"Raika, we have to do something! We have to save Vey!"
Shimi's scream tore through the cavern, ragged and desperate. Tears welled in her eyes, clinging stubbornly before spilling. Raika's fists clenched, jaw tight, every muscle taut with helplessness.
"But what can we even do?"
His words carried only the bitter taste of despair.
"But—"
Shimi froze, her breath hitching. She wanted... no, she needed to save Veythor.
"Raika, help me! Pick him up! Let's get him outside someone will help! We can't let him die!"
Her hands trembled as she reached for him, determination blazing through tear-brimmed eyes.
I have to save him... I have to.
The moment her fingers closed around his hand, Raika yanked her back. She gasped, stumbling back eyes wide with disbelief.
"What are you doing?!"
Her voice cracked, tears spilling freely now, anger and grief entwined. Raika's grip tightened, his tone low, sharp, and unyielding.
"Stop. We can't save him."
Shimi's eyes narrowed, head shaking violently.
"No… no, no!"
Raika seized her shoulders, shouting this time, his voice echoing against the tunnel walls.
"Why are you so fixated on saving him?! Don't you get it? We haven't even saved ourselves! How the hell are we supposed to save him? Death is already knocking at his door! He's lost too much blood... too much! Even if we made it out of this cursed tunnel, where would you find help? Tell me, Shimi—where?!"
His chest heaved, breaths heavy, sweat trickling down his temple. Shimi's eyes blazed with silent rage, her voice trembling but razor-sharp.
"You're selfish, Raika! Our friend is dying! Don't you remember? If not for him, we'd have been sold and taken away! Only because of him we're here, so close to escaping… and now you're saying we can't save him? Why?! Why can't we try? Tell me... why?!"
Her scream ripped through the cavern, raw and relentless, echoing like a wound that refused to close.
"Because we can't… we just can't!"
Raika shouted again, his voice jagged with panic and frustration. Shimi gritted her teeths, the heavy stench of blood surrounding them like chains.
"Why not? What's the problem in trying? Why are you giving up without even trying?"
Raika pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, forcing himself to breathe.
"Listen, Shimi… I know you want to save him. But you have to understand this is a prison for slaves. It's far from any city, far from any human. Even if we carried him out… where would we find help? It's impossible. We're just two kids."
Although he didn't wish Veythor's death not truly but deep down, a cruel whisper told him he wouldn't mourn if it happened.
"At least try!"
Shimi's scream cut through the air, raw with frustration and desperation. Raika's jaw tightened in anger.
"It would be wasted effort. Just… let him rest in peace."
Shimi froze, breath caught. For a heartbeat, she only stared, stunned. Then her face twisted, disbelief curving into pure disgust. Seeing her expression, Raika's chest ached with guilt.
"You call this wasted effort? You… ungrateful—"
Her words choked off, breaking under the weight of her fury.
"Damn it… damn it all! I'll save him alone! I don't need your help!"
She dropped to her knees, pulling Veythor's limp body into her arms. His skin was pale, weight was unbearable, hand cold against hers. Warm blood seeped across her palms, staining her as though binding her to him.
Shimi's lips trembled. Tears fell, and as she stared at his lifeless face, she whispered through broken sobs,
"I'll save you Vey… I swear… I'll save you…"
But then suddenly they heard footsteps. Both Shimi and Raika froze, their throats dry, hearts pounding. Someone was running toward them.
No… no, not now. Not another danger. Please, God, not now. I have to save Vey…
Shimi bit her lip her heart hammering against her ribs mind full with negative thoughts.
Miasha rushed down the tunnel.
"I really hope those brats aren't dead yet. Otherwise, I'll have to answer to the organization… tch. Damn that melodrama with that fatty I'm late."
She skidded to a halt when she spotted them. Her gaze locked with Shimi's. Instantly, Shimi scrambled to her feet, standing protectively in front of Veythor's body.
"So… these are the kids who fought Skimer Head?" Miasha murmured, brows lifting. Her eyes flicked to Veythor and widened, if only for a moment.
"Only that kid is injured? Hah… thank God I reached in time."
"Who are you?!"
Raika's shout cracked, sharp with fear. Miasha quickly softened her face, flashing a disarming smile.
"Kids, don't be afraid. I'm here to help you."
"Liar!" Shimi screamed.
Miasha waved her hands lightly, as if brushing away their suspicion.
"No, no, it's true. I really am here to help you."
"Impossible," Raika snapped. "Why would you help us? You don't even know us!"
"You're misunderstanding. I was sent to rescue kids like you—children abducted and forced into slavery."
"Sent by whom?" Raika pressed, his voice sharp, his disbelief plain.
"By the Narzanian higher-ups."
Raika's veins bulged, fury rising in his heart.
"Lies! Why would Empire's higher-ups care about a bunch of slaves?!"
"They care…" Miasha said softly, her tone almost solemn. "They care about many things we can't hope to understand."
"You—" Raika started, but Shimi suddenly cut him off.
"Wait."
Both Raika and Miasha turned toward her. Shimi's eyes were fixed on Veythor's pale face.
"You're here to rescue us… right?" she asked, voice trembling.
"Of course." Miasha's smile was warm, perfect... too perfect.
"Then please save his life. He… he's dying. He's lost too much blood. Please, help me, please save him."
Miasha's smile widened, picture-perfect. Her eyes glistened with feigned kindness, though in her mind she whispered,
I can't believe these naive fools managed to gravely injure a Skimer Head… The clever one must be the injured one.
"Of course I'll save him," she said sweetly. "It's my responsibility."
"Shimi, no! What are you doing? We can't just trust her! Veythor wouldn't have—"
"Enough," Shimi cut him off without even looking at him.
Raika's chest tightened as she ignored him, her attention entirely on Veythor. Miasha approached slowly, kneeling beside fragile Veythor. Her hand brushed against his skin, checking his pulse.
"This boy… he's lost so much blood, yet still he clings to life. Such unwavering will to live…" she muttered.
From her inventory, she drew a small glass vial. Its contents shimmered faintly in the dim light. Shimi hovered anxiously, staring down at Veythor's face. Her hands shook.
Raika gritted his teeth, his frustration searing through him.
Because of Veythor… Shimi is ignoring me.
Shimi's eyes narrowed, her voice trembling as she asked:
"What… what is that in your hand?"
Miasha smiled faintly, lifting the vial.
"A potion... an exceptionally powerful healing potion."
The vial shimmered faintly in her hand, a promise of salvation... or something far darker.