Her voice dropped—slower now. More dangerous and commanding.
"Jump into the pool and find the key if you want to live."
She turned and sat down, already waiting for him to comply.
"Wait—what?" he asked, genuinely confused by her request.
He pointed at her while speaking.
"Why should I trust you? You're the reason I'm here." His face scrunched up, words laced with impatience, confusion, and suspicion.
She looked at him, then sighed, her own expression betraying impatience.
"Kid," she started.
"I'll be frank with you. That pool could be a trap—one I'd rather not step into. As for you, I genuinely doubt it would affect you. Like I said, that thing has been in you for who knows how long. It could've brought you here at any time and done whatever it wanted with you."
She raised a hand, silencing his incoming question.
She went quiet, head tilting. She listened. Turned slowly, angling her ears in different directions, pausing between each movement. After several checks, she stopped.
"It isn't as far as I thought it would be," she muttered. "But thankfully, not too close."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Sebastian snapped. Denial and disbelief were plain in his voice. Revulsion and anger simmered beneath his skin. His jaw clenched; his breathing grew shallow.
"I don't know what game you're playing. I don't understand what the fuck is happening or how I even appeared here. Maybe this is all some fucked-up illusion you've crafted to mess with me."
He paused, forcing himself to breathe, then looked at her—his gaze cold.
"I'm not playing along. If you want to kill me, do it. Just know I'll fight you with everything I've got."
He looked down briefly before adding,
"Even an ant's bite hurts and...."
A burst of laughter exploded from her mouth, drowning his next words. It went on for several seconds before she finally reined it in.
"Don't deceive yourself," she said mockingly. "Who put you on the same level as an ant?"
"Your capabilities are worth less than a newborn insect. Don't delude yourself."
"As for killing, I wouldn't even dream of doing it while still in here"
Her expression shifted as she scanned the room, something grave settling over her features.
"This place… I'm not sure about it. I'm just as new to it as you are. The difference is—we're on opposite sides of the board."
She pointed at herself, then at him.
"I'm the predator. You're the prey."
She continued, voice steady. "The first soul I killed, I found immediately. No structures and no elaborate traps. Just a small, dim flame which are snuffed out." a crazed smile appeared on her face.
She glanced back at him the smile dimming.
"Yours, in comparison, is like comparing a bonfire to a really small fire—"
"A lighter?" Sebastian offered carefully.
"I don't know what that is," she replied flatly. "Just understand the difference was ridiculous."
"So you're saying out of everyone you've killed, I'm the most unique?"
She shook her head. "Unique doesn't cover it. I've met souls with greater strength than average—but yours?" Another shake. "It isn't just bigger. It's hotter. And it has a scent. I only noticed that though once I entered your soul."
She hadn't been active for a long time, but she was certain—his soul was eye‑catching.
"And this might be because of that thing?" Sebastian asked.
"Maybe. Maybe not. I'll answer once you get the key."
"You swear?" he asked. "Hands up. No folding."
She rolled her eyes. "Just get the key. I'll tell you everything else I know, I haven't lied to you so far and the information I just gave should be more than enough to build trust."
"One more thing," he interrupted. "If I'm so delicious, why haven't you snuffed me out already? And why don't I look like a flame?"
She stared at him, appalled—almost offended by his stupidity.
"If a cub eats prey meant for an adult lion—prey nurtured for a long time—what do you think happens?"
"Nurtured?" Sebastian echoed. Goosebumps erupting across his skin.
"Are you saying I'm being prepared to be eaten?"
"That's what it seems like," she replied flatly.
"Then can you help me or save me" he asked feeling frantic
"Help you? can you see the state I am in"
"I'll try" she responded "just get the key"
"Your not sincere, I can see it in your eyes"
"helping you might as well be pointless," he said, sitting down deliberately. "Might as well rid the world of one killer before I die."
Anger flashed across her face—then vanished. She turned to the pool, standing and dipping a finger into the water.
Nothing.
She sneered at him "seems like your help isn't needed" she smiled "lets hope you survive this encounter so I can enjoy dealing with you"
She then jumped in. Moments later she emerged, huffing, a fistful of keys clutched in her hand.
Fuck. It really was a trap, thankfully not a truly strong one.
She turned to stare at him, a predatory light flashing past snuffed as quickly as it rose"
She immediately turned to try the keys, each one ending up a false one. Finally as luck would have it the door opened.
She glanced at him again, then back toward the entrance she had walked in from.
Her face immediately clouded.
"It's here," she murmured. "Perhaps you'll slow it down."
She ran through, slamming the door shut behind her.
The moment it closed, Sebastian bolted upright. His earlier bravado meant nothing. He hadn't seen half the country not even half the world. Dying now was not an option.
He rushed to the door, pressing close, listening, counting in his head until he was sure she was gone.
He stepped back, steadying himself.
Control what I can. Leave what I can't.
If this was really inside his body—He winced. That didn't sound right. If this was really his soul then surely they should be peaks he must have as it's owner right.
He tried the door.
It didn't budge.
Huh?
He tried again, harder. Then looked at the key hole.
(╬▔皿▔)╯
This bitch, fuck you and your family, I hope your next life is as fucked as this one.
Perhaps there's another key. He thought
He turned and ran to the pool, diving in. If it hadn't harmed her, it wouldn't harm him.
It didn't—but there was an odd sinking pull, unlike normal water. Gold and jewels clung to him strangely as he searched, lungs burning.
He surfaced, gasping, and rushed to the door, testing each key. His hands shook. He missed the keyhole more than once, cursing under his breath. Fuck is my skills at aiming for a hole this bad I might need to retrain
Finally—nothing. None of them worked. He kicked the key cursing. Seems I may need to try my luck again
He turned back toward the pool.
And froze.
A gasp tore from his throat. His legs gave way, hitting the door behind him. His stomach twisted violently almost to the point of him throwing up.
It, No She stood there.
The owner of the chained, blood‑soaked foot.