I was standing in a massive field. A dark sky with ominous clouds broiled overhead. To either side, the landscape seemed to stretch out as far as the eye could see, which wasn’t very far because it was so dark. I was standing on a cobblestone path, that seemed to stretch on into the distance. I moved my hand toward the grass and found it stop where the cobblestone path ended. There was an invisible wall, or rather, the wall was an illusion of a field. The cobblestone path was the only part of this that existed. It only resembled a massive field, but in reality, it was just a corridor like most regular dungeons.
A drop of liquid fell on my cheek. Then another drop fell, and more followed. A light drizzle began. The rain was slightly warm, even though the darkness looked so cold. I glanced up, reaching with my hand. I wasn’t able to touch the ceiling. Curious, I pulled Xin’s sword out and held it up. I still didn’t reach the cloud of the drops. It might have truly been as high as the sky. At the very least, the sky was twelve feet tall. I’d have room to battle if I needed an overhead swing. The path was roomy enough that I could probably fight. These kinds of things were important when you were dealing with a dungeon. Then again, Xin had told me that this dungeon wasn’t going to throw traditional enemies at me, so such thoughts might just be meaningless.
I put my sword away and licked my lips. My eyes immediately widened as I rubbed my cheek and tasted some of the rain more directly.
“The rain is… salty…” I spoke out loud to myself.
I jerked around at suddenly hearing a voice. To my surprise, standing behind me was Elaya. I had not expected to see her so soon. She was right at the entrance? What happened to all this talk about working my way down the dungeon? I had already succeeded.
“These are her tears.” She held out her hand, partially ignoring me and seeming to speak to herself.
“A maid’s tears.” She responded lightly.
“You… aren’t Elaya, are you?”
“I am merely a guide, here to show you.”
“What you came to see.”
My brow furrowed. Every time I thought I had dungeons figured out, I’d find one that completely broke my preconceptions. I was standing in an empty field, gentle salty tears of rain falling on me, with Elaya both here and not here.
“Do you recognize me?” I tried once again.
“Yes. You are Master.” She responded, a mysterious smile on her face.
“You’re not surprised I’m alive?”
“Do you think I’m so foolish that I wouldn’t have been aware of your fate?”
“I’m not dead though,” I responded uncertainly. “Wait… are you Elaya or not?”
I narrowed my eyes. “If you keep toying with me, don’t think I won’t put you over my knee and spank you.”
I took a step toward her when her eyes brightened and she pointed over my shoulder. “Look, it’s time!”
I instinctively looked in the direction she pointed. A little girl was running through the field in the rain.
“Who is she? You?” I glanced back at Elaya, only to see that she disappeared.