Val's mind resounded, everything going blank. The noise in his surroundings diminishing.
FOCUS.
FOCUS!
His vision blurred. In front of him, Phes and Izanami were clashing dodging and striking in flashes of speed.
I miss them…
I miss home.
He looked down at his katana, the blade trembling in his grasp. His reflection clearly seen.
I want to be with… Aos, Maya?
Who are these people?
He released the katana with one hand, the other clutching his head. His breath came in heavy gasps.
A distant voice echoed, raw and desperate.
"VAL!"
"VAL, FOCUS!"
His thoughts twisted, unraveling.
Val…?
His vision steadied. The battlefield snapped back into focus—Phes, Izanami, and Thorn still locked in a brutal exchange. Kyle stood in the middle of the room, sweat dripping down his cheek as he stared at newly-formed runes.
Val gripped the katana again with both hands.
Right. I have to help them.
Indra…
He clenched his teeth and lunged forward, blade aimed at Izanami's back while she struggled against Thorn's shield.
Just before his strike landed, Izanami turned. Her eyes widened.
In one swift motion, she blasted Thorn away and swept behind Val, kicking him to the floor.
"VAL!"
Thorn's voice echoed in the distance.
Izanami crouched beside him, her hand gently brushing his cheek.
Thorn and Phes froze. Phes screamed,
"Let him go!"
Izanami tilted her head, curiously watching Phes as her fingers caressed Val's face.
She's not going to kill me?
Her grip suddenly tightened.
Val grunted.
"Let go of me!"
With his free hand, he pulled a small knife from his back pocket and stabbed it into her stomach.
She coughed blood but didn't flinch. Her eyes never left Phes.
"You all seem confused," she said coldly.
"An injury doesn't kill me… certainly not one from the likes of you."
Val looked up at those hollow blue eyes—eyes filled with malice.
The knife hadn't mattered.
She rose, yanked it out with ease, and tossed it aside. The wound closed within seconds.
"Your friend's vitality was enough to help me," she muttered. "Enough to take care of you all."
She glanced at Kyle, still hunched over parchment and shattered armor.
"And I don't know what your friend thinks he's doing…"
Kyle remained locked in concentration, sweat trailing down his temple.
"Nothing he does will work," she whispered, stepping toward him.
Phes, further back, felt something build inside her. Heat rising. Her eyes began to glow—brighter than before. The fire around her surged, bursts of flame dispersing in the air.
Thorn stepped back, struggling to breathe through the suffocating warmth.
Phes's voice cut through.
"Don't even think it."
Izanami paused. Slowly, she turned toward her.
A shiver crawled up her spine.
This woman… she's unlocking her unique lineage… right here?
Phes brought her fists together—one of flesh, the other pure fire.
She exhaled.
Flares spun around her as her eyes locked on Izanami.
Thorn shielded his face, retreating another step.
Phes…
Val crept closer to Thorn, his steps cautious. The heat burned his lungs. Sweat streamed down his brow.
Phes's gaze narrowed.
Two dragons—roaring, spiraling fire—erupted from her fists and lunged at Izanami.
Izanami raised her arms, bracing.
Damn it…
The dragons collided, bursting into a fiery explosion.
Burns spread across Izanami's skin. Her clothes tore. Her body seared and blackened.
I won't die to these pests.
Not until I get Winter all to myself!
Beneath them, corpses clawed through the concrete—rising like puppets. Eyes dead sking gray jaws open teeth teared apat.The fire charred them to ash, but their presence shielded Izanami from the full brunt of the blast.
The dragons faded, their roar dying into smoke.
Izanami staggered forward, skin blackened, breathing heavy. Comanding more of her undead to rise.
Phes exhaled, her entire body trembling.
Thorn watched her, speechless.
Her unique aspect…
The heat began to fade. Phes stood upright, hands shaking, eyes tired.
"How about that? Wench…"
Izanami laughed—loud, twisted.
"HAHAHAHAHAH!"
Her body slowly began to heal, skin returning to its original hue.
"I can just hea-"
Thorn smashed his shield into her chest before she could finish, sending her flying into the wall. He breathed heavily.
"Good job, Phes."
Phes clutched her stomach, wincing. She smiled faintly.
"All of that… for two damn dragons."
She wiped blood from her lips and stood tall.
Val stood still.
I failed again.
My presence means nothing.
Thorn eased his stance. Izanami lay motionless in the rubble.
He turned toward Kyle.
