Cursed Queen: Battle Against Gods

Exploring A Dungeon

A month has passed since then. We have constantly been training to improve our skills before proceeding to a new training regimen. Karis and I have had two battles during the past month. We were supposed to start the training today, but we can't move since we just finished fighting.

Alwina carried both of us to the hot springs that we made recently, but she looks exhausted, so I felt guilty about making her take care of us. Hmm, we don't have a choice but to rely on her anyway. When we arrived, she carefully placed us down and left to tell the others that we're postponing the training.

The hot spring was separated for men and women and is separated by a barrier. It's not like they would peek at us, but it's for each other's privacy. We always talk a lot while bathing here, so we don't want those from the other side to hear it.

"Can't we bathe together?" Karis joked.

I chuckled. "If you want to get killed, then get in here with me."

He scoffed and entered the hot springs, so I did the same. Ah, I missed this. After a very long time, I was able to get healed while relaxing. I suddenly felt nostalgic once I dipped my body into the warm water. I didn't feel this way when I first tried it. Perhaps because I'm with the other women?

"Hmm, finally..." I murmured and closed my eyes.

I took my sweet time there until I realized that it was almost time for dinner. Those guys are probably going to get worried again if I don't show up. I quickly got off and wore the new clothes that were prepared here. Karis seems to have left earlier, so I started to walk back alone.

"Your Majesty..."

I stopped on my track when I heard an unfamiliar voice calling. My instincts are telling me that it's neither an enemy nor an ally. I suddenly felt chills as I looked for the person who called me. There shouldn't be anyone else here except the members of the faction. This place has been abandoned since a few decades ago, so why would someone else be here? Plus, I just eradicated a portion of this land a month ago!

My brows furrowed as I prepared to launch an attack in case someone shows up in front of me. "Show yourself," I said.

"Please perform an exorcism on me, oh Lady of the Light..."

I was taken aback by what I heard. Aiyana taught me how to do an exorcism a few days ago, but who would openly come to me to get themselves exorcised?! That's crazy. I sighed and looked for the soul, but I couldn't find it. Ah, f**k. I'll have to consult Aiyana regarding this. She knows a lot about this.

"I'll be back soon," I said as I continued to walk towards the camp.

Most of them are already seated, but I went towards the tent first. I was about to place my armor on the stand when I saw a locket necklace there. It was suspicious, so I picked it up and opened it.

"What...?" My jaw dropped as I stared at the person in it. It was me, wearing a kimono. I don't remember taking this picture! 

Karis arrived and snaked his hand on my waist. "What are you-"

I stared at him because he suddenly stiffened while staring at the picture. He looked pale, and it was as if he saw a ghost. I looked at the picture once again, but I really can't remember taking this. More importantly, I never brought a locket with me! No matter how I look at it, I'm sure that it's not me. However, Karis seems to know who this person is.

"Who is she?"

He looked at me with fear in his eyes. "Flare..."

My brows furrowed. "What? Who is she? Why do I look like her?"

"This is you, right...?"

I shook my head. "No. I don't even wear kimonos."

"Then, it can only be Bythos's deceased lover. But how did this necklace get here?!"

He looked around, looking pale. My eyes widened, and I turned pale because of what he said. What is this doing here, if it's really Bythos's lover?! But more importantly, why do I look exactly like her? Ah, f**k. I still have to exorcise a spirit near the hot springs. I'm confused right now, but so is Karis.

"What if Lady Sophia is haunting us?" he asked.

I saw his hands shaking a little. Oh. Karis is scared of ghosts? Even after seeing a bunch of beasts?! As for me, I'm just surprised to find out that Bythos's dead lover looks exactly like me. He didn't choose me as his successor because I look like the person he loves, right? But I wonder if Karis had feelings for the Lady Sophia that he mentioned.

"Why would she do that?" I asked, still busy thinking of what to do to find the culprit behind this. "I hope this is a prank, even though it's likely that we're being haunted."

