The soft glow from the sun outside leaked into a small office. The office itself was a collection of refurbished wood furniture, with a large desk in the middle. Behind it lay an extremely large window that provided a view of the entire town of Varos.
The walls were tall, stretching up toward a grand chandelier hanging at the center of the room. The designs etched into the gold trim shimmered faintly in the light.
In the middle, with his feet propped lazily on the table, sat a fat man, smoking a cigar. He looked to be in his early fifties, with a stubborn tuft of golden hair clinging to the sides of his scalp. A wide bald spot sat on top of his head.
He carried an air of leisure, something he was more than aware of.
After all, he had practically taken over the entire town himself. Why should he work any harder now? From this point forward, it was smooth sailing. Money would come in no matter what he did. He had successfully secured himself a proper empire.
For his name was—
"Mr Gorthro!" a voice called out as the large double doors swung open with a heavy creak. Something he did not like.
A woman outfitted in a tidy secretary uniform walked in.
Her hair was short, just barely trailing to her shoulders. The neat cut lent her an air of professionalism. She carried a stack of papers, each labeled with financial data from various outside sources.
"What is it, Laura?"
"I apologize for the sudden interruption, sir, but we've received word of mercenaries arriving here yesterday."
The man stood from his chair, the cigar still lodged between his lips.
"Hmph. Just another group of children who think they're heroes. Don't they understand I'm running a business here? They'll end up like the rest soon enough."
"Sir, once again, I apologize, but it is not any random group."
"Who is it then?"
"Sable Veil."
He fell silent.
"Nahaha! What are you freezing up for, Laura?" the man laughed, smoke curling in twisting tendrils from his cigar. The woman, who had been on edge up until now, feared her punishment was moments away.
She forced a nervous smile, realizing her superior was laughing like it was the funniest joke he had heard in his life.
"You're acting like they're going to storm in any second now. Relax. I'll have them begging for their lives in less than three days."
His laughter faded, replaced by a sudden sharp frown.
"Fuuma."
Three blurs moved across the room, all appearing in front of Gorthro within a fraction of a second. The entire process was over in two heartbeats, the details lost to motion.
Laura tried to make sense of the three figures now standing near her.
Each radiated a dangerous, overwhelming presence. Their sizes varied, but they all shared one distinctive trait. Their bodies were bound in bandages.
The first was a man. White hair jutted out from the bandages wrapping around his nose. A heavy cloak draped over his form, concealing what looked like a large sword. The second figure was wrapped completely, not a single bit of skin exposed save for the faint outline of hair at the crown of the head. The third was a massive man, towering over the others, his body almost bare except for the bandages on his arms, which looked entirely different from the rest of his body.
"You've already heard the situation, right?" Gorthro asked.
The one with white hair nodded.
"Alright. Just know that I'll pay you double if you bring me that white haired girl alive. I don't care what you do with the rest."
They nodded once more, then vanished, disappearing through the nearby window as quickly as they had come. To the naked eye, they had never even been there at all.
Gorthro stood in front of his desk, a smug grin creeping across his face. A demon who preyed on the innocent, it was clear he was nothing more than an egotistical tyrant whose only ambition in life was to accumulate wealth.
"I'll catch these bastards and make them wish they never came after me."
He crumpled the top page of the financial report and tossed it into the bin without looking.
"..."
"What are you still doing here, Laura? Get back to work. The job never finishes!"
_______________________________________________
"Ms. Highergald's Bekon came from this general area," Kors stated, one hand resting on a nearby tree. The forest was beginning to stir. Sunlight broke through the canopy in soft shafts, and birds sang their symphonies to the world, blanketing the woods in morning calm.
"There." Asakawa pointed toward a nearby cave. The entrance loomed, jagged and wide, as if carved open by force. The land around it was barren, stripped of growth. Only dirt remained.
To any normal person, stepping inside that cave would be an act of madness.
"Well, let's head in," Arivia said, taking the lead with her longsword clutched in both hands. It trembled slightly, swaying from side to side.
Right before the cave, Arivia stopped. Asakawa, behind her, bumped into her lightly.
The girl was shaking. Her smile remained fixed, but the fear was obvious.
Asakawa simply stared.
"Are you scared?"
"N-No! Who'd be scared of the dark at my age?!"
"That sentence sounds like your current situation."
"N-NO!"
"Stuttering doesn't help your case."
Arivia shook her head rapidly, her ponytail bouncing with each motion.
To her, the cave was a living thing, its mouth widening, its throat darkening, shadows pouring outward like claws reaching for her.
She swallowed hard.
"Ms. Arivia," came Kors's voice.
She turned. His hollow sockets met her eyes.
"You may stay outside and keep guard. We'll alert you if anything happens."
Despite his skeletal form, Kors carried himself with quiet kindness. Many judged him at a glance, but he never returned their cruelty. In him was a patience few acknowledged.
This is the nature of people, human or otherwise. Appearances decide worth long before action ever does. It is a truth rooted in the earliest instincts of survival. One we deny, yet still obey.
Arivia nodded quickly.
It was extremely clear that her nerves were firing on overdrive. The claustrophobic nature of the cave itself prompted that behavior.
"Aw, you two are so close."
A voice rang out from behind.
The group turned, weapons half-drawn. The sudden noise had startled them. Their heads spun on their necks, aiming towards the mysterious voice.
Three figures stood tall, backlit by the sun. They cast long shadows. Though blurred by light, their silhouettes were unmistakable. They stood on top of the cave, despite their voices erupting from behind the group.
One of them was massive. Muscle-bound. His particular form exuded power beyond that of any normal human. His form was taut with muscle, almost ripping through his form.
"Greetings, Sable Veil," He had said. A deep, commanding voice. "We are the Fuuma Clan. We have been sent—"
A sharp crack split the air.
A gunshot. Birds fled in chaos, while leaves rustled violently from the shockwave.
The smoke cleared.
The white-haired figure at the center stood calm, his large blade drawn. The bullet had been deflected.
All eyes turned to Kors.
He stood with arms raised, holding twin revolvers unlike anything common. They curved over his arms, with a branch-like structure. Shining red complemented their overall matte black color.
One thing was clear: their forms were extremely unorthodox.
Duel Severant Revolvers.
"...I see. No honor. Not even willing to hear us out," the white-haired man muttered, resting his blade. "Typical of thugs."
Kors spun his weapons, flourishing them. They moved with absolute skill, not a single mistake was made.
"Do not act innocent. I saw the bomb in your hand."
The white-haired man laughed and dropped a crushed device. It was covered in bandages, however, bent inwards; presumably by the bullet striking it.
