The spreading red soon loses its brightness. The deformed walls lose their elasticity, and with that, a light intensifies.
Her body is bathed in an energy that pierces the skin like tiny needles. Reality twists before her eyes, and her insides tremble.
Guided by Beatriz, the servants of the sloth sector find themselves at the end of the great creature that had served as a nesting tree. They are like two small, naive birds flapping their wings without fear.
The stench in the place is so strong it makes Candela lose herself in her own breath. Even she, who dismantled grotesque creatures born from nightmares, could not endure the smell.
Ahead of her lay a pulsing mass near the end of Leviathan's innards—not part of the organism but attached like a parasite. As she drew closer, her head began to ache.
She had never felt such a sharp pain in her chest, accompanied by the intense sensation of nails digging into her back. Soon, she was lost in memories cast into oblivion.
"Your smile is so beautiful, your way of acting so unique, your gaze so pure. So why are you trapped here?" The voice, whoever it belonged to, was hidden in the shadows. "I want to free you!"
She knelt, lowering her eyes to the ground. "I don't know how much time has passed. I just want to return to my peers, to my creator!" She curled into herself. "How was I caught so easily? I only heard a sweet voice and followed it. I wasn't made to have free will."
A laugh escaped him. "You've been trapped here for centuries, haven't you? He's been waiting for everything to be ready to use you. I won't lie—I'm consumed by the desire to know more about you." His blue eyes shone. "You'll be in my hands. I won't hurt you; I won't let you be hurt."
"Don't say that! Your nature is a lie, as rotten as the bodies I've seen of those like you used in experiments!" He threw himself backward, falling and remaining there. "I forgot, I forgot that they took away even what I am."
He took a deep breath. "I'm not like him! I would never harm another human for my research, nor any intelligent creature. To me, knowledge is a living being; if something perishes, that knowledge is lost forever." He leaned against the wall. "I only want humanity not to be exterminated. There are good people out there, far better than me."
"I feel sympathy for you; I can see beyond your words, for my nature makes men my wards." He stood. "But I warn you—attempts to go against my creator's will will perpetuate the pain forever, and even the purest will not be saved."
Candela opened her eyes quickly. Around her, no time had passed. She was still facing the pulsing mass. She felt her doubts grow but decided to keep what she saw to herself, thinking that sharing it with Killbit would only deepen her pain. At least now, she knew a little more about her past.
Beatriz pointed in a direction, and after everyone gathered around her, the homunculus placed her hand on the wall. She released her heat, causing the space to open and reveal vast corridors cloaked in shadows. It was Leviathan's antithesis: long cracked walls that at their distant top emitted cold-colored light, alongside a feeling of being watched.
Soon, the silence that had lasted throughout their walk shattered, fragmenting and vibrating upwards. In front of them appeared a cluster of creatures. At its center stood a human with long black hair, vibrant red eyes, and a thin, horizontally-striped tunic draped over his body.
Killbit's silver sword appeared in his hand. He leaped forward, wanting to approach the red-eyed being, but Beatriz stopped him, grabbing his cloak and slamming him against the wall.
"Bernard, what are you doing so low in the Tower of Virtues?" The red-eyed man's eyes shifted to green. "Did you happen to bring me more toys to tear apart?" Killbit kicked. "I only didn't rip your arm off because Beatriz stopped me. Don't act rashly."
He advanced toward Killbit. "By your actions, I'd say you're Henri. I haven't seen you in fifty years. I miss the most brutal being in the Beast Coliseum." He extended a hand to Killbit. "Come on, young man, take my hand. You won't get up so easily alone after such a hard blow."
"Thank you. Why is a human walking with these creatures? Aren't they uncontrollable beasts?" Killbit approached Bernard. "Why are your eyes red like his?"
Bernard stroked Killbit's hair. "Who said I'm human? And who said those children over there are beasts? I'm like them, but I took a more presentable form to do business with humans." He leaned close to Killbit's ear. "The one who watches the gluttons is, like me, an ally of your creators. Baby Homunculus…"
"Don't listen to him too much. He may have spoken some truth but likely hid a lie inside it to gain the advantage." Her eyes glowed purple once again. "Speak, Bernard. What do you want? Use your shortcuts to get us to the Beast Coliseum in exchange. Bernard, the slave trader."
He pressed Killbit against the wall, one hand on his hip. "Are you sure he can handle your flames? He's still too young to mate." Grinning broadly, he appeared behind Beatriz and embraced her. "Alright, I need you to go to the Sloth sector to retrieve something from Vasily. The path is full of Golems, and only you can defeat them."
Bernard explained that the Golems were immune to their attacks and those of the beasts, but just as homunculus weapons kill their own kind, she alone could defeat the Golems.
Candela was still somewhat disoriented by the moment and didn't attack Bernard alongside Killbit. Once she regained her senses, she did.
Bernard smiled, grasped Beatriz's wrist, and a magical circle appeared on her forehead. The homunculus drew her sword. In an instant, the attack was repelled, sending Candela flying.
Killbit held back his sister, unwilling for them to waste energy before the moment truly required it. Killbit was fascinated by the mystery of the red eyes and wanted more information in exchange for their help.
Candela initially refused, but Killbit convinced her: if they did Bernard's bidding, they would reach the Beast Coliseum faster and, by fighting the Golems, provide a glorious feast for Gustav.
She then lowered her guard, remembering that the voice in her memories was surely a younger Gustav, yet with his familiar charm.
"Thank you for accepting my request so easily. In return, I will give Beatriz one more thing!" He patted Killbit. "I will tell you the location of your beloved pet, Vergil."
Each of Beatriz's eyes shifted color. "Vergil? Is he still alive? How did you find out? Tell me before I tear you in half!" she said, taking a fighting stance.
"Calm down, my dear homunculi trapped in a genie's lamp. I located him easily, considering he resembles me." He bit his lip. "While you do my bidding, I will find him. Once both sides have fulfilled their part of the bargain, we are done."
Candela pressed her cleaver to Bernard's neck. "Remember to tell my brother more about the red eyes!" She pulled him closer. "Speak quickly!"
"Fine." He tried to pull away from Candela. "Damn. Like I make deals with everyone, he's the one who benefits. Let's say he's my boss. Do as I say, and nothing bad will happen to you." He looked at Beatriz, "Isn't that right?"
"I think not." Her eyes shimmered purple. "I don't trust him anymore. He's the one who separated me from Vergil! I just want him back!"
Once again, they were trapped.
Bernard wore a calm, unfazed expression.
Killbit envied those large red eyes.
Candela wished Gustav abundance.
Beatriz harbored something hidden deep within.
Thus, the scales were balanced.