He looked like he was about to piss his pants, so I snatched the locket from him and dragged him outside. Aiyana and Alwina were already seated, so we sat on our usual seats. Karis kept on looking around, probably scared that someone would suddenly appear in front of him. I felt bad for him since it looked like he no longer wants to talk about it, but I have to tell the two about what happened.

"What's wrong?" Aiyana asked.

I told her the whole story starting from the voice I heard in the hot springs. Poor Karis looked traumatized. The way I see it, he'd probably avoid the hot springs until we exorcise the spirit that was there. I never expected him to be scared of ghosts. Or maybe he's just scared of Lady Sophia? Whenever I mention her, his hands start to tremble.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He sighed. "I'll tell you later."

"If you're scared, you don't have to."

"I feel like I'll be more scared if I don't tell you."

I nodded and kept on glancing at him while trying to find the spirit. If they're playing pranks on us, I'll exorcise them on the spot. We have a lot of things to do, and we don't have time for them.

"Hmm, there might be a cave or dungeon there, so we'll try to look for them now. There's no point in waiting for the morning since it'll be dark anyway. Flare can light the place up, so it's going to be fine," Aiyana said.

Alwina agreed. "I'll come with the two of you so that I can immediately bring us back in case something happens. Sir Karis can stay here and stand guard while we're exorcising the spirit."

I looked at Karis worriedly. He's scared of the ghost right now, so I don't think I should leave him alone. What if they play a prank on him? He wouldn't have someone to cling to when there's a ghost! He also looked worried, but it seems like he's planning to act tough. Ah, this guy.

"Leave it to me," he said while stuttering.

The three of us looked at each other, unsure if we should leave him here. The camp can survive without us, but it's better to leave at least one of us here to make sure that everything is going well. It's not like we don't trust the faction members, but the four of us have a strong connection. That's why we tend to rely on each other too much.

"Uhm, Karis," Aiyana called once we finished eating.

"Yes?"

"Why don't you come with these two instead of me? I'm so tired, and I'd rather stay here. Flare can exorcise the spirit, so you wouldn't need me anyway. Besides, you're the queen's servant," Aiyana said with a genuine smile on her face.

I smiled as I watched her try to act like she wasn't convincing Karis to come with me because he looks like he won't be able to sleep peacefully. Karis, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to what Aiyana was doing. As soon as we settled on that, we immediately went to the hot springs. Everyone already entered their respective tents, so there wasn't anyone there anymore.

"I know where it is," Alwina said when we reached a place about fifty meters behind the hot springs. "There seems to be a dungeon here."

We entered as I provided the light for all of us. "Stay together," I said.

"Are you sure you're okay about taking the lead?" Karis asked while holding onto my arm as if his life depended on it.

I nodded. "How about you? You can turn back if you can't take it," I said while keeping out for gremlins or monsters that could be here.

"No, I won't leave your side," he replied stubbornly.

"If you say so."

He still hasn't talked about Lady Sophia, so I figured maybe he'd rather tell me when we go back to the camp. I almost flinched when Alwina suddenly held my shoulder. I looked at her, but she pretended to look out for enemies. Ah, I have entered a dungeon with scaredy cats. Aiyana seems to be more suited to this kind of event.

"Ah, Her Majesty's here!"

It seems like only I could hear the voice. If these two heard it, I'm sure that Karis would have bolted out of the dungeon while Alwina would point in the correct direction. This is a lot harder than I thought. Hmm, I was able to talk to Snow through my mind, so it should work the same way with spirits.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Hmm? Her Majesty can't seem to find us. What do we do...?"

Us? I thought it would just be one spirit. It might be too much to bring Karis here. I hope he can survive this. I stopped walking and closed my eyes to try searching for them through meditation. The two were surprised by what I did, but they behaved and waited for me to finish.

Ah, this place is huge. However, I was able to detect the presence of multiple lost souls at the bottom. I see what the problem is. A soul eater seems to be guarding the exit, so if they try to get out, they're going to be eaten! We'll have to defeat it to free those souls. How did the soul speak to me, though? I was a hundred meters away from where they are earlier.

