One day had passed since the chaos in Oustar.
Now, far from Ignir's turmoil, hidden from prying eyes, stood the sanctuary of the Unbound—a fortress carved into the very heart of nature's embrace.
Behind the relentless cascade of a hundred-meter-tall waterfall, concealed within the rugged stone of the cliffs, lay their stronghold. The roaring waters crashed down into a vast lake, its surface shimmering beneath the soft glow of the midday sun. Mist veiled the entrance, an unbroken curtain of white that masked the existence of the hidden refuge beyond. To an outsider, it was nothing more than an unyielding wall of water and rock, a place untouched by civilization.
But beyond the falls, the truth was far more intricate.
Carved into the mountain's stone with meticulous precision, the hideout stood as a testament to its creators' craftsmanship. The cavernous entrance, hidden behind the cascading waters, led to a vast interior—an underground bastion seamlessly integrated with the natural rock formations. The walls bore the marks of careful excavation, smooth yet unrefined, maintaining the essence of the mountain's raw power.
Within its depths, ten floors stretched through the stone, each one a carefully designed space for the Unbound. Spiraling corridors, hewn from the living rock, connected vast chambers, communal halls, and armories stocked with salvaged weaponry. Narrow, winding staircases led deeper underground, where three additional levels descended into the earth, forming the heart of their refuge. These lower floors, shielded from the world above, housed meeting rooms, storage facilities, and hidden passages that snaked through the subterranean labyrinth, offering both escape routes and defensive positions.
Strategically placed windows, narrow slits carved into the mountainside, allowed beams of light to pierce through, illuminating the stronghold's inner sanctum. From these vantage points, one could see the lush expanse of the land beyond—the towering trees, the expanse of wild flora, and the field that stretched nearby, where the Unbound could train without fear of prying eyes.
The lake below, fed by the endless rush of water, was a natural barrier, a moat that discouraged unwanted guests. Around its edges, greenery thrived—thick foliage and ancient trees providing cover, their roots weaving into the rocky soil. The air smelled of damp stone, fresh water, and the faintest hint of blooming flora, an odd contrast to the hardened warriors who now called this place home.
Here, in the heart of the wild, the Unbound had built their sanctuary.
A place unseen. A place untouchable.
For now.
---
In a dimly lit room adjacent to where the Elf Queen and her daughter resided, Valerius lay on a sturdy wooden bed, his neck braced in place. Though his body was healing, his pride suffered an even greater wound. He refused to speak, his silence a clear declaration of his lingering resentment.
Ziraiah knelt beside him, her emerald-green eyes filled with guilt as she pleaded, "Come on, Val, I said I'm sorry. How many times do I have to apologize? It was an accident."
Valerius, eyes burning with irritation, turned his gaze toward her but said nothing. His silence was louder than words, and after a moment, he looked away, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Across the room, Eryndor sat by the window, his long frame poised with quiet regality. The golden light streaming through the panes cast sharp contrasts against his sharp features. With an arm resting against the chair's armrest, he finally spoke, his voice smooth and composed.
"You brought this misfortune upon yourself, Valerius. Were it not for your Elvhein lineage, you would have perished from such a reckless injury." His words carried the weight of wisdom and subtle amusement.
Ziraiah shot him a glare. "Eryndor, don't make me feel worse than I already do."
She then turned back to Valerius, her voice softening. "Don't worry, Val. Gustein will heal you soon."
Then, in a mischievous whisper, she leaned closer to his ear. "Guess what, Val? I'm stronger than you now, so don't piss me off."
Valerius' eyes twitched. He tried to speak, but his injured jaw prevented anything but muffled sounds from escaping. Frustration boiled in his mind.
Look at this girl… You think you can bully me? Just wait. I'll get stronger too.
Ziraiah grinned, relishing his helpless state. "Don't be scared. I won't hit you this hard next time."
Silvie chuckled from the doorway. "Ziraiah, come. I'll show you around. I've been here for almost a week now, so I know the place… to some extent."
As the two stepped out of the room, Silvie glanced at Ziraiah with amusement. "You seem to be enjoying this a little too much."
Ziraiah smirked. "You have no idea. That idiot used to bully me all the time. Now he finally got a taste of his own medicine."
Silvie's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Let's see if the elf princess wants to come with us."
Ziraiah scoffed. "I doubt she'll be any friendlier than before, considering you kidnapped them and all."
Silvie shrugged. "I'm the only one here who's actually being nice to her. She'll have to warm up to me eventually." Then, placing a hand on her cheek, she added with a dreamy sigh, "Besides, I've never seen someone so stunning before. The people in this world… they're all ridiculously beautiful."
Just then, a massive thirteen-foot-tall ogre-like man lumbered past them, his broad shoulders nearly scraping the walls. He shot them an uninterested, grumbling stare before continuing down the hall.
Silvie's expression soured slightly.
"Well… not all of them," she muttered under her breath.
Leaning toward Ziraiah, she whispered, "Some of them are downright hideous."
The two reached the hallway leading to the Elf Princess's room when Ziraiah stopped abruptly. "Where are you going? The door's right here."
Silvie twirled on her heels and pointed ahead. "I need to grab their lunch first."
Ziraiah raised a brow. "Do you guys treat all your hostages this well?"
Silvie let out a light laugh. "I wouldn't know. I've only been here for twelve days." She beckoned Ziraiah with a playful grin. "Come help me carry them."
---
To Be Continued...