The night had been long. Very long. A dense discussion, punctuated by meditative silences, had stretched on for hours between Kenzo and old William. In low voices, crouched in the filthy shadows of their cell, they had worked out a plan. A survival plan. A plan to resist what was called the hunt here.
That night, a rare thing happened: the Void Creature did not appear. No sounds in the corridors, no ragged breathing or distant moans. Silence. Perhaps a final gift of respite before the trial. Or more likely, a simple tactical pause. Because tomorrow… tomorrow all the prisoners would be thrown into the hunt.
Morning came, icy. A damp cold seeped into every crack in the stone, biting at the skin, making bones ache. It had rained all night. Water had crept into the dungeons, forming puddles on the floor. Despite that, Kenzo had managed to get a few hours of sleep. A luxury. A fragile luxury.
At the far end of the long corridor, a sharp creak shattered the calm. The dungeon door opened. The warden entered. As always, dressed in his stained white tunic, his sword knocking against his worn leather belt, and that smell… that same stench, almost animal, mixed with sweat, clinging to him like a second skin.
– « This is the day of your end, my poor little ones. »
He drew in a noisy breath, then raised his voice, sharp as a blade:
– « All of you, to the back of your cells. Now! »
A strange sensation swept over the prisoners. An invisible, crushing pressure. Like a foreign will forcing its way into their minds. Bodies obeyed without thought. Everyone stepped back, crushed beneath that supernatural authority.
The warden moved from cell to cell, freeing the prisoners from their chains one by one. When he reached Kenzo, Kenzo stared at him, searching for a clue, a sign.
That stench… I recognize it, he thought, a shiver sliding down his spine.
Once everyone was released, the warden drew his sword from its sheath in a slow, almost ceremonial motion.
– « Follow me. »
The prisoners, slow and cautious, stepped out of their cages. They filed in behind him, silent, through the long corridor Kenzo already knew—the one he had taken the first time, led like an animal toward the alchemists.
They passed the massive laboratory door. This time, there was no detour. The group continued toward another door, wooden and simpler. The warden opened it. Beyond: a staircase, yet another one, but this time… light. Natural light, soft, filtering down from above.
Kenzo felt his Heart begin to race.
Is this the outside? After all this time…
He climbed the steps slowly. With each one, the light grew brighter. Blinding. At the top, he squinted, dazzled. Three days in total darkness… the dungeon torches couldn't compete with the sun outside.
And then, he saw it.
Before him stretched a vast plain carpeted with lush grass. A gentle wind swept across it, making the blades ripple like a green sea. The sky, a brilliant blue, was barely streaked with a few light clouds. And there, all around them, some fifty meters away: trees. A forest. Thick. Alive. Unsettling.
They stood at the center of the plain, surrounded by an ocean of greenery.
– « I wasn't expecting a view like this, considering where we were locked up… » Kenzo breathed, stunned.
– « I'll admit I expected a more chaotic environment… and just as tainted as our cells. » William replied, his voice deep.
– « Silence! » the warden snapped without even turning his head. « You'll have plenty of time to chat and admire the scenery after I explain how the hunt will proceed. »
A discomfort settled in. They had almost forgotten. Almost. The beauty of the place was nothing but a cruel backdrop, a theater of death. The illusion of freedom was a softer chain—but a chain all the same.
Beside the warden, piled on the ground, lay weapons. Many of them. Of every kind. But all… in miserable condition. Spears, short swords, one-handed axes, dented shields, crossbows without bolts, rusted daggers… Not a single one looked reliable.
The warden stepped forward, raised his sword, and spoke with a twisted smile:
– « Listen carefully, you filthy rats. Today, I'm offering you an opportunity: the chance to flee this place. Here's how it will work. »
A tense silence stretched, heavy with dread.
– « There are sixty-four of you. This is the first time I've organized a hunt with so many rats. Usually, I never go beyond twelve. But since you're no longer of any use to us… I'm going to have a little fun. »
He slowly turned in place, studying every face.
– « The exit from this hell lies on the other side of the forest. If you reach it… you're free. I won't pursue you beyond that. »
Murmurs rose, filled with hope and panic.
– « However… since there are so many of you, I took a few precautions. I released eight Void Creatures throughout the forest. »
An icy shiver rippled through the group. Kenzo felt his stomach knot. Eight. Not one. Eight.
– « Don't worry. They're only Stain level creatures, of unconscious rank. Simple beasts. Even rats like you can defeat them… provided you group together. »
The warden stopped. His gaze hardened.
– « Starting at zenith, I will personally take part in the hunt until sunset. After that, it will be the turn of… the Nightmare Viper. »
Silence fell. Heavy, crushing silence. The name alone froze the blood.
Then the warden smiled.
– « Those are the rules. You have until zenith to run. Take a weapon. Run. And pray you don't die. »
Kenzo leaned toward William, breath short.
– « At least… that part stays the same. »
William nodded. The addition of eight Void Creatures changed everything. Their plan would have to be adjusted. But at least the warden and the viper would each only enter the hunt for six hours. That left a window. A chance.
– « So, what weapon would you recommend? » Kenzo asked, eyes fixed on the pile of rusted gear.
– « Kid… I'm no fighter. But when you don't know anything, a spear is the easiest to handle. »
Kenzo slowly approached the pile. His gaze swept over the options. A short sword, too heavy. An axe, chipped. A dagger, too short. And there… a spear. The shaft was cracked, the tip dulled. But it held.
He picked it up.
With cold metal in his hand, he straightened. His Heart beat harder. It might not be a good weapon. It might not be a good plan. But it was all they had.
And they were going to have to survive.