As they finished telling their story I could understand a few things. First, the reason why despite being so different the feeling they gave off was related somehow. Second, the reason behind this absurd power I could feel flowing through them. And third, the reason behind them having a conscious mind despite being inanimate objects. This last one wasn't told explicitly in the story, however, I could understand that the sheer amount of mana or miasma contained within them alongside the strong wills of their creator and masters gave birth to said consciousness.

I took a glance at both of them but something unexpected happened. Rather I saw something that shouldn't be there. My left eye's iris was a bright red colour while the sclera or the white part of the eye had become a deep dark, almost as if there was absolutely nothing there. The sight startled me a little. In an instant, I began closing and opening my eye thinking it might be a hallucination but it wasn't.

"Its the miasma, it has changed you, I can feel it. However, there is nothing to be afraid off, at least not yet"

The voice was clear on my head and I could tell it belonged to Pyrkagia. So this was the miasma's doing. I calmed myself down, if this is because of the miasma maybe when I am no longer in contact with it I will go back to normal. I made my mind once more, I had to get out of here.

"Say, where is the exit of this place?"

I looked down at the blades I held in each hand. If anyone knew how to get out of here it was these two.

"There are some stairs at the back, those should take you back to the room from which you fell"

The one to answer this time was Naruventi. Thinking about it their names are kind of long, might as well ask them if they are alright with nicknames. To my surprise, they agreed and it was decided I would be calling them Naru and Pyrka. Meanwhile, I started searching for the stairs, it didn't take long to find and just like that I was going back up.

The end of the stairs was blocked by a stone door that opened as soon as I got close enough. Behind it was the room where I had just fought against the undead troll and in the middle there it was. I felt my blood boil, as my thirst for combat and blood began resurfacing once again. This time it would be different, I had weapons now, no, comparing them to normal weapons is an insult, I was now in the possession of two powerful minokens.

Without thinking twice I dashed forward at full speed, the roll reacted as well by swinging its large fists my way. A wide grin flourished on my face as I slashed with my left hand which held tightly to Pyrka. In an instant, its arm was split in half and rotten flesh alongside a puss-like liquid splashed everywhere, however, I wasn't done just yet. In the next instant, I swung Naru with all I had at its torso almost cutting it in half. As I landed delight filled my mind, this foe that had given me a hard time had been reduced to tattered pieces in a matter of seconds or so I thought. As I looked back I could see worm-like pieces of rotten flesh wiggling and closing the cuts I had just made.

'Use my ability I would like to see it coming back from that'

Once again I heard Pyrka's voice in my mind. I didn't know what her ability was about however I was more than willing to give it a go. My mana began flowing as I commanded it and in an instant, it was permeating Pyrka, however, the next instant a horrible pain invaded my left arm. It was akin to that of a burning sensation and in an instant, both Pyrka and my left arm ignited in red and black fire. The pain subsided a little and was replaced with slight dizziness alongside a feeling of having my blood sucked out of me. I wanted to ask what was going on however my thirst for combat won over my curiosity and once again I dashed at the troll.

Fear was spelt all over its hideous face as I slashed at it. The troll's flash caught on fire by the flame we were emitting and began burning away. However, there was no heat nor the peculiar smell of burning flesh, there was nothing at all. A few seconds after the slash the fire on the troll went out, and what was left behind was only half of its torso and face alongside its left arm and both legs. Once again the worm-looking flesh began to move albeit a far slower pace, as it began to regenerate. I wouldn't just stay idle and wait for it to be done, so I went on the offensive once again. The second hit was just like the first and in no time there was absolutely nothing left of the troll, not even ashes.

The flames on my arm and Pyrka grew weaker before banishing as I stopped supplying it with mana. What I saw next shocked me a little. My left arm was a complete mess, with cuts and burn marks everywhere. I began pumping mana into it while trying to regenerate but the wounds refused to close, at most I was barely able to stop the bleeding, now was the time for questions.

I took a breather while walking at a slow pace towards the door I had come through the first time. I also asked Pyrka and Naru about their respective abilities and why my arm ended in such a bad state while refusing to heal. The answer I got was a little surprising. Pyrka's ability does require mana but alongside it, lifeforce must be included. In my case through the burning of my own blood. That was the reason behind the cuts as for why the slow healing speed it also has to do with the flames. As it consumes lifeforce it can burn pretty much anything while disrupting the flow of both mana and lifeforce. This worries me a little. since it also uses my blood and causes partial damage to me, using this ability is dangerous.

On Narus side, her blade has a holly effect while it can control the wind, or that's the idea. In reality, this wind controlling effect is nothing more than the creation of thin blades made of mana. This blades can be as thin as the user likes as long as they can concentrate hard enough. The holly effect on the other refers to its ability to alter the light surrounding it making her a really powerful yet difficult minoken to master.

All in all, I can't be happier, my weapon problems are settled with this, now I only need to figure a way out this hell hole. I kept going through the passages while slaughtering any monster on my path. However, there was no progress, I was still lost and didn't know where the exit could be. Like this time kept ticking by until my rations were gone. If I had to guess I had already been in here for at least three days since I had made sure to eat and drink as little as possible to make them last. As of now, there is nothing to eat or drink since none of the monsters in this horrid place are edible.

I don't know how long I have been in here, I lost count around the fourth day. My body is at its limit, only moving thanks to my soul ability and the huge amount of miasma in the atmosphere, to tell the truth, I don't know for how much longer I will last. I can already feel my mind reaching its limits too, keeping myself sane has been a struggle and I have been blacking out more often during combat only to find myself surrounded by corpses. I can't help but laugh at my current situation but even that comes out as a mad cackle.

I refuse to give up, even now I refuse to do so. Day in and day out I can feel my body weakening but I refuse to stop moving forward. Even if I have to advance by sheer will power then so be it but I won't die here. This is my second opportunity at life, I refuse to go like this. I kept repeating this to myself as each step grew harder to take. My wound would no longer heal in an instant like before and my body became slow and heavy. Monsters kept giving me more and more trouble but I kept pumping out as much strength as I could.

At some point, I could no longer tell where I was going. The only thing I could do was concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other to keep moving forward. However, as I kept doing that light could be seen in the distance. At first, it was dim but with each step, it grew in intensity until I was right in front of its source. A group of people with their respective weapons out looked at me in fear, however, there were two with a different expression, one of sheer surprise. I took the last step forward and the light finally shone over my face. It was bright, too bright for my eyes that had become accustomed to the dark. I held my left arm, which looked like it had gone through a blender in front of my eyes. I tried to take the next step forward but my legs finally gave up on me and I fell.

My consciousness grew hazy, I tried with all I had to keep myself awake to no avail. Once again I was floating in that dark place where a voice would wait for me. I tried to move, to talk, anything but nothing work. Just like a well kept and synchronised clock, the voice came once again.

"You did well. I was surprised actually, you kept me on edge as every second I thought you would come to visit. To think it took you this long. You are mean, to make someone wait like that, but it doesn't matter, you are here after all and that's what matters"

Her melodious voice, as usual, sounded delighted. I wanted to respond but nothing I tried worked so I just kept listening to her.

"You know, I am glad you could take it for so long. That is why I like you. Unlike me, you never give up and always push forward. That's something I have always admired about you. Despite it causing troubles from time to time, I still like that side of you"

Her voice grew a little melancholic. I tried to console her but I still couldn't move or speak, all I could do was listen to her, and then forget.

"It seems like time is up already, you know its a little vexing. I want to see you so badly but at the same time, I don't want you to come here. Quite the contradiction but once again you and I are one. Either way, I will wait for you, until next time"