Chapter 9 - The Magic of Our Story

The torchlight flickered along the damp stone walls as the two parties pushed deeper into the dungeon. Shadows stretched and twisted, each curve of the corridor carrying the promise of another goblin, another test.

Aiden’s hands still tingled from the burst of fire he had unleashed moments ago, faint wisps of smoke curling from his fingertips. Beside him, Valerie’s hands glowed faintly, the healing magic still warm from patching him up.

It should have been simple. Maximus was guiding them, and the goblins weren’t particularly skilled. Yet every time Aiden and Valerie tried to use Heartlink Magic, something went wrong.

Crack.
They joined their strength, air and fire twisting together into a blazing spell, but the unstable fusion snapped back. The burst of flame ricocheted and slammed into Aiden’s shoulder, scorching him. Valerie panicked, rushing to heal the burn, but her magic flared too strongly and nearly blinded him. Their next attempt at Heartlink Healing misfired, collapsing into a harmless mist that, to their horror, drifted over the goblin instead, sealing its wounds shut rather than Aiden’s.

“Again?!” Aiden shouted, sweat rolling down his temple. His voice echoed sharply against the cavern walls.

Valerie bit her lip, her fingers trembling as she steadied her hand. “I…I don’t know what went wrong—”

The goblin hissed, lunging forward. Aiden thrust out his palm, the stone beneath their feet rising into a jagged wall of earth that caught the force of its crude blade. His teeth ground together as frustration boiled inside him.

By the time they put it down, Valerie was silent, eyes downcast. She didn’t even try to speak as she moved to heal the burn on Aiden’s arm.

The silence between them thickened.

Minutes bled into more minutes, then into half an hour. Goblins fell here and there, but their teamwork collapsed with each failed attempt. Every misfire drew Aiden closer to snapping, and every harsh glare from him pushed Valerie deeper into her shell.

Finally, Maximus raised his hand. “Time out.”

His deep voice carried authority that echoed through the dungeon chamber. “I believe it is time for both parties to take a rest.”

They regrouped in a large cavern that served as their break zone. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping water that tapped faintly against the stone floor.

Chloe did a quick tally while the others sat. She scribbled with her quill, glanced at both sides, and then cleared her throat.

“Zachary and Everly…” she hesitated, “…twenty-four monsters defeated.”

Zachary smirked, one corner of his mouth curling in smug satisfaction. “Of course.”

Chloe’s eyes shifted. “Aiden and Valerie… four.”

The number stung worse than any wound.

Zachary let out a quiet chuckle, clearly savoring the gap. He motioned for Everly, and the two of them moved to a far corner of the cavern, whispering while Everly unpacked a small pouch of rations. They didn’t touch, didn’t even look at each other much, yet there was an eerie rhythm to their movements. Efficient. Practical.

Meanwhile, Maximus, Chloe, Aiden, and Valerie settled on the opposite side. Maximus dug into his pack and produced some dried meat, biscuits, and a flask of water. He set them in the center like an unspoken offering.

Nobody reached for them.

Silence stretched, heavy and awkward. Chloe fiddled with her quill, her mouth opening slightly as if she wanted to say something encouraging—but no words came.

Aiden broke first. He thrust his fist into the dirt, a small tremor running through the ground with a dull thunk. “I don’t get it.” His voice was sharp, laced with bitterness. “How are we even losing to a couple like them? They don’t even like each other.”

Valerie’s head snapped up. Her tone came out sharper than she intended. “At least they’re working together.”

The words cut straight through the air.

Aiden turned, fire already on his tongue. “What’s that supposed to—”

“Enough.”

Maximus’s voice boomed, halting the argument before it could devolve into something worse. His eyes were stern, but not cruel. “Valerie is right.”

Aiden blinked, startled. Valerie lowered her gaze again, though her lips tightened, as if holding back more.

Maximus leaned forward, his hands resting heavily on his knees. “Whether Zachary and Everly’s marriage is based on love or not… they share one thing. Focus. A singular purpose. That’s enough to let them move in sync.”

He paused, his gaze drifting toward the other pair across the cavern. “I remember when they were kids. Their families were close, so naturally, they were too. Everly used to joke about them getting married one day. Zachary, of course, would always act disgusted. Just like little boys do.”

His chuckle was quiet, more bitter than warm.

“But then…” Maximus’s expression darkened, “…something changed. When Zachary came of age, I noticed the light in him start to dim. He wasn’t as cheerful, not as quick to laugh. I believe his father brought him into the family business around that time, and not long after, I learned of their arranged marriage.”

Valerie’s brows furrowed. “Arranged…?”

“Yes. Forced into it, most likely.” Maximus’s tone was steady, but there was a weight beneath it. “They act happy. They smile. But I’ve seen enough to know when people are wearing masks.”

Aiden shifted uncomfortably. For once, he didn’t argue, no insult to throw at them.

The silence that followed was uneasy, stretching between the four of them like another invisible wall.

Maximus finally broke it. “Try to see it from their perspective. They may be insufferable, but understanding matters.”