"Flare, I can feel someone's presence," Karis whispered.

There's a monster approaching! It seems to be a skeleton of a person who tried to explore this dungeon. Hmm, I'd rather avoid unnecessary fighting, so I chose to avoid it.

"Let's go that way," I said and pointed to the right.

I've seen the entire structure of the dungeon, so we won't get lost no matter what. The two trusted me and quietly followed me. The monsters here seem to be heading to where there's light. I looked at the two, who are trying their best to stay calm despite the eerie atmosphere. They would probably freak out if I turn the light off.

"Alwina, do you have a night vision spell? We need it because I will put the light out," I said while making sure that no monsters would reach us while trying to make our way to the bottom.

She nodded and cast a spell on us as I made the light on my palm disappear. It seems like the night is still young, but all the monsters have already woken up, which is probably my our fault. That's why we need to hurry before they could reach us.

As soon as we arrived at where the lost spirits are, I felt a lot of miasma coming from the soul eater that stood guard at the entrance towards the room where the lost souls are. I'll have to exorcise them before they can leave because they might cause trouble for other people.

"Please put a strong barrier up," I said.

Alwina immediately obliged, and she was able to finish before the monsters could arrive. I kept my eye on the soul eater to make sure that it won't attack while Alwina is putting the barrier up. It seems to be wary of my presence as well, so it didn't attack while we're standing still.

"Flare, I'll kill it in one shot," Karis said as he took his katana.

I stepped back. "Go ahead."

With his speed, he was able to kill it in one go. The soul eater disappeared before it could even launch an attack. The poor thing. I looked at the barrier that Alwina made, and it seems like it's working well. The souls who have been trapped can't pass because the miasma from the soul eater remained. I took the chance and made a magic circle across the small room.

"Your Majesty! Please wait a bit!" they exclaimed when I was about to utter the chant to exorcise them.

"What?" I asked impatiently.

The monsters have gathered, and Karis is already shaking from behind after seeing all these spirits here. I looked back at the two and found them trying to stay close to me as possible without doing anything that would make me lose focus.

"Who are you talking to?" Karis asked while shaking.

"The lost souls. Don't be scared. They wouldn't do anything to hurt you," I assured them.

"But they look scary..."

"You can hold onto me if you're too afraid."

He did what I said. Alwina seems scared, too, so I gave her a go signal. I sighed as I felt like there isn't enough time until dawn. The souls seem to be discussing something, so I crossed my arms over my chest as I'm continuously losing patience. They seem to have noticed it and bowed before me as they stated what they wanted as a favor.

"Each of us placed a letter on the treasure box before we died here a few decades ago. I would like to ask Her Majesty to deliver these letters to the people mentioned," the one who called out to me said.

I heaved another sigh. "Do you know the current state Plaisiria is in?" They looked confused, so I guess it's a no. "A war is currently brewing, and we're at the rebels' side. We can't deliver the letters as it stands," I said frankly.

I always say yes to whoever asks a favor from me as long as I can do it. But this one might be a bit too risky to grant. It might also put those people at risk if they're still alive. They would be put in suspicion or labeled as rebels. I can't afford to do something like that to them.

"Once the war is over, I might be able to deliver these letters," I said.

They immediately looked up at me, and I saw the visible happiness in their bloodied faces. But what could have happened here? They would have been able to defend against the monsters, and the soul eater wouldn't attack them unless they provoke him. Unless of course, they were with someone who has a holy presence.

"We're indebted to you, Your Majesty..."

It seems like they were ready to be exorcised, so I prepared the magic circle again. They willingly gathered in it after getting the assurance that they wanted. These poor souls are about to turn into monsters because of the miasma from the soul eater, so I had to purify them first.

"Oh, poor souls that could not find peace, thou shall get purified by the holy light whilst thee returns to paradise..."