"No idea what you mean."
Kors said nothing.
But the Severants came out.
Asakawa revealed her katana, a long, black, efficient sword. A blade made for ending fights swiftly by slicing through opponents. It held an almost ethereal form, long and sleek.
Arivia lifted her massive long sword, taller than she was. Raw power radiated from it.
The figures said nothing, instead opting to observe their opponents unsheathe their weapons.
"Koga," the white-haired man said, breaking the silence, arms still folded.
"Yes, young master?"
He nodded.
The monster known as 'Koga' understood the command.
He leapt down from the cave entrance, arms still crossed. As he landed, the earth cracked, pebbles scattering from the force. An explosion of smoke erupted from his landing position, obscuring the view.
Such an opponent would be sure to cause difficulty, even to most experienced warriors.
Finally, it dispersed, and Koga stood, unmoving.
He then began to unwrap the bandages around his arms, revealing a strange hybrid of black-blue metal fused to flesh. Blades jutted from his elbows. He was not wearing any kind of clothing, save for large pants.
His stance was poised. Focused.
Then, with utmost control and discipline over his body, he lifted his right leg.
"Korshak Vilhelm von Grimm! I challenge you to a duel to the death!"
He slammed his foot down, emphasizing his declaration. More cracks spread across the ground like lightning veins.
Dust lifted. Within that moment, Kors took note of Kohga's gaze.
The frenzy of a madman.
The bandaged mask he wore had clear spaces where his mouth would be located, emphasizing the smile he had displayed on his face.
"I accept—"
Before Kors could finish his statement, Kohga shot forward. His fist slammed into the wight's torso, launching him through trees. Wood splintered, shattering into pieces that created unrecognizable trees.
Birds fled.
Silence followed. Rather, it was the rest of his group figuring out what had just transpired.
"Kors!!" Arivia shouted, staring at the opening Kohga had torn through the forest. She had finally processed the event that had just occurred.
Asakawa merely looked in his direction, a bead of sweat trailing down her left cheek.
"Man, that guy always gets carried away," the woman in the trio sighed, stretching lazily. Her entire face, save for one eye, was wrapped in bandages, with hair jutting out of various parts.
"Zhenbai."
"Yeah, yeah. I got it."
She tilted her head toward Arivia, the rest of her body trailing behind her like mist. With a flick of her arms, she revealed two weapons, curved sickles, more akin to scythes. The light from the sun glinted on their forms, almost as if accentuating their sharpness.
"That one's cute. I'll take her."
In a blink, she was in front of Arivia. The scythe flashed.
"—Hnh!?"
Arivia barely managed to block. Sparks burst from the clash. She swung downward in retaliation, deflecting the attack, but Zhenbai twisted, kicking her hard in the solar plexus. The younger girl was sent flying into the underbrush.
Only Asakawa remained standing, her face unreadable. She felt the urge to assist her comrades, but was extremely cautious of turning her back towards her opponent.
Such a mistake would surely cost her life.
"It's just you and me," said the white-haired leader, stepping forward, dropping to the ground as if gravity had not existed.
Stepping into view, his appearance was strange. A large trailing scarf wrapped around his form, with spiky white hair accentuating the red of the scarf. He wore a loose outfit on his torso, the sleeves large. His arms were covered in bandages, wrapped tight enough to cut one's blood pressure.
It was clear that bandages were a motif for this particular clan.
"Name's Fuuma Kouta. Keep that name in your head as you beg for your life."
Asakawa adjusted her grip.
"Ah, by the way, you know where that Highergald girl is? I'm supposed to bring her back alive, y'know?"
The black haired girl said nothing.
Kouta blinked.
She flinched.
He inhaled.
She tensed again, fingers twitching.
"Kuahah!! You're terrifi–"
"Aeronis-23, Sever."
Wind bent unnaturally, sharpening into invisible blades. They screamed toward Kouta, narrowly missing his neck and slicing trees behind him. Dust surged into the air.
Kouta landed lightly, sword resting on his shoulder. He had flipped backwards, effectively dodging such a strike.
"Clever." He rubbed his neck. "You made me think you'd use your Severant as defense, but you used Thauma instead."
"...You're not even a real Severant user, are you? That spell was way too strong."
Silence.
"Fine then. Acting all cool and shit."
He dropped his blade, then quickly lifted it, holding in a stance that exuded killing intent.
His fingers twitched with energy as he stretched his neck.
"Let's see if you keep that cool face when I rip your guts out. I've always wanted to see a Thaumite's Arcana organ."
"Umbyros-10, Lash."
"Damn it, all this green is making me feel nauseous!"
I groan, pushing my way through another curtain of foliage that thought it would be a good idea to scrape my face.
I really hate this place.
I adjust my collar, the thing barely even moving due to how tightly it's fitted on my neck. It's hot as hell in here.
Right now, it's me, Kyros, and Navi heading to the eighth layer of somewhere called an Umbral Valley to save a bunch of people who were kidnapped by goblins. If you're like me, you know that's a pretty bad thing. Some degenerate knowledge is required for the previous statement.
But apparently, the goblins down there are being enslaved by an Orc, who is forcing them to create some kind of freakish monster. I'm shooting in the dark here, but I guess the goblins here aren't exactly bad.
The first two layers were boring as hell. One was just a massive dirt plain with absolutely nothing around, and the second was a boggy swamp full of little fish that nip at your ankles like it's their job. Seriously, I find myself scratching every two seconds.
Now we're on the third layer, which has a little more going on, but I still hate how suffocatingly thick the foliage is. I can't even see three steps beside me, let alone above.
"Sadly, this path is the safest," says Kyros, the little goblin. "Extremely dangerous creatures live on this layer and can seriously injure or kill us. We are well hidden here."
Okay, when I say 'little goblin,' I don't really mean that. He's more like the size of a twelve-year-old, but there's a lot going on with his body. You'd get what I mean if you saw him.
The sound of splintering wood echoes ahead erupts from Navi, hacking her way forward through the brush with her saber. Her swings are fast, aiming towards the strongest sides of branches, so the entire thing can collapse in one fell swoop. She's doing a good job clearing the way for the rest of us.
"…At this point, I'd rather have one of those things chase us down," I mutter.
Right then, a branch snaps across my face.
"Buh—!!"
"Hey! You forgot to chop that one!!" I moan, clenching my nose.
"Oh, did I?" she says, hand on her lip. Her eyes are halfway closed, locked in a teasing look.
"At least make your lie more convincing!!
She ignores me and continues walking.
