"How long have you been here, Aayam?" Acheron inquired.
"About 2-3 months. The country sent me to spy on the enemy, gathering information in different ways. I was captured before I could relay the invasion plans about a week ago," Aayam explained, his voice steadier now.
Acheron had been questioning Aayam to find clues to locate his missing friends, but Aayam's knowledge was limited and provided little assistance.
Curious about the situation with the Nessus army, Aayam asked Acheron. Learning that the army was retreating to a safer position relieved Aayam, which meant his companions Lilith and Lessly might also be secure.
Aayam expressed uncertainty about escaping with everyone present in the cell. Acheron, nodding in agreement, realized the risks of attempting a group escape without knowing the facility's layout or the number of guards.
Determined to find a solution, Acheron spotted a small animal in their cell and swiftly captured it. As the creature struggled to break free, Acheron did something unexpected.
"What are you doing?" Aayam questioned.
"No need to worry. We now have a scout," Acheron replied, revealing a tiny creature in his hand.
It was a peculiar creature with a mouse's body but six legs and antennae on its head, a mix of a mouse and a roach.
"What is that?" Aayam asked before fainting in astonishment.
Acheron used magic to control the creature and to scout the prison. It took him about three days to scout the layout of the prison, which he had meticulously mapped, finding only a few guards scattered throughout. Acheron located his friends in another cell block, physically unharmed but mentally affected by drugs.
"Aayam, I believe I've found a way out," Acheron whispered.
"That's great!" Aayam replied, lowering his voice. "We need to be quiet so the guards won't hear us. Are you sure about this escape plan?"
"Yes, I'm certain. The Cock-a-mouse is scouting the outside," Acheron confirmed. With the escape route identified, they began devising a plan to free all the captured demons.
Utilizing his magic, Acheron broke open their cell, revealing two guards at the end of the hall. For their plan to succeed, they needed to lure the guards closer. One idea was to create a distraction, but it posed risks. Acheron then devised a plan using the Cock-a-mouse to lead the guards to their cell, where they could overpower them.
Their strategy involved freeing the demons, curing them of the drugs, and enlisting their help in the escape. They planned to execute the breakout at night, leveraging the Cock-a-mouse to monitor the passage of time outside.
As they waited for nightfall, Acheron and Aayam prepared to implement their plan, relying on their newfound knowledge of the prison's layout and the assistance of the Cock-a-mouse.
That night, Acheron and Aayam executed their plan under the radiant moonlight. At the hall's distant end, two new sentinels grumbled about their duty as the guards changed shifts.
"This is so dull. Why guard this corpse?" a guard complained.
"I know, but we mustn't repeat past mistakes. These sites are crucial," replied his comrade.
"Ha ha ha! I'm spooked, too. It's a pain to capture them alive, and... Wait, what's that on your shoulder?"
The man glanced to where his companion pointed, spotting a mysterious creature. Before he could react, it lunged, biting his neck.
"Ow!" The guard tried to stop it, but the creature swiftly moved to the other guard.
"Wow, ow ow!" The creature repeated its attack before sprouting wings and flying away.
Determined, the two guards pursued the creature, unaware of the trap ahead. The elusive being led them into a silent cell.
"It went in there! Do you have the keys?!"
"Here are the keys, but should we risk opening the cell with just the two of us? What if the occupants inside attack us once freed?" The guard with the keys asked worriedly
"Do you seriously think they can do that in their current state?" his complaint asked confidently.
As they approached the cell, a voice from within diverted their attention. Suddenly, a surge of water knocked them off their feet, rendering them unconscious.
"Acheron, you did it!" Aayam exclaimed upon regaining consciousness.
"I did. Let's leave this place," Acheron had the Cock-a-mouse bring him the key to unlock the cell.
"Hurry, we must free everyone else," Aayam urged, retrieving the keys.
Aware that Acheron's magic energy was limited, they hurried to unlock each cell and heal the prisoners, dispelling the effects of the drugs they were under.
Confusion abounded among the freed captives as they inquired about their whereabouts and the circumstances of their captivity. With little time to spare, Acheron and Aayam fabricated a tale of enemy abduction and an urgent escape plan. The prisoners rose to their feet, resolved to follow their newfound allies.
The group proceeded towards the exit, freeing any imprisoned demons. They narrowly avoided detection by the guards, swiftly dealing with them to maintain their progress. Despite the seemingly smooth execution of their plan, some prisoners had perished – succumbing to injuries, starvation, or the cruel embrace of death.
