Sera - A Dungeon Revival LitRPG

Haziel sorted through every document provided to her with inhuman speed. She constantly flicked through pages while her eyes darted back and forth. Maps were unfurled and studied as more and more documents piled up around her. Hours passed with Haziel neither resting nor eating, not that she needed such things to begin with. The only occasional distraction she had was her hair falling into her face, but she always managed to brush it aside without missing a beat.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of non-stop reading and analysis, Haziel placed the last of the reports Captain Roland had provided into perfectly aligned stacks. Her mind went to work, meticulously sorting through the information she had absorbed. She began to recap the details out loud. It always helps to hear information again with my own ears.

"Prince Leo's expedition commenced a little over a month ago," she began, tracing over the map laid out before her with a finger. "Their objective was to exterminate the last wild dungeon, a mission intended to boost morale and demonstrate Lizeria's strength."

She glanced at a detailed map showing the route taken by the prince and his men." The initial leg of their journey took them through the heartland of Lizeria, where they encountered no significant obstacles."

Haziel's eyes narrowed as she focused on the next part of the journey. "As they neared the border, they passed through several key strongholds, receiving support and additional resources. Reports indicate that morale was high, and the expedition was progressing on schedule."

She paused, her gaze shifting to another document that detailed the crossing into enemy territory. "The situation started to change as Prince Leo's party approached the territory of the neighboring Verloth Dominion. Despite the ongoing war, Prince Leo decided to press forward, believing that the importance of their mission justified the risk of going into enemy territory."

The inquisitor flipped through several reports that detailed minor skirmishes and encounters with Verlothian patrols. "There were reports of brief engagements with Verlothian scouts and border patrols, but none of these encounters resulted in significant casualties or delays. The prince's forces were well-trained and equipped, managing to repel these minor threats without much difficulty."

She leaned forward slightly as she continued reading. "Once the expedition crossed deeper into Verlothian territory, their progress became more challenging. The terrain was rugged and unfamiliar, however, there are no reports of major engagements with Verlothian forces, indicating that they managed to avoid significant confrontations."

Haziel picked up a final document, her expression grave. "The last recorded communication from Prince Leo's expedition was a message sent just before they entered the last wild dungeon. The message indicated that they were preparing to enter the dungeon and that all was proceeding according to plan."

She placed the document back on the table, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern. Looks like the Chancellor was right, there's something dangerous in that dungeon.

Haziel placed heavy paperweights on top of the neat stacks she had made to keep them still. With that settled, the inquisitor reached into her uniform and retrieved a small metal key. She approached the door to her office and inserted the key into the lock. The mechanism clicked softly as she turned the handle.

Her boots echoed softly on the stone floor as she walked through the hallway. Yet, when she rounded a corner, she came face to face with a male acolyte.

"Inquisitor," he greeted her with a respectful bow.

Haziel nodded. "Take the documents on my desk and place them in the repository."

The acolyte nodded eagerly. "Yes, Inquisitor. Right away." He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "If I may, what are you planning to do?"

"That is a matter for my ears alone." Haziel said.

The acolyte bowed again. "Be safe, and good luck."

"Thank you," Haziel said, her voice dismissive as she turned away from the young man. She approached the grand staircase that led to the rooftop, hands grazing the cool banister as she ascended.

It was pleasant to feel the night air on the rooftop, cool and crisp against Haziel's skin. She paused for a moment, closing her eyes and savoring the refreshing breeze. The sky above was a deep, velvety black, studded with countless stars with the moon hung low.

Haziel walked to the edge of the rooftop, and looked around her surroundings to ensure she was alone. A dense forest stretched out far below, its canopy a sea of shadows under the moonlight.

She took a deep breath, the crisp air filling her lungs, and let her gaze wander over the treetops. The forest seemed to beckon her, its secrets hidden beneath the dark, leafy surface. Haziel's mind began to race with possibilities, her thoughts as restless as the shifting shadows below.

Haziel took a deep breath and closed her eyes. As she concentrated, a bluish glow emanated from her back, pulsating gently before growing brighter and more intense. Ethereal wings sprouted from her shoulders with a wide flourish. Each feather was crafted from pure magic, shimmering with a radiant luminescence.

The inquisitor savored the sensation, the familiar weight and balance of the wings grounding her. This feeling will never get old.