I raised my katana, and a blinding light appeared in it. When the mana was enough to exorcise the souls, I pointed it at the magic circle. It slowly lit up as the souls slowly lit up and faded into nothingness. Ah, finally. The two behind me heaved a sigh of relief when they disappeared.

"Let's go now," they said.

"Wait, let me take the letters," I said and approached the treasure box.

I threw a rock at it first to make sure that monsters won't suddenly jump at us when we approach it. When I was sure that it's just an ordinary box, I forced it open. There was a lock, but we don't have time to look for the key, we decided to just destroy the lock.

"Oh, these are the letters," I said and carried it with me. "Alwina, you can make the portal now."

She made a portal back to the camp, so we immediately crossed it without a second thought because the barrier already broke! The monsters seem to have gained more power because of the miasma that was stocked here. Also, the air inside the dungeon seems to have diminished greatly since we're already at the bottom.

I took a deep breath as soon as we stepped out of the portal. The two were also out of breath after spending a long time inside. I shook my head when I almost got dizzy after inhaling the miasma inside the dungeon.

"Ah, that was a crazy dungeon exploration," Karis said.

He looked pale, and his hands were too cold after getting scared by monsters and ghosts. We quickly composed ourselves and walked towards the camp as if nothing happened. The two were sweating buckets, so I pointed it out.

"Cold sweat..." Alwina murmured. She noticed that both of us heard what she said, so she got worried. "Oh, did that sound disgraceful?"

I shook my head. "Karis almost piss his pants. There's nothing disgraceful about getting cold sweat," I assured her.

"Hey!" Karis protested, but he couldn't disagree with me because I'm right. "I hated ghosts..." he murmured.

"Why? Did a ghost haunt you before?" I asked worriedly.

He nodded. "There was a time where I couldn't sleep at night because Lady Sophia kept visiting Bythos and The Zodiacs when she died. It seems like she couldn't pass because she felt a strong will to keep watch over us," he answered while trying to stay calm even though he was shaking.

I nodded and held his hand to help warm him up. He didn't complain because he really looked traumatized. Strangely, his trauma doesn't come back when he looks at me. I look exactly like Lady Sophia, so why doesn't he get scared when he looks at me? But, how come I didn't see her when I traveled back in time? Did she die before that?

"You're probably confused right now, so I'll tell you the story later," he said when he noticed my expression.

I nodded, but my thoughts flew to the mystery as to why there was a locket in our tent. She's not visiting us, right? Alwina seems scared because of Karis's story, especially since we told them about the locket necklace that's currently in my possession.

"Uhm, I'll go tell Aiyana about what happened," Alwina said and went ahead to their tent.

We nodded and watched her enter their tent before going to ours. Karis seems like he doesn't want to go, but he doesn't want to sleep outside. He doesn't have a choice, so we went inside the tent while watching out for possible ghosts.

"Can we just talk about this tomorrow?" Karis asked.

I yawned. "Yes, I'm tired already. We should go to sleep now. If we don't, we might not be able to focus on the training tomorrow. It'll start during the morning, right?"

He nodded, but he was still shaking. Aww, the poor boy has been traumatized because of his former master's lover. I wish I can talk to Bythos about this. After seeing Lady Sophia's picture inside the locket, tons of questions flooded my mind. I feel like there's more to this than it seems, but I don't want to jump to conclusions before I could hear the whole story.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked worriedly as I caressed his cheeks.

He sighed ad shook his head, looking like he was about to cry. "No, I'm not. I don't think I'll be able to sleep at this rate because I keep remembering those people's faces when I close my eyes."

I smiled and tapped his forehead with my index finger to cast a spell that would help him relax and forget about those thoughts. He calmed down after what I did. I got up and placed a barrier around us to make sure that spirits wouldn't bother us or scare Karis. He watched me like a child, which was too cute to ignore!

"There. You can rest assured now," I said and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "How do you feel now?"

A smile slowly crept on his lips. "I'm okay now."

"Good. Now, let's sleep..."