The mountain of Dontenslav was starting to collapse. Shards of rock fell from above. Fire embers glowed in the dark.
"How's that going?!"
Kyle didn't respond. He was still working, his hair rugged, his gaze darting between the runes and a scrap of paper.
"Work…"
"Work, damn it."
Thorn clenched his jaw.
Not yet…
Just a little longer—
From below, a hand burst up and gripped his ankle. Gray. Rotting. Skin peeling.
Another hand followed, seizing his other leg.
Thorn looked down in shock. He struggled, trying to kick free, but they held fast.
He looked up—
Izanami's body in the rubble was gone.
Damn it.
She appeared behind him, her hand clasping the back of his head.
Val's eyes widened in horror.
Thorn grunted, sweat pouring down his face.
Before she could drag him away, he twisted, grabbed her arms, and ripped the dead hands off his legs.
"VAL, NOW!" he roared.
Val dashed forward, eyes locked on her. His blade met her back.
Izanami shrieked, resisting.
"You bastard!"
Val pushed the blade deeper, toward her heart.
Thorn's eyes dulled. His skin turned pale.
"End her… Val…"
And then—he dropped.
Just like Indra.
Another protector—gone.
Val screamed, his sword plunging deeper.
"AHHHHHHH!"
Blood splattered across his face.
Izanami's eyes rolled back.
The blade stuck tight her body was healing around it. She coughed and looked back, the hilt still in Val's hands.
"My dear Winter…"
She smiled, cruel and broken. Her head twisted unnaturally, then her whole body turned, torn skin and blood soaked through.
"How much harder are you going to make this…?"
She shattered the hilt with a punch. The katana sank into her fully—absorbed like water.
Val staggered backward as she composed herself.
His voice shook.
"How many more of my loved ones are you going to take?"
"First everyone in our village… and now…"
"My friends… my family!"
"When will it be enough for you?!"
Izanami giggled. Tears rolled down her face.
"I'll stop when you have no one left!"
"I am going to make you feel the way I did… the day you left me!"
She rushed Phes.
Phes was exhausted—hands on her knees, breath ragged.
Hands burst from the ground again. Dead limbs. Rotten claws.
Two grabbed her arms. Others seized her legs.
Val charged, kicking one away—
—but more rose.
Izanami laughed beside him. Her presence loomed over both of them.
"You don't get it, do you?"
She shoved him backward. More hands grabbed him, dragging him down.
"You don't get a say in this."
"LOOK."
"And WAIT."
Each corpse held Phes—arms, legs, shoulders. She couldn't move.
"AGHH!" she screamed.
"VAL!"
"CLOSE YOUR EYES!"
Her eyes filled with tears.
Kyle… you better make it work. For him…
Val's eyes shut tight. A frown formed.
One tear slipped down his cheek.
Phes's scream tore through the chamber.
Her grunting could be heard. Izanami spoke once again.
"You left the village."
"After YOU said I became a monster."
Phes screamed once again.
"I TRIED TO HOLD YOUR HAND."
"YOU… stepped back."
"I remember your face."
"Looking at me with disgust."
Phes screamed again.
"Val, don't listen to her."
Val tried to leave, his whole body moving, resisting the dead hands to no avail…
He couldn't. No knife behind his pocket. No one to save him from the situation. He was powerless. His mind began to feel cold pain. His heart racing. His breath cold.
And finally, Phes screamed again. Followed by silence.
Izanami grinned, both of her hands together in joy.
"That's… why you never should've left me alone."
"YOU SHOULD'VE HELD MY HAND EVEN IF IT MEANT DEATH!"
She whimpered.
Val gritted his teeth.
His eyes… still closed.
The dead hands finally letting go. Releasing Val of their grasp. He opened his eyes slowly.
Behind, Kyle spoke…
His voice excited and happy, the circle behind him shining in red. His eyes gleaming in exitment.
"Yes! I did it!"
He raised his head quickly. A tear of sweat leaving his face.
Dead humans stood next to Val, moving corpses.
Izanami stood in front of the dark-haired young man.
Nothing else.
His comrades—all missing.
Phes torn apart on the floor. Indra dropped dead just like Thorn life away from their eyes.
Blood spilled in the surroundings.
The large room now battered. The curtains before red and imposing, now torn.
Kyle spoke. His voice now trembling. His hands let go of the paper before in his hand. The runes below reflecting in his hazel eyes. His shiny armor still intact.
His voice piercing Val's heart.
"Val…"
"Where's the rest?"