Inside the great dome far away, chaos broke out. People screamed and ran in every direction. Mothers clutched their children, and the cries of the little ones filled the air. Fear spread faster than fire as the walls shook from the monsters blows.
Back on the cliff, Zed's hand shot out and grabbed Grayslake's leg, his grip weak but desperate. "Have you gone insane?" Zed spat out with rage, his body trembling.
"That's enough out of you," Grayslake said coldly. Without hesitation, he drove his sword into Zed's chest, lifting him up on its edge. Zed's body hung helplessly, blood dripping down on the cliff
"Ahh!" Zed coughed, blood pouring from his mouth. His vision blurred rapidly, the world fading in and out of focus.
Kochi flinched, her body moving a step forward without thinking.
Grayslake caught her movement with a sharp side glance. His eyes narrowed. "Stay put."
Kochi froze. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as her hands trembled. (I… I…) she thought, her mind tearing between fear and resolve.
Down below, Felt and Banid were still trapped under the crushing pressure of Grayslake's presence. Both of them were flat against the ground, sweat pouring from their bodies.
(Father… what exactly are you doing?) Banid thought
(I can't… I'm too scared. I don't know why. But…) Kochi thought as she clenched her fists harder.
"Farewell," Grayslake said in a calm voice, yanking his blade free. With a flick of his arm, he sent Zed's body falling off the cliff.
"Right!" Kochi cried, her voice sharp and determined. She squeezed her fists tight, then leapt off the cliff without hesitation.
Grayslake glanced down at them, disappointment in his eyes, before turning away. as though nothing about the scene mattered to him anymore.
Kochi's chains shot out and wrapped around Zed, pulling him close to her. She spun the chains around both of them, forming a cocoon of steel as they plummeted. With a heavy crash, they landed below, the chains absorbing the impact.
The crushing pressure lifted from Felt and Banid, allowing them to breathe again. Both of them stumbled to their feet, gasping for air. Then they heard the sound of impact.
"Zed?!" Felt shouted, sprinting toward the noise.
"Kochi?!" Banid yelled, rushing alongside him.
They reached the site together and saw Kochi kneeling with Zed in her arms.
"Are you alright?" Banid asked, his eyes full of concern.
"Yes, I'm fine," Kochi said quickly, her voice shaky. "But Zed… he's dying! I think… I think I can help. It's only a test, I'm not sure if it will work. But I believe I can transfer the energy I've absorbed from monsters into him."
"Then try," Felt urged, his voice firm.
Kochi nodded and spread her chains across Zed's body. She closed her eyes. Ok… I'm in, she thought. Inside her mind, she saw a strange vision. A massive flame of energy burned brightly, clashing with the faint spark of Zed's soul. She gritted her teeth and pulled the two together. It's so… peaceful… yet so violent…
Her eyes shot open.
"Did it work?" Banid asked, leaning forward.
Zed gasped loudly. His chest heaved as he coughed hard, sitting up suddenly. His eyes darted to Kochi. "You… you saw my soul? You healed me too?" His hand reached out, holding hers firmly. "Thank you… I owe you my life."
"Uh…" Kochi froze, her face flushing as confusion filled her. The wind picked up, brushing through her hair. (Why is my heart beating so fast?) she thought.
Then clap. Clap. Clap.
The sound came from the distance.
Their eyes widened as they turned.
"I must say, I'm impressed," Grayslake said with a slow smirk. "You've come a long way, Kochi."
At once, his pressure returned, heavier than ever. The ground shook and their bodies felt like they would break under the force.
But
"No!" Zed roared, forcing himself to his feet.
Grayslake raised a brow in surprise.
"I'm the one who will kill the monster king," Zed said, his voice burning with resolve. "So I can't die here."
Kochi stood beside him, her chains rattling as she nodded. "Right!"
"Ditto," Felt added with a grin, raising his weapon.
"Father! Come to your senses!" Banid shouted, standing tall even as the pressure weighed on him.
Zed's sword formed again in his hand, the blade gleaming in the dim light. He pointed it straight at Grayslake. A grin spread across his face. "So… it's not over yet."
"Oh?" Grayslake smirked, his own aura rising