They moved through the city, quickening their pace after Finn had told Seraphina his plan. In his mind, it was an absolute stroke of genius.
The plan? Go directly toward whatever was making that monstrous roar and guttural grumbling deep in the cave.
Finn couldn’t believe he had come up with such a flawless idea. In fact, it was so brilliant that even Seraphina was following along. That alone confirmed it—he was a complete mastermind. This plan was going to solve everything.
The city around them remained unchanged—deserted, lifeless—just like the other places they’d seen. But the closer they got to where the sound came from, the more Finn noticed a pattern: the buildings here looked like their owners had fled in a blind panic, belongings scattered everywhere. Farther away from the sound, things looked abandoned in a rush. Closer to the source? Everything was left in eerie, deliberate order.
It made him wonder: had those nearest to the sound been... taken? Or had they left willingly? And what, exactly, had happened to the people who once lived here?
Soon another roar came, as they moved.
The roaring grew louder. They were almost there. Soon, Finn hoped, he’d finally have his answers.
Leaving the city behind, they approached the source of the roars.
They stood before a massive, steep bridge with stairs and a glowing river below—similar to the one they’d seen in the city. Across the bridge loomed a towering doorframe, leading into what looked like an antechamber before something grand.
The kind of room you see right before a throne room. Or—more worryingly—the kind of room you see right before a giant boss fight.
It was ominous. It was fascinating. And to Finn, it was a promise.
Because whatever lay ahead... was about to answer every question he’d been asking.
Finn glanced back once. They were far from the city now—well, somewhat far. There weren’t any buildings here, which meant wherever they stood must have been important to this lost civilization.
They started up a wide staircase, each step feeling heavier than Majestria’s ass—an achievement Finn wasn’t sure was physically possible.
Soon another roar came, louder this time. They were almost there. Probably because they were now close enough to hear more clearly whatever was making it. The sound was so horribly loud that Finn and Seraphina had to cover their ears like their mom was yelling at them for no reason.
Whatever was making that bloodcurdling roar—it was alive.
Finn felt a strange mix of terror and excitement bubbling inside him. Part of him hoped it was a dragon. The other part... prayed it wasn’t whatever the hell it actually was.
Seraphina edged closer, clearly terrified, and clung to his arm.
"F-Finn... do we really have to do this?" she asked, voice trembling.
"Yes." Finn’s answer was flat, brimming with the fake determination of a man who absolutely did not have a promising future in mind.
"It’s the only way forward. We have to figure out the secrets."
Seraphina narrowed her soft emerald eyes at him. "We’re not going here because you want to know what happened to the people, are we?"
"What? Of course not!" Finn looked away immediately. "I’d never do something that dumb."
She puffed her cheeks in a pout. "You know lying to a priestess is a sin, right?"
"I would never lie to you... not."
"Nothing." Finn suddenly pointed at a random hole in the wall. "What’s that?"
She turned toward it. "What’s what?"
"Never mind, I thought it was something."
Seraphina pouted again, like a scolded child. "Don’t do that! It’s not funny!"
"Okay, okay. I’m sorry."
Finn then sighed, staring down at the stairs. Completely drained. "Man, I could really go lie down on a bed right now..."
But soon, they’d reached the top of the bridge, standing before the ominous antechamber—or what they assumed was one.
As they stepped past the doorframe, a strange, heavy scent hit them. It was strong, almost overwhelming.
The smell and feeling wrapped around them like a thick fog, whispering of sacrifice—of giving oneself to something greater.
But then a surge of light and warmth filled Finn’s body. It was Seraphina, quietly casting a blessing over him. His breathing eased, the oppressive smell no longer affecting him.
Finn spun around, alarmed. "What are you doing?! Cast it on yourself first!"
Without hesitation, Seraphina repeated the chant, blessing herself as well.
Finn exhaled, "Phew... that was close." He looked down, relieved, then glanced at her and lectured like a disappointed stepmom. "You can’t just cast the blessing on me first. It’s supposed to be you, then everyone else."
Seraphina straightened her shoulders, eyes firm. "The smell was getting to us. It’s my duty to protect the others before myself—especially as a priestess."
Finn stared at her, disbelief etched across his face. "And who taught you that? The church?"
She shook her head. "No. Ardin did. He said the team matters more than me."
"Oh my god..." Finn rubbed his face, already seeing what a royal douchebag Ardin truly was. He’d suspected it before, but this sealed the deal.
Finn sighed again and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You’re the buffer in the team. Your life is more valuable than anyone else’s. If you go down, the whole team loses support and falls apart. That’s how important your role is."
Seraphina looked at him like he’d just proposed marriage. Clearly, no one had ever explained that to her before.
"Oh, I see..." A faint smile tugged at Seraphina’s lips. "Then I’ll definitely keep that in mind."
Finn smiled back. "Good." He turned away.
Whatever that smell was, it was bad. Lucky for Finn, if Seraphina hadn’t been there, he probably would’ve lost his mind to whatever dark thing was lurking—and done who knows what.
Then a sudden thought struck him. The smell. The strange urge to sacrifice oneself—could that be what made the people disappear?
Suddenly, Finn had even more questions, but at least some pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit.
Now, though, the biggest question remained:
What exactly was producing that smell?