Outcasts in Another World

Seikan knelt beside Kalsei, frozen in place as the last traces of darkness disappeared from his skin. The room was unsettlingly quiet, the only sound being the gentle drip of blood from the stone where Kalsei had fallen. The effects of Seikan’s transformation still hung in the air, a heavy reminder of the chaos, while the remnants of the Minotaur lay scattered across the floor, now just a fading memory of the beast that had nearly claimed Kalsei’s life.

Seikan’s breath came in quick gasps, his fingers quivering as they hovered above Kalsei’s chest. Blood pooled around them, far more than he was comfortable seeing, and for a terrifying instant, he feared that Kalsei’s story had ended in this forsaken place.

“Kalsei…” Seikan’s usual calm tone cracked, betraying his anxiety.

There was no immediate reply, no signature grin or witty comeback. Panic surged within Seikan, a feeling he seldom allowed to surface. The sight of Kalsei, unconscious and battered, filled him with a profound sense of failure.

Tentatively, Seikan pressed his hand against Kalsei’s chest, searching for any sign of life. His fingers brushed against the Golem’s Core necklace Kalsei had recently donned, still faintly pulsating with magic. That small vibration of life sent a wave of relief washing over him.

The magic from the Golem’s Core had kicked in, converting some of the Minotaur’s devastating blow into a flicker of health. Without it, Seikan knew Kalsei would have drawn his last breath.

“You’ve got a knack for hanging on, don’t you?” Seikan mumbled, his voice trembling. “Even now…”

Kalsei let out a soft groan, his body twitching slightly as he drew shallow breaths. His eyes flickered open, the light behind them dim yet alive. A weak grin pulled at his lips, despite the pain.

“That was… intense,” Kalsei murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “But let’s be real—I’m still better looking than you.”

Seikan exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, his stoic facade cracking just enough to reveal a glimmer of relief. “You’re such an idiot,” he shot back, though there was no heat in his words. He raked a hand through his dark hair, still shaking off the remnants of his rage-fueled transformation. “You should’ve been a goner, you know?”

Kalsei’s grin widened, turning into a grimace as pain shot through him. “Yeah, well… someone’s gotta keep you on your toes, right?”

Seikan studied him, his expression inscrutable for a moment. He couldn’t tell if he was angry or relieved, but one thing was clear—he’d been a hair’s breadth away from losing his friend, and it unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

With a soft sigh, Seikan reached for the small satchel they’d picked up in Meliora, retrieving a vial of healing potion. “Drink this,” he instructed, his voice rougher than usual.

Kalsei, still struggling to move, allowed Seikan to lift the vial to his lips, the cool liquid sliding down his throat. It wasn’t a powerful potion, but it was enough to dull the worst of the pain and help him breathe easier.

For a few minutes, they sat in silence. The atmosphere was thick with the residue of their battle and the weight of what had nearly transpired. Seikan’s gaze remained fixed on the distant wall, replaying the scene in his mind—the sound of Kalsei’s body hitting the stone, the crack in the wall, the blood. It was all too vivid, too close.

Sensing Seikan’s tension, Kalsei broke the silence with a quiet chuckle. “You’re being way too serious, Seikan. I’m not dead.”

Seikan hesitated, his jaw tightening. “You almost were,” he finally replied, his voice flat yet laced with concern.

“Almost doesn’t count,” Kalsei countered, managing a weak laugh. “Besides… thanks to this little gem,” he gestured to the Golem’s Core around his neck, “I got a free pass this time.”

Seikan’s gaze flickered to the necklace, then back to Kalsei’s pale face. “Luck won’t always be in your favor.”

“Maybe not,” Kalsei conceded, his tone softening. “But I trust you to have my back. Just like I’ve got yours.”

There was a pause, Seikan’s cold green eyes boring into Kalsei with an intensity that made it clear their lighthearted banter couldn’t erase what had just happened. Instead of arguing, Seikan let out a long breath and stood up. “We need to get moving.”

Kalsei groaned as he shifted, attempting to sit up. “You sure? Because I could use a few more minutes of beauty sleep.”

“Not here.” Seikan’s voice was resolute. “We’ve already attracted too much attention. More of those things could show up any moment.”