Quiet settles again. Well, except for the constant cutting ahead.
But aside from that, it's more or less dead. I want to talk about something, but Navi doesn't seem in the mood.
No, actually, I want to avoid interacting with her.
Kyros is there, sure, but no offense to him, I'm not sure he knows much about the top world to bounce off of. I already asked him a bunch back on the first and second layers. Nothing all that interesting.
Although there was an awkward conversation a while back. One where he asked me what exactly the strange device on my neck was.
Being me, I tried to convince him that I was secretly an extremely powerful warlock that could destroy the world if left free, so the collar was there to keep me in check. Sadly, however, Navi didn't even allow me to finish my statement and interrupted with a rude: 'He's a slave.'
Let me win at least once, Snow Bitchu.
Well, maybe he'd know about this:
"Yo, Kyros…" I whisper, leaning toward him with a hand cupped around my mouth. I'm well aware I'm trying way too hard not to let Navi overhear, but some sacrifices must be made for the sake of pride.
He perks up.
"?"
"You saw Navi doing those weird spells earlier, right? How do I do that?"
We keep walking, but I slow my pace to avoid straying into Navi's ear-range. The reason I don't want her overhearing this conversation is embarrassing. Embarrassing enough that I won't even admit it to myself.
Given Kyros's height, I have to bend down quite a bit just to get to mutual talking range.
"Ah. Are you referring to the Pattern?"
"Eh?"
The goblin lets out a thoughtful little mhm, then nods. The sluggish monotony in his limbs. worn down from travel, vanishes in an instant, replaced with sudden vigor. He looks downright thrilled to be asked. I mentally strap myself in.
You probably should, too.
"The Pattern is the foundation of all things," he begins. "It is comprised of laws, elements, and the underlying 'logic' that defines this world. It forms all matter and living beings alike. It cannot be seen, only perceived."
"Sounds a lot like atoms."
"Are these 'atoms' you speak of tangible?"
"Huh? Yeah, kinda. You can't really see them, but they're small and make up everything around you."
"Then that is the difference. These atoms you describe are in a state of 'existence'; a tangible presence. The Pattern is an 'existence' which cannot 'exist.' Similar to that of consciousness."
"Alright, alright, I'm getting confused. Let's get off the metaphysics."
"Very well. To continue, one may perceive the Pattern if born with a high Arcana output, or by adapting their system to a sufficient threshold. This can be done by repeated training."
"Arcana… that's like mana, right?"
"I am unfamiliar with this 'mana.' But if it is akin to the water flowing through a living creature, powering it, then yes."
"Those who can perceive the Pattern see it differently," he continues. "A madman might see splashes of paint. A warrior may perceive chains. A songwriter may see it as musical notes. Most humans, from what I've read, tend to see it as threads. I am not too sure about other sapient species, however."
When he says Sapients, is he referring to the people I saw in the tavern? The ones with weird horns and strange masks? Is 'Sapients', referring to the fact that humans aren't the only creatures that utilize sapience in this world?
"Interesting, interesting…" I say, nodding my head. "But uh, where's the part where I get to shoot fire out of my hand?"
"You are referring to the Path of Sorcery. A tedious path."
"Paths?"
"Yes. Once one perceives the Pattern, they may follow one of five Paths: the Path of Sorcery, the Path of Severance, the Path of Vocation, the Path of Embodiment, and a fifth, whose name I do not know, though I am aware of its existence."
God, I'm not going to remember any of this. I feel like I accidentally wandered into a lecture. I signed up for a fantasy world, not remedial wizardry. If only I had my notes app…
Speaking of, where the hell's my phone?
"Wait… Severance. Is that related to Severants?" I say, still opting to dig myself into a deeper hole.
"So you are aware of them."
I nod. "I heard they're rare weapons. Each one with unique abilities, right?"
Off-brand Bankai are the words that come to my head.
"Correct. Severants are cursed weapons. They are obtained only by those who have severed the ability to advance further in the other Paths."
Curse, huh?
That word bounces around in my brain like a warning bell. How can something cursed be so useful?
I'd ask, but I don't want to open the floodgates to another twenty-minute detour. Again, no offense to him, but Wikipedia here's really forcing me to use all 3 of my brain cells.
I just want cool fire hand.
Or maybe some other hidden OP ability.
Maybe I secretly have crazy Arcana reserves.
"Back to Sorcery," I say. "You said it's tedious. How does it work?"
"There are three stages to the Path of Sorcery: Koho, Thauma, and Magic."
Ah, finally: something I actually recognize.
"What Ms. Highergald uses is known as Koho, or the first stage. It is the act of bargaining with the Pattern. One must offer 'something' to receive 'something' in return. She is a Severant user, however, and thus cannot progress to the next stages."
"Wait, I thought Severant users cut themselves from other paths? How's she able to even use Koho?"
"Koho is base-level sorcery that about 90% of Sapients can perform. Even members of other paths can perform it. The issue is that they cannot move on to other stages."
"I see…"
I glance over at the girl.
She hacks away at a particularly large branch, gritting her teeth as she hacks away at the wood. The branch is quite high, so she constantly has to hop up and down to even reach it. Splinters rain down upon her, which causes her to get even more aggravated.
I could go ahead and help her, but she's too stubborn to ask me for it, so I'll just stay here.
"So that's why she always does some gesture or movement before casting something."
"Indeed. Many avoid the Path of Sorcery entirely, as great sacrifices are often required to cast powerful spells. For instance, to perform a lethal spell without a functioning Thaumite Organ, one might need to sever an arm."
Every time Kyros opens his mouth, it's like he makes a sweeping statement and then follows it up with 'But there's a catch.' It's honestly kind of irritating.
Where the hell did 'Thaumite Organ' come from?
Kh! I don't care!
"Okay, but… fire?"
"Give it up," Navi calls from up ahead, her voice floating back to us. "You're not getting anywhere. A little wuss like you'd probably cry after breaking his finger for the first time."
I guess I was talking louder than I thought.
"Oi! Lumber Girl! Focus on your Job!!"
I had sadly spoken too soon, as her retribution attacks me in the form of another branch, slapping my face.
"There are multiple elements, and infinite spells belonging to each," Kyros says. "Sadly, my knowledge ends there. I apologize if that causes you any difficulty."
"Nah, it's fine." I begin, my voice slightly muffled from clutching my reddened face. "You're surprisingly well-read for someone who's never been to the surface."
"Yes. Though most Abberations cannot perform many of the paths, including Severance and Sorcery, I have studied them through old, damaged texts."
"Yeah, I can really see it."
