Chapter 2: Ishi

The cold air of the dungeon clung to Li-Jua’s skin like a damp shroud as she stepped beyond the threshold of her cell. The heavy iron door groaned on its hinges behind her, left ajar like the maw of a beast that had been forced to release its prey. Ahead of her, the dim glow of torches flickered against the ancient stone walls, their feeble light barely enough to illuminate the labyrinthine corridors of the imperial castle’s underground prison.

Beside her, the hooded figure moved without hesitation.

Unlike Li-Jua, whose every breath was still ragged from days of captivity, this stranger walked with purpose, their footsteps light, deliberate and silent. Despite the crumbling stone and uneven ground, they navigated the treacherous path with ease, as if they had walked it a thousand times before.

Li-Jua narrowed her eyes.

Something about this person was off.

Even with the hood concealing most of their features, she could tell they were small, shorter than her, and she was already considered diminutive. Their frame was slight, their movements almost too graceful.

But she had no time to dwell on the thought.

The deeper they went, the more suffocating the darkness became. The stench of damp stone mixed with something more acrid, the lingering traces of blood, sweat, and decay. The cells they passed were empty, their rusted bars hanging open, the echoes of long-forgotten prisoners lingering in the air.

Li-Jua didn’t ask questions. Not yet.

She followed.

Minutes passed.

Time twisted in these depths, stretched thin by the endless stone walls that looked the same in every direction. Yet her guide never hesitated, never turned back. The cloacked man knew exactly where they were going.

Then, abruptly, they stopped.

A dead end.

The corridor finished in a solid wall of dark stone, as if the dungeon itself had swallowed any path forward. The only sounds were their breathing, the distant drip of water, and the faint crackle of torches further down the corridor.

Li-Jua tensed.

Had she been tricked? Had she followed this stranger straight into another trap? Her hands curled into fists, ready to lash out if needed. But before she could demand an explanation, the hooded figure spoke.

"It's here."

The voice that slipped out from beneath the hood was not that of a man.

It was soft, yet sharp, carrying a confidence that sent a shiver down Li-Jua’s spine.

A woman, no, a young girl.

Li-Jua blinked in surprise, but before she could react, the hooded woman lifted her hands.

With precise, fluid movements, the woman’s fingers traced intricate symbols in the air. Thin ribbons of golden light followed in the wake of her gestures, forming delicate patterns against the solid stone. The symbols twisted and interwove, ancient and unfamiliar, pulsating with quiet power.

Li-Jua could only stare.

She had seen magic before. Hell, she had been forced to practice healing magic her entire life. But this was different. This was not the warm, gentle glow of restorative spells. It was something older, something secret.

The final symbol locked into place and a pulse of light surged outward.

And then, the wall simply ceased to exist.

The stone shimmered and dissolved into nothing, revealing a dark tunnel stretching far beyond where the wall had once been. The air that drifted from within was colder, untouched by the heat of torches. A scent of damp earth and the faint whisper of wind beckoned her forward.

Li-Jua tore her gaze away from the tunnel and turned to the hooded girl, suspicion gleaming in her emerald eyes.

"Who the hell are you?"

The woman let out a quiet chuckle, adjusting the edge of her hood so her face remained hidden.

"Now is not the time for questions," she said. "Soon, they will realize you’re missing. We don’t have much time."

Her tone was firm, but not unkind.

She pointed toward the tunnel.

"There’s only one path. You won’t get lost. Follow it for thirty minutes, and you’ll reach a clearing in the forest. Hide there. Stay out of sight for three days."

Li-Jua frowned. "Three days?"

"Yes." The woman’s voice was unwavering. "On the third night, I’ll come for you."

The words settled in Li-Jua’s mind like a stone sinking into deep water.

Something about this was wrong. She didn’t know this woman. She didn’t know if she was being led to safety or into another trap.

"How do I know I can trust you?" she asked, her voice sharp, defiant.

The hooded woman tilted her head slightly, amusement flickering in the shadows beneath her hood. Then, she smirked.

"You don’t."

Li-Jua stiffened.

"But," the woman added, her voice light, almost teasing, "it’s not like you have a choice."

A scowl tugged at Li-Jua’s lips.

Damn it. She was right.

There was no way she could stay here. If she hesitated, if she waited even a moment longer, she would be dragged back to that cell, and this time, there would be no escape.

Grinding her teeth, she made her decision.

She nodded once.

Then, without another word, she turned and sprinted into the darkness of the tunnel.

The air was cool against Li-Jua’s skin as she ran trough the tunnel, her breaths heavy, her limbs trembling from exhaustion. She had been running for what felt like an eternity, her muscles burning from the relentless sprint through the narrow passage. Yet, as she reached the end, she found herself facing a rusted iron gate, its bars corroded with time. Beyond it, a spiral staircase of rough-hewn stone spiraled upward, disappearing into the darkness. She clenched her jaw. There was no turning back. Gripping the bars, she tested their strength. They groaned under her touch, but did not yield.

"Tch."

She took a step back, then drove her foot forward in a brutal kick. The sound of metal snapping echoed through the tunnel as the gate buckled and swung open with a screech. Without hesitation, she ascended the staircase, the stone steps worn and uneven beneath her bare feet.