Kalsei nodded wearily, forcing himself to stand, his legs shaky beneath him. He leaned against the wall, still weak from their skirmish and the injuries he’d sustained. He couldn’t pretend to feel fine, but admitting how much he hurt was out of the question.

“Fine, but if another Minotaur shows up, I’m letting you handle it.”

Seikan glanced at him, his expression unreadable again. “I handled the last one. You just got in the way.”

Kalsei let out a weak chuckle, pushing off the wall to stand on his own, though the effort was apparent. “Ouch, okay. I’ll take that as a ‘thank you.’”

Seikan didn’t reply. Instead, he peered down the dim corridor leading deeper into the Catacombs. The weight of the curse still hung in the air, thick and stifling. Whatever they had just fought was formidable, but it wasn’t the true source of the curse. That much was evident.

“We’re getting close,” Seikan muttered, more to himself than to Kalsei. “The curse is still active. It lies deeper inside.”

Kalsei, despite his weakened state, managed to flash his usual grin. “Awesome. More cursed stuff. Just my luck.”

He took a few cautious steps, trying to shake off the lingering pain. Seikan stayed alert beside him, his expression serious and focused. It was clear that despite Kalsei’s typical sarcasm, he had pushed himself too far, and Seikan wouldn’t allow that to happen again.

They walked in silence for a while, the quiet thick with the unspoken weight of their recent ordeal. Occasionally, Kalsei would glance at Seikan, his golden eyes reflecting something uncharacteristically serious. He didn’t want to acknowledge it, but he understood how close he had come to death. During Seikan's fight with the Minotaur, there had been brief moments when Kalsei regained consciousness, even if only for a fleeting second, he had glimpsed Seikan’s terrifying rage, the dark energy pulsing from him washing over Kalsei like a bucket of cold water.

And Seikan… Seikan had lost control.

Kalsei sighed softly, running a hand through his messy, teal-streaked hair. “So… back there,” he started slowly, “you went full rage mode, huh?”

Seikan narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t meet Kalsei’s gaze. “You almost died. What did you think would happen?”

Kalsei chuckled softly, though it was more strained than usual. “You looked like a shadow demon or something. It was pretty cool… and also kinda terrifying.”

Seikan clenched his fists for a moment, the memory of his transformation still raw. “It wasn’t controlled. I don’t want to… lose control like that again.”

Kalsei’s playful smirk faded as he nodded slowly. “Yeah. I get it.” He paused, adding, “But hey, I’m still here. So whatever that was, it worked.”

Seikan remained silent, his mind heavy with thoughts he wasn’t ready to share.

After a while, they came across a small alcove, the stone walls giving way to what seemed like an ancient resting chamber. Dust-covered statues lined the walls, and a large stone altar stood at the center, adorned with strange, glowing runes.

Kalsei glanced around, his curiosity piqued despite the pain still coursing through him. “Is this… what we’ve been searching for?”

Seikan approached the altar, his eyes flickering with recognition as the glowing runes caught his attention. “This… could be the source of the curse,” he murmured, running his fingers over the ancient text. “But there’s something more here. Something else.”

Kalsei, despite his injuries, walked over to the altar and grinned weakly. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s crack this thing open and see what kind of relic we’re dealing with.”

Seikan remained quiet, his fingers tracing the runes as he tried to decipher the ancient magic binding the curse to the area.

Kalsei’s fingers brushed against the cold stone surface of the altar, a grin still tugging at his lips despite his exhaustion. “So, what’s the deal with this thing? Does it have an off switch for the whole 'creepy curse' thing?”

Seikan’s cold gaze flickered over the runes, his sharp mind analyzing each ancient symbol etched into the surface. The dim light emanating from the altar was faint but potent. It wasn’t the direct source of the curse, but it was a key to something deeper—a binding force that kept darkness at bay.

“The curse is woven into these runes,” Seikan muttered, his fingers gliding over the symbols with precision. “It’s not the source itself, but it’s linked to whatever’s lurking deeper within these Catacombs.” He paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes in thought. “Disrupting it could weaken the curse’s hold… but there’s a risk.”