Finally, silence.
The ground's muddy. Every step sinks my shoes deeper in, brambles and grit worming their way inside. I keep lifting my toes, trying to walk without stabbing myself on something sharp. Every lift of my foot feels like I'm dragging a weight behind me.
I know I've got no real right to complain, but still, living a comfortable life back home didn't exactly prepare me for this kind of slog. Mud trails over my ankles now, and it's starting to feel personal.
"Ahh, I'm gonna go insane! How much lon—"
A hand clamps over my mouth.
Navi's. Her breath hitches. She doesn't say a word.
The air changes instantly.
It reeks.
An awful, heavy stench of rot and blood. Thick and iron-rich, like something just died nearby and kept dying again. The contrast is so stark, my lungs nearly freeze up. The air itself feels tangible, crawling all over my skin, wet and sticky.
It's the smell of death itself, invading the world of the living.
Her hand's shaking. Barely covering my mouth.
It's suffocating.
Then, a shadow spills over us.
Thick. Massive. It swallows the light.
Even with what little sunlight had been cutting through the canopy, it's just gone now. I can barely make out Navi beside me.
My eyes drift upward, slow. Too slow.
I wish I hadn't looked.
Above us, stretching across the trees, is a 'thing'. This 'Thing''s body defies reason. I can see its underside, like an ape, but wrong. Skin stretched thin over bone, its shape elongated and grotesque. It's a sickly white, a color that contrasts greatly with its surroundings.
Long, sinewy arms reach from branch to branch. Its movement is smooth, gliding silently across the treetops. Leaves flutter down from above, torn loose by its sheer mass. I
It's huge. Easily the size of a van.
Clicking sounds echo from its body. Sharp. Wet.
Wood creaks. Branches strain under its weight. It's like it's searching, investigating the voices that dared interrupt its slumber.
Then, it stops.
Everything stills.
Not a single branch moves. Not a single leaf falls. No sound escapes.
It's hovering there. Right above us.
Did it see us?
No. No, it couldn't have. We're right underneath it. We haven't moved a muscle.
No one's made a sound.
It didn't see us.
But… what if it did? What if it's waiting? What if it already knows? What if it's just playing with its food? Does it see us? Is it aware? Please, let it not be. Let it move. Let it leave. Let it not see us.
Every millisecond feels like eons.
My stomach knots, then drops endlessly, falling into some hollow abyss.
If this thing sees us—
We're dead.
Just like that. Our whole journey. Over.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to go through that again.
My breathing quickens. I can't stop it.
Can't slow it.
Sweat beads down my forehead, soaking into Navi's glove.
I'm trembling. Shaking. My whole body won't stop.
My eyes twitch. I can't control it. I can't—
I'm scared.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die.
Navi's eyes widen. The look in them turns raw—
Fear.
Desperation.
She hears my breathing. Too loud.
Too fast.
Then—
Something happens.
Its head creaks downward.
Slow.
Painfully slow.
An unnatural, twisting motion, ike muscle and bone were never meant to move this way.
From above, droplets fall. Sap? Blood? I don't know.
It's looking.
It's looking.
My breath turns shallow and sharp, erratic.
i cant control it i cant stop it im scared im scared im so scared its going to see me its going to kill me i dont want to feel it again i dont want to die i dont want to die please god please someone please
The scream's caught in my throat.
I'm going to scream. I'm going to scream so loud my throat will rupture. I'm going to scream so loud.
I can feel it.
It's right there. It's looking right at—
My whole face disappears into Navi's arm.
She's forcing me down. Smothering the panic.
Her expression—
She's nervous. Sweat is trailing down her face as her eyes focus on mine, almost begging me not to make any noise.
But
wait
WHY IS IT STILL TURNING ITS HEAD
I CANT HOLD IT TOGETHER ANYMORE
In that moment—
Snap.
A branch splits in the far distance. Loud. Sharp.
A crack through silence like thunder in winter.
The thing freezes.
Then—
A sound.
A scream.
Like a woman.
Almost human.
It wails.
It convulses.
And despite its size—
It bolts.
Flailing, throwing its massive body forward, clawing at the trees, tearing them apart with insane, frenzied strength. It gallops and drags itself toward the sound like something possessed.
Not hunting.
Starving.
Like it hadn't eaten in a century.
Like it would tear its own legs off if it meant getting there faster.
Like it didn't even know we existed anymore.
The sounds of its frenzy slowly trail out of hearing distance. The rumble of trees dies off, and the creature's screams fade into the distance.
For a moment that feels like hell, even the air itself doesn't dare to move.
A bird chirps.
An insect rings its symphony.
The forest starts to settle again, like nothing even happened. Calm, quiet, like this was all just another Tuesday in hell.
Birds chirp like they hadn't just been seconds from death. The wind picks up again. It's like everything reset. This place is a double-sided coin, one that those unaware would blissfully only see one side. A tranquil forest, hiding hellish monsters within.
It was also a testament to the resilience of animals, returning to their lives after such a terrible disaster struck them.
Navi steps back, letting go of my face, and steps back with a heavy sigh. Kyros is standing next to her now, glancing in the direction the creature headed.
"Heh, that was a close-"
THWACK!!
My head snaps backward, and I collapse onto the mud.
"OW! What the hell was that for?!" I sputter, hand on my cheek.
I'm soaked in mud now. My cheek stings, and my pride's not doing great either.
Navi's standing over me, fists clenched and absolutely fuming.
"Are you fucking crazy?! You almost got us killed!"
"Oh yeah? Well, that was payback for hitting me with two branches!"
"What are you even on about?! This isn't a joke! We almost died because of you!"
For a second, I want to yell back. My hand clenches. But…
I glance at her yellow eyes, furrowed in anger. Kyros stands behind her, confused at the scene, but equally as somber.
The girl's hand is shaking.
"...My bad." I finally mumble, eyes stuck on the mud.
For a moment, Navi stares at me. It's as if she wants to say something else, but cannot find the resolve to say it.
Instead, she turns around sharply, still steaming.
"I don't want that to be an empty apology."
I push myself up, peeling mud off my clothes. Ugh. Everything's wet and sticky and smells like something died in here.
I glance at Kyros. He's giving me this weird look. Surprised maybe?
"Kaito, are you all right?"
Honestly, if he had ears or a nose, I might actually believe he was a goblin. But he's missing most of the standard goblin features. Like. All of them.
Also, seriously, who came up with the word goblin in this world? Has anyone thought about that?
"Kaito."
"....Hm? It's nothing. Just a bad thought, that's all."
