Caleb’s grip tightened around her hand, his warmth cutting through the cold that clung to her. The soft green glow he cast flickered, steadying her as his unwavering gaze seemed to draw her back from the edge of darkness.

  “Stay with me, Celestia,” he murmured, his voice a low, insistent command and a plea all at once. His thumb traced circles over her knuckles, each movement careful, as if any shift would shatter her fragile state. “You are stronger than this.”

  Her vision blurred, but his green glow anchored her, pulling her back from the edge. The cursed shadows whispered, tempting her with oblivion, but his voice—fierce and steady—cut through, refusing to let her slip away.

  With a shuddering breath, she clung to his warmth, her pulse weak but steady, echoing his will. The darkness receded slightly as her fingers tightened around his hand, a silent refusal to let go of the light.

  Gathering the last of her strength, Celestia forced out a weak rasp, her voice barely audible. “Well... could be worse... I’ve... had worse days, haven’t I?” She winced, a trickle of blood sliding down her lips, but still managed a faint, playful smile, trying to mimic Caleb’s way of lightening the mood.

  A faint spark of teasing danced in her eyes, a shadow of her old humour breaking through as she fought to keep her gaze steady on his. She knew how fragile she must appear, but she hoped her words might coax a smile from him, even in this grim moment.

  For a heartbeat, his expression softened. A small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a glimmer of warmth piercing the tension. Her fingers tightened around his, a faint but unmistakable sign of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. Her words, laced with familiar wit, loosened the knot in his chest, and a soft chuckle escaped him—an almost tender sound, brief but genuine.

  “Not by much,” he teased, his voice filled with a mix of concern and affection. She was so stubborn, so fierce, even at death’s door, still refusing to back down.

  Icy tendrils crept up her wounded side, sapping the warmth from her body at a dangerously rapid pace. The chill seeped deeper, wrapping around her like a shroud, tightening its grip and lowering her temperature with merciless speed. Celestia could faintly hear his voice, its urgency laced with fear, but his words blurred into a distant murmur, slipping through her grasp like grains of sand.

  With each shallow breath, her strength waned, and the edges of her vision darkened, the vibrant world around her fading into a monochrome blur. Shadows danced at the corners of her sight, beckoning her toward the comforting embrace of oblivion. She fought against it, clinging desperately to the sound of his voice, a fragile thread tethering her to the world. But as the darkness folded over her like a heavy blanket, it grew increasingly difficult to hold on, the silence swallowing her whole.

  Caleb’s heart hammered, his worry growing as he felt her strength draining, the chill from her wound creeping through the barrier he struggled to maintain. He watched her vision darken, her gaze growing distant as her breath shuddered.

  “Stay with me. Celestia, stay with me,” he pleaded, his voice filled with a desperate plea, as he held her tighter, as if his warmth alone could fight the chill that seemed to consume her. “Don’t let go. You can’t go. You can’t leave me. Stay. Please—Please stay.”

  Celestia lost herself in the suffocating embrace of silent darkness, a void that promised escape yet only deepened her despair. The cold crawled over her skin like a creeping shadow, a stark contrast to the feverish burn of her curse, a reminder of her abandonment by those who once called her an ally. As the frost seeped into her bones, it dulled the relentless heat that had raged within her for so long, an agonizing fire born from her weakness and betrayal.

  With each passing moment, the icy tendrils wrapped tighter around her, whispering sweet promises of release from the pain that haunted her. Her resolve crumbled under the weight of her exhaustion; the battle within her felt too heavy to bear. Defeated, she surrendered to the dark hold that beckoned her, the shadows caressing her like an old friend, urging her to let go, to fade away into the oblivion that seemed so inviting. At that moment, hope slipped through her fingers like water, leaving her in a desolate void, utterly alone.

  Caleb felt her body grow limp against him, despair threatening to engulf him. “No. No, no, no!” His voice trembled, a desperate whisper as he clutched her tighter. “Celestia, stay with me. Don’t you dare leave me.”

  His heart pounded, panic rising as he felt her life slipping away. But then, clarity pierced through the chaos. He was a mage—a powerful one—and he would not let her go. Determination ignited within him as he lowered her gently to the ground, her head resting on his lap. His hands hovered over her wound, trembling but resolute, ready to summon every ounce of his power to save her.

  A steady mantra of fear and determination pulsed through his mind, overriding the surrounding chaos. He could feel the incantation taking shape within him, a raw force coalescing as it surged from his core. It was as though the magic itself was responding to his desperation, weaving through his thoughts and manifesting in his very being. His voice cracked but held firm as he began the incantation, each word a lifeline thrown into the abyss to pull her back.

  “”

  A golden-green magic circle flared beneath his hands, radiating warmth and light that cascaded over Celestia’s trembling body. Her wound began to close under the spell’s influence, and for a fleeting moment, hope stirred within him. Her breathing, once shallow, steadied, and a faint blush returned to her pallid cheeks.

  But the reprieve was cruelly brief.

