In a cave, the sound of water dripping into the great underground river was calm and peaceful. The cave bore no trace of human presence until the sound of hurried footsteps echoed throughout the cavern.
"Not found. I haven't found anything. Is what they said even true?"
Her voice was despairing and disheartened. She was a woman, around 19-20 years old, with long black hair and grey eyes, dressed in a maid's outfit. She had been in the cave for many hours, searching everywhere, as if looking for something, until the sound of a water whirlpool grew louder.
She looked towards the river. A dark shape was submerged beneath the water. Upon seeing it, her face lit up with joy and expectation. She quickly plunged into the water. The depth where the body was located was approximately 20-30 meters.
She swam down and pulled the body up from the river. She looked at the figure with a familiar gaze.
"Sentrie!"
She exclaimed with concern. The man had long, shoulder-length white hair and bright golden eyes. He was wearing a cloak that she herself had made for him. She immediately began basic first aid, performing 30 chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The body sputtered water and opened its eyes. The cave's light shone brightly; the cave walls were blue, and the glimmer of fireflies drew his attention. But what drew him more was:
The familiar figure of the woman. The woman with long black hair, grey eyes, around 19-20 years old, in a maid's outfit. Her voice spoke with a slight shock.
"Serin!?"
He exclaimed in surprise before laughing.
"This must truly be fate, bringing the two of us together."
Serin managed a small smile, but she looked nervous and unsure. Sentrie noticed this and asked with curiosity.
"Or is this not fate?"
After asking, he thought to himself: it's impossible for a small woman to be in this place, so perhaps this isn't fate after all. Serin knew what Sentrie was thinking.
"I don't know if I can tell you about this, because the one who helped me find you twice was a person with long blue hair, a face without features, and wearing a kimono. He told me your direction."
Serin replied, admiring the man. In contrast, Sentrie was wary, because the person who helped him might want something from him.
Sentrie pushed the thought out of his head; he always repaid those who helped him. He looked at Serin with determination.
"Do you need any help right now?"
He asked with resolve. Her eyes filled with delight before she quickly stated,
"My brother and sister are currently imprisoned in the kingdom's jail. I need to rescue them."
Sentrie nodded, as if it were his answer. She happily squeezed Sentrie's hand tightly.
"And do you have a plan?"
Sentrie asked. She answered quickly, as if she had planned it even before meeting Sentrie.
"We will disguise ourselves to enter the prison. That jail has a mine where the inmates must excavate ore. We will dig a path upwards, and no one will know because your power can create an illusion. Isn't that a good plan?!"
Sentrie nodded in understanding. It was rather simple for a plan, but he understood since she was just a young girl. What he was happy about was that he could now use his power again.
"When do you want to start this plan?"
She spoke with confidence.
"Now. We will leave immediately."
After speaking, she took Sentrie's hand and quickly ran out of the cave.
After emerging from the cave, she was slightly tired, so she gradually slowed from a run to a walk. They walked through the woods along a path. It was nighttime now, feeling isolated and quiet. As Sentrie and Serin walked through the forest,
Sentrie sensed a large group of living beings, but he paid no mind. He now had his power, and though it might not be at its former strength, it was enough to easily handle a group of people.
In his sight, he saw a familiar group approaching.
"I think this is fate, after all."
He said, laughing. He looked at the group, which turned out to be the ones who had chased him before. They saw Sentrie as well. Serin looked on in confusion before asking,
"You know that group?"
"Yes. Not well, but we know each other. I killed three people from that group, and they nearly killed me."
Sentrie spoke, looking at them with hatred. Serin understood and instinctively moved to hide.
The group walked closer to Sentrie before one of them asked,
"Your face looks familiar. Are you someone I know?"
It was a woman whom Sentrie remembered had shot him before. She was wearing a fur coat with his colour pattern. Sentrie knew that they recognized his identity but were only pretending not to know in order to conceal their true intentions.
"Who is this person you're referring to? Perhaps I can help you find him,"
he said, laughing inwardly. Then, a large man stepped forward and spoke in an angry voice,
"He is the person I will be hunting for the rest of my life. It would be good if you could help me find him."
He spoke and saw Sentrie's smile, causing him to clench his fist. But he knew Sentrie's potential well, so he waited for an attack. Sentrie began to use an enhancement spell.
"Well then... I will help you look for him myself. If I find him, I will let you know!"
He said cheerfully.
And just as he was walking away, the large man tried to stab him with a knife, but Sentrie knew it was coming, so he immediately used a Shield spell. The group was slightly surprised that Sentrie possessed powers, as he had never used any during their last fight. Sentrie Push them away from him then Summon a sword and fight' shouted loudly,
"It's time for revenge!"
And they stared at each other with resentment.