The tunnels pressed in around them like the ribs of some long-dead beast, damp stone glistening in the flicker of Marcus's lantern. Each step echoed too loudly, as if the dark itself was listening.
Ethan's hand never left the scarf tied at his belt. The frayed red cloth was the only thing keeping hope alive. He could still hear his sister's laugh, see her shaking her head when he'd dragged her into trouble years ago. He could still hear Ellie's giggles when she begged him to play tag until he dropped.
If the scarf was here, then so were they.
"Are you sure about this?" Marcus muttered, hammer slung over one shoulder. "Feels like we're walking deeper into hell."
"I know my sister," Ethan said. "She survived this long. I'll find her."
Ravi walked beside him, notebook open, his overlapping voice muttering in sync. "Fabric tear, drag pattern—dropped mid-movement, not scavenged. He's right. They came this way."
Maya lingered near the back. "If it were my family, I wouldn't stop either."
They pressed forward until Kira flickered into view from the shadows ahead, her tone sharp. "Voices. Up ahead."
Ethan's chest tightened. He broke into a run, ignoring Marcus's curse.
He rounded the corner—and stopped.
A woman crouched near a collapsed gate, arms braced against rusted bars as if sheer will alone was keeping them shut. Her hair was matted, her body gaunt, but Ethan knew her instantly.
"Lena." His voice cracked.
Her head jerked up. For a moment she didn't dare believe what she saw. Then her lips trembled. "Ethan?"
He ran the last few steps and pulled her into his arms. She clung to him, shaking. "I thought I'd lost you. I thought I'd lost everyone."
"You didn't," he whispered fiercely. "I found you."
A sob tore free—then another voice rang out.
"Mum!"
A boy darted from the shadows, small and fast. Tina froze, then collapsed as he flung himself into her arms. "Jamie!"
She held him tight, rocking him. Marcus dropped beside her, laughing through tears. "My boy," he choked out, "my boy!"
For a single perfect moment, the world was whole again.
Then Ethan's gaze shifted.
Behind the gate, snarling and clawing at the bars, was Ellie. His niece.
Her small frame twisted, black veins crawling beneath her skin. Her teeth had sharpened to points; her hands ended in claws that threw sparks off the metal. Her eyes glowed feral gold.
"Gods…" Ethan whispered.
Lena's grip tightened on his sleeve. "I couldn't leave her. She attacked. I had to lock her in. She's getting worse every day—but she's still in there. I know she is."
Ellie slammed against the gate, snarling. For a moment, her face looked almost human—then it wasn't.
"Ellie," Ethan called softly. "It's me. Uncle Ethan."
Her glowing eyes fixed on him. Recognition flickered—then she lunged, teeth crashing against the bars.
Lena's sob broke the air. "Please. Don't."
But Ethan was already moving. He pressed both hands to the cold iron.
Silver-blue light burst from his skin. Threads of essence laced through the rusted bars, wrapping around the girl like a net. The system's voice struck like thunder.
---
> [Subject on the brink. Gene Anchor engaged.]
[Stabilization window: 60 seconds.]
[Choice required.]
Available Paths:
Strength / Speed / Intelligence / Beast Master
---
"Ethan, stop!" Lena cried, grabbing his arm. "You'll kill yourself!"
"I won't," he hissed through gritted teeth. "She still has a choice."
Her eyes flashed human for a heartbeat. "Uncle…?"
"Yes," Ethan urged. "It's me. You're not gone. The system's offering you a path—Beast Master. Take it."
"I can hear them," Ellie gasped, her voice torn between growl and cry. "Animals. Calling me."
"Then call back," Ethan said. "Choose them. Not the hunger."
The timer slammed through his head. Twenty. Fifteen.
Lena sobbed. "Ellie, please—"
Ellie met Ethan's eyes, voice trembling. "I don't want to be a monster."
"You won't," he swore. "Choose."
---
> [Choice confirmed: Beast Master.]
[Mutation stabilized. Path unlocked.]
---
Light erupted, weaving silver and gold through her veins. The corruption burned away. Her claws dulled. The glow faded. When she collapsed, she was human again.
Ethan caught her as the gate gave way, dragging her into his arms. His breath came in ragged bursts. "She's stable," he gasped. "Alive."
Lena fell beside them, sobbing. "Thank you. Oh, thank you."
Jamie tugged on Tina's sleeve, eyes wide. "Mum… I saw words too. Mine said Hearthbound."
A golden shimmer spread from the boy, warm and steady. The air softened, panic easing.
Marcus stared, stunned. "Safe zones… our boy can make safe zones."
Ellie stirred weakly, voice hoarse. "Mum… it says I can bond with two animals. I want dogs. A husky and an Alsatian. They'll protect us."
The tunnel fell silent.
Ravi whispered, awestruck. "Two bonds at once… double the risk, double the potential."
Marcus smiled faintly through the grime. "Two dogs, huh? Loyal choice."
Ethan tightened his grip on the scarf. "Then we'll find them. Whatever it takes."
Lena reached for his hand. "You saved her. You saved us all."
He squeezed her fingers, eyes wet but steady.
Family. That's why he fought.
Outside, somewhere beyond the tunnels, the world groaned like something waking from a long sleep.
And for the first time in weeks, Ethan believed they still had a future.