The blinding light from the Heart faded, and Elric found himself kneeling in a place far different from the wasteland they had just left. The ground beneath him was slick with crimson liquid, reflecting a distorted sky of burning amber and obsidian clouds. Towering spires of bone jutted out of the ground, twisted and gnarled like the ribs of a long-dead beast. Grizzle lay limp in his arms, his face pale but his chest faintly rising and falling.
"Come on, you stubborn little runt," Elric muttered, shaking the goblin gently. "You don't get to quit now. Not after everything."
The Heart, still clutched tightly in his other hand, pulsed again. A wave of warmth spread from it, and Grizzle's eyes fluttered open.
"Boss," he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did we win? Or… are we dead?"
Elric let out a strained laugh, the relief evident in his eyes. "Not dead. Yet. But I'm starting to think the universe is trying real hard to change that."
Grizzle blinked at their surroundings, his face twisting into an expression of disgust. "Great. Another nightmare-scape. Do these come with a refund policy?"
Before Elric could respond, the ground beneath them trembled violently. He staggered to his feet, hoisting Grizzle over one shoulder. The crimson liquid around them began to ripple, then churn, as if something massive was stirring below.
"We need to move. Now," Elric said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Grizzle groaned. "Sure. Just let me know when I can start walking again."
Elric started toward the nearest bone spire, his boots splashing through the viscous liquid. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of the Heart and his cursed markings bearing down on him like an anvil. Behind them, the liquid began to bubble, and a deep, guttural growl rumbled through the air.
From the crimson depths emerged a monstrosity. It was unlike anything Elric had faced before—a towering, serpentine creature with scales that shimmered like molten metal. Its multiple heads swayed in unison, each one adorned with rows of jagged teeth and glowing, hate-filled eyes. The creature let out a deafening roar that shook the very air, its heads snapping toward the two intruders.
"Well, that's just fantastic," Grizzle muttered weakly. "You know, I was starting to miss the shadows."
Elric set Grizzle down behind a cluster of jagged rocks. "Stay here," he ordered, drawing his sword. The cursed markings along his arms flared brighter, the Heart feeding him a surge of energy that threatened to overwhelm his senses.
"You're not seriously thinking of fighting that thing alone, are you?" Grizzle protested, his voice gaining strength despite his obvious fatigue.
Elric smirked grimly. "Do I ever think things through?"
With that, he charged. The creature reacted instantly, one of its massive heads lunging at him. Elric rolled to the side, its jaws snapping shut inches from where he had been. He slashed upward, his blade scraping against the beast's metallic scales and sending sparks flying.
The creature reared back, three of its heads striking simultaneously. Elric ducked under one, parried another with his sword, and leapt over the third, landing on a patch of more solid ground. The force of their assault cracked the stone beneath them, sending shards flying in all directions.
"Grizzle!" Elric shouted as he dodged another attack. "Any brilliant ideas?"
The goblin peeked out from behind the rocks, clutching the orb tightly. "Working on it! Try not to die in the meantime!"
"Helpful," Elric muttered, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the creature's tail.
The beast's heads began to circle him, their movements synchronized like a deadly dance. Elric's eyes darted between them, his mind racing. He had faced countless horrors since his curse began, but this was different. This thing wasn't just strong—it was intelligent, calculating. And it was toying with him.
"Heart, if you're going to do something, now's the time," he growled, gripping his sword tightly.
The Heart pulsed again, and a voice whispered in his mind. "Draw from me. But beware the cost."
Elric hesitated for a fraction of a second before roaring, "Fine! Do it!"
A surge of power erupted from the Heart, flowing through him like wildfire. His cursed markings burned brighter, spreading across his chest and neck like living flames. The ground around him cracked and splintered as the energy built to a crescendo.
The creature struck, but this time Elric didn't dodge. He raised his sword, the blade now glowing with the same fiery energy as his markings, and met the attack head-on. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, forcing even the massive beast to recoil.
Elric pressed the advantage, leaping onto the creature's back. He drove his sword into the base of one of its heads, the blade sinking through its armored scales. The beast howled in pain, thrashing violently to throw him off. Elric held on, his muscles straining as the energy from the Heart coursed through him.
"Grizzle! Now!" he bellowed.
The goblin didn't hesitate. He aimed the orb at the creature and unleashed a beam of light that struck its central head. The beast screeched, its body convulsing as the energy tore through it. Elric jumped clear just as the creature collapsed, its massive form disintegrating into ash and molten metal.
The ground trembled again, this time more violently. Elric ran to Grizzle, who was swaying on his feet but still conscious. "Time to go," Elric said, grabbing the goblin and slinging him over his shoulder once more.
The landscape began to collapse, the crimson liquid draining into a massive chasm that opened beneath them. Elric sprinted toward the nearest bone spire, leaping over fissures and dodging falling debris. The spire began to glow as they approached, a portal of swirling light forming at its base.
"Please tell me that's an exit!" Grizzle shouted.
"Only one way to find out!" Elric replied, diving headfirst into the portal.
---
They emerged on a plateau of gray stone, the oppressive atmosphere of the previous realm replaced by a cold, biting wind. Elric collapsed to his knees, setting Grizzle down beside him. Both of them were breathing hard, their bodies battered and bruised.
"Okay," Grizzle panted, staring up at the starless sky. "That was officially the worst thing we've done yet."
Elric didn't respond. He was staring at the Heart, which had grown dark and cold in his hand. The cursed markings on his body had receded, but he could still feel the lingering energy, like an ember smoldering beneath his skin.
The wind carried a faint whisper, a voice that sent a chill down his spine. "Vaelorath…"
Grizzle sat up, noticing Elric's distant expression. "Boss? You okay?"
Elric shook his head, pushing himself to his feet. "No. But we've got bigger problems. That thing back there wasn't the end of this."
Grizzle groaned. "Of course it wasn't."
Elric sheathed his sword, his jaw set with determination. "Come on. Let's keep moving."
As they walked toward the horizon, the wind carried with it the promise of more trials to come—and the faint echo of a dark, familiar laugh.