Kalsei raised an eyebrow, leaning heavily against the altar. “Risk? You mean like we crack this thing open, and a giant shadow beast decides to have us for lunch?”

Seikan shot him a cold look. “Possibly. Or we could weaken the curse enough to proceed without attracting more attention.”

Kalsei sighed, his grin faltering for a moment. “Well, since I’m about two steps away from collapsing, I vote for the sneaky route. I can’t take another hit like that Minotaur.” He glanced down at his bloodstained hoodie and torn leggings, grimacing at the dried blood caked on his skin. “Also, I’m not in the mood to die twice in one day.”

Seikan studied the runes for a moment longer before nodding. “Agreed. We don’t have the luxury of fighting right now.” His gaze shifted to Kalsei’s bloodied arm, and for once, his usual sharp tone softened. “You need to rest, Kalsei.”

Kalsei, ever defiant, waved off the concern with a weak laugh. “Oh, come on, Seikan. I’m fine. Just give me five minutes and a snack, and I’ll be back to normal.”

Seikan’s expression remained flat, though there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes. “You nearly died, Kalsei. Take this seriously.”

Kalsei’s grin faded slightly, his golden eyes meeting Seikan’s with a more serious expression. “I know. Trust me, I know. But if we don’t keep moving, we’ll end up right back where we started—with something bigger and meaner trying to smash us into the walls.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them thick with unspoken words. Kalsei’s body ached, his muscles stiffening with every step, but he wasn’t about to admit just how badly he felt. Not when Seikan was looking at him with that calculating, emotionless gaze.

Seikan, meanwhile, was wrestling with his own frustration. He knew Kalsei was pushing himself too far, but they didn’t have time to rest—not in a place like this. The Catacombs weren’t just perilous; they were alive with dark magic, and standing still would only invite more threats.

With a quiet sigh, Seikan redirected his attention to the altar. His fingers danced over the runes, pulling at the threads of magic that bound the curse to this place. The symbols flared brightly for a moment before dimming as Seikan manipulated the ancient text with his magic. It wasn’t an easy task—these runes were old, far older than anything he had encountered before, and the magic fueling them was volatile. But Seikan was nothing if not meticulous.

The light from the altar flickered, dimming as Seikan’s spell took hold. The oppressive energy in the chamber seemed to lift slightly, the dark aura surrounding them pulling back just enough to grant them some breathing room.

“There,” Seikan said, stepping back from the altar. “That should weaken the curse for now. It’ll make it harder for the creatures here to sense us.”

Kalsei let out a low whistle, impressed despite himself. “Nice. So, what now? We sneak through the rest of this place like a couple of ninjas? Because I’m all for stealth mode right about now.”

Seikan’s eyes narrowed, glancing down the darkened corridor ahead. “We’ll move cautiously. No more reckless fighting until you’ve recovered.” He paused, his gaze shifting to Kalsei’s bloodied arm. “That necklace saved you this time, but it won’t protect you from everything.”

Kalsei glanced down at the Golem’s Core hanging around his neck, the faint pulsing magic still present. His playful grin returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, well… it’s a good thing I’m not planning on dying anytime soon.”

Seikan didn’t reply. Instead, he signaled for Kalsei to follow, his movements precise and deliberate. They needed to keep moving, but with Kalsei injured, stealth was their best option.

The corridor ahead was narrow, the stone walls damp and slick with age. Faint whispers echoed from the shadows, but Seikan’s spell had dulled the intensity of the curse, making the presence of any creatures less immediate. Still, they couldn’t afford to be careless. Every step needed to be intentional.

Kalsei, ever the optimist, walked slightly behind Seikan, his steps lighter than they had any right to be given his condition. “So, remind me again why we’re doing this? Because as far as I can tell, we could just… I dunno, leave and never come back?”

Seikan’s voice was low, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger ahead. “Because if we don’t stop the curse, it’ll spread. The town will fall.”

Kalsei groaned softly, though a hint of sarcasm crept into his tone. “Right, save the town, be the heroes. Totally our vibe.”

Seikan’s cold gaze flickered over his shoulder. “If we don’t stop it, we won’t have anywhere to go. This curse will spread through the whole region if left unchecked.”

