I think I'm lost. I feel like a body floating in an infinite and silent ocean, aimless, without ground. A body that is not secure in anything. Am I sinking? Am I going to die?
Death? I was... — the memory is abrupt, vivid. The blade piercing my stomach, guided by my own hands. Did I kill? Or was I the one who was stabbed?
I need to get out of here. But I can't move. An invisible weight holds me down. Then, a voice echoes in the darkness.
— Hey... — Who said that? Is someone here?
— Hey, get up, damn it! — another voice shouts, harsher.
— Kick him...
Silence. A dense, mysterious silence.
— HEEEYYY!
I wake up startled. My body trembles, my head spins as if it's loose from my neck. The light blinds me and everything hurts as if a tractor had run over me.
— Get up, useless. Three days dead in this hell — says a woman with a deep voice, kicking me with disdain.
— Hey, take it easy on him... — another voice says, male, more compassionate. — They said he was almost dead when they found him.
— Say something, damn it.
— Who are you? — I ask, forcing my voice, supporting my head with my hands.
— Seriously? I'm going on my shift — replies the woman, turning away with an expression of exhaustion and frustration.
— Hey, what's your name, brother? — the man asks, getting a little closer.
— I... — the image of myself stabbing my own stomach returns like a nightmare. — I think I'm Lucas...
Yes. I'm Lucas. I put my hand on my stomach and feel something wrapped around the wound.
— Don't touch that — he says — Alice helped me take care of you. They brought you in like that and told us to take care of you.
— They? — I ask, trying to open my eyes a bit more.
— You were rescued on the beach, right? I understand... maybe you're confused, still hurt. But try to survive. We need you.
As I manage to lift my head and open my eyes better, I see him clearly: a young black man, with messy dreads and various cuts on his body. He throws pieces of stone against the cave walls — because yes, we were in a cave.
— Where are we?
— You can call this hell.
A strange sound starts echoing from deep within the cave. A damp, rhythmic noise. Squash... squash...
— Hey, Jan, I think it's our turn. Leave him there. If we don't get it today, they'll come tomorrow, and it'll be hell again — says the woman, reappearing from the shadows.
— Take care, brother. I hope you recover — says Jan, looking at me with unexpected sincerity.
— Hey! Wait! Where are you going? What is this place?!
— If you follow us, I'll kill you myself — replies Alice, coldly.
As they disappear, I stare fixedly into the dark where they vanished. Something about them bothers me. Their eyes... they glowed.
Damn. Damn, damn... I still don't know how I ended up here.
As I try to understand where I am, I notice something familiar. The warmth on my neck. The ring. It heats up again, just like before. This time, I don't hesitate.
Something inside me urges me to put it on.
I take it off the string and put it on my finger. The moment the ring touches my skin, something unbelievable happens. A translucent window appears before me, with words floating in the air.
---
Ring of Kostlen Arithon
(Ruler of Arithon)
"Ring given in marriage to the Savior of the planet Arithon, after seven years of battles to determine who would rule for a hundred years."
+10 Strength
+10 Agility
+10 Resistance
+10 Stamina
Each attack carries the Mark of the Conqueror. After 10 consecutive attacks, +3 to all attributes.
*If off the finger, it emits heat when a monster approaches. If requirements are not met, -7 to all attributes.*
---
— Is this real? I can... see this? And touch... — I murmur, touching my fingers to the floating image before me.
— Hey, you useless idiot! Hide it... — Alice enters and freezes. — What ring is that?
— Lucas, where did you get that ring? — asks Jan, with wide eyes.
— It was my father's. It's not something you should know — I reply, trying to hide the ring quickly.
— Hey, calm down! Jan, tell him already!
— Tell him what?
— The dwarves will check your physical condition. I think it's time for you to know why you're here.
— Dwarves? Are you kidding? You called the dwarves from "Pânico na Web" for this joke? — I joke, trying to laugh, but the pain stops me.
Alice reacts like a beast. — Lower your tone with Jan, you son of a bitch — she draws a crude knife made of stone and wrapped in bandages.
— Alice, stop. We need to decide what to do. Our plan is already gone. We need another one.
Before I can say anything else, a drumbeat echoes through the cave corridors.
— Hey, is that in here?
— It's time. Give me your hands and stay calm — says Jan, approaching with a rope.
— Hey! Don't come near me!
— Alice, it's on you...
The last thing I see is her fist coming towards me. Then... darkness.
I wake up being dragged. The sight is unbelievable: a huge hall, carved inside the mountains. A whole castle inside the rock. An unusual light descends from the ceiling, passing through cracks in the stone. On each wall, there are holes like dens, from where people — chained humans and giant dwarves wielding hammers — come and go.
I can't move. I can't speak. The panic grows, trapped in my chest like a suffocated scream.
I'm dragged down a long corridor. I try to turn my neck and see who's pulling me. Of course... Alice. And right behind, Jan.
— STOP! WAIT FOR ORDERS! — shouts a guard.
— You could've warned us earlier, jerk — Alice grumbles.
— I heard that. Us dwarves have good hearing.
— If you heard so well, you could've warned us we were coming, animal.
— The protection of Ohen, son of Olen, will one day fall.
— Quiet! — a powerful voice echoes, and the castle doors open. — Bring the son of the traitor...
Son of who?
Without hesitation, Alice and Jan continue. I'm dragged like a prisoner. We pass by Ohen. The moment I cross him, I feel something strange... like something inside me recognizes him. He smiles. A subtle smile, as if he already knew everything.
After hours of waiting in a dark room...
— ENTER! Now!
— This is where my role ends. Good luck, brother — says Jan.
— Good luck, trash — Alice adds, relentless.
I'm taken to an even darker room. A single light shines in the center, illuminating a chair. I'm chained to the floor. A pulpit rises high.
Then, a voice arises. A sweet voice. Familiar. Unexpected.
— Good evening, elders. Allow me to begin the reading of the sins committed, so we can finally put an end to the curse of a thousand years...
I raise my head with difficulty. My eyes barely see... but there she is.
The person who will judge me.
Olga Bastos.