Tracing the smell, Lupus walked swiftly down the hallway, the last rays of light piercing through the windows.

His nose twitched in the air, searching fervently for the delicious smell.

It seemed to be beneath the earth, and without hesitation, Lupus when on his knees.

The scent was extremely faint, practically non existent, but with his enhanced senses, he finally located a small ledge on the wooden floor.

Without hesitation, he immediately grabbed onto it and pulled it open, revealing a door.

Entering, his hands traced the stone walls of the passageway, the scent finally getting stronger.

'Is this a dungeon?' Iris asked without any expectations for a reply.

As he made his way down the cobbled stairs, he grabbed one of the weapons he had, infusing his mana into it.

It soon glowed with power, conveniently brightening the stairway.

Strangely, the stairway became brighter as he walked, it was as if something was shining.

Finally reaching the bottom, he found a small fox like creature, only, it wasn't a normal fox.

It was the source of the light, it was a chimera, only a wee shorter than his arm. It seemed to be a mix of multiple animals, tuffs of different colored fur evident on its body.

As if instinctively sensing a presence near it, it awoke, it's small beady eyes looking up at lupus.

And at that moment, the light it gave off dimmed, the once innocent animal growled as the bones of its body cracked and twisted, mangling and disfiguring its form.

Gripping his weapons tight, fear erupted.

The Monster now grew two times his size, smoke seething from the corners of its mouth, it's sharp teeth intimidating Lupus.

'Lupus, run.' Iris's voice became unnaturally calm, losing the ever present carefree tone.

The Monster growled as it took as step forward, shaking the earth beneath it as made its way to Lupus.

With hesitation, Lupus pounced towards the Monster, attempting to hack its head, his teeth gritted.

He wouldn't lose. He never did.

And he never will.

'Lupus!' Iris screamed, 'You idiot!'

To him, running away was never an option.

But before he could even get close, the Monster's hand was already swinging his way, aiming at his head.

Leaning backwards, he narrowly ducked the attack without changing his trajectory, but this time he rose his right hand, the blade of the axe meeting with the flesh of the furred Monster.

The blade stuck in its flesh, only piercing shallowly, refusing to go further as it was encased in flesh in an instant, stuck to the regenerating meat.

With a swing of his injured arm, the Monster sent Lupus flying, causing him to hit the walls of the dungeon near the stairway, the impact landing on his head and arm.

Sharp pain pricked at his head, with a pained grunt, Lupus looked up at the Monster who was making his way to him.

His eyes squinted and his fists clenched at the weapon's hilt, he readied himself to attack yet again, enduring the pain that came from his head.

It didn't come from the impact of the collision, it just came.

However, before he could stand up again to fight, he noticed the Monster stopping a distance away, smoke still rising from its mouth and nostrils.

Seeing the monster's stop, he too, lay down his weapon, clutching his head.

When was the last time it hurt so much?

"Fuuuuuuucckkkkkkkk!" He shouted, unwilling to stop.

His vision blurred and as he attempted to focus on the Monster, everything started to turn black.

The pain was also fading away, but he refused to let go.

His nails seemed to have found its way onto the flesh of his hand, digging relentlessly into the meat in an attempt to incite pain.

He needed something to keep him awake.

Too bad it didn't hurt.

At least he liked the dark.

------------------------------

The Monster watched on, as the boy inflicted pain onto himself, an inner turmoil evident in his eyes.

However, it lasted only for a mere second before the demeanour of the boy changed.

The boy became afraid, extremely so, his eyes became wet in an instant as he pulled his knees closer to his chest, his mouth moving but producing no sound.

He didn't even look up to the Monster , perhaps too consumed by fear.

The Monster then calmed down, watching the threat disappear.

Such a child couldn't harm his Brother, could he?

Turning back into a fox like chimera, he sat himself down as he observed the child even more, but no matter what he did, the child never looked up.

After a Long time, the child changed yet again, this time his eyes became empty, void of anything.

It was extremely cold, his gaze, but then again, he was smiling, ever so faintly.

At first the boy looked at him with interest, his legs moving in the slightest seemingly about to get up, but the child quickly lost interest and stared into space.

The Monster could only look bewildered at the child's changes, himself still wondering how he even entered the dungeon.

Yet again, the child changed, this time giving off the feeling of loneliness, his small body seemingly even smaller.

His eyes radiated a tinge of intelligence as he stood up to leave, but he quickly fell on his ass again, his eyes now flooded with pain.

Grabbing onto his head, the child's particular gaze disappeared.

And to the monster's disappointment, he didn't wake up.

Huffing, the Monster curled up, himself going to sleep, losing interest in the unconscious boy.

The child did not notice, but a line, faint but visible on the ground, stood between the two of them.

--------------------------

……who am I?

I can't remember…..

It's scary…….

It's so dark here……

There's a Monster in front of me…..

I don't like this……

…..someone….

The animal before me slept soundly, faint puffs of air leaving its nose.

The only light source in here was its fur, it's multicolored fur.

It looked strange, with bits of orange, white, black here and there.

…..but what am I comparing it to?

Why was it strange?

What's normal?

…..I need to move.

Pushing my hands to support myself, I stood up, my actions causing the animal to stir slightly.

But it didn't wake up.

….my right arm hurts…..

I don't like this…..

Noticing a stairway, my other arm leaned against the wall for support as my legs weakly climbed the stairs.

Something within me….told me that if I climbed this….I won't have to stay here.

The walls were uneven, with bits poking out, the gray cobble my only support.

As I slowly climbed, the pain faded, and the originally limp arm could be moved again.

As I made my way upwards, light seeped through, my eyes squinted in irritation.

Reaching the top, I narrowly squeezed through a hole and arrived at another place. It was a large hallway made of wooden floors and partially cobble walls with paintings covered them.

It was strangely beautiful, peaceful.

It was calming.

Transparent windows of cobbled frames revealed dark surroundings, but nevertheless this place was lit.

Before I could take another step, a confused voice called out, it sounded extremely foreign, but calming.

"Argo?" Something near me whispered, her voice unable to contain her shock.

Instinctively, I turned over, but I couldn't recognize the owner of the voice, despite the sense of familiarity her eyes held.

Who is she?

….I don't like this.

The uncertainty gouged at my heart. Why was this person so....

So.....?

I don't remember her...

Taking a step back hesitantly, my hand reached out, ready to defend myself.

I wanted to run, but the unknown feelings I had stopped me. The only thing I could was to hold out my arm, to protect myself if she were to attack.

She won't attack....would she?

No.....I can't trust her....

But why can't I?

....I want to...

No....

But despite everything, as my thoughts conflicted, the girl ran over, her hands thrown out for an embrace.

Her soft body soon met with mine, her weight entrusted to my legs.

She was strangely trusting me...why would she....?

Despite expecting a painful impact, I easily caught her without being pushed back, it was as if her body were weightless, but it wasn't so.

She was taller than me.

"W-wHo arE yOu……" I asked, my voice raspy, emphasising on the wrong places.

Her embrace was warm, it heated my originally cold body.

It felt nice......to be hugged....

Strangely, the fear plaguing my heart dissipated, leaving comfort as my eyelids drooped.

It was as if I didn't wake up only seconds ago, waves of lethargy hit me, threatening to take away my consciousness.

But it's alright.

I can sleep now.

Because it's safe.

Right?