Crimson and Lilith stepped cautiously into the cave. With every footfall, the stones embedded in the walls glowed faintly, their light pulsing like a heartbeat. The air was thick with an unnatural energy, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed eerily.
"Be careful," Crimson whispered, his voice tight with urgency. "Whoever is controlling the Dream Walkers knows we're coming."
He reached for Lilith's hand, but she pulled back sharply. Her eyes burned as she kept her gaze ahead, refusing to look at him.
Crimson frowned and turned to her. "What's the problem?"
Lilith stopped, her shoulders tense. She stared at the ground, her voice breaking as she spoke. "The problem is you."
"Me?" Crimson's tone softened. "What do you mean?"
She finally turned to face him, her expression a mixture of anger and pain. "When you promised to come back for us, you didn't. We were trapped in Alpha Dawn's cells, Crimson! Who knows what would've happened to me if it weren't for my name?"
"Lilith—" Crimson began, his words faltering.
But she cut him off, her voice sharp. "Sorry won't fix what you did. Sorry, can't undo the years we lost because of you."
Crimson's face fell, guilt tightening his features.
"And don't get this twisted," Lilith continued, stepping ahead of him. "The only reason I'm here is to ensure Miles gets his friend back. That's it. So they can find a way home and stop Rigour from being awakened again. I don't trust you, Crimson. Not anymore."
She marched forward, her determined steps igniting the stones with every movement.
Crimson ran after her, grabbing her wrist. "Lilith, listen!" he pleaded, his voice cracking. "I know I failed you. I was a coward back then, but I'm not that person anymore. When you and the others were captured, Lance used every connection to get you out. Gale escaped on his own. But... how do you think I found you? I've been watching you and Gale ever since."
Lilith froze. Crimson's voice dropped to a whisper, thick with emotion. "Sebastian and Nox... I never saw them make it out. I don't even know if they're alive."
She turned to him, her eyes wide with disbelief. Tears welled up, spilling over as she stared at Crimson. "Crimson, I think... I think I know who's behind this. It's N—"
Her words were cut off as the stones in the cave suddenly flared, blinding them with bursts of light. A shadow darted to her left.
"Lilith!" Crimson shouted.
Before she could react, Gale emerged from the shadows. His face was twisted in fury, and in one swift motion, he slammed her against the wall. A jagged staff pressed against her throat, cutting off her air.
"Nox, stop!" Crimson roared, charging forward.
Gale's grip tightened, his voice dripping with venom. "So, you finally figured it out, you coward," he sneered, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
Miles, seething with frustration, turned to leave the library, but before he could take another step, the old mage, trembling yet resolute, pushed himself to his knees. His glowing left hand rose unsteadily, and a chain slithered across the ground like a snake, wrapping around Miles' ankle with terrifying precision.
"What the—?!" Miles screamed, but his words were cut short when his sword clanged to the ground and the chain jerked him violently into the air, spinning him around like a rag doll.
The mage's voice rang out, steady despite his trembling frame. "You think you can control us all and simply walk away? Not today."
Before Miles could react, more chains erupted from the towering bookshelves, slicing through the air like vipers. They coiled around his neck, tightening with an unrelenting force. Suspended midair, Miles clawed at the chains, gasping for breath as the cold metal bit into his skin.
The mage laughed, his voice filled with cruel satisfaction. His fist clenched, and the chains tightened further, choking the life out of Miles. "You invaded our sanctuary, corrupted our minds, and thought you'd get away unpunished. I know you feel pain when I do this," the mage spat, clenching his fist tighter.
Miles' legs thrashed, his lungs burning, his vision blurring. Struggling to speak, he forced out the words, "Stop... please... this fight... isn't with the owner of this body..."
The mage's eyes flared with fury. "I don't care! You brought this on yourself!" He twisted his fist again, the chains constricting with merciless precision.
Desperation surged through Miles. With the last of his strength, he pressed a trembling hand against his chest and muttered, "Inazuma..."
His blade, dormant on the floor, erupted with electric energy, its light crackling like a storm. It flew to his grasp and then surged forward like a lightning bolt, striking the mage square in the chest.
The mage froze, his eyes wide with disbelief as the sword tore through him. Sparks flew from the gaping, electrified wound before he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The chains released their grip, and Miles fell to the floor with a heavy thud, coughing and gasping for air. His chest heaved as he sat up, clutching his head.
Tears streamed down his face as he looked at the mage's lifeless body. "I didn't want this," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I didn't mean for anyone else to get hurt—only them. Only the ones who called themselves my friends."
He wiped his face with trembling hands, his body wracked with exhaustion. "This body... it's too much. I've pushed it too far..."
Miles stared at his hands, guilt consuming him as the weight of his actions settled like an unshakable shadow.
Miles spat out the Dream Walker and passed out right then. The Dream Walker disintegrated into nothingness.