the beginning after the end perfect duo

Life Of An Adventurer

“Ouch,” I yelled, inspecting my surroundings as the harsh vibrations rippled through the tissue of my augmented limbs, faint cracks spreading across their surface.

A dark tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, its walls jagged and uneven, the air thick with the stench of rust and decay. The cold bit into my skin, sending shivers down my spine, while my lungs struggled to keep up. I inhaled deeply, my breaths uneven and strained.

We must have fallen a long way—far enough for the air to turn this frigid. Still, nothing I can’t handle.

“Where... are we?” my sister stammered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at composure. Her tone was higher than usual, her wide eyes darting nervously through the suffocating darkness.

She’s as stressed as I am—maybe more. But hey, I’m the brave one here, right? I smirked at the thought, even as I tried to mask my own unease.

“Anybody there?” I shouted, my voice echoing down the endless corridor as I scanned the shadowy expanse.

“We could use some company,” I muttered, half to myself, half to the void.

Assessing the situation like the brave adventurer I am, I figured the others must have fallen somewhere nearby. This wasn’t as bad as it seemed—yet. Sure, I was now under a dungeon, a situation even I, with all my experience, had never heard of—but I’ve dealt with worse.

Weird? Definitely. Scary? Maybe. But nothing’s stopping me from handling this safely.

“Are you having an inner monologue again? My god,” my sister said, her voice tight, her knowing glance cutting through the dimness.

“Maybe,” I replied, standing straighter, like a soldier on parade.

“I’m not getting caught slacking,” I added, laughing softly at my own joke.

“Those kids’ stories aren’t real, Jaden. You’re not some kind of hero,” she muttered, repeating her usual line, though her voice lacked its typical sharpness.

“Maybe not, but nothing’s stopping me from saving the day,” I countered with my usual response.

“Eugh, whatever,” she sighed, though I caught her fidgeting with the dust clinging to her leather armor—a fine piece that wrapped most of her body but left her joints exposed.

Closing my eyes, I focused on my mana. Wind flowed naturally around me, a familiar, comforting presence. As I directed it outward, a mental map formed in my mind, tracing the nearest air currents.

“Are you done?” she asked, feigning disinterest, though the whiteness of her clenched knuckles betrayed her nerves.

“Yes, my sister, the mana spirit has led me to the right way,” I teased, already moving.

“Yeah...” she mumbled, her tone flat, though her steps quickly followed mine.

We pressed on, the tunnel stretching further into darkness. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft scrape of our boots against the uneven stone.

Slashes marred the walls—deep, jagged grooves that seemed carved by something large and violent.

“They’re everywhere,” my sister observed, her voice tight.

“Yeah, quite a lot,” I agreed, running my fingers along one of the deeper marks. “We haven’t seen anything so far, though. Strange.”

The mystery gnawed at me. The beasts that left these marks were either gone, wiped out—or something worse was lurking further ahead.

“Anybody there?” A voice rang out from the shadows, raw and urgent.

“Help’s on the way!” I shouted, my pace quickening as adrenaline surged. Images of heroism flashed through my mind—the brave Jaden rescuing those in need, a story worth telling.

“Wait, you idiot!” Jade yelled, her voice sharp enough to cut through my thoughts.

I stopped, turning to face her.

“Somebody needs help,” I said, urgency spilling into my tone.

“We don’t even know who they are—or their intentions,” she countered, her wide eyes locking onto mine. “What if it’s a trap?”

“Exactly, we don’t know,” I replied firmly. “If they need help, we should help. And if it’s a trap? We’re strong enough to handle it.”

Her lips quivered as she fought back tears. “What makes you so sure? What if we’re not? What if something happens to you?”

Her fear was raw, genuine, and it hit me harder than I expected. But I couldn’t let someone die knowing I could have done something.

“We will help them, Jade,” I said, my voice steady. Memories flooded back, sharp and unforgiving. “We have to.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded. “Your call,” she whispered.

I reached out and squeezed her shoulder gently before turning toward the voice.

We found Ragnar, and our shield, pinned beneath a massive pile of rocks. His leg was trapped, his face twisted in pain.

“Help me,” he groaned, his voice strained.

Jade froze for a moment, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. Then she moved to my side, her usual composure returning in the face of action.

“On three,” Ragnar said, his broad frame trembling as he tried to brace himself.

Watching one of hid fellow friends, and Comrades in such a pinch is severe for even a professional like him.

I nodded, channeling mana into my limbs, the familiar warmth spreading through me. Jade did the same, her focus unwavering.

“Three, two, one—now!”

We pushed with everything we had. My muscles burned, heat searing through my arms as I clenched my jaw. The rocks shifted, inch by agonizing inch, until finally, they gave way, crashing to the ground beside us.

Ragnar exhaled shakily, Our shield clutching his injured leg.

“You were right, Jaden,” Jade said softly, her voice breaking the tense silence. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too, Jade,” I replied, guilt washing over me. “I shouldn’t have shouted.”

Her voice cracked. “I just… I can’t lose anyone anymore.” Tears streamed down her face, her trembling hands clenching at her sides.

I pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close. “You won’t,” I whispered. “I promise.”

She didn’t respond, but I felt her nod against my shoulder.