Step after step, turn after turn.

Her breath was shallow, her vision blurred with exhaustion. Then...

A breeze.

A thin gust of air snaked through the corridor, carrying with it the scent of damp leaves and soil. Her pace quickened. And then she saw it.

A small opening in the rock.

Jagged edges framed the hole, just wide enough for her to squeeze through. She pulled herself forward, her fingers digging into the damp earth as she forced her body through the gap. For a moment, she felt trapped, her shoulders wedged against the stone. Then, with a final push, she tumbled forward and landed on soft grass.

Li-Jua gasped as the fresh night air filled her lungs. For a moment, she just lay there, sprawled on the ground, her chest rising and falling rapidly. The stars stretched above her, distant and indifferent, and the pale light of the moon bathed the landscape in silver.

She had made it.

Pushing herself upright, she surveyed her surroundings. She had emerged into a dense forest, the thick canopy above rustling with the whispers of the wind. A few meters ahead, she spotted a small stream, its waters reflecting the glow of the moon like shattered glass.

Her throat burned.

She staggered forward, nearly tripping over her own feet as she fell to her knees by the water’s edge. Without hesitation, she cupped her hands and scooped the cool liquid into her mouth. The sensation was bliss. It had been days since she had last tasted water, and her body drank greedily, desperate to replenish what it had lost.

The stream was shallow, its bed lined with smooth stones that glowed faintly under the night sky. She splashed some water on her face, feeling the grime and sweat wash away. The coolness against her skin sent a shiver down her spine, but it was a welcome relief.

Her reflection wavered in the water, distorted by the ripples.

She barely recognized herself.

Her long chestnut hair, once smooth and flowing, was tangled and matted. Her emerald eyes, once filled with quiet defiance, now carried the weight of uncertainty. The pristine white robes of a healer she had once worn were now dirtied, torn, and stained from battle and imprisonment.

Li-Jua sat back, letting the night’s breeze wash over her. The soft grass beneath her felt almost comforting, a stark contrast to the cold stone of her prison cell. For the first time in days, she wasn’t trapped behind bars, wasn’t being watched by suspicious eyes.

She had no home to return to. No place in this world. Her own clan had never truly accepted her. Even as a child, they had seen her as an anomaly, too strong, too defiant, too unwilling to conform. And now, after what had happened in that dungeon, she was a fugitive. The empire would hunt her down, labeling her a traitor, an enemy.

Where could she go? What was she supposed to do now?

Her fingers curled into the earth as frustration welled up inside her. But there was no answer to be found.

She had only one option.

Survive.

For now, she would wait for the hooded woman to return as promised.

The forest was no place for the weak.

Li-Jua had never been formally trained in survival, but she had always possessed an unnatural strength, an uncanny instinct for battle. And now, those instincts became her lifeline.

The first night, she did not sleep.

She remained hidden near the base of a large tree, her back pressed against the rough bark, listening to the sounds of the wilderness. The rustling leaves, the distant hoots of owls, the occasional snap of a branch in the darkness. Every sound set her nerves on edge, her body ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger.

By morning, hunger gnawed at her insides.

She had no weapons, no supplies, nothing but her own hands. But that was enough.

Creeping through the underbrush, she spotted her first prey, a small rabbit, oblivious to the silent predator that stalked it. She moved with caution, her steps light, her breath steady. And then...

She pounced.

Her fingers closed around the creature before it could react, her grip crushing, unrelenting. A single, swift motion snapped its fragile neck. She felt no remorse, only the satisfaction of securing her next meal.

Fire was out of the question. The risk of smoke and light drawing unwanted attention was too great. So she ate the rabbit raw, tearing into the flesh with the same efficiency she had used in battle. It was not pleasant, but she had endured worse.

By the second day, she had grown more accustomed to her environment.

She found a small burrow where squirrels nested, managing to catch two of them. She also discovered edible insects beneath the bark of trees, disgusting, but they kept her strength up.

Water was plentiful, thanks to the stream, but shelter remained an issue. The nights were cold, and she could feel her body weakening from exposure. She buried herself in piles of leaves, using the natural insulation of the earth to keep warm.

By the third day, she had adapted.

She moved with more confidence, her senses sharper, her hunger less distracting. She was no longer a prisoner fleeing for her life. She was a predator now, one with the wild.

But as the sun set on that third night, she felt it.

A presence.

Someone was watching her.

And she knew.

It was time.

The forest was still, the darkness thick, yet Li-Jua’s senses were sharp. She could feel it, the presence lurking just beyond the trees, carefully concealed. Her lips curled into a smirk.

"Come out from wherever you're hiding. I can sense you perfectly," she said, her voice carrying effortlessly through the night.

For a few seconds, there was silence. Then, from the thick foliage, the hooded figure emerged. The very same person who had freed her from the imperial dungeons.

A soft chuckle.

"Not many people can detect me when I’m under my stealth spell," the figure said, her voice carrying an amused lilt. "I knew I wasn’t wrong about you, Li-Jua. You’re interesting."

