now that we’ve proven ourselves, can we join the search for Seikan?”

Ferethos sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I had a feeling you’d ask that. The search has been ongoing, but we’ve had no luck so far. The Emberfall Highlands are more dangerous than we anticipated. Even our higher-level adventurers are struggling to navigate the region.”

“We don’t care about the danger,” Kalsei said, his voice firm. “Seikan is out there, and we’re going to find him. Just give us the chance.”

The guild master studied them for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. You’ve proven your strength and your determination. I’ll authorize you to join the search teams, but be warned: the Highlands are treacherous. You’ll need to be at your best if you want to survive.”

Kalsei’s grin returned, though this time it was tempered with resolve. “We’ll be ready.”

Ferethos nodded and handed them a scroll. “This is the latest update from the search teams. They’ve found traces of powerful magic in the eastern part of the Highlands. If Seikan is out there, that’s where you’ll find him.”

Steph took the scroll, her expression unreadable. “Thank you.”

As they left the office, Kalsei turned to his companions, his golden eyes shining with determination. “We’re getting closer. We’ll find him.”

Darius placed a hand on his shoulder. “And when we do, we’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”

Steph nodded, her dark eyes flickering with the same resolve. “We’ve come this far. We’re not stopping now.”

Kalsei’s grin widened as they stepped out into the cool night air. “Well then, let’s get moving. Adventure’s waiting.”

With their mission clear and their path set, the trio headed toward the Emberfall Highlands, their hearts filled with determination. The hunt for Seikan had truly begun.

Meanwhile somewhere in the Emberfall Highlands.....

The air was cold, heavier than it had ever been, suffocating in its stillness. Seikan sat strapped to the same chair, his limbs bruised and his skin pale, drained of vitality. Sixty days—or was it sixty-one? His mind, once a sharp and unrelenting tool, had dulled from the constant cycle of torture and extraction. The once rhythmic sound of blood dripping into glass containers had become a twisted lullaby, marking the passage of hours and days with an unholy cadence. But tonight, something was different. The air had changed—almost imperceptibly at first, but enough to stir the vestiges of the man he once was.

He was no longer blind to the situation, though the blindfold they had tied so tightly across his eyes ensured he could not see. His mind, once fogged by their relentless harvesting, had slowly sharpened over the past week, focusing on the small details—the slight delay between their footsteps, the faint creak of a door in the far corner, the chilling hum of crystals being formed from his own blood.

They had grown confident in his frailty, too confident. He had memorized their routine, noted the precision of their movements, the exact moment when one set of hands released him to adjust the restraints while the other checked the blood flow. He couldn’t overpower them—not in his current state—but precision, that he could match. A single mistake from them, that was all he needed.

His heart thudded quietly in his chest as the door creaked open, the familiar shuffling of footsteps approaching. His muscles ached, still weak from the day’s earlier extraction, but he gritted his teeth against the pain. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of hearing his groans or feeling the tremble of his body as they prepared him once again.

The familiar clink of metal instruments reached his ears, and the subtle scrape of a chair being moved into place sent a jolt of anger through him. They were about to begin. His wrists, bound tightly by leather straps, pulsed with pain as he flexed them. He focused on that pain—it kept him alert, tethered to the present moment.

He knew their routine: the man on his left would unbind one wrist to attach the tubing that would siphon his blood. The woman on his right would ready the equipment, sterile, cold, and indifferent. They always worked in perfect sync, never deviating from their method.

Tonight, they would slip. They had to.

The faint touch of the man’s fingers at his wrist stirred something deep inside him—a dormant, but seething, fury. For sixty days, they had taken from him. But tonight, he would take something back.

As the restraint on his left wrist was loosened, Seikan felt his moment arrive. His body screamed in protest, his limbs heavy from exhaustion, but his mind was sharp—too sharp for them to anticipate what came next. In a single fluid movement, he wrenched his wrist free and twisted his hand in an unnatural angle, grasping the man’s wrist with a sudden and vicious strength. His fingers dug into the man’s flesh, and he heard the shocked intake of breath, felt the man's muscles tense in surprise.

It was a small victory, a mere instant, but that was all Seikan needed.

Before the woman could react, Seikan surged upward, the blindfold still obscuring his vision but his other senses sharp, guiding him. His legs buckled beneath him, weak from disuse, but the momentum of his desperation carried him forward. He heard the clattering of instruments, the shouts of alarm, and then the impact as his body collided with the man’s. His captor grunted in pain as Seikan twisted him to the ground.

There was a moment of silence, a fragile instant where Seikan could feel the confusion radiating from his captors, their practiced routine shattered. He seized the opportunity, his fingers searching blindly, desperate to find anything he could use as a weapon. His hand brushed against cold steel—a scalpel, sharp and precise.