Soon, she opened her eyes and launched herself into the air, the force of her takeoff sending a gust of wind across the rooftop. Haziel relished the freedom, the sense of power and control that came with each beat of her wings.

***

Somewhere within the Verloth Dominion

Haziel soared through the clouds at blistering speeds, her ethereal wings cutting through the misty vapor easily. The cold wind whipped against her face, but she barely felt it as her mind focused on the task at hand.

The inquisitor recalled the map she had studied and noted the distinct outline of a mountain range that served as a notable landmark. She adjusted her trajectory and descended towards the dense forest below.

The canopy rushed up to meet her as she gradually slowed her descent. The forest was a sprawling expanse of green treetops undulating gently like a vast, living ocean.

She hovered just above the canopy, the tips of the tallest trees brushing against the soles of her boots. Her wings gradually dissipated into wisps of shimmering energy. The light they cast grew fainter, fading into the darkness until only faint traces remained.

Her boots touched the ground with a soft thud, the soil feeling slightly damp beneath her feet. She took a moment to adjust, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. Prince Leo's camp shouldn't be too far from here.

Haziel moved slowly, only making the slightest of noise as she navigated the uneven terrain. After a few minutes, she spotted a clearing ahead.

The remnants of a camp soon came into view as Haziel approached. This must have been the surface camp of Prince Leo's expeditionary force.

Tattered tents flapped in the gentle breeze, fabric hanging limply from broken poles. Countless supplies were scattered across the ground, most trampled or broken. The remnants of a fire pit sat cold and unused with its ashes scattered by the wind.

Haziel looked over the scene, eyes catching sight of a tattered banner lying partially buried under a collapsed tent. She knelt to examine it and brushed away the dirt to reveal the crest of Prince Leo, now stained and faded. Nothing of note just yet.

The inquisitor continued searching the rest of the camp for any clues or useful items. Yet, it quickly became apparent that anything of value had already been looted. She found empty chests, discarded bedrolls, and broken tools. The place had been picked clean.

Despite the mess, one thing stood out to Haziel: there were no signs of bodies or casualties. It was as if the entire expedition had vanished without a trace. Doesn't look like even a single person made it out of that wild dungeon. I wonder what they encountered inside.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Instead of running from the sound, Haziel moved closer to it as her hand hovered near the hilt of her rapier. She crept to the edge of the camp and peered through the dense foliage, spotting a group emerging from the forest.

A small band of beastkin warriors with matted fur led the way, their armor was piecemeal at best. They were clearly fatigued from the way they walked, and their weapons were a mismatched collection of swords, axes, and spears with nearly dulled edges.

In stark contrast, a lone elf mage trailed behind them. His pristine white robes shimmered in the light, embroidered with intricate runes that constantly glowed slightly every so often.

He clutched a staff carved from a dark, polished wood. At the top of the staff, a crystal pulsed rhythmically, emitting a soft light.

The elf's expression was one of disdain and superiority. When his gaze fell upon Haziel, his lips set into a thin, disapproving line. "A Lizerian inquisitor has no business being on the battlefield."

Haziel drew her rapier, the blade gleaming slightly as it slid from its sheath. She held the weapon with one hand, fingers curled around the hilt with practiced ease as she positioned herself into a fighting stance. "And Verlothians shouldn't interfere in Lizerian affairs."

The elf mage waved his hand dismissively. "Deal with her."

The beastkin warriors charged at Haziel all at once, their roars echoing across the battlefield. Muscles bulged beneath their fur-covered bodies, eyes filled with bloodlust that wasn't entirely natural.

In response, Haziel channeled her magic, and red lightning crackled to life along the length of her rapier. The energy pulsed and sparked, casting a blood-red glow around her.

A beastkin lunged at her with a heavy ax raised high above its head. But Haziel sidestepped smoothly.

Her rapier sliced through the air, and the lightning-imbued weapon cut through armor and flesh with ease, a sizzling sound accompanying the strike as the warrior crumpled to the ground. Another beastkin came at her from the side, swinging a massive mace with enough force to shatter bones.

But, with a casual flick of Haziel's wrist, she parried the blow. Sparks flew as the weapons clashed. In a few seconds, the Inquisitor saw her opening and thrust her blade forward. The beastkin gasped, eyes widening in shock as the rapier pierced its heart.

