Chapter 203
Lyssandra stood just outside the imposing entrance of the Nazas Dungeon, the warm jungle air carrying the heavy scent of damp earth and exotic blooms. She leaned against the weathered stone archway, one foot casually propped against the wall, utterly bored while tapping her fingers rhythmically on the stone.
'That girl really taking her time,' she thought irritably, glancing back towards the dungeon entrance. 'What does a woman need to prepare for? Her god isn't packing bags for her.'
Her impatience grew. She needed to move, to explore. The confines of the dungeon, while secure, sometimes felt stifling. She craved the feel of the open air, the sights of the wider world – specifically, the city of the nearby kingdom.
'I need to know this land,' she mused. 'Understand its people, customs and resources. The more I know, the stronger my position here. The dungeon is a foothold but it's just the beginning.'
The sound of approaching footsteps finally broke her thoughts. She turned to see Miriel emerging from the darkened entrance, blinking rapidly against the sudden onslaught of bright jungle sunlight.
The Saintess paused just outside the entrance, taking a deep breath, her face tilted towards the sky. A soft, almost reverent smile touched her lips when the golden rays washed over.
"Ahh…" Miriel breathed, eyes closed. "Sunlight… It feels glorious after so long in the dimness of this dungeon." She opened her eyes, their light yellow color sparkling in the sun. "I had almost forgotten how warm it feels on the skin."
Lyssandra watched her, a slight smirk touching her lips. "Glad you could make it," she said dryly. "I was about to send a search party."
Miriel shot her a withering look. "It took time to properly cleanse myself and prepare. Purity is paramount for a Saintess."
"I am ready. Though…" She looked around at the dense, unfamiliar jungle. "Where exactly are we going?"
Miriel's gaze swept over Lyssandra, taking in the peculiar outfit. She frowned. "And you're wearing… that?" Her tone was disapproving. "It looks like something a thief would wear, not a respectable citizen."
Lyssandra looked down at herself, running a gloved hand over the plain black A-line dress effectively hid her voluptuous curves, and the heavy, voluminous hooded cloak covering her from head to toe. Her face was completely obscured by the smooth, full-face black mask with only narrow eye slits.
"Well," Lyssandra drawled, adjusting her black knee-high boots with a click of her heel. "Considering my… natural assets tend to cause a bit of a stir, I thought discretion was the better part of valor. Wouldn't want to cause riots in the streets." She grinned, though Miriel couldn't see it. "Besides, you've seen my usual look. Do you think anyone would believe I'm just a simple traveler?"
Miriel blushed slightly, remembering the overwhelming presence of that sinful body. 'She is beautiful,' the Saintess thought reluctantly. 'Too beautiful. And her… other features… are quite distracting. Perhaps the disguise is necessary.'
"I see your point," she admitted grudgingly. "It is practical, I suppose."
Lyssandra chuckled. "Practical. That's me. So, are we ready?"
Miriel nodded. "Yes. Where are we heading?"
"Originally," Lyssandra said, starting to walk down the faint jungle path, her boots making soft thuds on the damp earth. "I planned to head towards Agos, the capital of Indyrge. Get a sense of the city and people."
Miriel walked beside her, keeping pace. "That sounds reasonable."
"But," Lyssandra continued, pushing aside a large fern leaf, "I've received new information about something else in this jungle. Another dungeon."
"Another dungeon?" Miriel repeated, surprised.
"Yes. Older than mine, apparently. Abandoned or lost, deeper in the Withering Jungle." Lyssandra's voice took on a speculative tone. "Do you know anything about it? My sources mentioned rumors, legends."
Miriel frowned in thought as they walked, her white robes catching faintly on thorns and vines. "I… I can't recall specific details," she answered.
"But I did read something once… an old bestiary or chronicle, perhaps about a mysterious ruin deep in this jungle. Something about an ancient hero and magical enchantments… and a great danger that led to that dungeon's downfall."
Lyssandra turned towards her sharply. "Interesting. A mysterious ruin? That sounds precisely like my kind of thing. Mysteries usually mean power. Power I could use."
"It could be dangerous," Miriel warned. "The jungle is treacherous."
"It will be fine," Lyssandra said dismissively, waving a hand. 'The danger only adds to the allure,' a thrill of excitement running through her.