  Celestia’s body jerked violently, her head snapping back as a guttural scream tore from her lips. Caleb flinched, his heart plummeting as he felt a dark, malevolent force push back against his magic. The curse was fighting back—viciously.

  “Celestia!” he called his voice tight with fear. Her hands clawed at her chest as if trying to wrench free an invisible dagger. Beneath her skin, shadows writhed, twisting and coiling like vipers. The curse was alive, fighting to consume her.

  Her voice, weak and trembling, broke through the chaos. “It… it hurts…”

  His heart ached as he saw the terror in her pale violet eyes, now clouded with pain. Tears streamed down her face, each one a silent plea for salvation. Caleb readjusted her position, cradling her closer to his chest. Her head rested on his chest.

  “I’ve got you,” he murmured, his voice cracking. He pressed his forehead to hers, hoping his warmth could anchor her to this world.

  Her eyes searched desperately for the warmth of his golden gaze, but as she felt her consciousness slip, they began to fade into a ghostly, ethereal milky white.

  The curse was relentless. Her body convulsed again, her breaths coming in desperate gasps. The magic he poured into her was met with fiery resistance. Every time the golden light surged, the shadows lashed out, clawing at her, tearing at her resolve.

  Caleb’s mind raced his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and fury. This wasn’t just a curse; it was a carefully woven snare, designed to isolate and break her. And it was winning.

  “No,” he growled, his golden mana flaring brighter, his voice rising in defiance. “I won’t let you go! I won't let it win!”

  The curse retaliated, sending a shockwave through her body. Celestia cried out, her voice raw with anguish, and Caleb’s resolve hardened. He had faced monsters, both within the dungeon and his own heart, but nothing had ever terrified him like this.

  Memories surged unbidden, stark, and vivid.

  The memory overtook him.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  ?? ━━━━━━━━ ?????°? ? ?°????? ━━━━━━━━ ??

  It had been twenty-one years ago, long before he had honed his skills as a swordsman or mage. Caleb was a trembling boy of fifteen, thrust into the unforgiving depths of the Sixth Level by his father’s merciless decree. Duke Nightglen had deemed him unworthy of the family name unless he learned how to “be useful” and survive the dangers of the dungeon.

  The Monster Subjugation Unit wasn’t a haven; it was a battlefield. The men in its ranks had little patience for a boy born into privilege. None, save Captain Merrik, who owed Duke Nightglen a debt from long ago. Out of obligation—not affection—Merrik had taken Caleb under his wing, his gruff manner masking a reluctant duty to keep the boy alive.

  “Stick close, lad,” Merrik had barked, his voice like gravel grinding against steel. The captain’s burly frame loomed over Caleb as they traversed the shadowed tunnels of the Sixth Level, where the faint glow of phosphorescent moss barely lit their path. “The Lizard Warriors here don’t play games. If you’re too slow, you’re dead.”

  Caleb nodded, clutching the hilt of his sword with sweaty, trembling hands. It was too big for him, a hand-me-down blade that felt more like a burden than a weapon. He had no magical training then, no healing spells to aid his comrades—just the raw fear of dying in this hellish labyrinth.

  The clicking hiss of Lizard Warriors echoed around them, their movements darting through the edges of the light. Caleb’s heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out the sounds of Merrik’s orders.

  And then it happened.

  The ambush.

  The Lizard Warriors struck with deadly precision, their scaled bodies glinting in the dim light as they launched their attack. The first scream tore through the group, followed by the sickening thud of a jagged spear embedding itself into a man’s chest. Caleb froze, his body paralyzed with fear as chaos erupted around him.

  The warriors fought valiantly, blades clashing with claws, spears and axes, but the Lizard Warriors moved with terrifying agility. Caleb’s eyes darted wildly, his instincts screaming at him to fight—but his body wouldn’t obey.

  Then came the hiss behind him. The glint of a blade.

  “Move, boy!” Merrik’s roar shattered his paralysis. Caleb stumbled forward just as Merrik shoved him aside.

  The axe meant for Caleb struck Merrik instead, driving deep into the captain’s side. Blood sprayed against the stone floor, the metallic tang filling the air. Merrik staggered, his sword still swinging in wide arcs even as his strength began to falter.

  “No!” Caleb screamed, his voice cracking as he scrambled to the captain’s side. Around them, the remaining soldiers fended off the Lizard Warriors, their shouts blending with the reptilian screeches.

  Merrik sank to his knees, his breaths coming in laboured gasps. His hand clutched at the axe embedded in his side, blood pooling beneath him. Caleb dropped his sword and reached out, his hands trembling as he pressed them against the wound.

  “Captain, hold on!” he begged, his voice raw with desperation. “I’ll—I’ll stop the bleeding! Just tell me what to do!”

  Merrik’s hand shot out, gripping Caleb’s wrist with a strength that belied his condition. “No,” he rasped, his voice low but steady. “There’s no time for that, lad. You have to get the others out. Lead them.”

  “I—I can’t leave you!” Caleb choked, tears streaming down his face. “I don’t know what to do—I’m not strong enough!”