It became evident that the humans cared little for their lives, leaving the prisoners with no choice but to abandon the fallen. While some hesitated, a woman tearfully parted from her family's remains, the first of many heart-wrenching farewells.
Reaching a fork in the path, Acheron addressed the group, "We're almost out of here, but there are more of our people below. I can't abandon them."
A demon, consumed by rage, demanded, "Are you leaving us for those bastards who trapped us here?"
"Of course not," Acheron reassured them. "You can continue without me. Take the right path to reach the exit."
As relief washed over the group upon learning the path to freedom, Aayam surprised Acheron by declaring, "I'm coming with you."
"Aayam?" Acheron questioned.
"Yeah, partly for your help and partly for someone else," Aayam explained, still searching for Lilith's father, who he believed might be imprisoned below.
Acheron and Aayam descended further into the prison while the other demons headed towards the exit. They found themselves in the familiar area where a man was spotted.
"Shh, Aayam, guards around the corner," Acheron warned, spotting three guards near their friends' location.
"We need a way out. Any ideas?" Aayam inquired.
"I have a plan, but we'll need some help," Acheron replied. "Put on the armor of those guards we incapacitated earlier."
The three guards conversed amongst themselves.
"Are the next shifts running late?" one remarked.
"Indeed, they are tardy, quite unusual," another noted.
"Perhaps they're enjoying tormenting the demons from the recent raid," the third speculated with a chuckle.
Their discussion was abruptly interrupted by the sound of footsteps and a scream.
"Intruders! The enemy has... Aaaaaaa!" a guard cried out, startling the trio.
One guard rushed to alert reinforcements while the other two cautiously approached the source of the commotion. As they reached the corner, a gruesome scene unfolded before them - a chaotic mess of blood and bodies, a grim tableau of fallen comrades and demons.
Amidst the carnage, a lone figure stood, plunging swords into a demon's chest before collapsing, a guard's blade at his neck.
"Are you all right?" one guard called out, concerned for the fallen figure.
"We need to treat his injuries quickly. He may have crucial information," the guards decided, retracing their steps through the darkened corridors until they reached a vital chamber.
Passing a large ornate door, they encountered the guard who had sought the authority figure of their establishment.
"What's happening? Who is that man?" the guard inquired, his voice tinged with concern.
"We found him amidst a scene of carnage, bodies of our comrades and demons alike. He was engaged in a confrontation with the enemy who wielded fire magic," one guard explained.
"Why bring him here instead of treating him on the spot?" a man in a lab coat, presumably a doctor, interjected, joining the group.
"Doctor, we apologize for the decision, but we feared a prison breakout. This man may hold vital information," the guards justified.
"Place him on my table. I'll attend to his wounds," the doctor instructed. After administering a mysterious potion, he channeled healing magic through his hands, restoring the injured man.
However, as the guard regained consciousness, a sudden panic seized him. He began to scream and thrash about erratically, exhibiting signs of drug-induced delirium.
Witnessing the chaos, those in the chamber rushed to restrain and support him.
"Acheron! Where are you? The enemy is attacking the city. We need everyone down here!" a panicked voice cried out.
"Calm down. You're safe for now. You're in a secure location," a reassuring voice said.
"Damn, you demons... What have you done to Acheron, my best friend?" the voice accused angrily.
"Restrain him! We can't risk alerting the enemy," a commanding voice ordered.
As the guards moved to subdue the agitated man, the ceiling suddenly trembled, sending dirt cascading down.
"What was that?!" someone exclaimed, eyes darting upwards anxiously.
Amid the chaos, the man who had been restrained seized the opportunity, breaking free and lunging towards the individual in the lab coat, knocking him to the ground. "Acheron!" he shouted in desperation.
"Aaaaaa!" a cry rang out.
"Doctor, are you all right?" a concerned voice called out.
Before the doctor could respond, the metal door exploded off its hinges, striking some guards and allowing a horde of recently set-free demons to storm into the chamber. Some wore armor and wielded the weapons of their fallen comrades, ready for battle.
Acheron rose from unconsciousness, brandishing his sword, and commanded the humans to drop their weapons. Unable to understand them, the humans engaged the demons in combat. The skirmish was brief but deadly, with most humans in the rescue room falling to the demons.
"Aayam, are you alive?" Acheron called out.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Aayam replied, raising his hand to show his location on the floor on top of the figure wearing the label count.
