(Zhenya POV)

Pushing through the dark wood door I enter the Dungeon library, and as expected it was empty save for the straight-faced avatar who was diligently manning the front counter. Taking a glance at the shelves, they were still as bare as ever the book I traded them, the only book in this library, lay open on one of the tables.

Going behind the counter, I swing open the door and descend down the next set of stairs.

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Well damn. I expecting a grey desert of death but somehow the floor is actually flourishing with life.

Rolling fields, roaring gusts, critters roaming about the whole shebang, it’s like the fire never happened. The only real difference is the lingering dampness in the air, and the fact I don’t feel like everything wants me dead.

While taking in the view, I catch sight of a curious tree just a few paces from the entrance. Various scratches and arrow marks tattooed its bark, each one a memory of an adventurer that has entered this place. There was even one in the shape of a heart with an arrow piercing it with some symbols? No, not symbols, letters written underneath it.

.... It's probably nothing, hopefully. I mean for all I know the words might be in memory of someone. Who died. Of an arrow. Through the heart. Yeah.

Ignoring the deathly implications laid out before me, I pull out a knife and start carving out the head of a frost wolf. It’s a hunter’s sign mainly used to indicate a hunting zone.

With one last slash, I put an arrow through the frost wolf carving indicating which way I intend to head, forward.

Treading lightly through the woods scanning my surroundings, I take my sweet time recording any landmarks I find on the map provided to me. Passing by a tree I leave a mark on its trunk, a reminder just in case something happens.

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-... four.... five.... six... Seven groves back to back from the entrance, huh?

Weird, already halfway up the map and there has been nothing but tree groves. It’s also been a while since I last heard any wolves or critters scampering around for that matter. Wait, has this mist always here?

The slight haziness that I thought was just the sun in my eye coalesced, swirled and thickened into a dense fog before exploding outwards enveloping the area.

Shit, I can barely see anything in front of me. Blindly stumbling through the fog I swear I’ve almost walked face-first into every single tree in this damn place!

Hi hi hi hi, Look oh, look a child has gotten lost. Look at them cowering away. What do we do with her? You dunce we play a game with her! But what do we play? What game is fun? Oh, I know, I know let's play a simple game, the flame game.

The voices echoed impossibly around me they sounded young, child-like even. Well, this isn’t good. Really, creepy children wanting to play in general is never a good thing. Warily backing up I jump in surprise, suddenly bumping into a tree. Was that always there?

What little light was left, was soon snuffed out by the ever-swelling fog. The ground, sky and even fog vanished, engulfed by the growing darkness. Soon the last rays of light faded and I was left with only the tree at my back to remind me that I wasn’t floating in the void.

Darkness everywhere. Was it still growing? spreading? Maybe.

Stranded in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by childish voices wanting to play a game with me... sounds like a normal day back at home. Alright, If these things want to play a game than lets play, but what game are we playing, every game needs an objective, a goal of some sort.

As if on cue a blue fire formed in the distance, obscured by what I can only guess are trees. Oh please let the voices be innocent enough that its only trees.

The voices urge me forward their tone growing a bit more impatient every time, maybe they’re excited, maybe they're angry either case I should get going...-!

*bonk*

A few sloppily suppressed giggles slip out from the omnipresent peanut gallery.

Right, so there are trees everywhere not just near the flame, noted. If that’s how it is, taking out a length of rope from my rucksack I tie one end to the tree behind me and the other to my waist. This should help me retrace my steps if I ever get lost.

Slowly and carefully I tiptoe my way through this maze of trees with the voices steadily by my side calling me a coward, or dull or a dull coward. Honestly, their words were more annoying than actually hurtful, even than it wasn’t that big of a deal, living with five younger siblings I’ve gained the amazing ability to phase out any annoyances.

Making damn good use of my ability, I press on. The mocking slowly died down becoming pleas for me to stop being a snore before eventually turning into bored indifferent murmurs. It was sorta pitiful in a way like I just let my younger brothers and sisters down. I suppose I could put on a more of a show, I mean at worse I run into a tree and at best I convince them to let me go, right? Right.

Picking up speed I go into a full-on sprint snaking in between the trees, dodging each one as they jump out from the darkness. My movements growing more refined as my eyes acclimate to the darkness and reflexes grow sharper with repetition.

Lunging at the blue flame I could almost feel its soft warmth in the palm of my hand when suddenly the world turns upside down and I am yanked back by some unknown force.

*groan*

Right the rope, the.... rope. Getting up I receive a round of applause accompanied by laughter, the voices truly have the mind of a child and a temperament to match. Untying the rope from my waist, I reach out for the goal.

But once again before I could touch the strangely lukewarm fire it fizzles out plunging me into darkness.

Hi hi hi hi. This child, she might be some fun. We might get some enjoyment from them just yet. Yes, Yes let’s play with her some more. The game can’t end now. Oh, Oh I have an Idea lets put them with the bore! Agreed! Good! Nice!

Wait, a boar? Pulling out my sword I ready myself.

