Inherited Will

The path through the underground passage was eerie, illuminated only by the faint glow of crystals that lined the walls. Duke Arnold De Montclair's steps were measured, his senses alert as he navigated the twists and turns. The details provided by the child who had betrayed his daughter were proving accurate so far, but the Duke's wariness remained.

As he emerged into the portal room, his gaze swept across the chamber, taking in the mystical portal that lay before him. It was a gateway to the unknown, a passage that led to the very dungeon where his daughter was trapped. A surge of determination coursed through his veins, propelling him forward.

With a deep breath, Duke Montclair stepped into the portal, the sensation akin to being pulled through a vortex of energy. The transition was disorienting, the world shifting and twisting around him before solid ground greeted his feet once more. He found himself in a dimly lit chamber, the air heavy with an otherworldly ambiance.

He could sense the danger in the air, his instincts honed by years of experience as a warrior and leader. He knew that this dungeon was no place for the faint of heart, that each step could bring peril and uncertainty. Yet, his daughter's safety was at stake, and he would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he ventured deeper into the dungeon, he encountered the remnants of battles fought and traps triggered. The child's descriptions had been accurate, guiding him through the labyrinthine corridors with a semblance of foresight.

The question was how, how did he know something that not even he, the Duke of this terrotory knew. Arnold decided that Liam needed to be "asked" nicely about everything he knows. with those thoughts he marched forward, his daughter came first.

Arnold's heart pounded in his chest as he rushed through the dark and treacherous cavern. His daughter, Seraphina, was somewhere ahead, facing countless monsters in a battle he could only imagine. He clenched his weapon tightly, the only thing that stood between him and the unknown horrors lurking in the shadows.

With each step he took, he saw traces of the battles that had transpired before him. Broken stones, scorch marks, and pools of otherworldly blood marked the path like grim milestones of the struggle that had unfolded. The cavern's walls seemed to echo with the clash of steel against scales, the roars of creatures both monstrous and unknown.

He knew his daughter was strong, fierce, and capable, traits she had inherited from him. But his heart couldn't help but ache with worry for her safety, driving him to press on with even greater urgency.

As he pushed forward, the cavern's darkness seemed to shift, revealing more menacing creatures that slinked and crawled from the hidden corners. Arnold's breath quickened, and he met each threat head-on, his strikes precise and deadly. His thoughts were a constant loop of his daughter's face, reminding him why he was there.

And then, at last, he burst into a chamber bathed in an eerie, otherworldly light. His heart soared as he saw Seraphina standing tall, her sword gleaming in the dim illumination. infront of her a giant werewolf that towered over her small frame.

The werewolf's attention was fixed on Seraphina, its predatory instincts drawn to the fallen warrior before it. It didn't anticipate the sudden assault from behind, the Duke's sword slicing through the air with a fierce determination. The strike found its mark, cutting deep into the creature's flank and drawing a howl of pain.

The air was thick with tension as Arnold stood protectively over his unconscious daughter, Seraphina. The echoing growls of the werewolf reverberated through the rocky chamber, its predatory eyes locked onto its vulnerable prey. Arnold's heart pounded in his chest as he gripped a crude stone blade, his knuckles white with determination.

As the werewolf lunged, its fangs bared, Arnold met the creature head-on. Their clash was brutal, a fierce dance of teeth and steel. The werewolf's claws raked across Arnold's arm, leaving deep, searing gashes that mirrored the agony he felt inside. His own blade struck true, slicing into the creature's hide, but it retaliated with a savage bite, sinking its fangs into Arnold's shoulder. Pain surged through him, but he gritted his teeth and fought on.

Despite the ferocity of their battle, Arnold's focus never wavered from Seraphina. Her still form lay at his feet, the life he would do anything to protect. A primal roar tore from Arnold's throat as he managed to drive the werewolf back, a deep cut on his forearm dripping blood that mingled with the creature's own dark fluids.

The cavern seemed to close in around them as the fight raged on. Each blow exchanged left its mark, painting the scene with sweat and blood. With a final, desperate surge of strength, Arnold managed to wound the werewolf deeply, its pained howl filling the air. In that moment of distraction, he seized the chance to retreat, scooping up Seraphina's limp body in his arms.

The weight of his daughter was both a burden and a driving force as Arnold staggered away from the wounded beast. His breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to carry her, his own injuries threatening to overwhelm him. The werewolf's enraged snarls echoed behind them, a relentless reminder that their escape was far from assured.

Desperation fueled Arnold's steps as he stumbled forward, driven by a father's fierce love and determination. The cavern's mouth drew near, a sliver of hope on the horizon. With his strength waning, he clutched Seraphina close, hugging her tightly against his chest as if shielding her from the world itself.

As they reached the precipice, the werewolf's thunderous pursuit closed in. The ground crumbled beneath them, and with a gut-wrenching plummet, they were sent hurtling into the unknown. Arnold held Seraphina close, their bodies entwined in a final embrace. The world blurred around them, the wind's howl mingling with the werewolf's echoing cries.

Arnold's heart beat with a mixture of fear and acceptance. He knew the cost of his sacrifice, but in his arms, he held the most precious thing in his life. He held on, fiercely and unconditionally, as they tumbled into the abyss, the roars of the pursuing beast fading into the distance.

Seraphina's vision slowly cleared as her consciousness returned. Pain coursing through her body as a harsh reminder of the battle she had fought, but it was the sight of her father's battered form that struck her heart with a heavy blow. His face, usually so strong and resolute, was now pale and unconscious. It was a stark contrast to the protective embrace he had wrapped around her.

