Chapter Twenty-ThreeCrimson let out a long sigh, his lips curling into a grin as he turned to Idris. "Welcome to the gang, kid. If you've got any tricks up your sleeve, now's the time to show 'them."Miles reached down, helping Idris to his feet. "No need to be scared. Crimson's got this under control," he said, trying to steady the boy's trembling frame.The Xeno Corpse soldiers began closing in, their formation tightening like a noose. Grey, his posture unnervingly calm, floated mid-air, his legs crossed as if seated on an invisible throne. "Bring me the kid," Grey said, his voice smooth and cold. "Kill the rest."Crimson muttered under his breath, his tone measured, "Flex."Miles shot him a sharp look. "What about that thing you did back when we were breaking out of the prison?" he asked urgently."That'd work," Crimson replied, nodding. "But-"His words were cut short as a spear whistled through the air, aimed straight for his chest. Crimson moved like a blur, twisting out of the way and catching the spear mid-flight. In a fluid motion, he spun and hurled it back, the weapon flying with deadly precision. It struck the soldier who had thrown it, the impact dropping him instantly."At least that's one down," Crimson said, as smoke balls materialized in his hands, swirling ominously. His grin widened, his confidence unshaken despite the tightening circle of Xeno Corpse soldiers.Miles crouched beside Idris, gripping his trembling hands tightly. "We're going to get out of here alive," he said firmly. "But I need you to do one thing for me." Lowering his voice, Miles leaned in and whispered something into Idris' ear.The boy hesitated, his breath shaky. "I... I'll try," Idris stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.Miles gave him a reassuring smile and stood. He exchanged a nod with Crimson, who hurled the smoke balls to the ground. "These are a little different!" Crimson exclaimed as they shattered.Thick smoke erupted, engulfing the clearing in seconds. Coughs and shouts erupted from the soldiers as the smoke burned their lungs and stung their eyes. Miles shielded his mouth with his arm, but a sharp, searing pain flared in his eyes.Suddenly, he felt himself lifted off the ground. Cool air brushed his face as the choking smoke disappeared. Opening his eyes cautiously, he saw the forest canopy whizzing past. A tentacle was wrapped tightly around his waist. Miles craned his neck and saw Idris swinging from tree to tree, his other tentacles flailing wildly, carrying what looked like a mix of friends and foes alike.Miles chuckled through the adrenaline. "Where's Crimson?" he shouted over the rush of wind."I got him too!" Idris called back, his voice strained with effort. "He's probably on one of my tentacles... somewhere." He glanced back, clearly not entirely sure.Miles twisted to look down and froze. "What...?" Dangling beneath Idris were several Xeno Corpse soldiers, their weapons useless as they squirmed in the grasp of Idris. "How did you manage to grab so many of them and not Crimson?!""Wait, I see him!" Miles exclaimed, spotting a familiar figure clinging to one of the tentacles. Crimson's long brown hair whipped in the wind as he clutched the writhing limb like a rope."Doesn't this hurt?!" Miles called up."The tentacles don't hurt because they grow back when cut off," Idris shouted, his voice filled with a mix of pride and exhaustion. "It's... kind of normal for me.""Great. Cut them off!" Miles hollered.Crimson heard the command and grinned. Conjuring his blade, he swung deftly, slicing through several of the tentacles at once. The Xeno Corpse soldiers plummeted through the air, their screams cut short as they collided with tree trunks and fell to the forest floor below.With the excess weight gone, Idris regained his momentum, swinging higher into the canopy. The remaining tentacles whipped violently, slamming any soldiers he saw still clinging to them into nearby trees with bone-crushing force.Miles laughed as the adrenaline coursed through him. "Nice work, kid!" he shouted.Idris grinned weakly, sweat dripping down his face. "Told you... I'd try.""My hideout is just up ahead. We can stop there and figure out what to do next," Idris exclaimed, his voice steady despite the chaos they had just escaped.Moments later, Idris swung them down into the hollow of a massive tree trunk, his tentacles retracting seamlessly into his back. The hideout had an earthy, organic scent, the air cool and damp. Crimson dusted himself off as they landed, his sharp eyes darting around."Hmm," he muttered, head tilting. "Did you guys hear that?""It's probably my friends," Idris said nonchalantly, walking further inside."Wait," Miles interrupted, narrowing his eyes. "I thought you said you were the last of your kind.""I am," Idris replied with a shrug, leading them into a dimly lit room filled with... farm animals. Chickens clucked softly in one corner, a goat chewed on something unrecognizable, and a pig snored loudly, oblivious to their arrival.Miles blinked, utterly baffled. "Wait, these are your friends?"Crimson snorted, muttering under his breath, "And I thought my friends were animals."Miles shot him an elbow to the ribs. "Stop it.""What did I say?" Crimson exclaimed, feigning innocence, but the amused glint in his eyes gave him away."It's okay," Idris said, smiling faintly. "I'm used to it."Miles opened his mouth to apologize but froze as a memory clicked into place. "Wait," he said, his expression serious now. "So... that dead animal in the forest. That wasn't you?""No, it wasn't me," Idris replied, his voice firm. "I would never hurt Shaun.""Shaun?" Miles and Crimson asked in unison."Yes," Idris said, his tone softening. "Shaun, my sheep."For a second, there was silence-then Miles burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over as tears streamed down his face. "Your sheep... was called Shaun?"Crimson folded his arms, glancing at Idris before glaring at Miles. "And you told me not to make fun of the kid.""I'm sorry!" Miles choked out between gasps of laughter. "I just-" He wiped his eyes, trying to compose himself. "I remembered something. That's all."Idris's face darkened, his voice edged with anger. "Why? You have a problem with that?"Miles raised his hands defensively, still grinning. "Nope. Not at all."Idris huffed but turned away, muttering something under his breath."Let's get some rest," Idris announced, trying to shift the mood. "We'll need it.""Exactly what I was thinking," Crimson said with a yawn, stretching out his arms as if the day's chaos hadn't phased him. Idris handed them rags to lie on, and Crimson promptly claimed the largest one. "Goodnight," he said, already half-asleep.Miles and Idris stayed awake, the moonlight filtering through a crack in the tree trunk. Idris watched it intently, his gaze distant.A soft snore broke the silence. Crimson was fast asleep, sprawled awkwardly on his makeshift bed."Hey," Idris said, breaking the quiet. "You said your friend is missing?"Miles turned to him, surprised by the boy's curiosity. Idris's eyes gleamed with genuine interest, his earlier shyness replaced by eagerness. "Yeah," Miles said softly, a hint of sadness in his voice. "She's out there somewhere... and I have to find her."For the first time, Idris felt a connection to someone who wasn't a farm animal. "Tell me about her," he said, his voice steady.