I wave him off, trying to laugh a little.
"Well, let's keep moving, Mr. Goblin."
I trail behind Navi, who's already pushing forward.
Back on the path. Back to saving those poor kids. The protagonist and his merry band.
Ah, no, I'm no protagonist.
Well, not everyone's accompanied by a girl who can use magic and a goblin that can talk, so I'm at least a bit special, aren't I? It's not bad to gloat a little.
Gunfire echoed across the forest clearing, sharp and rhythmic, each round bursting from the chambers of Kors's revolvers with practiced precision.
Approximately two shots had been fired.
The Wight moved with fluidity, evading a massive stone hurled by Koga, who retaliated against his ranged attacks. Though his opponent wielded brute strength, Kors maintained his distance. So long as he held that advantage, the tide remained his.
Tactically, it was sound. But deep within, Kors felt a creeping sense of guilt. There was honor in combat. And this felt far from it.
He could utilize a second release. Tap into the greater power hidden within his Severant. But his Arcana was limited, dangerously so.
A second release now would leave him vulnerable.
He spun from a crumbling branch and landed lightly atop another. With no pause, he fired again. The shot rang out, only to be blocked midair by Koga's gauntlets.
Three shots.
He felt that his shots would be even more accurate had he possessed the time to take aim. Contrary to common knowledge, wielding two guns was extremely difficult. One had to utilize the recoil and stability of the primary gun that fires first, then use the momentum to shoot the other.
Firing both blindly or in the wrong order would cause both arms to be offset, a slight mistake that would result in immediate death.
"You flee like a cowardly beast, Wight! Your kind are those to fight no matter the circumstances!" the man bellowed. "Come down and face me properly, Korshak!"
As if to enunciate his statement, Koga drove his fist into the ground. Spiderweb fractures tore through the earth, and the tree beneath Kors lurched off balance.
Without hesitation, Kors leapt to the forest floor.
"If I were to fight you in hand-to-hand combat," he called, "you would undoubtedly defeat me."
Koga snarled, pounding his chest.
"To know death and still draw your blade, that is the mark of a true warrior!"
Kors kept his stance low.
Koga adjusted his fingers.
"...Then I must accept that I am no warrior."
He fired another round. This time, an experimental shot, designed to gauge reaction more than land. As expected, the bullet was deflected before it could make an impact. It grazed Koga's cheek, yet drew no sign of pain from him.
Four shots.
Creatures formed from the Pattern often bore weak points, softness in the weave of their being that, when struck, could destroy them in a single moment. This was known as a Hollow Point. The stronger one was, the more blatantly obvious their Hollow Point was. But to identify those flaws was a challenge in itself. Only those with rare skill, or something more, could see them.
Kors, born dead, had no such limitations.
Through the sights of his Severant revolvers, he perceived the Pattern as threads of smoke and shadow. Concentrated black spots were often the indicators of such weak points. But the price for looking too deeply was steep. His soul, for gazing on 'that which should not be gazed upon' for too long, would suffer immense consequences.
Koga tilted his head slightly. "Those weapons of yours," he said, "move faster than any I've seen. I must exert considerable force simply to contend with them. What are their names?"
Kors hesitated. But he had come to trust the man's sincerity. There was, after all, a kind of honor in sharing names upon the battlefield.
"DOOM & GLOOM," he answered, spinning both weapons. The sun glinted off their matte black finish.
A deep, guttural laugh escaped Koga's chest.
"Fitting names. I suppose it is only right I return the favor."
He stepped forward, raising his fists and taking a wide, grounded stance.
"Helter Skelter."
Kors narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong. Despite only wielding gauntlets, he managed to deflect bullets from all sides, as if he had possessed a long-reaching weapon. His gauntlets were quite short, so performing such a feat was quite strange.
"Korshak," Koga said suddenly.
"?"
"You have already stepped within my range."
Kors tensed.
That wasn't possible. They were still several paces apart. Even at this distance, Koga's fists shouldn't—
"Helter Skelter," Koga called again.
Kors's eyes widened as the warrior's left arm convulsed, twisting violently. The flesh rippled, warped, as metal laced through sinew. In mere moments, the entire limb had become a blade, vast, jagged, and unnaturally long.
With a roar, Koga lifted the weapon.
"NNN!!!"
The sheer weight of the transformation dragged through the earth, drawing lines in the dirt. It soared above Kor's form, blocking out the sun. It was enormous, eclipsing even Koga himself.
Was this the Function of Koga's Severant? Or had he already called out his second release?
No, to call out a second release so soon would be extremely shortsighted and would result in his loss.
"RAGHHHH!"
The blade descended.
Kors darted back just in time as the weapon slammed into the earth. The resulting impact uprooted trees and shattered the surrounding terrain. Dust and debris exploded outward in all directions.
A crater, massive and sudden, scarred the land.
Kors stepped through the smoke, unharmed. His revolvers remained drawn, cape whipping in the aftermath. He required no eyes to see, but even his vision, which pierced the void, could not see through the debris-choked air.
He scanned the haze. Wind howled around him.
Then—light.
The dust parted slightly. Not the sun. Not a break in the smoke.
"Click!"
Koga.
He emerged through the mist, his left arm now a long, bladed chain with its links organic, pulsing. He swung the weapon horizontally.
Kors evaded and retaliated with a shot. Koga pulled back the chain mid-motion and deflected the shot once again.
The dust swallowed him once more.
Then silence.
Movement.
Click.
Behind.
Kors turned sharply.
Koga had reappeared, his right arm now reshaped into a massive hammer. The blow came down. Kors ducked beneath it and swept at his legs, but the enemy responded with inhuman speed far beyond that of any ordinary man.
Kors fired again.
But the figure had already vanished into the haze.
Click.
Above.
Bang.
"I see… he's trying to…" Kors muttered.
At last, the smoke began to thin. Light filtered through the canopy again, revealing a small clearing.
The swaying green grass was the only response to his question:
Where was his opponent?
Understanding the stealthy nature of his opponent, Kors dashed backwards. Wasting no time, he ducked behind a large rock that perfectly concealed his form.
With practiced speed, he flicked both revolvers open, spent cylinders ejecting and trailing smoke.
Reloading was the top priority as of this moment. If he ran out of ammo, he would surely be destroyed.
He would need to remain alert. The moment he reloaded, his enemy would strike.
A low chuckle echoed above.
"Geheh."
Perched atop the rock, Koga watched him. His arm, once again a blade, was coiled and pointed downward, prepared to strike. His neck hung low, his gaze fixed directly upon Kors. His large form, assuming such an extreme pose, was quite astounding; a testament to his training.