"Daddy..." Her voice was weak, a mere whisper in the abyss that surrounded them. She gently shook him, hoping to rouse him from his unconscious state. Panic clawed at her chest, threatening to overwhelm her as she realized the gravity of their situation. Alone in this unknown darkness, injured and without a way out, her heart felt heavy with despair.

She could still hear the distant echoes of the werewolf's roars. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to act, to find a way to save her father. But the weight of her injuries pressed down on her, and her body refused to respond to her desperate commands.

Tears welled in her eyes as she cradled her father's head against her chest, feeling the ragged rise and fall of his breath. Memories of their moments together flooded her mind, from his stern lessons to his comforting presence. The man who had always been her protector was now in need of saving, and the realization shook her to her core.

She couldn't give in to despair, not when her father needed her strength now more than ever. With a deep breath, she focused her energy and magic, channeling it into her father's wounds in an attempt to ease his pain and hasten his recovery.

What undermined the slight determination she had gathered were Arnold's next words. "Take my... soul... just like... with the monsters," he said raggedly. "We both know... this is... the only way."

Seraphina's heart clenched at her father's words, his raspy voice pressing down on her. She stared down at him, her eyes welling with tears as she struggled to process the enormity of his suggestion. The idea of losing her father, his soul fading away like those of the defeated monsters, was a devastating blow.

"Daddy, no..." Her voice trembled, thick with emotion. She cradled his head in her hands, her fingers gently brushing against his sweat-soaked hair. "I can't... I won't let you do that."

Her mind raced, searching for a way out of this desperate situation. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her father, not like this. Yet, she also knew that their chances of escaping the abyss were slim, and his proposal was born out of a love as deep as her own.

"I won't let you sacrifice yourself," she said firmly, her voice carrying a fierce determination. "We'll find another way, Daddy. We'll face whatever challenges come our way together."

She would fight, for both of them, using every ounce of strength she possessed. With her father's head still cradled against her chest, she closed her eyes and focused on their connection, the bond they shared. The power of their love, the memories they had built together, would be their strength in this darkness.

"Daddy, stay with me," she whispered, her voice a quiet plea. "I need you, and I won't give up. I promise."

Arnold managed a weak smile, his voice a mere whisper. "My brave Seraphina," he said, his words punctuated by pained gasps. "You've always been the light that guided me. But this place... it's a darkness that even your strength can't conquer."

"No, Dad," she cried, her voice trembling. "I won't leave you here."

He gazed at her with a mixture of love and sorrow. "Listen, my dear," he rasped, his grip on her hand tightening. "I don't have much time left. These wounds... they've taken too much from me."

"Promise me," Arnold continued, his voice growing weaker, "promise me you'll escape this place. There's a chance... if you absorb my soul, you might have the strength to escape. You deserve a life beyond this darkness."

"No, Daddy," Seraphina sobbed, her voice filled with anguish. "I can't do that. I won't leave you behind."

He managed a sad smile. "My brave girl, you have to. Live for both of us. Tell your mother... tell her I'm sorry. Seek your grandmother when you get out. She'll guide you."

Tears fell freely from Seraphina's eyes as she clung to her father's hand, her heart torn between the love she felt for him and the agonizing decision he was asking her to make.

"Dad," she pleaded, her voice desperate, "let's fight together. We can find a way out."

But as she spoke, she felt a coldness spreading from his hand, a stillness that chilled her to her core. She looked into his eyes and realized, with a gut-wrenching pang, that he was gone

"No," she whispered, her voice cracking as her sobs filled the cavern. "Daddy, please."

Seraphina's heart shattered as she felt the stillness beneath her touch. She held her father's lifeless form close, her body shaking with grief and disbelief. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her voice wavered as she whispered his name, as if willing him to respond. But there was only silence.

She pressed her forehead against his chest, her grief overwhelming her. In that moment, the darkness seemed to close in around her, suffocating her in its weight.

"Daddy, no..." Her voice was a broken whisper, a plea that held all the pain and anguish she felt in that moment. She clung to him as if by sheer willpower she could bring him back, her sobs echoing in the abyss.

She was alone now, in a place that seemed devoid of hope. Her father, her protector and source of strength, was gone.

With a trembling breath, she gently laid her father's body down. She wiped away her tears and stood, her gaze fixed on the darkness ahead. She would honor his sacrifice, she would carry his memory with her, and she would find a way out of this abyss. She had his love, his teachings, and the memories they shared. She rested a hand on his chest, closed her eyes, and a deep crimson gem appeared in her hand.

Seraphina's heartache and desperation swirled within her as she clung to the crimson gem, the tangible representation of her father's sacrifice. She knew the weight of the choice she was about to make, the secret she would carry, and the potential consequences it held. It was a desperate act, born from love and a need to survive.

With a heavy heart, Seraphina raised the gem to her lips and kissed it, her tears mingling with the gem's glimmering surface. She closed her eyes and focused, channeling the power within the gem and the memory of her father.

In a moment of intense magic, the gem dissolved into her being, its energy merging with her own. It was an act of consuming, of taking within herself a part of her father that he had willingly given. As the process completed, she felt a surge of warmth and power, but it was accompanied by a deep sense of sorrow and emptiness.

She lowered her hand, her eyes still closed as she let the emotions wash over her. She could feel her father's presence within her, his essence intertwined with her own. It was a bittersweet connection, a way for him to live on within her... but at what cost?

With a shuddering breath, Seraphina opened her eyes. She knew what she had to do. She had to find a way out of this abyss, to honor her father's sacrifice, and to carry on his legacy. She would become the strength he had believed her to be, the heir he had trained her to become.