Kalsei grinned despite himself. “Okay, fine. Saving the world is back on the table.”

They continued to navigate the winding halls of the Catacombs, the air around them growing colder with each step. The walls, once faintly glowing with runes, had begun to crack, revealing deeper scars etched into the stone. Whatever ancient magic had built this place was deteriorating, and it became clear that the deeper they went, the more unstable the Catacombs became.

After several minutes of tense silence, Kalsei’s keen eyes caught movement ahead. He held up a hand, signaling Seikan to stop.

“Hold up,” Kalsei whispered, his voice barely audible. He activated Golden Sight, a brief flash of gold crossing his vision. Scanning the corridor ahead, his enhanced sight revealed faint traces of dark magic swirling in the air. “I saw something up ahead. Looked like… shadows, moving.”

“Shadows,” Seikan confirmed with a slight nod, his voice low. “They’re not fully formed yet. We can sneak past if we’re careful.”

Kalsei’s grin returned, though there was a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. “Finally, a chance to put my ninja skills to use.”

Seikan didn’t respond to the joke, instead motioning for Kalsei to stay close as they crept forward, sticking to the edges of the corridor where the shadows were weakest. The air was cold, and the faint whispers echoing through the walls grew louder, but Seikan’s spell continued to cloak them from the more potent effects of the curse.

As they moved, Kalsei’s body ached with each step, but he pushed through the pain, focusing on staying light on his feet. He was no stranger to sneaking around—after all, he had spent plenty of time dodging trouble—yet something about this place made every movement feel heavier, more dangerous. The shadows seemed to watch their every step, waiting for one misstep.

Seikan moved with precision, his senses sharp as he led them deeper into the Catacombs. The shadows that had danced in the distance seemed oblivious to them, and for a brief moment, it appeared they might pass through unscathed.

That was until they hit a fork in the path.

Seikan paused, his cold eyes scanning both directions. To the left, the corridor sloped downward, the air even colder and more oppressive. To the right, the passageway was narrower, with flickering light emanating from further inside.

Kalsei leaned against the wall, his breathing ragged from the effort of keeping up. “So… which way, oh fearless leader?”

Seikan didn’t respond right away, his mind weighing their options. “The left path leads deeper,” he said quietly. “It’s where the curse is strongest. But it’s also riskier.”

Kalsei groaned softly, glancing toward the right. “And the other path?”

“It’s safer,” Seikan admitted, his voice flat. “But it won’t get us to the source. We’ll just end up circling back.”

Kalsei sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. “Of course. Go big or go home, right?”

Seikan’s eyes flickered with something unspoken, but he turned toward the left, his steps cautious. “We take the left. The sooner we deal with this, the sooner we can escape.”

Kalsei pushed off the wall, forcing his body to follow Seikan despite the pain still radiating through him. “Yeah, yeah. Lead the way. Just remember—if I pass out, you’re carrying me.”

Seikan’s lips curled slightly, though it wasn’t quite a smile. “You’re not that lucky.”

The corridor sloped sharply downward, the air growing colder with every step. The shadows that had once danced along the edges of their vision now seemed to close in, whispering in a language neither could comprehend. The oppressive weight of the curse grew heavier, making each breath feel labored.

Kalsei shivered, though he couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or the eerie atmosphere. “You know, this whole 'cursed tomb' thing? Really not my style. Couldn’t we have picked a nicer quest? Something with sunshine and rainbows, maybe?”

Seikan didn’t respond, his focus entirely on the path ahead. The runes on the walls had faded completely now, replaced by deep gouges in the stone that pulsed with a malevolent energy. Whatever lay ahead wasn’t going to be easy.

As they descended further, the passage opened into a large chamber, its walls lined with even more statues—far more menacing than those they’d seen before. The statues depicted twisted figures, their faces contorted in agony, as if frozen in their last moments of life. The air was thick with decay, and the faint glow of cursed magic illuminated the room.

Kalsei took a step forward, eyeing the surroundings with a frown. “Well, this place is charming. Think we’ve hit the jackpot yet?”

Seikan narrowed his eyes as he scanned the room. “We’re close,” he said quietly. “The curse is strongest here.”

