"Do you think he's going to wake up?"Aiden's attention was drawn to the whisper of Gregg, a few feet away from where he sat cross-legged on the floor meditating while Risa watched him worriedly. "The only thing this shithead has done is to eat our food," Gregg said softly before turning his gaze back at Aiden who still has his eyes tightly closed in meditation pose. "I can hear you two, you know." He opened one eye slowly while keeping the other shut tight until both of them turned their heads toward him. "Closing my eyes doesn't mean I'm deaf or blind...or stupid for that matter!" His voice rose slightly on the last part but not enough to make anyone flinch away from him like he expected it would have been if someone else had spoken those words in an intimidating tone instead.Aiden's lips twitched into a smile as Risa let go of the breath she was holding in and Gregg looked at Aiden with an expression somewhere between shock, disbelief, and amusement all rolled up together. "Aid

"Wait!" She hissed, her eyes wide. "I just remembered something. Back when I was working for the Shadow King... I learned of his powers. His strength lies in the shadows.""What are you saying?" Aiden asked warily. He knew she wasn't one to make up stories but this seemed too real; there had been enough strange things happening lately without adding more into the mix. The only thing he could think about now was how much trouble they would be in if it turned out that what she said was true."Shadows are not just physical darkness. They are a parallel plane, a dimension of sorts. The Shadow King can manipulate, move within, and even control anything within this shadow plane. He is not just stronger in the shadows, he is practically invincible." Risa explained, her voice dropping to a whisper as her gaze fixated on the ominously looming door.Aiden and Gregg exchanged a worried look. If Risa's theory was correct, opening the door could lead them into a realm of darkness, putting them at

Four long, heart-wrenching months had passed since Aiden was swallowed by the darkness, four months since the last the Lyridian Resistance Force saw of their comrade. The Guild was restored, and Mr. Smith returned as the Guild Master, but there was a profound emptiness. The memory of Aiden's sacrifice echoed in every hall, every heart. Four months of fruitless searching. Each passing day brought more despair, more questions, and more emptiness as Risa, Gregg, and Mr. Smith had been relentlessly searching for their friend, scanning every inch. But all their efforts had so far been in vain, leaving them in a state of despair and uncertainty.The months after Aiden's disappearance passed like a painful blur for Risa. Each day she woke up in the hopeful anticipation of his return, but each night she went to bed crushed by the reality of his absence. She tried to keep herself busy, to distract her mind from the painful emptiness that was gnawing at her heart. But every moment of silence, e

Aiden's potential survival stirred something within them - a spark of hope, a sense of urgency. They had been given a mission, a second chance to save their friend, and they wouldn't let it slip through their fingers. They spent the rest of the night preparing, making arrangements for the journey ahead.Two weeks had passed and Gregg was close to completing the last task assigned to him, the acquisition of the Dragon's Tear. In contrast, Mr. Smith focused on preparing for the ritual. As they readied themselves, Risa stared into the horizon, her thoughts consumed with Aiden.It felt like an eternity had passed since she had last seen him alive. She remembered those first few days after his disappearance with such vivid clarity... Her hands still shook when she thought of it. She had never imagined losing someone so close to her so unexpectedly. It was unfathomable and heart-wrenching. But over time, she had learned to accept it. The hope that he was alive somewhere out there still ling

[I'm glad you finally realized the severity of what you were facing, host]"What's wrong dear Aiden? Don't you want to have a taste of my body anymore?" The lady laughed mockingly as Aiden clenched his fists and took a step back, glaring at her."If that's what you think then why don't we find out once and for all if your 'taste' really does compare to mine!" Aiden snapped back, feeling a rush of energy surge through his body.Creating a labrys sword out of thin air, he swung it at the lady's head as she looked shocked by the sudden appearance of his weapon.The blade sliced clean through her skull, splitting it in half and sending blood splattering everywhere she collapsed to the floor with a thud before falling still and silent as her body turned to dust which disappeared into the air as Aiden stood there staring down at her corpse with wide eyes.He took another step backward as he reeled from the shock of what he had done with the body earlier, his mind slowly coming back to him a