The silence filled the room. No sounds broke through the stillness. It felt like time had stopped, allowing the quiet to stretch on without end.
"Uh oh... as you were fighting it, I saw that the skin there appeared unusual."
Netami answered, and although Max was skeptical, he chose to place his trust in him since they were friends. What motive would he have to deceive him?
'Alright let's find a way out before more of them show up.'
It was easier said than done. Initially, they attempted to open the door, but unfortunately, it wouldn't move. Next, they tried the windows, but they couldn't open them, not even crack them.
They also didn't encounter any more monsters, which was good. At least they didn't have to deal with them.
'I guess we have to climb up.'
He let out a sigh as he observed the large staircase. The wood was deteriorating and had mold spreading on it, also it was quite slippery.
But, after several instances of Netami needing to catch Max with his wind after he fell, they finally made it to the second floor. The wood in this area was a deep, shadowy hue, almost black, and it bore an unsettling texture, marked with what appeared to be fleshy remnants clinging to its surface. The floor glistened with moisture, creating a damp and slightly eerie atmosphere.
Max felt a shiver run down his spine as he looked at the flesh, it was identical to that of the monster he had killed. Something wasn't right.
They started walking down the corridors, which were larger than those on the first floor. However, they had fewer windows. One thing they still had in common was that they wouldn't budge.
Both kids were terrified but for different reasons.
Netami was afraid of a monster attacking them or possibly a ghost, and Max was afraid of being reprimanded and scolded by the sister, it had probably been around thirty minutes since they arrived, and there was no sign of a way out.
The thought of being yelled at in front of everyone at the orphanage terrified him. It would give the other kids something else to laugh at him about.
He then felt something slowly drip down his cheek, and when it got on his finger, he stopped.
'Blood?'
He then looked back at Netami, but he was gone. Instead, he was confronted by a creature that was considerably larger than the last one and had bones sticking out. And let's not forget the second head.
Max reached for his sword, but it was gone.
The monster suddenly attacked him, he tried to dodge, but it was much faster than the other one, and one of the monster's many limbs pierced him. He was sent to the ground, coughing blood.
The monster approached him, it looked like it was laughing at him.
Max attempted to move his hand, but it was wrecked from the collision, and even if it wasn't, the monster had placed another limb on it, trapping it.
His attempts were useless, was he truly going to die? Just when things were starting to go well for him.
"I thought you claimed you were strong, and yet look at the situation I find you again I can only help but disagree. Il show you how to use your power."
Max could only gasp as a black tentacle formed out of a strange black liquid emerged from the darkness and stabbed the monster.
The monster fell to the ground as the tentacle retreated.
Max was puzzled. He had several questions, but one was more essential than the rest. What did the voice mean by showing him how to use his abilities?
So he was right. After the events that happened that day, he had gotten a drive.
Max couldn't celebrate this for long as he heard Netami scream.
Netami was on the run from another monster that was following him. He encountered a dead end. Seeing this terrified him so much that he collapsed and screamed. He was done, as the monster approached he began to cry.
Not only was he about to die, but he had condemned his friend to the same fate. This was all his fault.
The monster slowly raised one of his several sharp limbs, preparing to attack. But just as he was about to attack, a loud noise attracted his attention.
He decided to let Netami go and went to investigate the noise. Netami fainted when he saw the monster leave, he was saved.
The monster arrived at the noise and noticed Max standing there smiling. Blood flowed from his fractured arm and wound. Seeing this, the creature laughed, viewing Max as easy prey.
When the monster began running toward Max, But then he tossed a scabbard at a chandelier that was above the monster. The creature tried to dodge it, but it was too late.
...
After hearing the scream, Max realized he had to act. But what could he do? He couldn't fight because he was too injured. Then he had an idea, he looked up and spotted something that could save his life.
Meanwhile, Max didn't have his sword, but he still had the scabbard it was in. He had a plan. All he needed to do was get the monster's attention.
And his plan proved successful as he saw the crushed monsted burning from the chandelier. Also, he realized that this monster wasn't like the one he had fought, it was more like the one from the first floor.
'I suppose the people who made you aren't as bright or strong as I assumed. Imagine your supposedly powerful creation being defeated by a kid.'
...
When Netami awakened he found Max standing near him guarding him.
"Max, what happened? How are we still alive?"
'You don't need to worry about that.'
When he saw Max's injuries, he understood and decided not to continue questioning.
'Hey Netami, how did it feel when you got your drive?'
Netami was surprised as heard Max's question. Why would he want to know that?
"I felt a lot more powerful than before, it was pretty weird."
'Interesting... what about a second voice in your head.'
"No, I didn't hear a second voice. Why?"
'No reason. Do you mind guarding me for a little while?'
"Uh sure I guess."
Max then went to check his soul.
When he arrived, he felt something grabbing his feet. As he looked down, he noticed that the darkness from before had morphed into a liquid that was now grabbing him. Looking around, he noticed that the entire floor was like this, and it was also darker than usual.
He also noticed a small patch with a tiny blue glow beneath him. He didn't think much about it. Rather, he gazed at the massive figure in front of him. This must be where the second voice originated.
As he was ready to question it, he was awakened by Netami, whose face was covered in blood. Behind him, there was a deceased creature.
"We have to climb up, maybe there aren't that many monsters there."
'Before that, can you teach me how to use a drive?'
Netami's eyes widened as he heard this.