Twisted Fates Threads

Chapter Four: Grave of Unwanted

The dungeon's oppressive air weighed heavily on my shoulders as I ventured deeper into its depths. The dim light barely illuminated the winding stone corridors, casting long, eerie shadows that seemed to twist and dance as I moved. My body ached from the previous battle, my muscles sore and bruised, but I couldn't stop now. I had to keep moving.

The goddess had sent me here to prove my worth, to survive a place where death lurked around every corner. And I would do it. I had no choice. My anger fueled me, pushing me forward even as my body begged for rest.

As I turned a corner, I heard them before I saw them-a low growl, followed by the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against stone. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I wasn't alone. Multiple pairs of glowing eyes stared back at me from the darkness, their owners hidden in the shadows.

Instinctively, I tightened my grip on my dagger, preparing for the inevitable attack. They emerged from the shadows, their forms twisted and grotesque-monstrous creatures with sharp claws and teeth, their eyes burning with hatred. There were five of them, each more terrifying than the last.

"Great," I muttered under my breath, trying to steady my breathing. "Just what I needed."

The creatures wasted no time. With a guttural snarl, they lunged at me in unison, their claws aiming for my throat. I barely managed to dodge the first attack, rolling to the side as one of them swiped at me. The second creature was on me in an instant, and I raised my dagger just in time to block its claws, the force of the blow nearly knocking me off my feet.

I gritted my teeth, struggling to hold my ground as they surrounded me. I was outnumbered, and their speed and strength were overwhelming. I slashed at the nearest creature, the blade cutting into its flesh, but it barely seemed to notice. They were relentless, attacking from all sides, giving me no time to catch my breath.

"Come on, Rena," I gasped, sweat dripping down my face as I parried another blow. "You've faced worse... You can do this..."

But even as I tried to convince myself, doubt crept in. They were too strong, too fast. My stamina was dwindling, and I was already exhausted from my previous battle. I could feel my movements slowing, my reflexes dulling. One wrong move, and I would be torn apart.

I had to think. I had to use my abilities. The earth element-Taurus. Steadfast, unyielding. I couldn't overpower them with brute force, but I could use my environment to my advantage.

The creatures closed in, their eyes gleaming with malice. In a desperate move, I channeled all my remaining mana into the ground beneath me, summoning the earth's power. The floor trembled as jagged spikes of stone erupted from the ground, piercing the creatures' bodies. They howled in pain, staggering back as the earth itself fought against them.

But it wasn't enough. Three of them were still standing, and I was almost out of mana. My vision blurred as I stumbled backward, struggling to keep my balance. My chest heaved with every breath, and my legs felt like they were made of lead.

They attacked again, their claws slashing through the air. I blocked one, but another raked its claws across my arm, sending a jolt of pain through my body. I cried out, dropping to one knee as blood dripped from the wound. I was running out of time.

Desperation fueled me as I unleashed **Tremor Strike**, slamming my dagger into the ground. A shockwave rippled through the floor, sending the creatures stumbling. I took the chance to strike, driving my dagger into the heart of the nearest beast. It let out a final, agonized scream before collapsing in a heap at my feet.

But the remaining two weren't finished. They lunged at me with renewed fury, their claws flashing in the dim light. I barely managed to dodge, my body screaming in protest as I forced myself to move faster than I thought possible. I fought with everything I had left, slashing and parrying, every movement fueled by sheer willpower.

In the end, it was pure luck that saved me. As one of the creatures lunged at me, I tripped on a loose stone, causing its claws to miss my throat by mere inches. I rolled to the side, driving my dagger into its side as it passed by. The final creature, now weakened and enraged, charged at me with reckless abandon. I managed to dodge its attack and buried my blade into its back, the creature collapsing in a heap.

I stood there, panting and drenched in sweat, my vision swimming as I struggled to stay on my feet. My body was battered and bruised, every muscle screaming in agony. I had won, but just barely. I was on the edge of collapse.

But there was no time to rest. Not yet.

The smell hit me first-the sickly-sweet stench of death. I forced myself to move forward, following the smell until I found the source.

Bodies. Dozens of them, scattered across the dungeon floor. Their lifeless forms lay in twisted, grotesque positions, as if they had been tossed aside like garbage. The sight made my stomach churn.

These weren't just ordinary corpses. They were adventurers, warriors-people who had been strong, powerful. People who had once had dreams and ambitions, just like me. And now, they were nothing more than lifeless husks, discarded by this cruel world.

A cold dread settled over me as I realized what this meant. These people had been sent here, just like me. They had been deemed unworthy, cast aside by the goddess for daring to defy her. And their punishment had been death, at the hands of the dungeon's monstrous inhabitants.

I felt a surge of anger, my hands trembling as I clenched them into fists. The goddess had sent me here to die, just like them. She had intended for me to join their ranks, to become another forgotten casualty in her twisted game.

But I wouldn't let that happen. I wouldn't end up like them.

As I turned to leave, my eyes fell on a larger, more gruesome sight in the center of the room. A massive creature lay sprawled out, its body covered in spikes and dark energy swirling around it. Its grotesque form seemed to pulse with an otherworldly aura, and its eyes, though lifeless, seemed to follow me.

The **Soul Eater**.

It was the boss that had killed them all, a creature of unimaginable power. I could feel its presence, even in death-a cold, malevolent force that seemed to seep into the very air around it. This was what they had fought and lost against.

I knelt beside one of the bodies, a young woman who still clutched her weapon tightly in her lifeless hands. Her face was contorted in a grimace of pain and fear, and I couldn't help but wonder what her last thoughts had been. Had she known she was going to die? Had she cursed the goddess in her final moments, just as I wanted to?

I reached out and gently closed her eyes, a silent promise forming in my heart. I would survive. I would escape this dungeon. And I would make sure that the goddess paid for what she had done-to me, to them, to everyone she had discarded like trash.

Standing, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I was battered and broken, but I was still alive. I would push forward, no matter the cost.

Because now, it wasn't just about survival.

It was about revenge.