Dark Reincarnation: Nightshade

Chapter 3

----------Time Skip: 4 Years----------

Alice's POV

"Ok, listen up, I'm only gonna say this once. You three are on your own. There will be nobody going in after you, in this situation being careless can lead to death. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir, we understand."

"Good, now go. You're to depart immediately. Bring me good news."

As soon as the headmaster dismissed us we immediately headed for the main gate of the academy where there was a carriage waiting for us. We were given the assignment to go look into a new dungeon that a few adventurers recently found. We were told to not only map it out but to clear it if possible. Either we completely clear it and return with proof or die trying. Those are the rules here: no matter how difficult it may be you either accomplish your task or die. Failure to do so will result in a punishment far worse then death.

"Hey Alice, what do you think the odds are for this one?"

Out of the five of us that came here together four years ago only three of us remained. Me, Sky and a red haired boy name Jace. The other two boys, Josh and Leni, didn't last long at the academy. The first to go was Josh not even a year in. He wasn't able to accept that he no longer had any free will. One day he snapped back at a teacher which ended up with him being brutally beat. After the third time of him snapping he was taken away and we never saw him again. As for Leni, we don't actually know, he just disappeared one day.

"Honestly Jace, I'm not entirely sure. But what I do know is that we will make it back. We have a promise to keep."

"Fair enough."

After the first two years the three of us got kinda close. We had no one but each other to rely on or trust. We learned pretty quickly that none of the academies staff cared even a little about us. All they care about is obedience and success. Failure was not an option because failure was disobedience and disobedience means death.

After the other two were gone we made each other a promise to stay together and look out for one another but most of all we promised to always come back alive.

"So which direction are we heading from here." Sky asked after they let us through the gates and we had started down the dirt road.

"Says here we head due west for about five hours then go north until we reach the base of the mountain." I said as I looked at the shittily drawn map they gave us. They never fail to show how little they care about us. Between the horrible directions and the fact that we had to figure out our own supplies and gear, they were pretty much saying to figure it out or your fucked.

"Did you manage to get close enough to that adventurer that told them about the dungeon to do it by chance?" She asked as soon as we could no longer see the capital.

"Thankfully I did yes, although it was kinda hard to get close with how badly he stunk. Whatever he saw in that dungeon was enough to make him both piss and shit himself it seemed." I laughed as I held both my hands out. "We ready then?"

Sometime last year I developed the ability to use spacial magic when I was stuck in a pinch. Had a bad run in with a minor demon, long story. But thanks to that we didn't always have to walk for days on end since I could just teleport there. All I needed in order to teleport was either haven been to the place before myself or haven gotten a mental image from someone that has been there.

Grabbing my hands they both smiled at me and gave me a nod saying they were ready. A second later we were standing in a forest at the base of the mountain.

Directly in front of use was a huge set of double doors that looked as if they hand been carved out of the mountain itself. It had absolutely no details on it other then some moss growing here or there. They were lucky to have even noticed the doors with how well they blended in. Well, maybe lucky isn't exactly the word for it seeing as how only one person made it out alive.

"Alright guy's, remember, stay together and stay alive at all costs. We're gonna clear this dungeon AND make it back alive. All three of us right?" I said for what felt like the millionth time.

"Damn straight we will!" Jace exclaimed with a toothy grin.

I looked over to Sky for her response and was yet again captivated by her beauty. Hey leave me alone, she looks damn good in her battle gear, you would be just as captivated as me if you saw her.

"Of course we will Alice, that's a promise we won't ever break." She said with a smile.

"Well then lets get to it then shall we?" I said as I walked up to the doors and pushed them open. Down the rabbit hole again...