"You've lost, Korshak."
"If you have a message you wish to send, now is the time."
"How did you—"
"I forced your hand," Koga interrupted. "I had made you waste every bullet. I waited for the reload. Forced you into cover."
His tone was not gloating. It was absolute. Measured.
The weapon, a blue-bladed appendage, with the movements of a snake, swayed above.
"This is a mistake only an amateur would make," Kors said calmly, "I am no amateur."
Koga's expression faltered slightly. His grip tightened.
"What are you implying? You've no options left. This is the end. You've run out of bullets."
The bladed appendage reared back.
"Are you positive I have run out of bullets?"
Koga was convinced his opponent was manipulating him, scaring him into thinking that he had made a slight misstep in his calculations.
"I'll hear no more riddles. Die."
The bladed arm shot forward.
Yet Kors did not move. He did not even flinch. His hollow eyes remained still, calm as ever.
Was this resolve? Acceptance? Or something else?
"I do have a message," Kors said evenly.
Koga hesitated mid-strike.
"What?"
Kors lifted one revolver, just slightly.
"Check the barrel."
Koga's eyes widened.
Bang.
The man's head jerked backward. A thunderbolt-shaped rupture split the right side of his face, tearing through skin and sinew. Blood spilled freely, dark and thick, mingled with shards of fat like oil on water. The eye was no longer intact, for its form had been obliterated by the bullet, reduced to a viscous trail that streamed down his cheek.
Beneath the gore, the strands of torn facial muscle were visible, still intact.
The impact had shredded through his bandages, revealing a portion of his face.
"You—!" he coughed, his voice broken, blood and saliva trailing from his mouth.
"You emptied the cylinder! I was certain!"
"If you were truly certain," Kors replied coldly.
"You would not find yourself in this position."
"You sly bastard!! I'll kill you!!"
Koga surged forward, his rage consuming any sense of caution. His right arm began to contort and twist, transforming into something grotesque, an amorphous blob that reflected his anger.
Kors understood the hypocrisy in his method, but deemed it justified. His opponent had used smoke and misdirection first. All was fair.
"DOOM & GLOOM."
The invocation was calm, quiet, like water dripping down a roof.
In that moment, the sigils at the backs of Kors's twin revolvers shimmered with a menacing violet light. They began to vibrate violently, trembling in his grasp.
Koga, mere inches from driving his weaponized limb into Kors's body, suddenly halted mid-motion.
It was not of his own volition.
He was suspended in the air.
His eyes widened.
"?!"
He tried to move, grunting and snarling, yet something unseen bound him completely.
It was a grim sight.
"Korshak! What… what have you done to me!?"
Kors spun one revolver and raised it to eye level. Through the sight, he saw them clearly: shadows in the shape of hands, black and clawed, wrapping around Koga's limbs and torso. They constricted him, dragging him upward with deliberate force.
Their aura radiated malice, a suffocating pressure emanating from every finger.
They returned him to the top of the rock where he had once stood.
"Gh— Release me!"
"This," Kors said, "is the ability of DOOM & GLOOM: Reversal of the Entire Body."
Doom and Gloom, an A-Class Severant, possessed a singular but devastating rule: if the final bullet in a cylinder struck true, the wielder could activate its power. The target would then be forcefully pulled back to the position they held at the time of the shot, bound in place for a brief period. They would be helpless and ready to be finished.
Now restored to his prior stance, Koga thrashed against his binds. Yet the reversal held. It was absolute.
"You—!"
Kors leveled his left revolver, the one known as Gloom, directly at Koga's skull.
"So, Mr. Wikipedia, what was that thing?" I ask.
At the moment, we're resting in a clearing, a rare sight down here. Green grass stretches in all directions, swaying under the cool wind of the Umbral Valley. The setting is oddly peaceful. We're currently situated in the sixth layer.
We're close now. According to Kyros, the seventh layer is the most dangerous of them all. I'm actually a little surprised at how quickly we've been progressing. It's only been a day since we began descending, but I guess that's what happens when you've got a local guide who knows this place like the back of his hand.
If I had to explain this area to someone, I'd call it a series of massive platforms. Each its own biome, floating above an abyss. Beneath them? Only endless, lightless depth. The kind of depth you don't stare into for long.
Me personally? I'm terrified of whatever's down there.
Fortunately, bridges already connect most of the platforms. Old ones, probably built by the explorers who ventured down here long before we arrived. According to Kyros, some of those explorers may still be alive, just buried so deep they might as well be part of the earth itself.
I can't imagine that. Living in total darkness. No sun, no sky. Just endless black. At some point, you'd probably forget what light even is.
They haven't returned, so i'm assuming they've already adapted to the valley. Good for them. Yes, I'm being blissfully ignorant.
"I am not familiar with that creature," he replies to my earlier question. "That was the first time I've ever seen such a thing."
I groan.
"Great. Even you don't know what the hell that ape-thing was."
"Stop." Navi's voice cuts in.
She stands a little ahead, eyes on the next platform across the bridge. It's a long one, but I can still see the massive tree that marks the next area. An eerie silhouette against the sky.
"Kyros," she calls, turning to face the goblin.
"How much longer until we reach the eighth layer?"
Kyros responds, voice even as always. "Roughly another day."
She nods, planting her hands on her hips as she glances over the valley with a slow breath.
"Kaito," she says, not looking at me. "You've got those fish we caught, right? In your back pocket?"
Caught off guard by her using my name, I hesitate for a second before digging around awkwardly.
"Wouldn't they have gone bad by now?"
"Just do it."
I fumble a bit… they were huge, okay? Stuffing them in my back pocket was already a mistake. Trying to pull them out now just makes me look stupid. I'm stuck making circles with my ass, trying to pull them out.
"You're so useless," Navi says, walking over and placing her left foot on my butt, then pulling all three of them out in one fell swoop.
I stagger, catching my fall.
"I tried, alright? Fish aren't made for pocket storage."
"Alright," she declares. "We're camping here for the night. I'm tired."
Oh, so we stop when you're tired, but not when I am?
The sun is beginning to set now. The entire Umbral Valley glows orange, casting long shadows. The distant cries of creatures are fading into quiet, while the grass continues to rustle softly. A single tree sits off to the left of the clearing, our only landmark.
"There," Navi points. "Set up a campfire."
"Don't you have fire powers?"
"Set. Up. The campfire."
I sigh. "Yes, your majesty."
"—?"
"…Wait, where am I even supposed to get wood?"
"From that tree, obviously."