Every other beastkin that approached met the same fate as they dropped like flies. The red lightning around her blade cast a macabre glow over the fallen warriors, their bodies strewn across the ground.

Yet, as she pulled her rapier from the last of the beastkin warriors, Haziel heard the sound of chanting. She turned her head to see the elf mage pointing his staff at her, his lips moving rapidly in an incantation. Before she could react, the crystal atop his staff flared brightly as a bolt of lightning shot out and struck the inquisitor in the stomach.

The force of the impact knocked Haziel back, her body skidding across the ground until she came to a rolling stop. Pain surged through her, but she pushed herself up and locked her eyes onto the elf mage, who was already chanting again.

Gritting her teeth, Haziel clenched her left hand and manifested her left wing, its ethereal blue feathers shimmering with magic. She brought the wing in front of her, using it as a shield just as another torrent of lightning erupted from the elf mage's staff.

The lightning slammed into her wing, sending tremors through her body. She braced herself, feeling the energy pulsing against her, but her wing held firm. The magical feathers absorbed the lightning, diffusing its power and protecting her from harm.

She could feel the strain of maintaining her wing shield, but she refused to falter. The mage's chanting grew louder, the bolts of lightning more powerful, but Haziel's resolve only strengthened.

The instant Haziel felt the lightning strikes stop, she dissipated her wing and dashed towards the elf mage. The mage's eyes widened in panic as he desperately tried to chant again.

Haziel closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. Just as the staff started to glow again, she thrust her blade forward and pierced the mage's stomach, driving through with a sickening crunch. The glow of the staff flickered and died, the spell dissipating as the mage's concentration shattered.

The inquisitor twisted the blade and drove it deeper before pinning the mage to the ground. His breath left him in a pained gasp.

The elf mage's hands grasped weakly at the hilt of the rapier, fingers slick with blood. His chanting had ceased entirely, replaced by a gurgling choke as he struggled to draw breath. Haziel's expression remained impassive, eyes devoid of mercy as she looked down at him.

"Glory to Lizeria."

Haziel watched as the life faded from his gaze, his body going limp beneath her. Then, she pulled her rapier free with a swift motion, the blade still slick with blood.

She stood over him for a moment, her breathing steady as she assessed the scene. The inquisitor wiped the blood from her rapier with a swift flick, the red lightning fading from its surface.

Leaving the now-silent camp behind, Haziel walked through the forest. The trees thinned out as she approached what had once likely been a large opening in the earth, resembling a cave mouth. Now, however, it was completely covered with dirt and rocks, the entrance to the dungeon completely obscured.

She approached the covered entrance and knelt down, brushing her fingers against the cold, rough surface of the rocks. She tested their stability, trying to see if she could pry any of them away, but it was all too clogged up. Determined to uncover the entrance, Haziel stood back and extended her hand, her fingers crackling with red lightning.

The inquisitor unleashed a blast of red lightning at the rocks, the air sizzling with the force of her attack. The rocks exploded outward, shards flying in all directions. For a moment, she glimpsed the dark, gaping maw of the dungeon entrance. But almost immediately, more rocks and dirt tumbled down, filling the gap she had created.

Haziel's eyes narrowed in frustration. She tried again, channeling even more of her energy into a powerful blast. The result was the same: the rocks disintegrated, only to be replaced by a fresh cascade of debris. Doesn't look like I can use brute force to get inside.

She stood up and looked around the area for any signs of bodies or further clues. The ground around the blocked entrance was undisturbed, and there were no signs of a struggle or any remains. It was as if the earth had swallowed the expedition whole, leaving nothing behind.

Frustration gnawed at her as she realized her search had turned up nothing. There were no clues, no signs of what had happened to Prince Leo and his men. The mystery of the dungeon deepened, and Haziel knew she needed to explore further.

Still, with nothing else for Haziel to see here, it was best for her to leave. She took a deep breath to calm her mind. A familiar warmth spread through her body, and the air around her shimmered as she manifested her wings again.

With a powerful thrust, Haziel launched herself into the sky. The documents I read before mentioned that there was one adventurer who joined the expedition. Perhaps I should look into the adventurer's guild next.