"I offer you knowledge," Marco said, his voice taking on a deeper resonance that seemed to vibrate through my bones. "Not just of combat or magic, but of growing stronger. The path your bloodline once walked." The air around us rippled with subtle luminescence as he spoke, the ancient machines in the chamber humming in response. "However, we must proceed carefully. Your body, while carrying remarkable potential, is currently too weak to handle a full awakening. We must strengthen you gradually."

  Another display appeared, this one more elaborate than the others, shimmering with an iridescent light that reminded me of sunrise on water. It showed a cultivation path, the glyphs pulsing with ancient power:

  ? Path of Aethel ?

  Stage 1: Mortal Realm (Current)

  Stage 2: Foundation Establishment (Locked)

  ? Comet Glyph ?

  Stage 3: Core Formation (Locked)

  ? Serpent Glyph ?

  Beyond: ??? (Records Incomplete)

  ERROR: File_Aethel_Ascension.codex corrupted

  "This path," Marco explained as the display rotated slowly before my eyes, the symbols shimmering with untold secrets, "will help reawaken your dormant abilities while strengthening your body to handle increasing levels of power. It combines physical training with energy manipulation techniques, allowing for gradual but steady progress."

  My mind raced, trying to process everything. This was all so much to take in. The chamber's cool air felt heavy with potential, with histories and futures I couldn't yet grasp. "The binding spell," I said, touching the glowing lines around my neck again. They felt strangely warm now, almost pulsing in response to my touch, like a living thing sensing my awareness of it. And something is different... darker. "Can you remove it?"

  "Not directly," Marco admitted, a note of frustration coloring his usually measured tone. "The spell's structure, while based on Ancient principles, has been corrupted in ways I cannot fully decode. The Krev taint is strong. And it is evolving." The display flickered, showing the binding spell's complex structure, threads of darkness weaving through what should have been pure light. "I do not have the correct code to unlock it. However, as we strengthen your body and refine your energy control, we may find ways to circumvent its restrictions. The binding spell suppresses your power, but suppression is not the same as elimination."

  He projected another scan, this time focusing on my genetic markers. The display shimmered with complex patterns that somehow felt familiar, as though I was seeing a reflection of something I'd always known:

  ? Genetic Potential ?

  Argentum Gene: Dormant

  ? Comet Glyph ?

  Ignis Gene: Dormant

  ? Fire Glyph ?

  Hero's Lineage: Dormant

  ? ??? ?

  ERROR: File_Veyra's_Folly.7z corrupted

  Note: ? Hiss: The sound of pages burning in a dead language.?

  "These inherited traits show tremendous potential," Marco continued, his voice taking on a reverent quality that made my skin prickle with goosebumps. "The Argentum Gene suggests affinity for metal and energy manipulation. The Ignis Gene indicates potential for fire manipulation and enhanced metabolic capabilities. The Hero's Lineage..." The display flickered, as if struggling to render something beyond its capabilities. "That one is particularly intriguing. Its full potential remains locked, but it appears to be a pure sequence from the highest noble houses."

  "But first," he continued, his tone shifting to something more practical, "we must focus on basics. Your body needs strengthening. I have designed a series of exercises based on traditional training methods, adapted for your current condition. We will begin with the Luminary's Awakening - a fundamental technique for preparing the body to handle increased power flows."

  "Wait," I interrupted, my thoughts shifting to the faces of those I'd left behind. I remembered the feel of Lira's hand in mine, the determined glint in Dax's eyes, the silent strength of Finn. Their faces swam before me, clear as day despite the dim light of the chamber. "My friends - Lira, Dax, Finn, the others... I have to get back to them. They're heading to Haven's Cross, but they might still be in danger. Where exactly am I?"

  I felt a shift in Marco's presence, a recalibration, as if he were adjusting his approach to accommodate my emotional state.

  Paused analysis protocols.

  Detecting heightened stress patterns.

  Recalibrating approach.

  Emotional concerns prioritized.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  "You are deep beneath the surface," Marco explained, his voice gentler now, more human. "The underground river carried you to what was once a great city, now largely reclaimed by what your people call 'the dungeon.' The path back will not be simple."

  I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, eyes wide with worry as the reality of my situation sank in. "How long would it take to reach the surface? To reach Haven's Cross?"

  "The most direct route would require traversing multiple dungeon sectors," Marco replied, projecting a simplified map of the known territories. The hologram cast eerie shadows across the chamber walls, highlighting the vastness of what lay between me and freedom:

  ? Simplified Dungeon Map ?

  ? Safe Zone: Nestled Songbird Icon

  ? Iron Hold: ? Serpent Glyph ? x3 (Tier 1 Corrupted)

  ? Path to Haven's Cross: ???

  ? Unknown: Fractured Comet Cluster (??? Energy Signature)

  Note: "That 'unknown' sector? Let's call it 'Probably Death Canyon' until proven otherwise."

  "However, in your current condition, attempting such a journey would be... inadvisable." The map zoomed in on several areas, highlighting pulsing red zones of danger. "The dungeon between us and the surface contains entities far more dangerous than those you encountered at Iron Hold."

