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The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the damp dungeon, followed by the tapping of stones as Lisa and Rite ran, their movements frantic. Yuna's blood, still dripping from her wounds, had drawn the attention of more spider creatures. The scent hung thick in the air, a constant reminder of the danger closing in on them.
Despite the growing peril, they knew they had no time to spare. Yuna's condition was worsening by the second, and they were still deep inside the dungeon, far from the entrance that lay too far ahead. They dashed around corners, trying to put distance between themselves and the spiders that had been pursuing them.
Lisa tore off part of her cape, using it to wrap Yuna's injuries in an attempt to stop the bleeding. While it helped to stanch the flow of blood, it also masked their scent, buying them just a little more time.
They rounded another corner and Rite's eyes caught something—a faint glimmer of hope. In the dim light ahead, an old encampment stood abandoned, remnants of adventurers long gone.
The spiders they had been evading had lost their trail, and the sudden calm gave them a brief moment to breathe.
"Quick, in here," Rite urged, pointing to one of the nearby tents. Lisa gently placed the small dragon inside, hurriedly covering her with whatever materials they could find to hide her from view. They had no idea how long they had, but every second counted.
Rite knelt beside Yuna, checking her condition as Lisa began to work. "Lisa, do you remember that spell you usually use to heal my cuts?" he asked, his voice low but urgent. "Try it on her."
Lisa hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "It might not work because of the wound's size, but I'll try."
With a steady hand, she placed it on Yuna's white coat of fur, now drenched in blood. Her breath came in measured whispers as she began chanting under her breath.
"Status," Lisa called, her voice tight with focus.
Species: Ancient Elemental Dragon
Status: Severe Bleed – Condition worsens due to heavy blood loss.
As she spoke the words of the incantation, green light began to shimmer around her hands, like tiny sparks of fire, gathering and circling Yuna's wound. The air thickened with magic as the lights flickered in and out of existence, finally dissipating into the atmosphere with a soft whoosh.
Rite watched, anxiety pressing against his chest. "Did it work?"
Lisa checked again, her eyes scanning Yuna's status.
Species: Ancient Elemental Dragon
Status: Wounded – Injuries remain but blood loss has stopped.
"It worked!" Lisa exclaimed, a relieved smile appearing on her face.
With the bleeding controlled, Rite moved quickly to treat Yuna's lighter wounds. He pressed cloth against the cuts, applying herbal medicine and bandaging them tightly.
Though Yuna was much better now, their problems were far from over. Escape was still a distant goal, and they were still trapped in this dungeon, deep underground with no clear way out.
"We'll be fine," Rite said, his tone firm. "In the morning, we'll find a way to get out of this hellhole."
They settled down next to Yuna, wrapping themselves in the thin linen of the tent, trying to find whatever rest they could. The cold dungeon floor seeped into their bones, but there was no time to be comfortable.
Yuna stirred, slowly coming back to consciousness. Her head ached, and she winced as her body came into awareness of its wounds. She looked around, her blurry vision clearing to reveal Lisa and Rite lying beside her, exhausted from the ordeal. Guilt stirred in her chest as she realized they were putting themselves at risk to save her.
She couldn't help but wonder why she had been placed in such danger, and why it always seemed to be them rescuing her. Still, she was thankful. Had they not arrived when they did, this journey could have ended far sooner than she ever expected.
Carefully, Yuna crawled over to where they lay and nestled down beside them, her body feeling like lead. She had been in the dungeon for what felt like half a day now, enduring trials she had never anticipated. Yet, despite the pain, there was comfort in knowing they hadn't left her behind.
Finally, with the quiet weight of the day settling on her, Yuna closed her eyes, grateful for the brief respite. She hoped her dreams would offer some comfort after everything she had endured.
As sleep pulled her under, the dungeon outside seemed to grow quieter, for a moment at least, leaving them to rest. But deep in the shadows, new dangers waited—ones that would not hesitate to challenge them once more.