  Merrik’s gaze softened, the harsh lines of his face easing despite the pain that wracked his body. “You’re stronger than you think,” he said, his words a strained whisper. “But strength… doesn’t come without sacrifice.”

  Caleb shook his head, his shoulders shaking as sobs wracked his chest. “I can’t lose you!”

  Merrik managed a faint smile, a shadow of his usual stern demeanour. “You don’t have a choice, lad. You survive this. That’s how you honour those who fall.”

  Before Caleb could protest, Merrik’s grip tightened, his bloodied hand shoving the boy back. The captain rose to his feet, his sword raised in a final act of defiance.

  “Go!” he bellowed, his voice echoing through the cavern as he charged the advancing Lizard Warriors. His movements were slow but deliberate, each swing of his blade cutting through the air with lethal precision.

  Caleb stumbled back, his vision blurred by tears. The remaining soldiers grabbed him, dragging him away as Merrik fought alone. The last image burned into Caleb’s memory was Merrik, standing tall amidst the chaos, his blood-soaked figure cutting down enemies until the swarm overwhelmed him.

  ?? ━━━━━━━━ ?????°? ? ?°????? ━━━━━━━━ ??

  The memory slammed into him like a tidal wave, dragging him under. Caleb’s grip on Celestia tightened, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.

  The same helplessness, the same bitter rage, clawed at his chest.

  “I couldn’t save him,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. His forehead pressed against Celestia’s, his tears falling freely. “I couldn’t save him, and I can’t lose you too…”

  The oppressive darkness of the Sixth Level seemed to press closer, the hiss of unseen Lizard Warriors echoing faintly in the distance. Caleb’s golden mana flickered, his strength waning, but he refused to let go.

  “Celestia,” he pleaded, his voice breaking. “Please… fight. Don’t leave me.”

  The curse within her writhed, shadows coiling under her skin, but Caleb’s grip only tightened. He poured every ounce of his will into his spell, the golden light flaring once more.

  He couldn’t save Merrik. But he would not fail her.

  Inside her mind, Celestia struggled against the suffocating darkness. The curse whispered insidious promises of release, luring her toward oblivion. it cooed.

  Her spirit wavered, teetering on the edge of despair. Caleb’s voice pierced through the haze, a lifeline amid the storm.

  “Celestia, listen to me! You’re not alone. I’m here—I won’t go!”

  His golden mana flared brighter, pushing against the encroaching shadows. The light wrapped around her like a protective cocoon, but the darkness clawed back, relentless and unyielding. Caleb’s hands trembled as he fought to maintain the spell, his body screaming from the strain.

  “” he cried, his voice breaking. “”

  But the curse tightened its grip, dragging her deeper into its abyss. Celestia’s body convulsed again. Her lips moved, forming his name in a barely audible whisper.

  “Caleb…”

  He squeezed her hand, his voice trembling. “I’m here, Celestia. Hold on. Please…”

  Her fading violet eyes, clouded by pain, briefly met his golden gaze before rolling back, her body collapsing against him. The curse surged anew, its dark tendrils twisting through her, strangling the last fragments of her strength. Turning her skin into a sickly black.

  “NO!” Caleb roared, his golden aura blazing around them like a second sun. He drew deeper from his reserves, even as his vision blurred and exhaustion clawed at him. “I won’t lose her—I can’t!” His voice trembled, the raw fear of her slipping away driving him to push beyond his limits, refusing to let her life fade before his eyes.

  The light surged, pushing back the darkness, but the curse retaliated with brutal force. Caleb’s body trembled as the strain tore through him, his mana slipping away with each desperate pulse. His vision blurred, and his voice cracked under the weight of his fear.

  “Please—fight! You can’t let it take you! Not like this!” Panic laced his words, raw and desperate as if the very fabric of his soul was unravelling.

  Inside the darkness, Celestia’s spirit flickered like a fragile flame, pulled under by the curse. She wanted to fight, but its weight drained her, leaving her lost in despair.

  The voices of the curse hissed and jeered, cruel and venomous.

  Tears slipped down her cheeks as she whispered, “Sorry...” Her body went limp, her hand slipping from Caleb’s grasp.

  The golden light around them dimmed, flickering weakly before fading entirely. Caleb froze, his heart stopping as the truth hit him like a blade to the chest.

  “No,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “No, no, no…”

  He shook her gently, cradling her lifeless body against his chest. “Celestia, wake up. Wake…UP!” His tears fell freely, streaking down his face as he pressed his forehead to hers.

  The world around him blurred, the shadows pressing closer, mocking his failure. Caleb’s mind screamed with fury and despair, memories of past losses flooding his thoughts. He had failed them all—his companions, his friends, and now her.

  “NO!” His voice rose in a strangled cry, raw and broken. “You can’t leave me! YOU CAN'T!”

  The silence that followed was deafening, a hollow void that consumed everything. Caleb clutched her tighter, his hands trembling as the weight of her absence settled over him.