The Message in the Cave

I woke up to the scent of damp stone and the soft drip of water echoing through the cave. A pale blue light seeped through the crystallized ceiling, bathing everything in a faint, eerie glow.

I sat up slowly, still adjusting to this body. Not foreign but mine. Not Earth’s. Not mundane. I flexed my fingers and felt the pulse of mana in my veins. My name… still human. But I wasn’t. Not really.

[Welcome to Aetherion]

The Voice of the World echoed, calm and devoid of emotion. A system AI that ran this world like some divine administrator.

"[Lineage comfirmed: Demon Noble - Human Hybrid. Unique Skills: Yin and Yang, Plunder awakened]"

“Yin?” I asked aloud. “You there?”

“Of course. Always here. Shall I initiate mental interface?”

“Yes, please.”

The world flickered or maybe it was in my mind. Suddenly, a presence slid beside me. Cool. Composed. Efficient.

“Yin online. Tactical analysis, skill management, or emotional support?”

“…Emotional support?” I raised a brow.

“Sarcasm detected. Initiating tactical feed now.”

I chuckled. At least I wouldn’t be alone.

The cave’s light shifted. The pale blue gave way to a warmer hue, flickering like a torch flame reflected on wet stone. My footsteps echoed off the walls as I followed the curve of the tunnel, taking in my surroundings. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth. Faint moss glowed, scattered as if sprinklings of fairy dust had landed here. My shadow stretched and danced across the walls.

At the chamber’s center stood a stone pedestal, and above it hovered an orb: crimson red, flecked with gold, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat. I approached, eyes widening, when suddenly

“Yo, kid! Took ya long enough!”

Thunder hit me. A projection flared above the orb: a man lounging on a floating couch, shirtless, wild red hair, lazy golden eyes.

“…Who the hell is this uncle?”

“It’s me! Your old man! But of course, you wouldn’t know me. Oof you’ve grown! Cheekbones are perfect, mother must be proud. Eyes… well, my bad, genes are undefeated.”

He slouched like the world owed him a favor, yet even through a projection, I could feel the pressure radiating from him.

“Let me guess, you’re confused, questions brewing, maybe a minor existential crisis?”

“…You could say that.”

He laughed, rolling off the couch. “Alright, listen up. You were born here, Aetherion. Me and your mom we had plans. Big ones. But complications arose.” He scratched his head, sheepish. “Enemies. People who threatened the surface. So, we sent you to Earth. Neutral plane. Sealed your bloodline. Standard safety protocol.”

I clenched my fists. “So… all this time…?”

“Earth was frying your lifespan. Couldn’t risk my kid dying at twenty from ambient mana starvation.” His eyes went serious. “That’s why your return was timed for your fifteenth birthday. Too early? Dangerous. Too late? Risky. Perfect timing. My genius at work.”

It made sense. My mother’s harsh training. The dreams.

Dad smiled again. “Oh and by the way i am a Dragon. And the forest that houses this cave is mine but from today it is yours. Protect it if you want, especially this cave, it is rich in my mana. People would kill for it to craft potions, weapons, mana crystals. I’ve… mostly protected it, but not after today.”

“Wait, did you just say you’re a Dragon?” I blinked. “And you won’t protect it anymore?”

He laughed. “Yes, and you are a Dragonkin, but I sealed your dragon lineage and powers for safety, but you’re old enough now to be able to protect yourself. The problem is unlocking the seal? The thing is i don`t know how.”

I was bewildered. Minutes ago, I was enjoying mundane pleasures. Now, I was a Demon, Dragonkin, heir to this world’s most dangerous lineage. Plot armor, much?

“Oi, Dad.”

“Oh!  What a pleasure to be called that.” His body folded in joy, eyes glowing. “Yes, son, talk to dada, what do you want to know?”

I`m just going to forget he called himself dada right now.

“A lot. So… Demon, Human, Dragonkin. Check?”

“Yes, and your Grandfather is a high-ranking Demon Duke under Primarch Halo. Your Mother was a hero of this world, she was known as Reikana the Crystal Flame. And me? Not to brag but I`m said to be the Strongest Dragon in history.” He laughed.

I wasn’t shocked anymore. Broken lineage, overpowered inheritance, parental chaos… check, check, check.

He continued, nostalgic. “Your mom… she was calm yet explosive. She challenged me ever so often, obsessed with slaying me and she lost time and time again, but she persisted. Eventually, I fell in love.” Warmth flickered in his eyes.

My mom was that kind of person, she never gave up on trying to make me do something with my life even though it was a lost cause.

“Do I have any relatives?” I asked.

“Yes, besides your grandfather there is Kaien, my sister who is the second eldest, she is incredibly scary, I would not avoid her at any cost if I was you. Then there is my brother Torin. He is usually a very cool guy but he is incredibly afraid of Lucien, so he basically listens to everything she says, so I would avoid him as well. The finally there is Lucien, my cute little sister who obsessed with me, if you make her cry I will hunt you from the afterlife.”

The names… didn’t sound like dragons at all. But I got the gist of it, avoid aunt Kaien at all cost. I`ve decided. I’ll guard the forest, no freeloading this time unfortunately. Its my fathers last wish after all.

A hum resonated.

“Oh! One more thing, I have a gift for you.” Dad clapped. “Behind the pedestal, tap the third stone from the bottom, .”

I followed. A panel slid open, revealing a katana. Sleek black blade, silver etchings shimmering like starlight. Purple hilt.

"[Legendary Class Weapon Acquired: Moonend. Owner: Unregistered. Registering... Complete]"

“Forged that just for you,” Dad winked. “Lightweight, indestructible, slices magic like butter. Don’t ask the price, I may or may not owe a certain Dwarf a lot of money.”

I smiled. For once… whole.

“Last thing,” Dad said, scratching his head. “If you feel weird, like you are absorbing mana too fast, don’t panic. It is normal. Probably.”

“…What did you do?” I narrowed my eyes.

He whistled innocently. “End recording.”

The orb dimmed. Something clicked inside me. That guy put something in me.

Then

“Warning. Lifeforms detected.”

Yin snapped me to attention.

And thus began two of the most brutal weeks of my life. Direwolves were only the start. I fought cave ghouls with acid tongues, flocks of screaming batfiends, and even a serpentine abomination with six eyes that spat corrosive fog.

Each fight bled power into me through Plunder:

• Keen Nose • Night Vision • Bloodthirst • Echolocation • Paralyze Touch • Mana Drain • Fog Walk • Pain Suppression • Spinal Reflexes

These are all the skills I earned through Plunder

Yin cataloged, optimized, and ranked. Nights I nearly died. Moonend never dulled. My body grew sharper, faster, stronger.

By the end of week two, I stood at the dungeon's final chamber, bones aching, mind honed, heart quiet. A lone monstrosity waited there. Towering. Four arms. Chitin armor. Burning red eyes.

"Analysis complete: Cave Tyrant. Rank: High B-Class."

I gripped Moonend.

We clashed. Earth shook. I fractured ribs, retaliated with Fog Walk + Spinal Reflex + Bloodthirst. Blurred behind it, pierced its spine.

“Plunder activated. Skill acquired: Bioarmor (Passive). Enhanced durability unlocked.”

The beast fell. Cave trembled. A staircase of living wood unfurled behind it.

“Exit confirmed. Welcome to the surface.” Yin said.

Moonlight spilled down. Wind carried the scent of trees. Freedom.

I took the first step upward.

And I smiled. The world awaited.