The same blue flame combusts to life a ways away from me revealing a girl. She had short frizzy blond hair and wore thick plate armor which looked pretty comical on her considering she was a good bit shorter than me.

“Hey! Hey you! Over He-” As I call out her a purple flame erupted right beside me. “Ah! Ah! Hot, hot, hot!” Practically jumping out of my skin I scurry away from the damn thing in a panic, apparently, only the blue ones are tepid enough to touch.

“Why you... Let us out you flying pests!” Watching the whole thing unfold the girl indignantly shouted into the void. And damn was she loud, startled me more then the flame did.

What ensued was a childish war with insults being thrown back and forth with either side refusing to cede even an inch.

Silently sidling away from the purple flame under the cover of screaming children I notice the blue flame floating away from the girl. Huh ain’t that interesting, I take a step back and the flame, in turn, floats a step back.

“You stupid flies once I get out of here I’ll-!” The armored shorty rushed at the blue flame but froze dead in her tracks as it suddenly dropped to the ground accompanied by my, not at all shrill screams of terror.

Really when a fireball the size of your torso comes flying towards you, screaming at the top of your lungs while diving to the ground for cover is only natural.

With only the blue flame illuminating her face the girl turns to look at the blue flame then at me. “What the?” She takes another step towards the blue flame this time slowly and methodically.

The purple flame lurches towards me then stops, it seems like she's got the idea.

“Hey I think the flames mimic our movements!” the girl energetically called out to me. Well if we weren’t on the same page before we certainly are now.

“We should try meeting each other halfway, all this screaming is really killing me!”

It was frustrating at first trying to match our movements which resulted in some accidental burns or getting left in the dark but eventually, we got into the swing of things.

Meeting up we took a seat on the ground with each other’s flame by our sides, I put some distance between myself and her flame, for obvious reasons. “Alright, so what's the plan now?” I ask, dipping my hand into the blue flame, enjoying its pleasant warmth.

“Well, it seems like we need to touch each other's flames to escape this hell hole.” The girl tries to touch her own flame but flinches away before even getting near it.

“Sadistic things these voices are, aren’t they? We pass their first trial and they throw us into this fiery mess!”

The girl shoots me a look of confusion, “Wait, your fire is always like that?” she points at me, currently arms deep in my flame, enjoying it like a warm wispy bath.

“Eh? Yeah, my flame is always like this even during the previous trial.” I splash my arms around a bit sending a few toasty wisps her way.

She glared resentfully into the void, at the voices who have been taunting and booing her before turning back to face me. “You mean to tell me that you could always just touch your flame. When I had to go through hell!”

She took off her gauntlet revealing fresh burn marks ingrained into her right hand and even some of her forearm. “I had to, I tried everything but in the end, I had to.”

Between all the jeering voices and the searing pain I’m surprised that she managed to keep a brave face, well it was more like a face of barely restrained anger but brave in other aspects.

“Well While we’re here why not talk about how we ended up in this place. I’m Zhenya by the way.” I pat her on the back trying to comfort her.

“Fredrica, Fredrica Vo-... No, my name is just Fredrica, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.” She tensed up when introducing herself, the fact that I noticed, even felt it seems to worry her greatly.

Shrugging off my hand Fredrica continued. “I was exploring the dungeon when I heard laughing coming from the woods. Investigating it I found that it was coming from some monsters, insect-like beings with crystal wings and human bodies. They were small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.”

“So I’m guessing those monsters are the same ones yelling at us right now.”

“Yep, the exact same ones. Sensing my presence they accosted me with nuts and leaves. I retaliated with my sword but the bugs were too damn agile, dancing around my blows while declaring it a game. After a while of being made a fool, I nearly hit one, but in a childish twist they decided to play another one of their so-called games.”

As she continued her tale I couldn’t help but notice that every time Fredrica got angry her flame would flare up in unison with her.

“I suddenly found myself knee-deep in a mire of fog quickly sinking, trying to fight against it was like wading through sludge. In the end, I got swallowed up and the rest I think you can already guess so I’ll skip that part.”

Taking a moment to breathe she stared unblinkingly into the purple flame, a difficult expression forming on her face.

“I reached the flame and like any sane person I didn’t trust these monsters, I tried to look for any other way out. Running into the void, waiting, trying to put the flame out, I tried it all but in the end....”

“Well, after that I found myself here.” Fredrica finished off her tale solemnly, sounding beaten but not out.

Offering her some water for the burns I wait for her to recuperate. At this point, I don’t think any words of sympathy is going to help her, but maybe something else can.

“I think I figured out a way for us to get out of here, but...” I trail off not really knowing how to break it to her. “But what, out with it girl!” Fredrica bounced to her feet in excitement, which would probably look adorable if she wasn’t a hulking suit of armor with a girl’s head popping out of it.

Ugh! Seizing my shoulder in an iron grip with her good hand Fredrica started shaking me around. How somebody so small can have so much strength is beyond me, where the hell does it all come from?

