"—Why are you here? This doesn't make sense!"
The blacksmith tried to retreat quietly while the beasts devoured their meal. But the moment he stepped back, his foot slipped on a pool of blood. He hit the ground with a grunt, alerting the beasts to his presence.
Groaning in pain, he picked up Nicolas in his arms. His eyes widened as the creatures turned toward him, their gaze hungry—like they'd just been served dessert after a full-course meal. Venom dripped from their fangs, staining the floor with streaks of black.
"—Could these have escaped from him? Unless…"
Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "What happened to him? What did you do to Sebastian?!"
The creatures gave no response—not that William expected one. One moment, the torch illuminating the beasts was lit. The next, it flickered out. As soon as the light behind him ignited, he knew—the beasts were chasing their next prey.
There was no getting past them without losing a leg or two. The only option was to run. Run back to the entrance.
William's heart sank. After everything, he had to turn back—forced to retreat because he couldn't defend himself.
"—If only I'd brought my weapons, dammit!"
Swallowing his frustration, he bolted. He wasn't sure if he could outrun those insatiable monsters, but anything was better than dying in that cursed tunnel. As he dashed forward, the torches flared to life one after another along the path.
"You traitor!"
A furious voice echoed through the serpentine tunnel. William froze. A loud thud followed, and he turned to look. To his shock, the creatures collapsed, writhing on the floor in convulsions. The voice—human or not—had knocked them down.
"—What the hell is going on? That sounded like… a person…"
"You'll pay for that!"
The voice rang out again, this time piercing his eardrums. The ground trembled. Stones cracked and split from the ceiling. The tunnel collapsed behind him, burying the creatures in a cloud of dust and rubble.
William barely escaped being crushed.
"I thought I had tough luck, but you guys got me beat. May you rest in peace."
He stared at the rubble blocking the way. There was no going forward now. The only way was back—again.
"—So I'm still going back… This is not good."
Adjusting Nicolas in his arms, William resumed his desperate run. Shouts continued to echo behind him. The voice—familiar, but unplaceable—sent tremors through the tunnel, shaking the ground beneath his feet. It became harder and harder to stay upright.
"—Shit, shit, shit! Is it my turn to be crushed?!"
The tunnel could collapse at any moment. Through all this, Nicolas remained unconscious. But now… now his color had returned. His breathing had stabilized. Was he… recovering?
"It must be nice sleeping on the job," William muttered, recalling how he'd told Nicolas he'd have to carry equipment to earn his spot. Ironic, now that he was the one carrying him.
"Are you really getting better? I don't understand." The blacksmith was hit with déjà vu. Earlier that day, Nicolas had gone through the same thing.
"—Only this time… it's taken longer."
The first time, he bounced back within seconds. This time, hours had passed. William had questions—so many—but they'd have to wait. First, they had to get out.
"—Considering how long it took me to reach that place, I should still be hours away from the entrance. How the hell am I going to survive if—wait, what?!"
He skidded to a stop. The entrance… was right there. Just a few paces ahead.
"—How the hell is this even possible?"
It hadn't felt like he'd run far. Time itself felt wrong. He stood under the faint light of the moon, confused and disoriented.
"What now?"
No transport. No path forward. He felt… hopeless.
"Well, if anything, I'd need to wake you up—huh?" He looked down. "Nico…las?"
The body in his arms had stopped breathing.
"No!"
He dropped to the ground, placing Nicolas on his back and checking for a pulse. Nothing.
"Weren't you getting better?! What's happening to you?!"
He pressed his palms into Nicolas's chest, again and again. Minutes passed. No response.
"I won't lose you too, dammit!"
Tears fell onto the young man's still chest. William stared at him, broken.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you…"
Nicolas had only lived with him a few days, but it had been enough. William had grown attached. He thought—he hoped—he'd finally found someone he could call family.
He gathered Nicolas's body and walked toward the tunnel entrance.
"Mother was right. I do bring misfortune to those around me."
The ground quaked again. The tunnel collapsed entirely behind him.
William leapt forward, just in time—but Nicolas's body rolled out of his arms and down the slope.
"Nicolas!" He reached out, struggling to stand. But he couldn't.
—What the hell?
His clothes were soaked. He touched the ground—blood.
He looked at his hand. Then turned to see behind him.
No. No, no, no…
One of the beasts was there, chewing on a severed leg.
His leg.
He looked down. From the knee down, his left leg was gone. Blood poured out. Pain exploded through his body.
He screamed, rolling in agony. But then—another searing flash of pain. One of the beasts tore off his right arm.
They'd come from the shadows. Silent. Ruthless. Precise.
"—It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"
The poison took hold, his skin beginning to rot. "No! Please, stop!" he pleaded.
The beasts licked their fangs, savoring their next bite.
With the limb and leg he had left, William dragged himself toward Nicolas.
Tears streamed down his face. He reached out—closer… just a little closer…
The poison numbed his pain. He couldn't feel his body. Just cold. So cold.
"Inches away…" he whispered. "I'm sorry!"
He stretched out his hand to touch Nicolas's face—
—and then, everything went black.
The last thing he felt was his skull cracking between the beast's jaws.