Ash believed the Void Passage had chosen him as its destined escapee. Failure was not an option he entertained. But even the best-laid plans required considering worst-case scenarios.
In his mind, the worst that could happen was blending in with a group of random adventurers, venturing into a new land potentially worse than the Blood Moon Nation, and being mistaken as an enemy by the locals. In other words, going from "cult leader" to "alien invader," all while living an on-the-run life filled with thrilling uncertainty.
He thought that would be as bad as it could get.
Reality, however, had other plans.
As if mocking his naivety, fate threw him a curveball. Instead of random strangers, Ash found himself face-to-face with Igula, the scheming male succubus, grinning like a cat that had cornered its prey.
The man snacking on Moon Candy? None other than Harvey, the necromancer.
And seated across from them? Ronna and Ronald, the lethal duo.
The infamous Five Great Villains of the Escape had assembled once again!
It wasn't camaraderie Ash felt—it was the overwhelming urge to combust with rage.
"Let me guess," Ash hissed, his voice barely suppressing his anger. "You're all escaping through the Void Passage too? You're the local pros here—did you really need to join me on my run?!"
Harvey popped another candy into his mouth, feigning innocence. "You, the head of the Four Pillars Cult, abandoning your mission in Caymont to spread the Four Pillars gospel? Talk about disloyalty!"
Ronna, polishing his claws with a steel file, glanced at Harvey. "Leaving the Blood Moon Nation means leaving behind the chip system that grants you your mysterious power. Without it, you're just another run-of-the-mill necromancer—a glorified rat in the sewers. Still think this is a good idea?"
Harvey scoffed. "What if the other side of the passage leads to a nation that reveres necromancy? A utopia where the dead handle all labor while the living are free to study the Void and pursue enlightenment? A society of peace, abundant resources, and—"
"Spare me," Igula interrupted with a sneer. "Your little utopia sounds as realistic as us one day developing feelings for Rala Fei snacks. Maybe try pitching that nonsense to kids at the orphanage."
"That reminds me," Ronald muttered, rubbing his stomach. "What flavor of Rala Fei do you like, Ash? I'm partial to the spicy ones."
"I… I guess salted egg yolk?" Ash mumbled before catching himself. "Wait, no! That's not the point!" He clutched his head in frustration. "Couldn't you have picked a different time, a different plan, or even a different seat? Why does it have to be now, this passage, and this tent?!"
"Every extra minute we stay in the Blood Moon Nation increases the risk of capture," Ronna replied. "And now that I know you're here, there's no way I'm passing up this opportunity."
"Agreed," Ronald nodded.
"Absolutely," Harvey chimed in.
Ash froze. "Why? Why me?"
They didn't answer. Instead, all eyes turned to Igula. Still grinning, he pressed a hand firmly onto Ash's shoulder, as if afraid his "prized prey" might escape.
Ash shuddered. He cleared his throat and tried for diplomacy. "Look, I'm not entirely opposed to us working together. After all, we have a history of cooperation, and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. Teamwork could make this smoother. But if we're going to do this, let's be honest partners. No sabotaging, no using each other as stepping stones. Agreed?"
"Absolutely!"
"Couldn't agree more!"
"Well said, cult leader!"
Even Igula nodded enthusiastically, flashing a look of approval. Then, without missing a beat, he raised three fingers. "So, my dear cult leader, which role do you want? Distraction, escape decoy, or bait?"
"Don't give me such cruel choices! They're all the same thing!" Ash hissed, his voice rising in panic. "Can't you at least cut me some slack for masterminding the escape? I deserve a break!"
"Masterminded?" Harvey sneered. "If it weren't for me controlling the guards, none of you would've gotten far."
"Control the guards?" Ronna's voice was icy. "If not for me eliminating the hunters and sailors on the transport, your plan would've fallen apart immediately."
"The escape route was my doing," Ronald chimed in. "Without my detailed scouting of the prison perimeter, we'd never have avoided the surveillance cameras or reached Caymont undetected."
Igula's brow twitched. "You're all delusional. I was the mastermind. Without my brilliant planning, you'd still be rotting in prison. You're nothing but my tools—the hands and feet to execute my strategy. Do you think the toenails deserve more credit than the brain?"
Outside the tent, chaos raged—guns blazing, fireballs flying, and explosions echoing.
Inside, the five escapees bickered like children squabbling over a trophy.
Ash stared at them in despair, his hopes for a smooth escape dwindling by the second.
What was worse, he couldn't even escape Igula's grasp. The cunning succubus still held a trump card: a favor Ash owed him.
If Igula wished, he could demand Ash do anything—even act as a living decoy, distracting enemies with the most humiliating antics imaginable. Knowing Igula, he'd probably come up with something even worse.
Harvey, Ronna, and Ronald weren't tagging along by coincidence—they were here to ensure Igula's bait, Ash, would benefit everyone equally. If Ash was going to sacrifice himself, why shouldn't they all reap the rewards?
Ash exhaled sharply, standing tall and brushing Igula's hand off his shoulder. The squabbling ceased as all eyes turned to him.
"The Void has already decided my fate," he declared, his tone calm but commanding. "I participated in a fated question, one that asked how I would escape the Blood Moon Nation. The Void has made it clear: I will succeed."
He locked eyes with each of them, his voice steady.
"I don't mind if you want to tag along, but let me warn you—ditch any plans to use me as your scapegoat. If anything, you should focus on protecting me. I can wait for the next opportunity, or even the one after that. But for you? This might be your only chance."