“Uhm, well, ya see...” Fredrica’s armor was practically rattling in anticipation. “You need to calm down.”

“Hah? I am calm, now tell me how to get out of here!” The sound of her armor rattling got louder overtaking the voices chattering.

“No not like that. I mean. Ugh, I’m skipping a few steps here.” I stumble a bit not expecting Fredrica’s reaction to be so intense. “The fires are not controlled by the fairies, it’s connected to you. The more agitated you get the hotter it burns, so if you calm yourself the fire should simmer down.”

Hearing this Fredrica rolled on to her back, “This whole time it’s been me...” The purple fire that has been sitting across from her start to flicker and die down.

“So it is true.” Fredrica absentmindedly responded to me still processing the truth.

Her stupor didn’t last long though, slapping her cheeks, inadvertently hurting her hand in the process she sat back up. Eight out of ten for the bounce back, the execution could use a little work.

“Alright then so these flames are connected to us physically and mentally but are you sure it’s safe. It seems like these monsters created the flames using their magic. So what's to stop them from cranking up the heat the moment we let our guard down?” Fredrica asked while nursing her injured hand.

“One, If they wanted us dead they would have done it by now. Two, they seem to only see us as entertainment. Three, They did say that this is a game, and games have rules right?”

The voices seem to like it whenever something funny or interesting happens. In that way they remind me of how my brothers and sisters act sometimes, they’re bored so they pester people to play with them, simple. They’re just more magical-y and bratty.

“But what's to stop them from breaking the rules then? They hold all the power here and we are just their playthings!”

The whole void went silent with Fredrica’s declaration.

How dare you! How dare you! Child, you dare call us liars and cheaters! We don’t cheat! I am not a liar. That child is the liar! We sense it in the air she breaths. We see it in her eyes! We have tolerated your lies but to now call us liars! You mixer of truths and lies!

Acorns started to rain down on poor Fredrica. The flame flared even brighter shedding its purple hue, turning bright orange and red. Crap, One step forward and two steps back.

“Fredrica! keep calm, you can’t let them get to you!”

“Haaaa, haaaaaaaahhh, Deep breaths these monsters are- you can’t forget- you can’t fail-” Taking deep breaths Fredrica muttered to herself. “Alright, I’ve calmed down.” She rigidly gave me a thumbs-up as acorns continued to bonk her on the head.

At least the fire is back to purple so that’s a step in the right direction. “Right, let's talk about your armor, it looks well maintained and well made.” I have to keep the ball rolling, keep her on happy thoughts.

“Oh, this? This is a family heirloom, my father wore it as did his father and so forth and now it is mine.” she said pridefully, “I received this armor before I set out on my journ-”

Before she could continue, the monsters above screamed “LIAR” cutting her off.

“Urk...” She trembled under her armor, face turning pale. It was clear as day that she was trying to hide something.

Fredrica doesn't strike me as the type who would do anything bad. Even if she was a villain she was definitely horrible at keeping secrets if the loud clanging armor was any indication.

Gathering herself Fredrica had a mixture of conviction and remorse in her eyes. “Look not a word to anybody okay,” She grabbed my shoulders with both hands. “My name is Fredrica Von Aisely, I... I stole this armor, my family’s treasured heirloom passed down for generations and ran away from home.”

“Okay.” Nodding my head up and down I stare dumbfounded into Fredrica’s eyes which were burning with resolve. Honestly, I don’t know what to say here, but it looks like Fredrica managed to get everything off her chest. The shaking stopped and she sorta just deflated like, she could finally relax and take a load off.

“Well that was liberating,” Fredrica visibly loosened up allowing her shoulders slacken. Flinging herself on to her back she let out a huge sigh of relief, “You’re not from the Duchy are you?”

“huh? Me no, was born up north.”

“Ah, the frozen wastes no wonder you look so confused you have no idea what I am...” she takes a moment to stare into the void before continuing. “Hey let me just vent a little bit more.”

Before I could answer, Fredrica started talking again.

“It has always been my dream to become an honorable knight who protected the weak. During the brief times my dad was home, he would always tell me stories of the heroic and noble knights who fought to protect the Dutchy.”

She gave a slight chuckle while reminiscing. “So I trained to become just like the knights in his stories. But that all changed one day when he came home a grim look on his face... and he... I... well to put it lightly, we had a disagreement. Things eventually came to a head and I ran away to become an adventurer, to get some achievements and experience under my belt.”

So she’s like me, out here to strike it big in one form or another. “Ya know I didn’t get some parts, but if you ever need an ear, I’ll be happy to lend ya mine.

She giggled at my attempt to be understanding, “The point of me telling you all this is precisely because you don’t understand, but yeah if I ever need to vent again I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Rolling back up her feet Fredrica plunged her hand into the flame, “Yep looks like I just needed to unload everything I had pent up.”

Don’t get all buddy, buddy now! Suffer! Suffer!

“Right, as touching as it’s been we still need to escape from this place.” I place my hand near her flame. “So then shall we?”

“yeah.”