As they moved deeper into the chamber, Kalsei’s gaze landed on something at the far side—a large, ornate door, covered in intricate carvings and glowing with the same cursed energy that filled the room. It looked ancient, as if it had been untouched for centuries, but the magic surrounding it was anything but dormant.

“That’s gotta be it,” Kalsei muttered, nodding toward the door. “The source of the curse, right?”

Seikan approached the door cautiously, tracing the symbols etched into the stone with his fingers. “It’s sealed by powerful magic,” he said after a moment. “We’ll need to break the seal to stop the curse.”

Kalsei groaned, leaning heavily against a nearby statue. “Of course we do. Because nothing is ever easy in this world.” He glanced at Seikan with a grin. “You think you can crack it, or should I start looking for a sledgehammer?”

Seikan ignored the joke, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the seal. “It won’t be easy, but I can break it. We just need time.”

Kalsei’s grin faded slightly as he walked toward Seikan. “Time? In a place like this? Yeah, sure, no problem. I’ll just tell the shadows to take a break while you work your magic.”

Seikan glanced at him, his expression hard. “I’m serious, Kalsei. This isn’t a fight we can win through brute force. The seal is ancient and volatile. If I rush it, the curse could spread before we’re ready.”

Kalsei sighed, though he didn’t argue. He knew Seikan was right. As much as he hated to admit it, they were in over their heads here. The Minotaur had nearly finished him off, and now they were facing something far worse. Still, he wasn’t about to let Seikan tackle this alone.

“Alright,” Kalsei said quietly, his usual sarcasm absent. “Do what you need to do. I’ll keep an eye out for any… interruptions.”

Seikan nodded, his fingers already tracing the runes as he began to unravel the seal. The air around them hummed with energy, the cursed magic pulsing in response to Seikan’s efforts.

Kalsei, meanwhile, moved to the edge of the room, his golden eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The ache in his body was still there, but the healing potion had dulled the worst of the pain. He was tired, more than he wanted to admit, but he couldn’t afford to let his guard down. Not now.

Minutes dragged on in tense silence, the only sound the faint hum of Seikan’s magic as he worked to break the seal. Kalsei shifted restlessly, his grip tightening on the Shattering Blade as he sensed something in the air—a shift, a disturbance in the dark magic surrounding them.

“Seikan,” Kalsei said quietly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room. “Something’s off.”

Seikan didn’t stop his work, though his voice was tense. “I know. The magic here is reacting to the seal.”

Kalsei’s grip tightened further, his instincts screaming at him to be prepared. The shadows around the edges of the room had begun to stir, creeping closer, their whispers growing louder. Whatever was tied to the curse wasn’t going to let them break the seal without a fight.

Kalsei took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. He could feel the tension in the air, the magic thrumming beneath the surface. But Seikan needed time, and Kalsei wasn’t about to let anything interrupt them.

“Come on,” Kalsei muttered under his breath, his golden eyes flickering as he readied to activate Blink Strike at a moment’s notice. “Let’s see if we can make it out of here without another near-death experience.”

The minutes dragged on, and the shadows continued to shift, but for the moment, nothing attacked. The oppressive energy in the chamber loomed over them, thick and suffocating, but Seikan remained focused, his magic weaving through the runes with precision.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Seikan stepped back, the runes glowing faintly before disappearing entirely. The cursed energy in the room seemed to retract, retreating as the seal broke.

“It’s done,” Seikan said quietly, though his voice carried a strain. “The seal is broken.”

Kalsei let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, the tension in his body easing slightly. “Good. Now can we get the hell out of here?”

Seikan nodded, though a weight settled in his eyes. “The curse isn’t gone yet. We still need to locate the source.”

Kalsei groaned softly but didn’t argue. He knew Seikan was right. They had come this far—there was no turning back now.

With the seal broken, the door creaked open slowly, revealing a dark passageway that led even deeper into the Catacombs. The air beyond the door felt colder than ever, and the faint sound of whispers echoed from the darkness.

Kalsei glanced at Seikan, his grin returning despite the exhaustion weighing him down. “Ready for round two?”

Seikan’s cold gaze flickered to him, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Just try not to die this time.”