"I'll pass," Akira said, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his dagger.
As he drew the weapon, the blade didn't just reflect the dim light; it began to pulse.
The temperature in the immediate vicinity dropped sharply, his breath hitching as a localised mist formed around his hand. "I'm not in the mood for a nap, and I certainly don't plan on joining your interior design project."
The Parasite's lazy, beautiful smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a hungry look. Two of the massive, whip-like tendrils on its back detached from the ceiling with a wet, tearing sound, snapping forward like vipers striking at prey.
"Then I shall take you by force, little bird," the creature hissed, its dual voices vibrating with a sudden, jagged edge. "I wonder... how long can you scream before your lungs freeze over?"
"Let's find out," Akira retorted.
"Akira, look out!" Ai's voice screamed in his mind.