With deliberate slowness, the hooded girl reached up and pulled back her cloak.

Moonlight spilled over her features, revealing a face far younger than Li-Jua had expected. No older than fourteen or fifteen. She was stunning, long, straight golden hair that shimmered even in the dim light, piercing blue eyes like polished crystal, and porcelain skin devoid of blemishes. Every aspect of her appearance screamed nobility. A girl born into wealth, perhaps even into royalty.

Li-Jua crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering.

"Alright, now that you’re here, explain yourself," she said bluntly. "Who are you, and what do you want from me, girl?"

The young noblewoman tilted her head, as if considering the question. Then, with an exaggerated hum, she answered,

"My name is... hmm, let’s see… Ishi."

A smile played on her lips, mischievous and knowing.

Li-Jua scoffed. Clearly a fake name.

But she didn’t press further. There was no point. If the girl didn’t want to reveal her real identity, no amount of questioning would change that.

Still, she wasn’t about to just blindly trust her.

"And what is it that you want, ‘Ishi’?" Li-Jua asked, sarcastically emphasizing the name with air quotes.

Ishi’s grin widened.

"Honestly?" she began, folding her arms behind her back. "I’m bored."

Li-Jua raised an eyebrow.

"Bored?"

"Yes, bored. This world bores me. People bore me. The corruption of this society bores me. The expectations, the social hierarchies, the pointless games of power... all of it is just so dull."

Her voice, though soft, carried an intensity that was almost unsettling. There was something in her expression, something too wise for someone so young.

"I’m sick of watching the so-called ‘strong’ strut around as if they rule the world, unaware that they are the weakest of all," Ishi continued, her tone laced with disdain. "I’m tired of a world dictated by idiotic traditions and outdated rules. I need something to make life interesting again."

She stepped closer to Li-Jua, her blue eyes gleaming.

"And you, my dear Li-Jua, are very interesting."

Li-Jua frowned but didn’t interrupt.

"I’ve been investigating you these past few days," Ishi admitted, "and I know for a fact that you are indeed a Healer, a more than capable one, at that. Yet, you have been cast out by your own clan, and curiously enough, I have been unable to find out why. That is… strange. However, I suspect it has something to do with what happened during your first mission."

Li-Jua stiffened slightly but said nothing.

Ishi smiled knowingly.

"The Imperial Palace sent investigators to analyze the aftermath of your encounter in that dungeon. Their conclusion? The creatures you faced should have only been defeatable by the most elite warriors of the kingdom, and even then, with heavy losses."

Her expression darkened.

"And yet, you, a mere support-class mage, annihilated them. Alone."

Li-Jua exhaled through her nose. She could already tell where this was going.

"The Emperor is a coward," Ishi said flatly. "Instead of using you, he feared you. Instead of recognizing your strength, he labeled you a threat."

A pause.

Then, Ishi’s lips curled into a smirk.

"But I? I do not fear you, Li-Jua."

She extended her hand, palm up.

"Join me. Together, we can tear apart the chains of this rotten world. Or at the very least… we can have some fun."

Li-Jua blinked, caught off guard by the straightforwardness of the offer.

It was absurd. This girl, this noble-born enigma, had just casually invited her to upend the entire system.

And yet…

Something about it felt right.

Maybe it was Ishi’s confidence. Maybe it was the sheer ridiculousness of it all.

Or maybe, just maybe, Li-Jua was just as insane as this girl.

A smirk tugged at her lips.

"When do we start?" she asked.

Ishi’s grin stretched wide.

"Right now!"

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small stone. The moment it touched the open air, a burst of energy erupted from it, swirling into the shape of a staff.

The weapon shimmered, adorned with multicolored gemstones embedded into its dark wooden frame. At its tip was a large, circular, silver blade, razor-sharp and gleaming under the moonlight.

She kept the stone in her cloak pocket and tossed the staff to Li-Jua, who caught it effortlessly.

The moment she wrapped her fingers around the staff’s shaft, she felt it.

The sheer weight, it was heavy. Far heavier than any greatsword or war hammer she had ever encountered. To any normal person, it would have been completely impractical, impossible to wield in battle.

But for her? It was perfect.

Testing its balance, she swung it experimentally. The air whistled as the blade cut through the night. A single, effortless motion... and the tree in front of her split in two. A clean cut.

A silence followed and then...

Ishi burst into laughter.

It was a wild, uncontrollable, almost manic laughter, her small frame shaking with amusement.

Li-Jua frowned. "What’s so funny?"

Ishi wiped a tear from her eye, still giggling. "That staff… it has belonged to the royal family for generations.

Li-Jua’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"No one has ever been able to wield it. Not because it’s enchanted, no, no, no, but because it’s just so damn heavy, it’s just a fucking metal staff with some stones! It was deemed useless!"

She clapped her hands together.

"And yet, you swing it as if it were a feather. Ah, Li-Jua, you really are something special."

The noble girl turned, stepping back into the shadows of the trees.

"Come now, we have work to do."

Without another word, Li-Jua slung the staff over her shoulder and followed.

No more questions.

No more hesitation.

Whatever was waiting for them, she was ready.