"With what? My nails?"
"Ughhh…"
"Aeronis-2, Slice."
The sound of crackling fire lingers in my ears, embers floating up into the night like tiny orange spirits. Around us, darkness presses in from all sides. No light remains, save for that strange moon above, suspended in the sky.
Navi sits nearby, methodically cleaning her sabre. After the day we had: swinging through forests thick with grime it's no surprise she wants it spotless.
Kyros is off to the side, perched at the edge of the clearing. He stares silently into the vast stretch of the Umbral Valley.
Poor guy. Everything he had was taken from him. That's kind of why I'm here to help him take it all back.
I'm sitting in front of the fire, rotating the fish we caught earlier. Each one is stuck on a sharpened branch, roasting evenly over the flames. They all resemble standard trout, except the middle one. It's deep purple, fatter, shinier, and just looks more delicious. I caught that one myself, away from the others. It was also the reason I had so much trouble pulling them out of my pocket earlier.
Surprised Navi didn't comment on it. Then again, she probably just didn't care.
I poke the purple one with a finger. It's warm, not hot anymore. I made sure to roast it first so I could enjoy it solo.
The scales have already loosened, and the meat jiggles when I press it. My mouth waters. I lift it and take a bite, wasting no time.
I glance at my companions, both still occupied, and grin smugly.
"Let's eat," I mumble through a mouthful of fish.
I tear into it, devouring the thing with mechanical speed, bones flying from my mouth like shrapnel. I don't want to be caught eating a larger portion than them, so I eat fast. Really fast.
The taste is incredible. There's a tangy aftertaste, like citrus. A lemon would've made it perfect. Still, for something caught in an underground biome, it's better than anything I've ever had topside.
When I'm done, I fall back onto the grass.
Totally stuffed.
I think about calling the others over, but I'm too full to move. I prop myself up with one arm, palm pressing into the earth—
And then I freeze.
There's a crack.
A tearing, squelching sound like muscle being twisted apart echoes through my brain. The air grows heavy. Instinctively, I stagger back from the fire.
And there it is again.
The white skull insignia. Glowing faintly on the ground before me.
Am I going to see the future again?
I lean in, cautious, inspecting the symbol more closely. It's the same as before; a pale skull surrounded by a large ring, strange runes etched along its circumference.
The last time I saw this… well, I'd rather not talk about it. But this time, I won't just let it happen. I'll stay alert.
"Yo guys! The trout's ready!" I call out.
Maybe they'll see it this time.
Navi sheathes her sabre with a lazy flick and walks over.
Kyros stands up from his position and walks over as well.
When they finally gather around the fire, I hand out their portions.
"This one's yours," I say, passing a fish to Kyros. His clawed hand receives it gently.
He eats with surprisingly good manners for someone without lips. In fact, better than most people I've seen. He really cleans up the meaning of the word 'Goblin'.
"And this one's—"
Before I finish, Navi grabs her portion without a word and starts eating. Rude, but I can live with it. Besides, I'm way too tired to give a snarky comment.
"Kaito," Kyros says between bites, "where is your share?"
"Haha, I already ate," I reply, scratching my head.
I look between the two of them. The skull's still glowing. It's right there, plain as day between us, but neither of them reacts. Nothing.
"Do you guys not see that?" I finally ask, pointing directly at the skull.
Navi glances up briefly, follows my finger, then returns to her meal with a bored expression.
Kyros turns to look as well, but shakes his head.
"What exactly are you referring to?"
"The glowing white skull! It's right there!"
"Ignore him," Navi mutters. "He just wants attention."
"I'm not making it up!"
Silence.
"Kaito," Kyros says gently, "perhaps you're just tired. It has been a long day."
"I'm not hallucinating! It's right there, in front of you!"
The sound of discarded bones hits the ground with a soft thud.
Navi's done eating.
"I'm going to sleep," she says, standing. "We leave at sunrise."
Kyros nods, swallows the last bite of his portion, and rises as well.
"I shall rest, too."
He walks to the edge of the clearing and lies on his side, facing the stars. Navi slips off her coat and heads elsewhere, probably to sleep alone, as usual.
I stay by the fire, gripping my head, fingers running through my hair.
"It's so frustrating…"
The skull stares at me. Not literally, but it feels like it. Like it's smirking.
I don't want to go through that again.
My legs bounce restlessly. I can't sit still. Finally, I slap my cheeks and force myself to stand.
If I stay alert… nothing will happen.
I clench my fists.
That's right. Fate's got nothing on me!
…Except maybe sleep.
I yawn.
The fire's still going. I know I shouldn't let it burn unattended, but there aren't any trees close enough for it to spread. Still, better to be safe than sorry. I don't want to wake up covered in flames.
I stomp out the flames, casting the world into darkness. The embers slowly trail off into the night, their job over.
Where to sleep?
My gaze drifts to the lone tree standing at the edge of the plain. It stands short, but tall enough to give it a sense of height in this vast plain.
That'll do.
As I walk over, the surreal beauty of the landscape settles in. Back home, something like this would be impossible: massive platforms, entire forests floating above a bottomless abyss. There's something haunting and beautiful about it.
I sit down under the tree. The grass cushions me gently.
It's almost like this world is apologizing for everything it's done to me.
Even though I'm loud, even annoying sometimes in this world… I really don't mind being alone. To turn back into the same old quiet 'Kaito.' I was always the kind of guy who'd sit in the park at night, watching people walk past. Watching the moon.
I stare at my hand.
Maybe I really am annoying.
"Oi."
A voice behind me. I jump.
It's Navi. She's settled on the other side of the tree.
"This's my tree."
"Ah, sorry—I'll move."
"It's fine. As long as I don't have to see your face."
"…Right."
The silence between us is awkward.
"T-The moon's pretty bright tonight, huh?"
"It's the same as it always is."
"Yeah, true… just trying to make conversation."
She sighs. "Kaito. What happened back there?"
"Back where?"
"That thing. That creature. You looked like you were about to break down."
"I just got cold feet, that's all. I'm human, you know—despite how amazing I seem sometimes."
A chuckle.
A genuine one.
No, it's not. It's quite possible the most snarky and mean one I've ever heard. Might as well punch me at this point.
"You're so full of yourself."
"Yeah, yeah. Just you wait till I get some OP ability."
"You-"
"Yo, Navi."
"What?"
"Am I annoying to you sometimes?"
"'Sometimes'? More like all the damn time. You seriously piss me off, brat."
I'm older than you!!
"Well… sorry."
"—!"
She makes a surprised noise. Almost like a flustered hm?!