Without hesitation, Seikan plunged the blade downward, a grunt of pain followed by a gurgling cry as the man’s body convulsed beneath him. The woman screamed, her voice high-pitched and panicked, and he could hear her scrambling to the far side of the room, her boots slipping on the slick floor.

Seikan’s chest heaved, his breath ragged. His hands trembled, but he didn’t stop. With a quick motion, he ripped the blindfold from his eyes, the sudden light blinding him momentarily. The room swam into focus, dimly lit by the sickly green glow of the blood crystals lining the shelves. The air was thick with the stench of blood—his blood. His vision cleared, and he saw the woman stumbling toward the door, her hand reaching for something beneath her cloak.

Not today.

Seikan threw the scalpel with a precision born from desperation. The blade lodged itself in her thigh, and she let out a sharp cry, crumpling to the ground just before reaching the door. He was on her in an instant, his body moving on pure instinct, pinning her down as his fingers found the amulet hidden beneath her cloak—a glowing crystal, dark and pulsing with malevolent energy.

He yanked it free from her neck, and the woman screamed, her body thrashing beneath him. But Seikan didn’t care. He clutched the amulet in his hand, feeling its dark magic pulse through his fingers, a sickening warmth spreading through his body. He knew what this was—the key to the magic that had kept him prisoner, the barrier that had sealed his power. The moment the amulet touched his skin, he could feel the magic binding him begin to unravel.

The woman’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the shift in his gaze, the cold fury that settled into his expression. She tried to speak, to beg, but Seikan silenced her with a swift, brutal motion, his hand wrapping around her throat. There was no mercy in his actions, no hesitation. He pressed down, watching as the life drained from her eyes, her body going limp beneath him.

Seikan’s hands trembled as he stood, the amulet still clutched tightly in his fist. His breath came in short gasps, his body shaking from the exertion. But he didn’t allow himself to rest—not yet. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the sickening array of blood-soaked equipment, the shelves lined with gleaming blood crystals, each one pulsing faintly with the remnants of his stolen life force.

The sight ignited a cold rage deep within him. Sixty days. They had kept him here, drained him, used him like a tool. But now, the power they had sought to strip from him was his again, and he would make them pay.

He turned toward the door, his steps unsteady but determined. The amulet pulsed in his hand, the dark magic swirling around him like a protective shroud. He could feel his strength returning, slowly but surely, the dull hum of his own magic awakening from its long slumber.

As he stepped into the hallway, the silence was deafening. The facility, once teeming with activity, now felt empty, abandoned. He moved with purpose, his senses alert, his fingers still clenched around the amulet. The dark magic that had bound him now swirled within him, an unfamiliar but potent energy that he would bend to his will.

The further he walked, the more his strength returned. His eyes, once weary and dull, now gleamed with the cold calculation of a man who had nothing left to lose. He could feel the power thrumming through his veins, a dangerous, intoxicating force that threatened to consume him if he wasn’t careful. But he wasn’t afraid—not anymore.

He reached the end of the hallway, his gaze falling upon a set of heavy iron doors. Beyond them, he knew, lay the heart of the facility—the chamber where they had created the blood crystals, the place where they had harvested him like livestock. His fingers brushed against the cool metal of the door, and he could feel the wards pulsing faintly, a feeble attempt to keep him out.

With a single thought, the wards shattered.

The doors swung open with a groan, revealing the room beyond. It was a large, circular chamber, lined with shelves of gleaming blood crystals. In the center of the room stood a towering machine, its mechanisms humming quietly as it siphoned blood from a series of tubes that lined the walls.

Seikan’s gaze hardened as he stepped into the room, the amulet still pulsing in his hand. He could feel the magic swirling around him, a dark, hungry force that demanded release.

With a flick of his wrist, the machine shattered, the sound of metal tearing apart filling the room. The blood crystals on the shelves began to tremble, their glow intensifying as the dark magic within them responded to Seikan’s call.

He raised his hand, his fingers splayed as he focused on the crystals. The air around him crackled with energy, the dark magic swirling into a vortex as the blood crystals shattered, one by one, their power returning to the one from whom it had been stolen.

As the last of the crystals shattered, Seikan lowered his hand, his chest heaving with exertion. The room was silent now, the air thick with the lingering remnants of dark magic.

Seikan stood alone in the center of the chamber, his gaze cold and unfeeling. He had his power back—every ounce of it. And now, the ones who had taken it from him would pay.

Without a word, he turned and walked out of the chamber, the faint sound of his footsteps echoing through the emptiness.