They stayed quiet as they watched the creature carefully. After a moment, it moved a little, and Seren lifted her sword to attack. But Garrick grabbed her wrist and shook his head, telling her to stay quiet. Even though he didn’t like leaving Seren alone to face the enemy, he knew it was too risky to put her in the front of the fight. He focused hard, trying to call lightning to his hands, and attempted to cast the Lightning Bolt spell. But nothing happened. His power stayed still. No lightning, no thunder, no heat, no matter how hard he tried.

  “This is not good,” he whispered, staring at the dark golem.

  His attention suddenly shifted to a sound behind him. A figure moved quietly through the darkness toward the dark golem, barely visible as it moved with the stealth and silence common to most demons. For a moment, the figure stopped near the golem, as if listening. Then, without warning, it rushed forward. The shadowy figure raised her flaming blade and struck the monster directly. Sparks flew, and the creature screamed in pain as it staggered back into the wall. The figure then raised her flaming weapon again and charged at the monster, her footsteps echoing through the large hall.

  Garrick’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he saw that it was Seren. He couldn’t believe she was so reckless to face something so powerful on her own! He didn’t have time to think about what to do as the shadow figure moved closer. The figure swung her flaming blade, and it landed with a powerful strike. Sparks flew in all directions, and Seren collapsed to the floor in a heap. Garrick gritted his teeth and got ready to fight. This was their only chance to survive. But his attempt to act was useless as he watched in shock while Seren slowly crawled to her feet. Blood dripped from her left eye where the creature had hit her. It was a miracle she hadn’t lost her eye—or worse.

  "Are you alright? Did it hurt you?" Garrick rushed over to her.

  Seren shook her head in a daze. She looked around, and finally, her gaze settled on the shadowy figure across the room, her flaming sword still raised. The look on her face was one Garrick had never seen before.

  “When I told you to stay behind, why did you attack?” Garrick asked, his voice full of anger. “You could have been killed!” Seren lowered her gaze. After a moment, she quietly whispered a single word, “sorry,” in a tired voice. He frowned, frustrated that she had put herself in danger.

  “Don’t apologize for what you did! You should be proud that you fought back instead of hiding like a helpless girl.” Seren flinched, as though he had struck her, and Garrick's anger faded as quickly as it had come. It was hard to stay angry at someone who was only trying to protect herself from a monster.

  “I... I had to confront this monster,” Seren said, just as Garrick was about to step in. But before he could, she threw her blade aside and ran toward the golem. Seren jumped onto one of the black rocks scattered around the room.

  “Watch out!” Garrick shouted, filled with worry. But as he watched, Seren jumped over the dark golem again and landed right next to it. The creature screeched in pain and surprise. Garrick suddenly realized that even a monster like this could have a weakness: fear. His anger flared up again. He cast a thunderball in response, hitting the dark golem and sending sparks flying. He sprinted toward Seren, but the golem quickly regained its position.

  As the golem brought its claws down on her right leg, Seren screamed. The sharp claws ripped through the bottom of her trousers, drawing blood. She cried out in pain and staggered. Her left hand reached out for the stone beside her. Garrick could do nothing but watch as she desperately tried to grab it. Just as the golem lifted its claws again to strike, Seren wrapped her fingers tightly around the rock.

  Her right hand trembled badly as she struggled to lift her sword, but after a moment, she managed to raise it. Before the creature could move, a bright light burst from the blade as Seren prepared to strike. But the creature was too fast; it lunged forward, its claws ready to attack. Just in time, Garrick stepped between them, using his own body to shield her. The creature's claw scraped across his shoulder as it pulled back.

  Seren looked at him in horror. Without thinking, she hurled another fireball at the creature, but it dodged easily. Garrick's heart raced with panic. If they did nothing, the golem would take both her life and her magic. If they attacked, they might end up killing it first. Desperate, Garrick tried to summon his lightning, the power that flowed inside of him and could be used in battle. But again, nothing happened. He couldn’t summon lightning or even air.

  “Stop it, Garrick, and get out of here first!” Seren urged, pulling him behind a rock. “It’s safe there, at least for now.”

  Garrick winced in pain as the wound on his side throbbed. He knew Seren was right, but he felt helpless. He turned and stared at the creature. Its arms reached out toward them, and Garrick heard the sickening sound of bones cracking, like the thing was breaking its own limb.

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  He glanced back at Seren and took a deep breath. “Be careful, and don’t do anything reckless again,” he said, hoping he sounded calm and comforting.

  Seren gave him a weak smile. “This is my fault, Garrick. I should’ve listened to my system,” she said, her voice full of frustration. “I shouldn’t have attacked so soon,” she added, her tone heavy with regret.

  A deep, guttural roar echoed through the cavern, shaking the walls. Garrick closed his eyes as the sound filled the space. He heard Seren quietly crying and forced his eyes open to look at her. She seemed pale and scared, and he felt bad for making her feel so guilty.

  “Don’t blame yourself. We’re going to get through this,” Garrick assured her, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. Seren nodded, her face pale but determined. She clenched her fists, her eyes locked on the monstrous golem charging toward them.