  My hands clenched into fists, fingernails biting into my palms. "I don't care about the danger. They need me. I promised to-"

  "And you will fail them if you act rashly," Marco interrupted, his voice echoing in my mind, a calm counterpoint to my rising panic.

  ? L.I.S.T. Interface Update ?

  Argentum Sparks: Active

  Function: Reasoning Protocols

  Neural Load: 18%

  Warning: "Emotional Override Detected. Logic Circuits at 32% Capacity."

  "Your current state is suboptimal. Engaging in a rescue attempt now would result in a 98.7% probability of failure. Not only for you but for them as well."

  I flinched, my anger momentarily deflating as the truth of his words hit home. My heartbeat slowed from its panicked gallop. Good. I was still capable of listening to reason, even if I didn't like what I was hearing.

  "Consider this," Marco continued, his tone softening, attempting to connect with my emotional state rather than just presenting cold logic. "Your friends are following a planned route to safety. Lira has proven capable of leadership, and you provided them with the navigation stone. By my calculations, they have a 73.4% chance of reaching Haven's Cross successfully."

  My mind showed conflict - acceptance warring with worry. "But Malek..." The name tasted bitter on my tongue.

  "Is more likely to pursue you than them," Marco concluded. "Your value to him appears significant, far more so than the other children. Your unique genetic markers and your connection to the binding spell make you a high-priority target. This gives your companions a better chance of escaping unnoticed. He wants to quash the prophecy. To prevent you from becoming a threat. However, if you wish to help them in the future, you must first grow stronger. The dungeon between us and the surface would overwhelm you in your current state."

  He projected an image of a particularly dangerous sector, filled with jagged lines and ominous red zones that seemed to pulse with malevolent intent. "These areas are inhabited by entities that could tear through your current defenses in seconds. The binding spell, in its corrupted state, makes you especially vulnerable. It restricts your natural abilities while simultaneously attracting unwanted attention from creatures attuned to magical energies. With training, however..."

  "How long?" I asked, my voice carrying both resignation and determination. The fire in my eyes hadn't been extinguished, merely banked, ready to flare again when the time was right. "How long until I'm strong enough to reach them?"

  "That depends on your dedication to the training," Marco replied. "But I estimate several months at minimum before you could safely attempt the journey. This time would also allow your friends to establish themselves at Haven's Cross, making them harder for the Krev to track."

  My concern for my companions had shifted Marco's analytical priorities. I could sense it in the way the displays flickered and changed, focusing now on pathways and possibilities. While his databases contained extensive information about the city's original layout, millennia of the dungeon's influence had transformed much of it beyond recognition. Many sectors were now dark zones in his scanning range, their contents unknown.

  "You are within the remnants of an underground city," he explained, generating a holographic map that was more shadow than substance. The city's once-grand design was barely discernible beneath the encroaching darkness, like a skeleton buried in shifting sand. "Though much of my data about the surrounding areas is now obsolete. The dungeon has... changed things." The map flickered, revealing the fragmented nature of his knowledge. It was frustrating, like trying to assemble a puzzle with most of the pieces missing.

  I studied the ghostly projection, noting how the clear architectural lines of the city faded into undefined spaces, territories claimed by chaos and darkness. "These blank areas - you don't know what's in them?"

  "Correct. My sensors cannot penetrate many sectors. The dungeon's influence creates interference, and my power reserves limit my range. Each expedition into unknown territories will carry risks... and opportunities for discovery."

  My expression hardened with determination despite my exhaustion, my shoulders straightening even as fatigue pulled at every muscle. "How far to the surface?"

  "Approximately three kilometers, though the path will not be straight. Based on detected energy signatures, the most direct routes appear heavily corrupted. We will need to explore alternatives." Marco paused, processing the implications. "Your experience navigating Iron Hold's dangers could prove valuable. My knowledge of these spaces is... incomplete."

  This admission caught my attention. The AI wasn't all-knowing after all. Just as I had learned Iron Hold's secrets through careful observation, we would need to map these unknown territories together. A spark of understanding passed between us, a silent acknowledgment of our shared predicament.

  "The dungeon between us and your companions contains entities far more dangerous than Iron Hold's guards," Marco continued. "However, your survival tactics might help us understand these new threats. Your practical experience combined with my analytical capabilities could prove... complementary."

  "Your ability to sense guard patrols through the binding spell's reactions," he noted, "suggests an adaptability that could be valuable here. The dungeon's energies may interact with the binding spell in ways my databases cannot predict."

  I touched my neck unconsciously, my fingers tracing the contours of the corrupted threads. "At Iron Hold, each guard's weapon felt different. Some made the binding spell burn, others made it feel cold." And now, there's something new. Something...darker.

  This information caused Marco to recalibrate several analytical parameters. I could almost feel the shift in his processing, like a change in air pressure before a storm. "Interesting. Perhaps we could develop a system to catalog these reactions," he suggested, though his projections flickered slightly - a sign of his weakening energy reserves. "The dungeon's denizens likely emanate similar energy signatures."

  Fascinating.