I created my own system

The underground tunnel appears dimly lit passage carved through rock or earth. It has rough, uneven walls and a low ceiling. Also supported by beams or pillars to prevent collapse. The atmosphere was damp, with moisture seeping through cracks, and the air was cool and musty.

The Light is scarce almost non-existent at some part of the tunnel. The walls that are lit by unsteady light from the torches can barely be seen. The tunnel's length and curvature combined with the limited light create an eerie sense of isolation.

"Jeremiah, how long do we need to walk?"

[You are already close just pass the iron gate and you will see it]

And just like what he said we saw a black rustic iron gate filled with lock defensive magic.

"It's protected by magic Apollo"

"Yes I can see it"

I approached the gate and just ordered Jeremiah to break it for me.

[Creator I have noticed something at the end of this tunnel]

"And that is?"

[A library]

This piqued my interest, after all, it's rare for people to put a library in a tunnel.

"It's open we should head inside"

"Just what do want to see here?"

"Treasures, we might find something here if we look around"

Keith and Jillian both sigh probably not understanding why I am quite obsessed with gold and mine.

Why? Would you pass on the opportunity of getting rich? Surely you won't right?

Our steps echo as we walk across a dungeon-like place.

The temperature was cold while the space was narrow and oppressive, with low ceilings.

The walls were lined with torch sconces that cast flickering, dim light. Same as the walls we previously saw but as we walked more we began to realize its difference. Iron chains rattle occasionally, hanging from hooks embedded into the stone, remnants of its past captives. Thick iron bars divide the cells, their surfaces corroded with age and neglect. This cast ominous shadows across the damp floors.

The sound of dripping water echoes throughout, adding to the eerie ambience. Each cell door is reinforced with heavy bolts and padlocks. And from its surfaces, we could see scratches from the captive's futile escape attempts. Just seeing the marks of desperation exudes a sense of despair and confinement on us. These marks are a chilling reminder of its purpose as a place of captivity and punishment.

"This place looks terrible"

"Apollo, are you certain there is treasure here?"

"Of course I am"

"It's creepy"

"Yeah, Apollo-.."

Keith's voice halted when one of the cells showed signs of someone being imprisoned there.

[Thats him]

I wonder why Jeremiah asked me to look into this prisoner.

"Let's approach that cell"

I told them, Keith followed while I heard something from behind me.

"Sigh"

Jillian looked conflicted but still followed me and Keith.

[She is scared, Creator]

"For someone who experienced being hunted, I never expected she would be afraid of something like this"

[Perhaps it's not because she is afraid but maybe this place is reminding her of something]

My steps halted due to his words and unintentionally I looked at Jillian. She looked uncomfortable but I could still see she was doing well.

[Should I scan her?]

"No, I think that's disrespectful"

[Okay]

"Why did you stop?"

"Did you see something, Apollo?"

"Ah no let's continue"

I should be careful of my actions from now on because unknowingly I might trigger some bad memories in them.

Finally, we reached the cell and the first thing that happened was Keith and Jillian's reaction.

"Chief!"

"Father!"

It was a man with long dark green hair, his body was neglected to the point that he was left with little fat and more bones. However, despite his condition, I could still see his past glorious state. The battle scars and how loose his skin is, it was evidence of how bulky he used to be.

"Father!"

Keith hastily approaches the cells making me stop him.

"There is a trap don't touch nor approach it"

Then two pairs of eyes looked at me desperately, they were begging for me to help.

And I won't deny that to them.

So I raised my hand and ordered "Jeremiah deal with the traps"

[!?]

"What?"

[I thought you gonna do it seeing how dramatic you are]

"Just do it"

[Alright]

Then something melted inside the rustic iron bars of the cell. It begins to smoke until it finally melts and disappears. After that, the entire cell was covered in light as Jeremiah disfigured the magic traps that lay there.

"Done you can go in"

"Thank you!"

They rushed inside and gently freed him from all the chains that bound him.

"Father! Can you hear me!"

"Chief let me help you"

Jillian's palm was placed on top of the man's head and to my surprise, a glowing light appeared from her hand.

"I don't sense any magic"

[Because she's not casting]

"Don't tell me it's a gift?"

Gifts are the counterpart of a demon's skill and my system-made skills. It is something that can be obtained since birth or training and can be activated without the use of any chanting or casting.

"I have never seen one before"

A gift manifested since birth is very rare to find much rarer than the training method.

"Analyze her gift"

[Affirmative]

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While Jeremiah analyzes the gift my eyes went through the man's condition.

"Wai-..."

I was about to speak when someone spoke first.

"Do-..." his voice was barely a whisper but with the quiet corridors of the dungeon we could still hear him.

"Don't... waste....energy..."

His voice was strained probably due to dehydration so Keith with his trembling hand tried to give him water.

"Here father! Please drink!"

A small bottle appeared from Keith's ring, then he gently helped his father drink through a straw.

I wanted to say something but seeing their desperate attempts to save his life made me hesitant.

[You must speak Creator]

Can I really do it?

I drew my attention back to them and heard that man's voice again, however, this time his voice was more solid and alive.

I heard a soft laughter from him making my heart hurt. He is laughing despite the situation, it hurts me to see a person like this.

"Father"

Keith's voice cracked who wouldn't be right?

If I saw anyone from the tower like this I might not just cry....I might run berserk.

"It's okay...I am just happy..." there were gaps in his words because he kept catching his breath, and this caused us to be worried.

"No....please no more speaking"

The man chuckled again like finding something amusing, but as he did so our hearts were put to the edge. Each breath, each gasp and choke made us worried that it might be his last.

"I...I am happy....son....seeing you are safe....made those three years worth it...my last remaining life is well spent.... "

"Your brothers and I....we took as many as we can to ensure you can be safe...."

"....when the attack happened.....' they' appeared..... A legion of sword men, wielding weapons with questionable appearance....it looked alive...and threatening.... "

He began to narrate his story when the attack happened, this drew my attention to listen.

".... we're desperate...they were many and blessings were useless...." then he moved his head and looked straight at his son's eyes.

"....I thought the Gods had abandoned us...that we are no longer loved.....because no matter how hard I call no one answers..."

Then as he continued to speak his eyes softened.

"...then I heard his voice...he answered me....he told me....that you will be safe...out of all the deaths that will happen that day....you are the one who was promised to live...."

My hand trembled as I realized one thing, they sacrificed themselves to make sure Keith would live. Because of the words of the Gods, it spark fuel for them to make sure Keith will be saved.

"...me and your brothers are already old...everyone in the village is....except you two.....so we took as many as we can so that you two can live....."

Tears flowed down from Keith and Jillian's face but their focus remained still.

".....I want you two to remember....that all of us want to...say these...we love you...live...and be happy..."

As soon as he said those words his heart began to beat slowly, his vitals were shutting down while his eyes began to close.

"No!"

Even with Jillian using her gift of healing it wasn't enough to save his life. His body was almost dead but his mind remained focused on his goal, to meet his son again.

As his life began to vanish, Jillian kept pushing herself, using her gift to save the little life in the man's body.

"Apollo! Please!"

Keith began to beg me and I don't know what to do. I already analyzed his body and knew it was time for him to go.

"PLEASEEEEE SAAAVEEE MYY FAATTHHERR!!"

His voice echoed, and then an idea popped inside my head.

"Okay move Jillian!"

[I suddenly have a bad feeling about this]

"Won't worry you are not the only one"