Nyx's eyes widened. "Wait- did you say Acher? Are you telling me..."
"...Yeah. He's shadowbound."
His mouth was kept agape. Sensing his surprise, Rei was quick to comment her thoughts: "Did he not tell you?"
"No..." Nyx murmured, raising his arm and covering his mouth, "I don't know the guy very well, but... I suppose it makes sense..."
Nyx's mind jumped back to when Acher had saved his life. He had thought him particularly swift in his movements, though never would have imagined him shadowbound.
"I thought you two were friends?"
"No... our meeting was just pure chance. Us descending the canyon together just seemed like the right thing to do at the time."
Rei moved her eyes away, scanning the inside of the building. "I see..."
A deep silence hung over the two of them. The conversation seemed to reach a somewhat natural — if not abrupt — conclusion. That doesn't mean it wasn't awkward.
"So," Nyx mumbled, as if trying to maintain small talk. "Rei... how did you awaken?"
After he had spoken, he had somewhat regretted his words. Part of him knew the answer wouldn't be pleasant. The last thing he wanted to do was resurge sour wounds.
Much to his surprise, Rei didn't really seem to care for the question in the slightest. "I... hmm. Well, I was born of blood. Now, I've become it."
'An incredibly vague answer...' Nyx thought to himself, but he knew it was likely for the best.
If she didn't want to answer, she wasn't required to. He was simply curious.
And there, in silence, they let the night grow colder. While they didn't express it vocally, they were drowning in concern. Every minute that passed felt like another minute of potential doom. That the three that had left wouldn't manage to return.
Even worse, after having his arm disinfected, it almost felt like the senses in his arm were heightened. The cold was terribly oppressive against it now. While the rest of his body remained seemingly increasingly dull to the senses, his arm was practically screaming.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, the subtle sounds of the dragging of feet just outside the door managed to catch their attention.
Not wasting any time, Rei was quick to stand, slowly marching her way to the door so as to confirm their arrival.
Nyx, wanting to do the same, followed in pursuit.
Quite interestingly, the closer he got to the door, the more he could feel his heart pound. What he had once thought was the dragging of feet turned out to be something much more sinister.
It was the sound of scratching. Like nails to a whiteboard, it screeched in an oddly rhythmic fashion, starting and stopping at the same time as the deep, gruff noise of footsteps.
What confirmed his worst nightmare, however, was the sight of Rei peeking her head out the door. She was quick to close it, kneeling down so she couldn't be seen through the gaping hole in its front.
Her eyes were shot open. Her breath was visibly heavy. For the first time, Nyx could see she was terrified.
And then, Nyx could see it.
Through the hole, it was painfully apparent. Appearing like a mass of conjoined severed limbs, it snaked its way down the slim alley just outside. Its body was only consisting of a black mass — and it was obvious what they were seeing.
The Terror was using severed limbs and broken armor as its shell. Subtle bits of metal protruded from its body, scrapping against the wall of the building. Once it passed over the door, the same metal gave a slight tug on it.
Rei covered her mouth, trying to mask her breathing as the door slightly creaked open. Sensing the danger, Nyx lowered himself, cowering behind a small shelf and grabbing at the sword holstered to his side.
For what felt like an eternity was pure silence. Nyx's heart throbbed. He was just about ready to run out in defense when the sound of its footsteps resumed. The bit of metal that was holding the door open moved away, and the door came to a pleasant close.
For now, they were safe.
Nyx peeked his head out from behind the shelf, laying eyes on Rei. Her hand was still placed over her mouth, while the other firmly gripped her sword.
Once she knew it was safe, she relaxed herself.
The scrapping and footsteps gradually faded into the distance. The Terror was gone.
"Rei-" Nyx muttered, quickly rushing over to check up on her.
It was apparent the existence of a determination in her eyes. Still a stain of fear lurking underneath, she braved herself and came to a rise. "What... was that?"
Nyx felt slightly confused by the question. "What do you mean? It was a Terror-"
"-No..." She cut him off, passing a glance of death towards him, "Nyx... there was a human inside of it."