I think I'm lost. I feel like a body floating in an infinite and silent ocean, aimless, without ground. A body that is not secure in anything. Am I sinking? Am I going to die?

  Death? I was... — the memory is abrupt, vivid. The blade piercing my stomach, guided by my own hands. Did I kill? Or was I the one who was stabbed?

  I need to get out of here. But I can’t move. An invisible weight holds me down. Then, a voice echoes in the darkness.

  — Hey... — Who said that? Is someone here?

  — Hey, get up, damn it! — another voice shouts, harsher.

  — Kick him...

  Silence. A dense, mysterious silence.

  — HEEEYYY!

  I wake up startled. My body trembles, my head spins as if it’s loose from my neck. The light blinds me and everything hurts as if a tractor had run over me.

  — Get up, useless. Three days dead in this hell — says a woman with a deep voice, kicking me with disdain.

  — Hey, take it easy on him... — another voice says, male, more compassionate. — They said he was almost dead when they found him.

  — Say something, damn it.

  — Who are you? — I ask, forcing my voice, supporting my head with my hands.

  — Seriously? I’m going on my shift — replies the woman, turning away with an expression of exhaustion and frustration.

  — Hey, what's your name, brother? — the man asks, getting a little closer.

  — I... — the image of myself stabbing my own stomach returns like a nightmare. — I think I’m Lucas...

  Yes. I’m Lucas. I put my hand on my stomach and feel something wrapped around the wound.

  — Don’t touch that — he says — Alice helped me take care of you. They brought you in like that and told us to take care of you.

  — They? — I ask, trying to open my eyes a bit more.

  — You were rescued on the beach, right? I understand... maybe you're confused, still hurt. But try to survive. We need you.

  As I manage to lift my head and open my eyes better, I see him clearly: a young black man, with messy dreads and various cuts on his body. He throws pieces of stone against the cave walls — because yes, we were in a cave.

  — Where are we?

  — You can call this hell.

  A strange sound starts echoing from deep within the cave. A damp, rhythmic noise. Squash... squash...

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  — Hey, Jan, I think it's our turn. Leave him there. If we don’t get it today, they’ll come tomorrow, and it’ll be hell again — says the woman, reappearing from the shadows.

  — Take care, brother. I hope you recover — says Jan, looking at me with unexpected sincerity.

  — Hey! Wait! Where are you going? What is this place?!

  — If you follow us, I’ll kill you myself — replies Alice, coldly.

  As they disappear, I stare fixedly into the dark where they vanished. Something about them bothers me. Their eyes... they glowed.

  Damn. Damn, damn... I still don’t know how I ended up here.

  As I try to understand where I am, I notice something familiar. The warmth on my neck. The ring. It heats up again, just like before. This time, I don’t hesitate.

  Something inside me urges me to put it on.

  I take it off the string and put it on my finger. The moment the ring touches my skin, something unbelievable happens. A translucent window appears before me, with words floating in the air.

  ---

  Ring of Kostlen Arithon

  (Ruler of Arithon)

  "Ring given in marriage to the Savior of the planet Arithon, after seven years of battles to determine who would rule for a hundred years."

  +10 Strength

  +10 Agility

  +10 Resistance

  +10 Stamina

  Each attack carries the Mark of the Conqueror. After 10 consecutive attacks, +3 to all attributes.

  *If off the finger, it emits heat when a monster approaches. If requirements are not met, -7 to all attributes.*

  ---

  — Is this real? I can... see this? And touch... — I murmur, touching my fingers to the floating image before me.

  — Hey, you useless idiot! Hide it... — Alice enters and freezes. — What ring is that?

  — Lucas, where did you get that ring? — asks Jan, with wide eyes.

  — It was my father's. It's not something you should know — I reply, trying to hide the ring quickly.

  — Hey, calm down! Jan, tell him already!

  — Tell him what?

  — The dwarves will check your physical condition. I think it's time for you to know why you’re here.

  — Dwarves? Are you kidding? You called the dwarves from “Panico na Web” for this joke? — I joke, trying to laugh, but the pain stops me.

  Alice reacts like a beast. — Lower your tone with Jan, you son of a bitch — she draws a crude knife made of stone and wrapped in bandages.

  — Alice, stop. We need to decide what to do. Our plan is already gone. We need another one.

  Before I can say anything else, a drumbeat echoes through the cave corridors.

  — Hey, is that in here?

  — It's time. Give me your hands and stay calm — says Jan, approaching with a rope.

  — Hey! Don’t come near me!

  — Alice, it’s on you...

  The last thing I see is her fist coming towards me. Then... darkness.

  I wake up being dragged. The sight is unbelievable: a huge hall, carved inside the mountains. A whole castle inside the rock. An unusual light descends from the ceiling, passing through cracks in the stone. On each wall, there are holes like dens, from where people — chained humans and giant dwarves wielding hammers — come and go.

  I can’t move. I can’t speak. The panic grows, trapped in my chest like a suffocated scream.

  I’m dragged down a long corridor. I try to turn my neck and see who’s pulling me. Of course... Alice. And right behind, Jan.

  — STOP! WAIT FOR ORDERS! — shouts a guard.

  — You could’ve warned us earlier, jerk — Alice grumbles.

  — I heard that. Us dwarves have good hearing.

  — If you heard so well, you could’ve warned us we were coming, animal.

  — The protection of Ohen, son of Olen, will one day fall.

  — Quiet! — a powerful voice echoes, and the castle doors open. — Bring the son of the traitor...

  Son of who?

  Without hesitation, Alice and Jan continue. I’m dragged like a prisoner. We pass by Ohen. The moment I cross him, I feel something strange... like something inside me recognizes him. He smiles. A subtle smile, as if he already knew everything.

  After hours of waiting in a dark room...

  — ENTER! Now!

  — This is where my role ends. Good luck, brother — says Jan.

  — Good luck, trash — Alice adds, relentless.

  I’m taken to an even darker room. A single light shines in the center, illuminating a chair. I’m chained to the floor. A pulpit rises high.

  Then, a voice arises. A sweet voice. Familiar. Unexpected.

  — Good evening, elders. Allow me to begin the reading of the sins committed, so we can finally put an end to the curse of a thousand years...

  I raise my head with difficulty. My eyes barely see... but there she is.

  The person who will judge me.

  Olga Bastos.