'Besides, One gave me the report. On his way back from scouting Agos, he got lost and stumbled upon it. Didn't have time for a thorough investigation… not his main objective anyway. But a mysterious ruin? Abandoned dungeon? That's too tempting to pass up. Might even be more valuable than Agos right now. A good distraction at the very least.'
They walked in silence for a few moments, navigating the dense undergrowth. The jungle sounds – insect buzzes, bird calls, the distant rustle of unseen creatures filled the air.
Lyssandra finally broke the silence. "I think we got off on the wrong foot back there. How about we get to know each other so we can be... less awkward?" She turned towards the Saintess. "I should introduce myself properly. Lyssandra. Current owner and… manager, I suppose, of the Nazas Dungeon."
Miriel glanced at her. "Owner? That's an unusual title. Dungeon bosses and dungeon cores are usually associated with power and administration. I've never heard of a living individual holding such direct authority over a dungeon. You seem unique."
"Oh, I definitely am," Lyssandra said with a chuckle. "And lethal force? That's not the dungeon's modus operandi anymore, under my leadership. My 'underlings' – they serve a purpose, but they're not mindless killers. Well, not entirely." She added that last part with a wink, unseen beneath the mask but clear in her tone.
Miriel nodded slowly, absorbing this. "I see. I suppose introductions are fair. I am Miriel. Eighteen years old. Saintess of the Church of Caelus. My abilities are primarily focused on healing and cleansing magic. I serve the void."
Lyssandra's head tilted. "Caelus? I'm not familiar with that god. Tell me, is there room for grey areas in your faith?"
Miriel hesitated, then answered honestly, "My faith is absolute. But my role allows for interpretation. Sometimes the path to purity is convoluted." She looked directly at Lyssandra, eyes steady. "I trust you will manage this information appropriately."
"Manage it? Oh, I'll definitely manage it," Lyssandra purred. 'This little Saintess so naive and trusting. Someone so pure is bound to be taken for a ride eventually. Might as well be me.'
The thoughts running through her head were decidedly wicked. She imagined 'opening the girl's eyes' in many delightfully sinful ways.
"Thank you for trusting me," Lyssandra said sweetly. "Now, shall we pick up the pace? That ruin isn't going to explore itself."
Miriel blinked, confused. "What do you mean? Manage what? We haven't even started the journey properl..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Lyssandra moved with blinding speed. In one fluid motion, she ducked low, spun in front of Miriel, and hoisted the startled girl onto her back in a secure piggyback hold.
"AHHHH!!!" Miriel cried out, completely off balance. Her arms flailed wildly before instinctively wrapping tightly around Lyssandra's neck for stability. Her cheeks flushed crimson with shock and embarrassment. "Wh-what are you doing?! Put me down this instant!"
"Relax," Lyssandra said, her voice a low rumble of amusement vibrating against Miriel's chest. She tightened her grip on Miriel's thighs, pulling her securely against her back. "Consider this a timesaving measure. Walking this entire way would take forever and I'm impatient."
"A… a piggyback ride?" Miriel sputtered, her face pressed against the hooded cloak, her heart pounding. "I'm not a child! I can walk!" She squirmed, trying to wriggle free. "Put me do..."
Her protest was cut short again by a sudden, incredible surge of speed. Lyssandra shot forward like an arrow, her movement becoming a blur.
The dense jungle foliage whipped past them at an astonishing velocity, becoming a white streak. The wind whipped against Miriel's face, blowing her silver hair back and forcing her eyes shut.
"…ownnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!" Miriel's last syllable stretched out into a long, undignified shriek of surprise, swallowed by the roaring wind.
Lyssandra laughed, a genuine sound of exhilaration. She weaved effortlessly through the trees, leaping over roots, ducking under branches, moving with impossible agility and speed. The jungle path became a mere suggestion as she cut directly through the undergrowth.
"See? Much faster!" Lyssandra yelled back over her shoulder, the wind distorting her words slightly. "Hold on tight! The mystery awaits!"
'This… this is… utterly undignified!' Miriel thought frantically.
But even through her mortification, she felt the thrill of the wind and the astonishing strength of the woman carrying her. It was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. She squeezed her eyes shut, holding on with all her might while her carrier raced deeper into the Withering Jungle, towards the unknown ruin.