As the demons helped Aayam up, they restrained and carried the injured doctor.
"Glad you made it in time. What caused that commotion above? Were you trying to bring the whole place down?" Aayam inquired.
"No, it wasn't us," Acheron responded.
Realizing the situation's urgency, someone redirected their focus back to the room.
"Acheron, have you found your friends and other injured prisoners?" Aayam asked.
"I have, but there seems to be another issue," Acheron replied.
Initially, Acheron had disguised Aayam as an enemy soldier, staging a violent scene to make it appear as though Aayam was the sole survivor. Aayam, a versatile individual who could communicate with both humans and demons, was tasked with being taken to the enemy leader's location and detained until the rest of the group could locate them.
While the others worked to free the remaining prisoners, Acheron noticed a discrepancy in the count compared to his previous observations using the Cock-a-mouse.
Acheron asked a friend if everyone present was accounted for, hoping against hope. Unfortunately, his friend shattered his hopes, revealing that the guards had taken some prisoners elsewhere and never returned.
Before Acheron could dwell on this grim revelation, a sudden shockwave rocked the area, followed by Aayam's urgent call for Acheron.
Responding swiftly, Acheron rushed to Aayam's side and learned that some prisoners had gone missing before being rescued.
Acheron demanded the demons to bring the man Aayam was with to him.
"Hey, I heard you took some of my people elsewhere. Where did you take them?" Acheron questioned angrily, forgetting momentarily that the man could not understand him. In response, the man spat at Acheron's face.
Incensed, Acheron began to retaliate, but Aayam intervened, preventing further escalation.
"Acheron, wait. He may be the only one who can help us find the others," Aayam advised.
Distrustful but willing to try, Acheron reluctantly allowed Aayam to attempt to communicate with the man.
"Doctor, please listen. My soul and heartache for my friends taken by your people. They are deeply distressed. Could you help us by revealing their whereabouts?" Aayam implored.
"I know who you are. You're that traitor who collaborated with our enemies," the doctor sneered.
"I did not betray my people. This world does not solely belong to us; it..." Before Aayam could finish, the doctor spat at him. Unfazed, Aayam continued speaking in a calm tone.
"The demons only seek the return of their loved ones. If you disclose their location, I promise to spare your life," Aayam reasoned.
With a sinister grin, the doctor nodded towards a door. A prominent demon headed in the indicated direction.
"Thank you," Aayam said, expressing his relief at the man's cooperation and hoping to avoid further bloodshed. However, as he was about to ask Acheron to release the captives, the sorrowful sounds of people crying echoed from where the demon had gone.
Shortly after, three figures returned to the room. Upon seeing the doctor, they seized him.
The doctor glared at Aayam. "One day, we will reclaim our land and secure our future," he declared before the demons swiftly subdued and killed him.
"What have you done? He just revealed the others' location," Aayam protested, trying to intervene as the others attacked the doctor. However, someone restrained him from behind, preventing him from saving the doctor.
After the violent episode, Acheron approached one of the men responsible for the doctor's death, seeking an explanation. Instead of answering, the demon motioned for them to see for themselves. With the obstacle removed, Aayam accompanied Acheron as they proceeded.
Upon entering the room, they were met with a chilling sight. The space resembled a nightmarish dungeon, with cells containing human organs. In the center, wounded individuals cradled the bodies of their fallen comrades. Aayam approached to assess the extent of the tragedy, trying to understand why the demons had killed the doctor. As he drew closer, he witnessed a gruesome scene - bodies of demons in a state of disarray, clearly dispatched. Aayam felt the weight of their accusing gazes upon him.
Unable to bear the sight, Aayam turned away, seeking solace elsewhere. Meanwhile, Acheron was astonished by the appearance of a different group releasing an elderly lady with sheep legs from a cell. He approached her, eager to uncover the truth of the harrowing situation.
As Aayam composed himself, he prepared to join Acheron to learn more about what had transpired.
"Elder, are you alright? What happened to you and everyone here?" Acheron asked the lady with sheep legs with politeness and respect.
"Dear ones, thank you for your concern. My heart aches for what has transpired. I am but a witness to the horrors that unfolded when this city fell. The enemy, in their cruelty, captured my family and me. They subjected us to unspeakable torture and then ruthlessly slaughtered them before my eyes. I was spared, left to bear the weight of their loss and the pain of their absence. I do not know where they took their remains, but my spirit is burdened by the memories of that dreadful day. May their souls find peace, and may we find the strength to endure and seek justice for the atrocities committed."