  The golem slowed as it approached the narrow space between the two rocks where they hid. Its glowing eyes narrowed, glaring furiously at Garrick. It snarled, a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the cavern, shaking the very ground beneath them. The vibrations rattled Garrick’s bones, and he could feel the raw power radiating from the creature. Each roar seemed to make it stronger, its shadowy form growing darker and more menacing.

  Garrick clenched his jaw, his heart aching as he thought of everything they’d already lost. He couldn’t let this creature destroy what little they had left. Seren stood beside him, her body trembling but her resolve unshaken. She refused to show fear, even as the golem’s roars threatened to overwhelm them.

  "Seren, listen to me," Garrick said urgently, his voice cutting through the noise. "This golem is unlike anything we’ve faced before. It feeds on fear and doubt. We can’t fight it head-on—it’s too powerful."

  Seren’s eyes widened with concern. “But what do we do then?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

  "We need a distraction," Garrick said, his mind racing. He glanced back at the golem, which had paused, its glowing eyes fixed on them. “You go and take the bottle from the guards. I’ll deal with the golem. We came here for that bottle, and we can’t leave without it.”

  "But we’re stronger together! We can’t just split up. What if something happens to you?" Seren protested, her voice rising in panic. She shook her head. "No way am I letting you fight alone." She looked around, searching for inspiration. “We need help!”

  Garrick glanced around the chamber. Dozens of pillars littered the floor, some large enough to hold up three of his opponents. But they were far too short to provide any real protection against the golem. And besides, there wasn’t much they could do anyway.

  “I don’t see a better idea,” he admitted reluctantly.

  "Then let me fight with you!" Seren exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips defiantly. "Besides, the guards are always on high alert. They won’t just let me waltz in and take the bottle."

  "It’s too dangerous here," Garrick shook his head. "I can draw its attention. You have to get the bottle from the guards."

  "What if something goes wrong? I’ll just end up losing myself in this place. Then it will be no use, anyway."

  Garrick placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression softening. "I believe in you. You’re quick, and you know how to blend in. If anyone can do it, it’s you," he said, giving her a reassuring smile. The words warmed her heart, but the fear in her eyes remained.

  "What if you can’t hold it off?" Seren’s voice trembled. "What if it breaks through while I’m gone?"

  Garrick’s expression softened further. "Then you need to promise me something. If I’m not back in ten minutes, you leave. You find somewhere safe."

  Seren stared at the ground, tears brimming in her eyes. "But—"

  He gripped her shoulder and made her look at him. "You have to, Seren! This isn’t just about us anymore. It’s about everyone depending on us. If you get that bottle, it could turn the tide," he explained, his voice firm but gentle.

  "But… what if I couldn’t get it? What if I failed?" Tears streamed down her cheeks, her face red with emotion.

  Garrick wiped one away and placed his free arm around her shoulder. “You wouldn’t. You’ve faced danger before. Remember when we snuck past those mercenaries? You were brilliant!” he said seriously. “We needed that ancient scroll. That’s what this mission was about. Remember what we told ourselves?”

  "That was different, Garrick… this is a golem made of shadows and despair." A small smile broke through her panic as she sniffed. "And I’m not sure I remembered that correctly."

  "Well... remember now."

  "Okay..." she whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty. She paused for a moment, then added, "But you have to promise me you’ll stay alive. No heroics."

  Garrick gave her shoulders a slight squeeze. “No promises. You know me too well."

  Seren gripped Garrick’s hand tightly, her voice trembling. “Just be careful. I couldn’t lose you, Garrick.”

  Garrick squeezed her hand back reassuringly. “You won’t. Now, go! I’ll be right here when you get back.”

  She hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but then she nodded and darted off as he instructed. With one last glance at the ominous door, Seren felt her heart race. Taking a deep breath, she plunged into the dark corridor, determination propelling her toward the guards.

  Garrick watched her go, his chest tight with worry. He crept along the top side of the stone wall, making his way to the back door. It was locked. He scanned the area, searching for another entrance. There wasn’t one, but maybe there was a window above that led to the roof. It would mean climbing up the pillar, but he had no other choice.

  Meanwhile, Seren dashed down the corridors, ignoring the burning in her feet. She knew she was leaving a trail, but there was no time to be careful. When she reached the guards, she was immediately tackled to the ground. Her attacker slammed her into the cold floor, a boot connecting with her ribcage. She grunted in pain as the air was knocked out of her lungs, forcing her to cough up a mouthful of dirt.

  Her attacker lifted his foot from her ribs, allowing her to take several deep breaths. Before he could strike again, Seren reached for her dagger and threw it at his leg. The blade struck true, hitting his skin and causing him to howl in pain. He pulled his leg away, giving Seren the chance to scramble to her feet.

  She didn’t waste a second. With a burst of energy, she lunged at the guard, her movements swift and precise. The battle was far from over, but Seren was determined to succeed. She had to—for Garrick, for their mission, and for everyone depending on them.