It was clear she had been about to say something even meaner, but I'd caught her off guard.
"Yeah, seriously. If I ever cause you guys trouble, I don't mean it. I just get too excited sometimes."
"Y-Yeah, well… don't get too carried away."
Success. The conversation's drifted away from that topic. She's distracted.
"I'm surprised, though."
"With what?"
"How you manage to stay so calm in dangerous situations. It's obvious you're really strong, Navi. No—you're awesome."
No reply.
"...I'm far from what you think."
"I heavily doubt that. If you're weak, then I'm at the bottom of the barrel. No, beneath the barrel. Like... under the floorboards of the earth."
"S-Stop trying to gas me up. Go to sleep. It's not gonna work."
She's flustered. I can tell. Her voice is trying to sound annoyed, but she's clearly not used to being complimented like this.
And yeah, even if she acts cold, I think people like her need to hear something nice every now and then.
Also, my life is kinda in her hands, given that there's a literally shock collar on me.
"..The fish was good."
"Huh?"
"Stop annoying me, dammit! Go to sleep before I give you another left to the skull!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Snow bitch.
I lean my head back against the tree. The bark scratches lightly at my hair, the rough texture grounding me. I close my eyes. It feels like darkness pulses against the inside of my eyelids, gently washing over me, deeper and deeper.
And slowly, I drift off—
—into sleep's quiet embrace.
____________________________________________________________________________
MyStOmAcHiSkILLINgmE
A guttural groan escapes my throat as my eyes burst open. My body seizes forward. Everything is still, no sound but the faint hiss of cooling embers. The moon has shifted slightly in the sky — only a short while has passed.
Everyone's asleep. The world is quiet.
But I'm not.
My stomach twists again, seizing up like a ball of metal wire inside me, curling in on itself. I curl into a fetal position on the grass, my hands clutching at my abdomen. Nails dig through the fabric, desperate for relief.
MY STOMACH. IS. KILLING. ME.
The pain sharpens. It screams. I can't stay still. I roll through the grass like a dying animal, convulsing, my breathing jagged and desperate. My mind is slipping. There are no thoughts — only raw sensation. No pattern to it. No understanding.
Just the pain.
A quiet shriek bursts from my throat as vomit spews from my mouth, splashing the grass with half-digested trout, bile, stomach acid. My fingers jam down my throat again, as if clawing something out. More.
I need to get it out. I retch again, hot, yellow, sour, it splatters my arms, my chest, my shirt. I gag and scream at the same time.
I'm dying. I'm actually dying.
Fluids erupt from below, from every orifice. My pants are soaked. My shirt clings to me, stuck to the mix of blood, spit, piss, and puke. I sob, wheezing and dry heaving, lost in the filth of my own body. The pain keeps building. It doesn't stop. Something inside me is moving, twisting, squirming. Crawling through my guts.
"Kaito! I can help you!" ███ yells.
"P-Please…" I beg, barely able to speak. My mouth fills again. I vomit into the grass for the fourth time, trembling, emptying whatever's left. "I'm… dying…"
He crouches beside me, rubbing his hands across my stomach. His skin is cold and clammy. Naked. As always. His grin is wide and frozen. He wants to help me. He's a good person.
"I have the cure, Kaito. I know how to get it out."
"What… what is it…?"
"You have to kill them. Navi. Kyros. They're hiding it from you, keeping the cure in their bellies! It's the only way!"
A rush of hot blood hits my ears. The world pulses in color. I can't tell what's real anymore. The stars drip like oil. The trees are upside down. The grass hums. A chorus of whispers rises from the soil. The embers glow blue.
"Hurry, Kaito! KILL THEM! KILL THEM!!"
The flayed man appears unmoving, his arms locked in a perfect T. A voice like crumpled metal joins in:
"YES! HURRY!"
"I'LL DO IT!" I scream. I claw my way upright. My body shakes uncontrollably, legs like wet ropes beneath me.
GOD
MY STOMACH. IT'S RIPPING OPEN. SOMETHING IS COMING OUT.
I stagger toward Kyros. The world leans sideways. The tree sprints past me, Navi's sleeping body gently swaying against its bark as it runs.
I fall face-first into the mud, then crawl. My mouth froths with foam. I laugh and cry and gag all at once.
Kyros is still.
Peaceful.
I hover above him. My body leaks filth onto his chest. My fingers tremble.
"I don't have a knife…"
"IMPROVISE!"
I grab a rock. Something sharp. Jagged. Primitive. It's heavy. Perfect.
I raise it high.
And bring it down.
CRACK.
Once. Twice. Three times. His skull cracks. Bone crunches into soft, wet meat. Blood: black and thick like tar, fountains. His head caves in, folding like paper.
He never wakes.
He doesn't even twitch.
I scream as I drive the rock into his torso, hacking through skin and sinew until I feel the pop of something giving. My fingers dig into the hole I've made, slipping past ribs and warm tissue.
There.
The pearl. A glowing orb, radiating white and green. It pulses with life.
I grab it with blood-soaked hands and shove it into my mouth.
I swallow.
Nothing changes.
"Faster! KILL NAVI!"
I scream again and run, staggering through the blackened grass, slipping in my own mess. The tree has returned. Navi sleeps soundly at its base, moonlight catching the edge of her cheek. She's glowing. Dreaming. Innocent.
Her fair skin makes her seem almost like a doll.
She looks like she doesn't belong in this world. Too clean. Too calm.
I kneel beside her.
I stare.
And I wrap my hands around her throat.
Gently.
Then squeeze.
Creak. Creak.
Her eyes shoot open, shocked. Her mouth moves but no words come out. Her limbs jerk, weakly. Her hands claw at mine but she's not strong enough. There's not enough air. Not enough blood. I know this. I know this.
"SHOULD'VE STAYED ASLEEP BITCH!!"
She gasps.
Her eyes go red.
Then still.
She stops moving. But she doesn't close her eyes. They stare at me. Full of disbelief. Fear. Judgment.
STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT
I strike her. Her head lolls. A line of saliva escapes her open mouth. She drops like a rag doll into the dirt.
"KAITO! IT'S TOO LATE! HE'S COMING! JUMP!!"
I spin. Run. The edge is close.
The sky splits open with color. Faces scream in the clouds. The stars chant my name.
"YES! YES! I'LL JUMP!"
And I do.
I run off the cliff's edge and leap into the abyss.
I am finally free.
I am finally cured.
╔════════════════════════════╗
||L I F E E X P U R G A T E D||
"MADNESSS"
╚════════════════════════════╝