Miasha’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Shall I escort you three toward the tunnel exit?"
Shimi’s eyes brightened, and she was about to nod when Veythor’s voice cut through, cold and sharp.
The girl froze mid-breath. Miasha’s smile lingered on her lips, but her eyes turned flat, hollow, like a predator hiding behind a mask.
"...Very well," she said softly... "As you wish."
Inside, she sneered...
Little brat, acting very brave. Let’s see how long you last once the forest welcomes you.
Raika glanced between them, uneasy, when Miasha suddenly spoke.
"Kids, come closer for a moment."
The three exchanged wary looks at last, they stepped toward her. Veythor moved reluctantly, every step heavy with suspicion then suddenly in an instant, Miasha pulled them into her arms.
Shimi gasped, but then melted against her warmth, clutching her tightly. Raika’s brows furrowed, his jaw clenched as he endured. Veythor slipped free before her arms could close around him.
"Don’t touch me," he said coldly.
Miasha only chuckled, stroking Shimi’s back.
"Be safe, Kids... I pray to the heavens you return to your families or wherever your fates may lead you safely."
Shimi’s heart swelled with gratitude.
"Big Sis... thank you, for saving Vey and helping us, thank you for everything!"
Veythor’s eyes narrowed in annoyance.
Helping us? Other than saving me once, she’s done nothing but play games.
"That’s enough," Raika muttered, teeth gritted finally, Miasha released them, her gaze lingering on Veythor.
"You’re the sharpest among them," she said softly. "Take care of the others... and of yourself."
Veythor held her eyes for a long moment, then nodded.
"Let’s go, Shimi. Raika."
Together, they walked away. Miasha remained behind, watching in silence. Shimi turned her head again and again, until at last even her figure vanished from sight.
The three children soon stood before a shabby wooden door, its surface scarred and aged. Veythor’s heart stirred beyond this door lay freedom. Shimi’s tears flowed freely.
"We finally did it... Vey, Raika... we’re free."
Veythor laid a hand on the door. For a breath, he lingered, then pushed.
Blinding light flooded the tunnel. A ray of sun struck his face, forcing him to shield his eyes. Behind him, Shimi and Raika rushed forward, their hearts pounding with hope.
Veythor stepped out of the door. A warm breeze greeted him, carrying the scent of earth and decay. Before him stretched a forest of towering trees, their trunks twisted with ancient vines. Crows circled above, their cries echoing through the air. The Eternal Forest of Darkness loomed vast, oppressive and dark.
Raika and Shimi looked around, their jaws hanging open, hearts swelling with hope the fragile hope of freedom, of life itself. Hope is what drives living creatures forward. Yet, hope is also fragile... many lose it far too easily.
Suddenly, the world froze Veythor’s eyes widened. Time itself seemed to stop his heart thundered in his chest, each beat so loud it rang in his ears.
Before the thought could finish, the ground beneath him liquefied. He plunged downward, swallowed whole by shifting earth that became like water. He held his breath instinctively, thrashing, trying to rise. Yet the harder he swam upward, the deeper he sank into the abyss.
"Don’t struggle... Papa."
A voice low, unsettling, childlike voice echoed through the darkness. It was achingly familiar... very familiar Veythor’s throat tightened.
No... it can’t be... damn it, what is this? These illusions so vivid, so real I’m not just seeing them, I’m feeling them. What game are the heavens playing with me?
"Papa... Papa... Papa..."
The call reverberated endlessly.
Through the shifting waters, a small figure appeared. A boy no more than three or four years old.
Veythor’s eyes shook his lips parted.
"Mizu..." he whispered hoarsely. His chest constricted painfully.
No... no, it can’t be.
Mizu... my son. He’s dead. Fate, don’t you dare mock me. Don’t use my son’s image to toy with me.
It was his child from his first life. Veythor’s body trembled as he swam closer. The boy’s innocent smile pierced his heart. Even knowing it was illusion, tears streamed down his face, dissolving into the water. He reached out, hand trembling, desperate to touch his son once more.
But just as his fingertips neared the boy’s face— The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NoveI~Fire.net
The child’s body warped grotesquely, jaws splitting wide, transforming into a monstrous shark. With terrifying speed, it lunged forward and swallowed Veythor whole.
Then... everything went black.
"Veythor! Oi... Veythor!"
A voice yanked him back his vision cleared slowly. Raika was gripping his shoulders, calling his name. Veythor blinked, his breathing ragged, body drenched in cold sweat. His bloodied shirt clung to him, soaked further from the sweat pouring out.
"Yes... what happened?" he asked, forcing his voice calm despite the tremor within.
Raika frowned... "Why are you spacing out like that?"
Before Veythor could answer, a scream ripped through the forest.
Shimi’s voice trembled with panic. They rushed toward her the moment they arrived, their eyes widened in shock.
Veythor froze... the only words that left his lips were a low, bitter murmur.