Dread Mage

Sonder was kneeling over the dead man, hands on her face, as tears ran down her cheeks.

The shock and sadness came not only from witnessing someone else's death but also from the realization that a complete stranger had chosen to give up their own life to save hers.

Vell cast a glance at Sonder, her tear-streaked face a stark contrast to the stoic acceptance of Bachram's lifeless features.

He took a deep breath. "Sonder," he called, his voice soft but firm. "We need to move."

Sonder took a shaky breath, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She rose to her feet, her gaze lingering on Bachram for a moment longer before she turned to Vell.

"What's the plan?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

Vell looked at her. He knew she was hurting, but he also knew that she was strong, strong enough to survive this.

They moved through the corridors of the dungeon, Vell leading the way. Each step they took was a step away from Bachram, but Sonder knew that this moment and his memory would remain with her.

She clutched her side where the strongest burn from the barrier was, a grim reminder of the pain Bachram had endured for her sake.

There was more than one source of torment, as an intense burning sensation persisted where her heart was.

When they reached the main laboratory, there were a lot of dead irath littering it, and blood seemed to pool in the middle, creating a small lake.

It was unclear how many were dead, as many body parts were littered around.

Sonder vomited at the sight.

Vell had forgotten what a normal reaction to something like this was.

There were still the people in the cages and just a few bound to walls and immoblie ones that had already been experimented on, and Vell kneeled next to Sonder and told her, "Look around, Sonder. Your family may be here, but there is a chance that, if the irathy has already managed to get their hands on them, they are unable to speak."

Sonder's heart pounded in her chest as she surveyed the gruesome scene before her. The stench of death hung heavy in the air, mixing with the metallic tang of blood. She fought back the bile rising in her throat, determined to push through the overwhelming horror.

With trembling hands, Sonder wiped her mouth and nodded at Vell. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. Her family might still be alive, imprisoned somewhere in this nightmarish laboratory. She couldn't afford to break down now; she had to find them.

Together, Sonder and Vell cautiously approached the cages, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. As they drew nearer, Sonder's heart pounded even harder, fueled by a mix of fear and hope. She scanned the faces of the captives, searching for any sign of familiarity.

But she found none.

Her voice trembled as she called out to her parents, "Mother! Father!"

Sonder's heart plummeted with each empty cage she passed. The hope of finding her family was quickly replaced by the cold grip of despair. She paused for a moment, feeling weak and overcome by her emotions.

Vell placed a reassuring hand on Sonder's shoulder. "We will find them," he said, trying to instill even an ounce of confidence in his words.

They continued their search through the laboratory, the shadows and the macabre stillness seeming to taunt them.