Chapter 12: Midnight Chains
The straw bed offered no comfort. Elias lay with his back to the wall, every muscle taut, the tether in his chest burning faintly as his bound warriors stood silent outside the door.
The town bells tolled midnight.
The system's voice slithered into his skull.
> [Echo IV Final Phase Initiated.]
Objective: Endure the night.]
Optional: Protect Ashwood.]
Shadows thickened in the corners of the chamber, pooling like spilled ink. Elias's breath hitched as one of them rippled upward, forming jagged limbs and hollow eyes.
"Not again…" His hand clenched the jagged stone blade.
The girl's voice, cool and amused, whispered from the dark. "Every town fears the system. Tonight, you will show them why."
The shadow lunged. Elias swung, the blade meeting resistance like cold iron. The creature shrieked, soundless, a vibration that rattled his bones. The tether yanked hard, and his warriors outside stirred, their ember eyes igniting.
From beyond the door, shouts rose. "What was that sound?" "Something's inside!"
The guards burst in just in time to see Elias battling a thing of smoke and claws, his bound warriors looming behind. Their spears wavered. "Gods save us—he's unleashed demons!"
"Wait!" Elias snarled, shoving the creature back. "This isn't me—it's the system!"
The shadow split in two, both forms hissing as they slithered toward the doorway, toward the guards. One spear splintered as it passed through, the guard crying out.
Elias's body screamed in pain as he willed his warriors forward. They crashed into the shadows, obsidian fists meeting writhing darkness. Sparks of violet light erupted, casting the chamber in an unholy glow.
Captain Seris stormed in, sword drawn. Her eyes took in the scene: Elias fighting, the bound warriors clashing with monsters, her guards staggering back in fear.
"Damn it…" she spat, then fixed her glare on Elias. "Control them—or I end this myself."
The system pulsed:
> [Choice Detected:]
A: Use bound warriors recklessly to wipe out the threat quickly (risk terrifying Ashwood further).]
B: Fight personally, risking your life, to prove restraint (chance to win Seris's trust).]
Elias's chest heaved, the tether burning like fire. Both options felt like a noose tightening around his neck.
The girl's laughter echoed faintly. "Will you be their nightmare… or their savior?"
The shadows howled, pressing in. The decision had to be made now.
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