The healer worked quickly and skillfully, moving her hands with practiced precision as she assessed Michael’s condition. Her touch was gentle, her expression calm and focused, making it easy for Michael to relax despite the lingering sting of his injuries. Most of his wounds faded away under her care, vanishing as if they had only ever been distant memories.
Although there were no life-threatening injuries, his hands posed more of a challenge. Swollen and bruised, the skin bore deep purple marks that stubbornly refused to heal at first. The healer spent extra time treating them, stopping the bleeding and carefully smoothing soothing salves across his battered knuckles and palms. Gradually, the pain in his hands dulled and the worst damage began to fade, though a faint ache lingered. Sensing his concern, the healer smiled reassuringly and promised, "That ache will disappear soon. Give it a little time."
When she finished, she packed away her supplies, looked up, and smiled. "Okay, you’re good to go," she said, her voice warm and light.
Michael got a better look at her then. She seemed young—probably his age—and there was a striking beauty about her. He knew that when humans awakened, mysterious changes happened to their bodies, often leaving them with features that were almost unearthly. Maria, he thought, was a perfect example of that transformation.
Still, Michael felt compelled to introduce himself. "Thanks. I’m Michael, by the way," he said, offering his hand, though he winced a little as he did so.
She grinned, her eyes sparkling with humor. "I’m Maria, and I don’t think you should be shaking that hand just yet."
Michael laughed nervously, quickly glancing away as he scratched the back of his head, not quite sure what to say next. He opened his mouth, then hesitated, caught between embarrassment and amusement as an awkward silence fell between them.
Maria, sensing his discomfort, decided to take charge. "Hey, aren’t you the late bloomer everyone’s been talking about?" she asked with a teasing lilt.
Michael nodded. "Yeah, I awakened a few days ago."
Maria’s face lit up. "Looks like we’re from the same department. If you ever need another healer, come find me—just make sure to put in a good word for me," she said, winking playfully. "I have to go now, but talk to you later!" She stood, gave him a jaunty wave, and walked away.
Before Michael could reflect more on her words, he heard his name called out. "Can you please follow me, Michael?" Instructor Keal’s familiar voice reached him, signaling him to follow him. Of course, Michael knew what was going to follow next, but he followed Instructor Keal nonetheless.
Instructor Keal led Michael down a quiet hallway and into his office, shutting the door behind them with a soft thud. The room was lined with books and smelled faintly of old parchment and antiseptic. Keal settled behind a sturdy desk, fingers tapping thoughtfully as he fixed Michael with a steady gaze.
"Sit down, Michael. We need to talk about what happened in the dungeon," Keal said, his tone gentle but unmistakably serious.
Michael sat, his pulse quickening. He noticed a flicker from the wall panel—an electronic beep, a sign that their conversation was being recorded.
"Start from the beginning. Tell me everything," Keal instructed.
Michael swallowed, choosing his words carefully. "We... got into the dungeon and we were teleported to a desert. David and I got separated and we ended up in opposite directions, I think... There were these... worms. Big, aggressive. I managed to take out a couple with my bow, but they just kept coming." Michael went on to narrate everything that happened from his battle with the desert worms until when he faced the serpent.
Keal nodded, scribbling notes. "And then? The boss room?"
Michael hesitated, glancing down at his hands, recalling the real chaos, but he couldn’t share the full truth. "We made it to the boss chamber with David Blackwood arriving before me; he was already engaged in a battle with the boss. The battle was rough. The boss was very strong and fast. David and I tried to coordinate, but... the boss was too strong. It went after David first. I fought, but by the time I got to him, it was already too late; the boss killed him." Michael’s voice cracked just enough to make it convincing.
Keal leaned forward, eyes searching for any sign of deception. "So David was killed by the boss while you engaged it?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NoveI~Fire.net
Michael nodded. "Yes, sir. He died fighting alongside me." He left out everything else—the argument, the accidental triggering of the boss’s rage, the choices David made that left him exposed. The real details stayed locked inside, behind a mask of exhaustion and shadows.
Keal made another note, silence stretching for a moment before he spoke again. "Is there anything else? Anything unusual happen before you reached the boss?"
Michael shook his head, keeping his expression blank. "Nothing I can remember. It all happened so fast."
"So are you trying to tell me you killed the boss on your own after David Blackwood died?" Instructor Keal looked at him suspiciously; after all, Michael had only awakened a few days ago.
"No, sir, David was able to injure the boss wolf before he died," Michael said without batting a single eye.
Another sharp electronic beep echoed in the quiet room. Keal sat back, studying Michael for a few moments more, then finally nodded. "Alright. That’ll be all for now. You did well to make it back; you can head out and grab something to eat, okay." Instructor Keal paused a little before continuing, "And if you need someone to talk to about what you faced in there, go find a therapist, okay."
Michael stood hurriedly, muttering a "Thank you, sir," and left the office, forces of guilt and relief swirling in his chest. As the door closed behind him, he wondered how long he could keep his story straight and if anyone would ever learn the full truth about what happened in the dungeon, but right now he was hungry.
The cafeteria was still locked at this time, so Michael couldn’t find anything to eat, but luckily he was able to find a vending machine and got a bunch of chocolate chips and a soda. He found a bench to sit on, not caring about his surroundings or if anyone was watching him. Michael chugged down the whole can of soda.
Michael sighed in relief, finally having something good since entering the dungeon, that was until he heard a voice.
"Hey, are you going to eat that?"