Chapter 107: Another Dungeon?

The serene sounds of crashing waves and chirping birds filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere in stark contrast to the recent events.

The man, now without his eyepatch, lay on the ground, gazing up at the bright sun with a slight chuckle. "Huh, I actually lost?" he mused to himself, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

He looked down at his attire, torn and battered from the battle. His attention then shifted to the gash on his side, only to find that the open wound had been expertly seared shut, staunching any further blood loss.

The realization dawned on him that not only had he failed to trap his adversary, but that adversary had also shown mercy in saving him from bleeding out.

The man, still weak and barely able to move, pondered the enigma of his recent opponent. "I wonder who that orange-haired guy was and just how much more power that skeleton guy had?" he thought, curiosity mixing with his frustration.

He was certain of one thing: there must be a weakness, a vulnerability he could exploit. "I'll get him back during a rematch," he vowed, his determination unwavering.

Closing his eyes and settling into a more comfortable position, he decided to allow himself a moment of rest. "But for now, just a small nap," he conceded, giving in to his exhaustion.

With the warmth of the sun on his face and the rhythmic sound of the waves in the background, he drifted off into a much-needed slumber, his thoughts lingering on future encounters and the mysteries yet to be unraveled.

(Meanwhile)

Ty, slowly awakening, found himself gazing skyward, his head nestled in the soft sands. A sense of disorientation washed over him as he observed the clear sky, punctuated by the alarming sight of a massive meteor slowly descending towards the planet.

"Why is it every time I see you something else is happening?" he mused aloud, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and resignation.

The man, whose presence seemed both enigmatic and constant, responded with an emotionless tone. "I am forever doomed to die. The iterations are endless, and it is a punishment for me obtaining power.The same power you can obtain once you unlock the seven keys left."

Ty, feeling a surge of frustration, retorted, "I don't care about any of that. All I want is to return back to Earth, to Jade, and get my old life back."

Looking down at his bony wrists, still shackled to the wall, he pondered his next move.

"Things are different this time. I can't just leave... or can I? Should I?" After a moment's thought, he decided, "Yeah, I should. After all, I haven't done anything wrong."

With that, Ty flexed his wrist, easily breaking the weak metal shackles. "These things are so flimsy. Could've wiggled out of them, really.

Well, I guess I'll have to make up for the broken shackles later," he said, his tone light despite the situation.

Moments after Ty broke free from his shackles, the sound of a metal door slamming open resonated down the long corridor outside his cell.

Ty guessed it led straight from the dungeon's entrance, much like the last one he'd been in.

A guard, clad in the same armor as the men who had knocked him out the previous night, appeared, confusion written all over his face.

"Well, hello there, good sir," Ty greeted him, trying to sound as non-threatening as a talking skeleton could.

"I woke up, and those metal shackles sort of broke. I promise it's not my fault." His voice carried a hint of humor, trying to ease the tension.

The guard's shock was evident as he laid eyes on Ty's naked black skeleton form, complete with burning green eyes. "Huh, never seen a skeleton before? Don't you have an endless amount of monsters here?" Ty quipped, attempting to lighten the mood.

The guard, still reeling from the unexpected sight, stammered, struggling to communicate over what appeared to be a radio.

The device was radiating with a blue cord of energy, indicating some sort of magical or advanced technological communication.

Ty waited, his green eyes flickering, as the guard tried to make sense of the situation and report back to whoever was on the other end of the line.