Prepare for the glorious future [Act 1 Finale]

A peace you have not felt in a very long time encompasses you as you realize something. For the first true time since you got back, you didn't feel like there was something you needed to do in the immediate future.

It didn't end there. You kept thinking further and further back, whether it be when you met Sahara, when you got this dungeon, or the update in general. No matter how many world events you thought back, never had you ever truly felt at peace with yourself. Not since you had woken up in this cave.

Tears begin to form in your eyes, the foreign sensation of truly crying somewhat disturbing you. As the drops of wetness roll down your somewhat rotting face. You raise your fingers to feel them, your hands shaking until they are firmly rested on your new flesh.

After a few moments, you just decide to let it out. Releasing all of your pent-up emotions from years of surviving as a skeleton **** to die over and over to no end. All of your fear, your anger, your despair. At last, you had a way to live that did not require you to hide them inside to stay sane.

Despite the negative feeling of finally embracing everything you went through to get here, it was freeing. You have never realized just what kind of burden you had subconsciously been carrying, until you were made aware all at once.

You begin to sob, making movements that alert Sahara to your current state. She immediately jumps away before moving back to hug you and get close, trying to comfort you even though she probably doesn't know what is going on.

After a moment of her clinging to you, she begins to try and comfort you. "I'm sorry if I said something, I didn't mean to do anything to hurt you like this. I promise you I am here for you, whatever the issue is."

You return her hug, speaking back even though you know she can't understand you. "It isn't you. Well, it is you, but in a good way. I can finally be free of the cage I had been born inside, and it is mostly thanks to you." You aren't certain of the words as you say them, speaking truly from your heart without thought.

The two of you stay like that for a time you cannot describe. There was not a single place in all of the world you could imagine you would rather be than in the arms of your minion/lover.

A long time later, you had calmed down at last, just savoring the feeling of her clinging to you in your arms. You slowly open your eyes, only to jump back in surprise when you are greeted by the skeletal face of your newest minion.

As you scramble backwards on instinct, Shara looks at you in confusion. When she herself turns around, her skittish reaction lands her right next to you, causing you to chuckle to yourself at the situation.

Sahara chuckles back once she realizes herself. "See? It's understandable to not want something like that in your face when you open your eyes." You both share a laugh as you think back to not-so old times.

Looking over to Sahara, you take a moment to pet her head affectionately, trying to wordlessly thank her for her support. She seems to get the message, as she blushes slightly. When you eventually stop petting her, you are surprised to hear her let out a somewhat frustrated moan.

Getting up and looking around, you take in your no longer as humble abode. From the new almost sandstone-looking blocks that made up its structure, to the great fires that brough a wonderful lighting throughout. And of course, having your own door to at least discourage adventurers from entering just to kill you.

You walk up to the first mural. The one you had studied for so long, the thing that you had used as a beacon, a purpose to prevent your own insanity. You slowly and gently rest your hand upon it, thanking it for all it has done.

Examining the rest of the hall, you walk to inspect each of the other murals as well. They may be interesting and most likely important, but you couldn't act like you had the same connection with them as you did the first piece.

Your wandering at last leads you back to your new servants. Sahara is getting back to her feet while eyeing the new skeleton nervously. It itself is simply watching you, its only movements to turn its head or take a step when you move farther than it can turn its head reasonably.

To top it all off, your first and most loyal minion, the one that did far more than you ever expected. The proud little stone beetle slowly hovered down until it landed atop the head of the skeleton, garnering no reaction in the slightest.

Determination sweeps through you as you take in your dungeon. Now, you can finally accept that it is in fact yours, and you are ready to fight for it. Because you know, that you won't be alone anymore.