Acheron brought him closer and told him the old woman lying in front of them was the former city lord's mother. Her family was suspected to have escaped the city before it was overrun. But what the lady told them is the city lord, and his family were all talked about and killed in this place.
"Eek! Don't kill me!" a scream from a different direction grabs everyone's attention. One of the demons discovers a human hiding under a desk. Before the demon can do anything, Aayam quickly grabs him. "What the hell is this!? What have you devils been doing to the people you capture and impressed here?!" The researcher, terrified of being killed, reveals what they are doing to the demons. Not releasing Aayam is common.
What the researcher said was truly Vile. The humans were creating enhancements to drag us out of the victims they cater to boost their army strength.
Aayam's mind became clouded by all sorts of emotions: disbelief, hatred, hesitation, and worry. He was having a hard time believing that his people could do something like this. The loss of demons who treated him with kindness fueled his hatred toward those who did this to them. Wondering if his old classmates may not know anything about this made him stop and think that this may only be the cause for the humans from this world.
"Aayam, what did that man say?" Behind Aayam, Acheron and the other demons were glaring at him and the researcher.
Taking a deep breath, Aayam brought the man to look at the demons standing there. Aayam told them what the researcher told him about the humans' actions to their people. When he was, the demons, including Acheron, had faces of murdering intent. Without waiting, the demons grabbed the human researcher and killed him there. Aayam did nothing; it was more like he did not want to save the man.
As the demons let out a breath, they were holding when Aayam told them what their enemies were doing. The place was shocked again.
"This place seems like going to cave-in! We need to get out of here!" One by one, the demons began to run for the exit. As for Aayam and Acheron, they heard someone calling one of them.
"Aayam... Aayam... Aayam." Before he could respond, a familiar voice called out to him from a nearby place where he had been earlier. Aayam turned to see a man who appeared to have endured severe torture, his face so swollen and disfigured that recognition was a challenge. However, Aayam locked eyes with him and realized the man's identity.
"Balder? Is that you, Balder?!" Aayam inquired.
"Yes," Balder confirmed softly, his voice barely audible.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Aayam approached the cell where Lilith's father was held captive. Fortunately, the cell was unlocked, allowing Aayam to enter and assist Balder.
Up close, Aayam witnessed the toll of Balder's ordeal. A horn was missing, an eye gone, both arms broken, and his legs amputated.
"Balder!" Aayam's chest tightened, and tears threatened to fall.
"Why are you here, Aayam? Is Lilith with you?" Balder asked, his concern evident.
"No, she's not, but she should be safe. She was worried about you, so I came to find you," Aayam replied, omitting that Lilith had also joined the war to search for her father.
"Let's get you out of here, Balder. I'll take you back to your family, we can treat your wounds, and..." Aayam began, but Balder interrupted with a somber gesture.
"No, Aayam, I... don't think I will make it."
"Don't say that," Aayam pleaded, his voice choking with emotion.
"Aayam, please," Balder insisted. As he spoke his final words, he asked Aayam, "I can tell I won't be able to come with you, so I want you to promise me something."
"Anything!" Aayam grasped Balder's hand and raised it.
"Promise me that you take care of Lilith and tell Emma I'm sorry." With those words, Balder breathed his last.
Tears streaming down his face, Aayam gently moved Balder's hand to his forehead, solemnly swearing to fulfill his promise.
Acheron entered the cell where Aayam was, the other demons having departed. Seeing Aayam's grief-stricken state, Acheron remained silent, allowing him a moment to mourn before gently urging him to move.
However, their respite was short-lived. The ground began to tremble violently, signaling imminent danger. Acheron swiftly led Aayam out, urging him to run as the structure threatened to collapse.
Despite Aayam's initial resistance, the situation's urgency compelled him to push aside his emotions and run alongside Acheron. Dodging falling debris and navigating through the choking dust, they narrowly escaped before the structure crumbled.
Breathless and shaken, Aayam reassured Acheron of his well-being. "Yeah... I'm alright," he panted.
Acheron expressed regret over leaving Balder behind. "I'm sorry we couldn't bring your friend with us, Aayam."
"It's alright, Acheron. I understand. There was no time to bring Balder's body with us," Aayam replied, showing understanding in the face of the dire circumstances.
With a heavy heart, they knew they had to regroup with the others and face the challenges ahead.