The traveller and his siblings trudged through the thick snow, their boots crunching beneath them as they made their way toward their destination: Frostmaw Hollow Dungeon. Their hoods protecting them from the cold atmosphere.
As they walked, Sirius let out an exasperated sigh. "I just don't get it."
Kael, walking beside her, glanced over her. "Get what?" he asked in confusion.
Sirius crossed her arms. "Why we're out here. I mean why do we have to keep an eye on a bunch of idiots?"
Kael frowned. "Come on, sis, don't you think you're being a bit too harsh?"
Sirius shot him a sharp look. "You know I'm right. We're adventurers, Kael, not babysitters."
The traveller, walking ahead of them with the map in his hand, spoke up. "I get how you feel, Sirius, but these are our fellow guild members. Besides, I saw this as a good opportunity to earn us some extra coins. Since we're a bit low on funds."
Sirius hesitated before muttering, "T-That's… true. We are running low on money."
Kael blinked in surprise. "Wait we are, how? We can't be that low, can we?"
Sirius sighed, clearly annoyed. "Do the math, Kael. Living expenses, food, repairs, and modifying our equipment—it all adds up fast."
"Okay, okay, you don't have to remind me sis." Kael groaned.
Sirius quickly redirected her frustration. "Still brother, this isn't really our problem. I don't see why we should care about what happens to some reckless adventurers."
Kael gave her a worried look. "Leaving people to die out in the cold… You're still as cold-hearted as ever, aren't you, sis?"
Irritated, Sirius snapped back, "Up yours, bumass."
Before the argument could escalate, the traveller stepped in, placing his hand on top of Sirius's head, gently patting her. "Alright, that's enough, you two. We can't be fighting each other."
Kael lowered his gaze, guilt evident on his face. "Yeah… I'm Sorry, brother."
Sirius sighed and crossed her arms. "Yeah, I'm sorry too, I guess."
The traveller smiled slightly before continuing. "Look, Sirius, I know how you feel, but sometimes you've got to see things from a different perspective."
Sirius bit her lip, glancing away. "I know, but…"
Both Kael and the traveller tilted their heads in unison. "Hmm?"
Sirius hesitated, her face softening with concern. "I just… I just can't shake the feeling that something's not right about this. Like…"
The traveller's expression darkened slightly as he interjected. "Miss Alyra told me that the two parties went into the dungeon, but she had a bad feeling about one of them. She asked us to keep an eye on them and ensure their safety."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "And she couldn't ask anyone else to do it?"
The traveller turned to her with a warm smile. "She said we were the only ones she could count on."
Sirius's cheeks faintly turned pink as she looked away. "Well… if that's her reason, I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it out."
Kael smirked, leaning in to whisper, "Didn't take much to convince you, huh?"
Irritated, Sirius elbowed him sharply in the stomach, causing him to double over. "Learn to mind your own business," she snapped.
Still clutching his stomach, Kael groaned. "Man that really hurt… Jeez."
After a long trek through the snowy terrain, the group finally stood before the entrance to Frostmaw Hollow Dungeon.
The traveller studied the map Miss Alyra had given them. "According to the map, this should be the entrance."
Kael stared at the foreboding entrance, his face pale. "You mean this is where those adventurers went in? It's… pretty intimidating."
Sirius rolled her eyes. "For God's sake Kael, don't tell me you're scared. How pathetic."
Kael's voice quivered as he retorted, "Oh, come on! Don't tell me you're not at least a little uneasy!"
He turned to the traveller for reassurance. "Right, brother? You feel it too, don't you?"
The traveller stood silently, his gaze fixed on the dark entrance. An eerie presence seeped out from within, and after a moment, he nodded his head in agreement. "Kael's right. There is something off about this place. We should stay on our guard."
Kael turned back to Sirius triumphantly. "See? Even brother agrees with me!"
Sirius frowned, her tone softening. "Now that you both mention it… there is something strange. I can sense a huge amount of magic coming from inside."
The traveller nodded. "Whether it's strange or not, it doesn't matter. We've come this far, and we'll face whatever's waiting for inside, because..."
Kael clenched his fists. While Sirius tied her hair back. The traveller took a step forward, his resolve unwavering. "No matter what, we'll see this through to the end."
Both Sirius and Kael exchanged a short glance before responding in unison. "Right!"
With their minds steeled for whatever dangers awaited them, they stepped into the dark maw of the dungeon, determined.
End of Chapter 18.