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The outer rim of Las Noches lay silent under the pale moon. Among the ruins crouched three figures, pressed into the shadows of a broken wall, fear etched deep across their faces.
Kacha⌠kachaâŚ
The sound echoed behind them, dry and grating, like bone scraping bone. Each time it came, their throats tightened and they swallowed convulsively.
The largest of the three risked a glance through a crack in the stoneâand immediately his legs turned to water, a hot shame spreading down his thigh. What he saw was a vision of carnage: the sand was drenched crimson, strewn with severed limbs and broken torsos. Countless Adjuchas swarmed the corpses, gnawing and tearing with feral hunger. The dead they feasted upon were no less Adjuchas themselves.
Such cannibalistic slaughter was nothing strange in Hueco Mundo. Evolution demanded it. For Adjuchas to advance, they consumed each other without hesitation. Yet this time, it was not distant, abstract violence. It was unfolding before themâand they were trapped in the middle of it.
One or two enemies, perhaps they could handle. But here, hundreds prowled, locked in their savage contests for dominance, territory, or survival. To move now was death. To stay was despair.
The thin, sharp-eyed one grabbed the large man by the collar and yanked him down.
"Idiot! Do you want us found? Stay down!"
The big man whimpered, tears streaking his cheeks. The smallest of the trio, little more than a child in size, pressed both hands to his mouth to stifle sobs.
Outside, snarls rose.
"Bastard! Why steal my prey?!"
"That one was mineâyou vulture!"
"You were too slow! I fought it first!"
"Shut your mouth! Touch my kill again and I'll tear you apart!"
Roars turned into blows, two Adjuchas locking in a bloody melee while the rest kept feeding, indifferent to the quarrel. Strength ruled Hueco Mundo; who killed whom mattered less than who was strongest enough to keep the spoils.
The trio peeked again. The duel had already drawn more predators. Two higher-ranked Adjuchas clashed nearby, their dispute spilling into a frenzy that pulled dozens more into battle. In moments, the desert dissolved into chaosâlimbs flying, blood hissing in the sand, hungry roars blotting out silence.
Among Hollows, only the highest-ranked Vasto Lorde walked alone. Gillian and Adjuchas clung to groups for protection, lest they be overwhelmed and consumed. Yet "companionship" in Hueco Mundo was no warmthâit was a pact of convenience, broken the moment hunger struck. Today's ally was tomorrow's meal.
Watching it all, the three trembled harder. Unlike the others, they were "vegetarians" in this barren world, aberrations among cannibals. Every scream outside scraped their nerves raw, excitement, terror, and disgust twisting into unbearable nausea.
Then a shadow loomed. Heavy steps crushed the sand, halting inches beyond the wall.
Sniff⌠sniffâŚ
An Adjuchas lowered its massive head, inhaling. It was so close they could feel the pull of its breath through the cracks. The three clamped their hands over mouths and noses, bodies shaking, sweat pouring cold down their backs.
Sniff⌠sniffâŚ
The beast snorted again, puzzled. On the verge of fainting, the smallest almost gave a gasp, but the thin one gripped his hand till it bled.
"Angela, what are you doing?" another Adjuchas barked.
"I smell⌠urine," came the uncertain reply.
The thin one's glare turned to the big man, sharp enough to cut. The man's face collapsed into silent sobbing, cursing himself.
"Tch. Useless." The first Adjuchas dismissed it and turned away. At last, after one final sniff, the prowler abandoned the wall.
The three slumped in relief, dragging air into starved lungs.
"Got you."
A cold voice hissed above them.
They looked up. A black shadow hunched over their hiding place, hunger gleaming in its hollow eyes.
"NoâŚ"
Their cries broke into wails as Adjuchas after Adjuchas gathered, encircling them. Dozens of snarling jaws, slavering tongues, eyes lit with greed. These three were differentâstronger, richer prey than the common rabble. If devoured, they would make any Adjuchas stronger.
The big man sobbed uncontrollably. "I don't want to die! Not like this!"
The tall one wept with him, his voice breaking.
The child screamed loudest, shrill cries drowning both, snot and tears streaming down his face.
The circle tightened. Death pressed close. Once, such enemies would have been nothing before them. But that time was gone. Now, they were cornered beasts, lambs before the butcher's knife.
"Please!! Gods!! Help us!!" the big man cried, hands clasped desperately.
The child followed, tiny palms pressed together, bawling with pitiful sincerity.
"Jesus⌠help usâŚ" whimpered the tall one, voice trembling with alien faith.
And thenâ
Step. Step. Step.
Footfalls echoed on the sand.
The Adjuchas froze, heads turning.
At the end of the ruined street, bathed in pale moonlight, a lone boy in white walked toward them, his figure sharp and untainted against the endless night.
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