Lila and Cyrus , Adrian and Junith, Drakar and Darek, Doran and Orin, Sera and Sylra were on their horse as they left their respective town where they were training. The journey had been long, and now they had finally reached at a some before reaching the dungeon.
The sun was setting hence they decided to stop and rest for the night before entering the dungeon. They set up camp in a small clearing near a line of rocks. A fire was lit in the center, and everyone gathered around it, feeling the warmth and comfort of the flames. Fizzle, zoomed around excitedly, sniffing the air. The smell of food being prepared made her mouth water, and she floated even closer, letting out a small happy squeak.
Junith, Adrian, and Sylra took charge of the cooking. The rest of the group relaxed around the fire, laying out their gear and stretching their tired muscles. The crackling of the fire and the bubbling sound from the pot gave a sense of peace, even with the dangerous dungeon looming ahead.
Junith cleared her throat as she stirred the stew. Her voice was calm but firm. "Everyone, make sure you eat well tonight," she said. "We will begin moving again as soon as the sun rises. We need to be ready."
The others nodded silently. There was a shared feeling of seriousness in the air.
As Junith added spices and vegetables to the stew, she looked up and continued speaking. "Before we go into the dungeon tomorrow, I need to tell you about it. You should know exactly what we are walking into."
Everyone turned their attention to her, listening closely.
"This is the Dungeon of Varnex," she began. "It's one of the most dangerous dungeons in the kingdom. It's ranked as S-Rank, which means only the strongest can face it. It's well known all over the kingdom, not just for how deadly it is, but also for what lies inside."
She paused, letting her words sink in before she continued.
"It has become more dangerous now because the dungeon might have a corrupted core. That means the monsters inside are no longer normal. They've become stronger, faster, and more violent. Their powers grow with the corruption. The deeper we go, the worse it gets."
Everyone remained quiet, listening carefully as Junith explained.
"Worse still, the commanders and the dungeon boss have also been affected by this corrupted energy. That makes them much more powerful than before. They're not just strong, they've become something much more monstrous. The corrupted aura around them makes their attacks more dangerous and harder to predict. We will need to take every step carefully, stay alert, and never let our guard down."
She took a deep breath and said, "Now, let me describe the five dungeon commanders. You need to know what we're going to face."
Everyone leaned in a little closer.
"The First Commander is Kalix. He's known as 'The Divine Lightning.' No one really knows what he is. He looks like a human, but he has glowing wings with veins of light that shimmer like thunder. He wields a long spear called Raivyr that cracks with powerful lightning. He is quick and strikes with deadly precision."
Junith stirred the stew again, then continued.
"The Second Commander is Ristella, known as 'The Wind Priestess.' She is always covered in swirling wind, and her face is hidden behind a mask. She is a powerful wind mage. Her spells are fast and silent, and she can vanish into thin air before you know what hit you. She is hard to track and even harder to fight."
Junith's voice became heavier with each description.
"The Third Commander is Borrum. He is called 'The Thunder Horn.' He is a huge minotaur with horns that spark with electricity. He wears thick armor and uses a giant spiked mace. His strength is terrifying, and when he charges, nothing can stop him. He is a walking storm."
She took another deep breath.
"The Fourth Commander is Velthra, also called 'Voltshade.' No one has ever seen her face. She hides in shadows and moves faster than lightning. One moment she's there, the next she's gone. No one even knows what weapon she uses. Some say she fights without being seen at all."
The group remained still, absorbing every detail.
"The Fifth Commander is Thirak, the 'Armoured Golem.' He is covered in stormsteel armor, almost impossible to break. He wields a massive hammer that crackles with energy. He may look slow, but don't be fooled—he is smart, tactical, and dangerous. He doesn't just rely on strength. He plans his attacks like a general on the battlefield."
Junith's tone changed slightly, a little more serious now.
"And then... there is the dungeon boss. Varnex. Known as 'Thunderclaw.'"
She let the name hang in the air.
"Varnex is a Dragonkind. That means he's not just any monster he's intelligent, powerful, and nearly impossible to defeat. He controls both thunder and wind. Those who have faced him and survived say that his power is beyond anything they have seen. He has something called Overstorm Mode. When he enters that state, his strength multiplies, and his body becomes a living storm."
There was silence around the fire now. Even Fizzle had stopped moving and floated quietly.
Junith gave a small nod. "But... there is some good news. We won't be alone. The Black Sigil will be joining us. With their help, we have a better chance."
At that moment, the stew was finally ready. Its rich, warm smell filled the air. Junith smiled a little and served bowls of the hot stew to everyone. One by one, they ate, grateful for the comforting food before such a dangerous mission.
After eating, they wrapped themselves in their cloaks and lay down to rest. The fire slowly died down, the flames turning to glowing embers. One by one, the group fell asleep, gathering strength for the challenge that awaited them.
And as the first light of morning touched the sky, the group woke up, packed their things, and began their final march towards the Dungeon of Varnex. A sense of purpose filled each step they took. Together, they moved forward, ready to face what lay ahead.