They froze as dozens of monsters burst out of the ground all at once. Rowan and Nyssara got ready to unleash their deadly musical combo again. Thyra stood firm, bracing herself for the threat ahead.
"We can't fight this many," Nimora said.
More undead kept rising, forcing them to abandon the idea of fighting back. It was too dangerous—too terrifying.
"Run! As fast as you can!" Rylan shouted.
They all sprinted toward the same destination—a cave that would lead them to the Erebus Abyss.
A massive boulder flew toward Nimora as she ran. Rowan reacted instantly, throwing up a protective barrier to shield her.
Blood trickled from his nose right after. The impact was too strong—his legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Rowan… come on…" Nimora whispered.
Now the undead were closing in on Nimora and Rowan, who had stopped in the middle of their escape.
A wave of music from Nyssara sliced through several undead charging at her new allies. Even though they had just met, she refused to leave her team behind.
The giants drew closer, along with even more undead—far more than the first wave.
Rylan slammed his hand into the ground again. The earth trembled as massive roots burst forth, crawling across the surface and crushing the undead like raging giant worms.
"Vortis vinculum," he muttered.
Even larger roots erupted beneath the giants' feet—thicker, longer—wrapping tightly around their bodies.
Meanwhile, Nyssara and Thyra launched another combo to protect Nimora and Rowan.
"I can't hold them much longer! Grab Rowan—now!" Rylan yelled.
Thyra, far stronger physically than Nimora, stepped in and lifted Rowan onto her back. Nyssara covered them, while Nimora joined the fight, gripping the dagger she always kept at her side.
As everyone ran ahead, Rylan and Nyssara stayed at the rear. They paused every few seconds to slow the enemies down.
With only the two of them fighting against dozens of undead, they were quickly overwhelmed and fell far behind.
Nimora and the others reached the mouth of the cave. Nyssara and Rylan were still fighting. At this point, escape was no longer possible—undead kept pouring in, and they had to dodge the giants' attacks again and again.
"Nyssara… it's time," Rylan said, looking at her.
She answered with a silent nod.
Nyssara turned toward the cave entrance, lifted her harp, and prepared to strike.
"ULTIMATE: Potestas exitii!" she shouted.
Countless slashing waves of sound burst from her harp, crashing into the top of the cave entrance. Rocks collapsed, sealing the only way in.
•••
"Damn it! What did she do!?" Thyra snapped.
She was furious at her partner's decision. How could Nyssara throw her life away just to protect people she had only just met?
Inside the dark cave, Nimora managed to light a torch. She approached Thyra and apologized for what had happened, grief heavy in her voice over losing Rylan as well.
Thyra barely acknowledged her. Her goal now wasn't escorting Nimora—it was finding a way out of the cave and going back for Nyssara.
"Don't think I'll protect you two the way Nyssara did," Thyra said coldly. "You mean nothing to me. I brought you this far because she forced me to."
Nimora understood the grief and anger burning inside her. She decided to set up a small campfire and rest for a while, tending to Rowan, who was still unconscious from the impact.
•••
TENEBROUS'S VILLAGE
Under the pale moonlight, Arthur walked slowly between towering trees. Wet leaves shimmered like thin blades, and every step was marked by the crack of twigs that sounded far too loud in the night's silence.
His hand gripped the hilt of his sword—not because he expected a fight, but because the unease wouldn't leave him.
The wind shifted, carrying a burnt smell. He stopped. It wasn't firewood. It wasn't a campfire.
It was the smell of flesh that had touched flame.
"Who's there?" His voice was low, alert.
From behind the trees, a woman appeared. Her clothes were torn, her hair a mess, her face pale under the moonlight.
"P-please…" her voice trembled. "Please… my daughter…"
Arthur stiffened. "Where is she?"
The woman didn't answer. She turned and ran, glancing back as if afraid the darkness itself would swallow her.
Arthur followed until they reached a small clearing. The ground was blackened, the trees scorched—as if the place had been consumed by an unnatural fire.
That's when Arthur saw her.
A little girl lay on the ground, weak, her breathing shallow. Burn marks covered her skin, some hidden beneath charred cloth. There was no fresh blood—only wounds still radiating heat and pain.
Arthur knelt down, his hand trembling as he touched her shoulder.
"This isn't from fire," he murmured. He knew these kinds of wounds.
He took off his thick cloak and carefully wrapped it around the girl.
"She's still alive," he said, looking up at the woman—her mother, most likely.
Hope flickered in the woman's eyes. "C-can you help her?"
"Of course. I'll take her to the village. There's a doctor there who can treat her."
"No," the woman said quickly. "Don't take my daughter to the village."
Arthur looked at her sharply. "Why not?"
"Because we're outcasts," she replied.
Suddenly, two men appeared from behind the trees, swords in hand.
"Well done, Lani," another woman's voice said from behind Arthur.
Arthur turned—and froze. It was Eira.
"Surprise," she said casually.
Without hesitation, Arthur tried to attack. But with a single flick of her hand, Eira bound him in place with her magic.