Valerie’s hands twisted together in her lap, unsure. Aiden’s jaw clenched, but no words came.

Maximus gave a long sigh, then smiled faintly, trying to change the air. “Enough grim talk.” He leaned back, his tone lighter. “Tell me, how did the two of you meet? How did you end up married?”

The question dropped like a stone into still water, rippling across the silence.

Aiden and Valerie stumbled over who should speak first. Their eyes met, words catching in their throats, until Valerie gave a small nod. “You start.”

Aiden exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Back in our world…we met each other in high school. I was fifteen, she was fourteen. My schedule had just been switched around, so I got tossed into a new class. In there was a buddy of mine, his girlfriend, another guy… and a girl I’d never seen before.” His eyes flicked toward Valerie, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Her.”

Valerie lowered her eyes, a shy smile pulling at her lips.

“I hadn’t heard of her before,” Aiden continued, “but apparently she’d heard of me. Her class already knew who I was, probably because I was always caught up in sports, or because I hung around with the so-called popular crowd.”

Valerie nudged him with her elbow. “So-called? To us you were popular.”

“No I wasn’t.”

“Yes you were.”

Aiden rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, earning a grin from her.

“Anyway,” he said, clearing his throat, “over time we grew closer. Even when I started dating someone else, she stayed by my side as a friend. After that ended, Valerie was still there, helping me through it…that's when I began to see her differently. She didn’t want anything from me. She was just…genuine. Sweet. She cared about me for who I was.”

His voice softened. “A couple months later, I asked her out. And…well, here we are.”

Valerie picked up without missing a beat. “As much as I don't want to admit, he’s right. I knew him before he knew me. Not just high school, I've known about him since middle school. His mom worked at the school, so he was always around. And I…” She hesitated, cheeks warming. “…I might’ve had a little crush.”

Aiden gave her a look. “A little crush?”

Her blush deepened, but her smirk held firm. “Fine. A big one.”

Chloe leaned forward with wide eyes. “Wait, you stayed his friend even while he was dating someone else? That had to be so awkward.”

Valerie laughed, brushing her hair back. “It was hard, yeah. But in the end…” She turned to Aiden, her voice soft. “…I was the one who won.”

Aiden raised a brow, chuckling. “Oh, so I’m just a prize to be won now?”

“Yup.” Valerie’s grin was mischievous. “That’s why I call you my trophy husband.”

Laughter broke out. It bounced against the cavern walls, chasing away the tension that had suffocated them moments before. Even Maximus chuckled under his breath.

Aiden shook his head, though the smile lingered. Trophy husband, huh? The words echoed warmly in his chest. He thought about how lucky he was, that despite his flaws Valerie still saw him as someone worth holding onto.

Chloe wasn’t finished. “Soooooo...how did he propose?”

Valerie’s eyes brightened, but she gestured for Aiden to tell it. He rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “She always wanted her family to be part of it. So, during a holiday gathering, when everyone was exchanging presents, I slipped in one last box. All it had was her name on it, but not who it was from. When she opened it…” He glanced at her, smiling. “…there was the ring.”

Valerie exhaled a quiet laugh, her fingers brushing her cheek as the memory surfaced. “I thought it was a prank at first. Then he went down on one knee…”

Her voice caught for a moment, warmth breaking through. “...and I was completely speechless. My whole family started cheering and teasing me, but all I could think was finally.”

“I told her I loved her,” Aiden added, his grin crooked. “And asked her to marry me. Right there, in front of everyone.”

Valerie finally found her voice again, her smile softening. “I nodded so fast I almost dropped the box.”

Chloe groaned, throwing her hands up. “That’s so lame!”

Aiden laughed. “You don’t get it. I was extremely nervous because Valerie always figures out my surprises. Always. I figured if I kept it simple I could catch her off guard. Sure enough it worked.”

Maximus leaned back, his expression thoughtful, almost wistful. “Yours is a story worth commending. Two lives weaving together not from pressure or duty, but from choice, built on affection, trust, and patience. It takes strength to let love grow that way.” He let the words settle, then his gaze drifted toward the other pair. His tone lowered, heavier. “But not every story is like that. Zachary and Everly… they never had the chance to choose.”

The warmth in the cavern dimmed at his words. Aiden and Valerie shared a glance, then looked away. The weight of the dungeon, the contest, and their own misfires settled over them again.

Footsteps echoed from the opposite corner. Zachary and Everly returned, their mood changed. The cocky smirks from earlier had vanished, leaving their faces shadowed with something quieter. Sadder.

“We’ve wasted enough time,” Zachary said curtly. “Let’s finish this competition.”

Aiden blinked. Their whole demeanor has changed...did they overhear what we were talking about?

Maximus rose, his voice steady. “Very well. The second half of the contest begins now.”

The torches flickered, shadows curling against the walls as if the dungeon itself leaned closer to listen. Aiden exhaled slowly, glancing at Valerie. They’d stumbled, misfired, nearly broken apart. But the contest wasn’t over yet. The second half would be theirs.