The whispers in Arthur's mind were unbearable now, a relentless cacophony that echoed and overlapped like a hundred voices speaking in unison. His head throbbed, each word drilling deeper into his thoughts as they approached the door to the boss chamber. The others noticed his struggle—Lily especially, her gaze flicking toward him with worry as they neared the entrance.
"Arthur," she murmured, stepping closer. Her presence was a balm, her voice steady, grounding him as she always did. "Stay with me. We're almost there."
Arthur clenched his fists, pushing the whispers aside as best he could. "I'm fine," he lied, but even as the words left his mouth, he could feel the weight pressing on him harder. The gods—those monstrous, twisted gods from his visions—were closer now. They knew he was coming. They wanted him to.
