SWNOVELXO Chapter 83: 83. She had never met you
"She loved you before she came here," Usiku said. "I know that. We've talked."
"Lana didn't."
"She had never met you." Usiku paused. "You're someone worth loving, Lord Leo. Mthunzi... I did love him, but he wasn't a good man. He was cruel. He delighted in his power. It went to his head. He came here to take your lightning from you so he could be stronger. You wouldn't do that. I'd rather be yours than his."
"You're not just saying that because I'm bleeding to death?"
"No." Her hand tightened on me. "I'm really not. You are someone worth loving, Leo. Lana recognizes that. So does Garnet. And all your monster girls, too. Your will o' wisps and wildhounds adore you. Worship you. They know you care for them. They know they aren't just things you'll throw away needlessly and replace when you get better monster girls."
"Thanks," I said as we stumbled through the bedroom. The Void Crystal was just ahead. Through the door. "Garnet, are they out of the dungeon yet?"
"Just about," my sister sent back. "They're so pathetic. Just drooling over me. They have small dicks. I'll send them off stumbling into the woods naked. No gear or anything. They'll have to start over from scratch when my charm wears off."
"Good," I grunted. They would come for the warrior woman.
Usiku opened the door with her free hand. The Void Crystal hummed away, drinking in the mana. Would it really drain this world and leave it a husk? Was I slowly killing off this planet or something by being here?
"Lord Leo," Souleen said. She rose from the gem and floated in the air. "You're hurt! Oh, grab the Void Crystal. Hurry."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, my words slurring. I gripped the gem with numb fingers. I could barely feel its faceted surfaces.
"Okay, they're out, big bro," Garnet said. "Off to stumble naked in the woods. Poor trees. I just know they're going to molest them."
"Good," I growled and grabbed the crystal. I concentrated.
***
Halia Vorbia had always known she wanted to be a fighter. To be one of the brave adventurers who went out and fought the dungeon builders.
She had grown up hearing about her father. He had killed two dungeon builders before vanishing in the labyrinth of the most feared one of them all.
The Black Flame of Nyias. The Razer of Kelias
She had grown up in Astovin, training every day. While other girls were learning to sew or cook, she was swinging a wooden sword, a memento from her father. He had carved it the day she was born, certain she would be as strong as him.
She wished she knew her father.
She had explored through Mthunzi's Dark Dungeon, killing many of his wildhounds before being driven out. She wanted to kill him, but he had died before she could. But she had gained experience in his dungeon. Grown stronger.
Found her sword.
A blessed blade, enchanted with magic to be unbreakable, to cut through normal weapons. She teamed up with Norso, a rogue, and Milies, a priest of Sherida, Goddess of Light.
Together, they had tracked down the newest dungeon that had appeared near Astovin.
And found it deserted. No enemies, just trapped.
It baffled her. Walking through the dark corridors, searching, exploring, looking for the dungeon builder. For any sign that he was here. She started to fear that he had already died. That they were wasting time.
Then they met him and... and...
Halia groaned awake. She ached everywhere. Her joints ground together. Her face contorted against the pain. She groaned, chains rattling.
She blinked as she opened her eyes and felt metal around her wrists. Her arms were thrust over her head. Her feet were held apart. A stone wall was against her back.
"She's coming awake, big bro," a sensual yet girlish voice purred. "Ooh, ooh, she's got such big boobies. You should have stripped her naked."
"What?" a man gasped. "That's going too far. She's manacled. Not a threat. She can keep her armor. It's not like we're going to fight again."