Chapter 52: Unknown Death
Von, Helen, Robin, the Priest, and Maya spent the rest of the night in the cave.
They are the remaining survivors out of the original one hundred expeditionists.
The group was exhausted. Their bodies were sore from the long walk through the forest, and their minds were still shaken from the monster they had fought earlier. It had taken all of their strength to survive, and now, they were finally able to rest, at least for a while.
Von thought to himself, "I’ve lost everything—my comrades, my friends, and my future. The chance to compete for the Academy is gone. This was supposed to be my final year as a senior, but now representing Robert’s Magic Academy feels impossible. It will badly affect my chances of becoming a Mage at Robert’s Tower. I’ve failed as a squad leader."
He closed his eyes slowly, the weight of guilt pressing down on him. And so, Von fell asleep, still holding his staff, haunted by his mistakes and failures.
The cold wind blew softly into the cave as the sun began to rise. A pale light touched the stone walls, and the fire they had built the night before had long gone out.
Maya was the first to wake up.
She stretched her body slowly, feeling the stiffness in her back from sleeping on the hard ground. Her arms reached up, and she let out a quiet yawn. The cave was quiet, too quiet.
She looked around.
Von was still asleep, his staff clutched tightly in his hands. Robin lay near the wall, his cloak wrapped around him. The Priest was snoring softly, and Amber was curled up with her back to the entrance.
But Helen’s spot was empty.
Maya blinked. Maybe Helen had gone outside to get some air. She stood up and walked toward the cave entrance, brushing dust off her clothes.