The figure stiffened. Its head tilted as Aether begged. Step by step, it approached, studying him.
Aether forced his eyes wide with desperation, his lips trembling as he pleaded for another drink.
The figure tilted its head once more. Then, as if struck by some semblance of mercy.... or perhaps entertained by his weakness—it nodded. Just as before, it unlocked his chains with its mechanical fingers, reshaping into a key.
Freed, Aether staggered upright and rushed toward the river again. He dropped to his knees, cupping water into his mouth with exaggerated eagerness, his expression that of a starving, desperate man who hadn't tasted liquid in years.
And just like before—
Thud!
The figure's foot struck. Aether's body jolted, and he was shoved into the river once again.
Splash~
The figure's chest heaved in silent laughter, its metallic hands clutching its stomach as though the sight of Aether drowning was the sweetest entertainment it could know.
