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Chapter 14

Tooth And Bone

The young blonde woman screamed and struggled, her body wracked with terror as she was held captive in the arms of two rough men. The abandoned warehouse they occupied was cloaked in a fine layer of dust, its air heavy with the acrid scent of dried chemicals. She kicked her heels against the cold, cement floor, desperately trying to escape their clutches. But her attempts were futile, and they dragged her body toward a shadowy figure that seemed to materialize from the darkness.

With a sudden, brutal motion, the men threw her to the ground, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Gasping for breath, she slowly pushed herself onto her knees, her tear-streaked, mascara-smeared gaze drifting up to meet the figure’s piercing stare. He wore a pair of dark boots and form-fitting jeans, his black-rimmed sunglasses obscuring his eyes. Dreadlocks hung down, concealing his face, but as he grinned, toothy fangs emerged like those of a wild predator.

The man’s black leather jacket fell away as he removed it, revealing bulging muscles that seemed to ripple and expand as he let out a guttural howl. The young woman shrieked in terror at the monstrous transformation that took place before her eyes. Desperate, she tried to crawl away from his looming presence, but his giant hand closed around both of her legs with an iron grip. The monstrous man dwarfed the two henchmen as he effortlessly hoisted the girl off the ground. Her pleas for help echoed through the empty warehouse, but there was no one to hear her cries.

One of the henchmen, unable to bear the sight unfolding before him, averted his gaze to the concrete floor, his voice trembling as he said, “I can’t watch this.”

With a sickening crunch, the monster sank his fangs into the girl’s upper body. As the life drained from her, the other henchman spoke up, his voice quivering with fear. “Do not speak. No one can defeat Genova. He is the king of the city now.”

The grim symphony of slurping and gnawing echoed through the abandoned warehouse, a chilling testament to the ruthless power of Genova, while the two men stood rooted in place, the icy grip of terror coursing through their veins.

Across from Machi and Solenne, Apricot sipped her drink through a straw. The three girls were seated at a small, black cast-iron picnic table nestled in the heart of the park. It was nearly impossible not to notice the artificial nature of the surrounding trees. They were unmistakably plastic sculptures, devoid of growth or any hint of natural color. Apricot suspected that they were made of some advanced polysynthetic material. After unwrapping their sandwiches, the girls filled their glasses with iced tea, the cool liquid a welcome relief on a warm day.

As Machi and Solenne engaged in small talk, Apricot found herself lost in her own thoughts, her mind drifting to her recent dealings with Shiori. The situation had been nothing short of exhausting, and sleep had become a scarce commodity for her. She barely registered the shift in the conversation, only becoming aware that Machi’s expression had fallen when the tone of their discussion changed.

“It worries me,” Solenne admitted, her voice tinged with concern. “I know the military won’t risk any of its soldiers, but the fighting has already begun.”

Apricot recalled reading about the situation in the news. Miners had discovered an astonishingly large deposit of Urizen resources, and now Uchella and Aslana were locked in a bitter struggle for control. The area near the deposit, a demilitarized zone, had been off-limits for years. Arjun, Solenne’s significant other, had been deployed about a month ago, and ever since, Solenne had been on edge.

Machi tried to offer some reassurance. “Well, he’s not in combat, is he?”

Apricot remembered the conversation she’d had with the general. “He is,” she confirmed, her voice heavy with unease. Solenne sighed, adding, “They’ve had a few close calls in the air. I think he was involved in at least one dogfight, but he won’t admit it. He did tell me about scrambling a bomber and sending the accompanying fleet away, though. That scares me.”

Feeling empathy for her friend, Apricot offered what little comfort she could. “I’m sorry, that’s terrible.”

Machi chimed in, “Just remember, we’re always here for you – just a phone call away.”

As Apricot considered the situation, she couldn’t help but think that Arjun was probably trying to shield Solenne from worry, just as she herself did when she was on duty. The town was rapidly transforming into a battleground, and if things continued to unravel, it would only grow more dangerous. Seeking to bolster Solenne’s spirits, Apricot said, “Arjun is an incredible pilot. Even if he’s in a dogfight, he’ll come out on top.”

Solenne’s eyes were filled with a mixture of hope and fear as she replied, “I hope you’re right, Apricot. One small mistake is all it takes.”

The sound of footsteps echoed through the shadowy underground corridor, prompting a wolfish grin to spread across Genova’s face. He lifted his lips from the nape of a young girl, his attention shifting to the approaching figure. Clad in his signature black leather trench coat, Cortez emerged from the shadows, his expression unreadable. Genova lounged on a stone chair, a girl seated on each leg. “Cortez, my friend,” he drawled. Both girls bore the unmistakable marks of life on the streets, having traded their bodies for a chance to join a gang and earn some money.

Cortez snorted, glancing at Genova’s makeshift throne. “What the hell is this? You have a throne now?”

Genova’s black sunglasses reflected Cortez’s image as he nodded. “Yeah, I found it down here. Must’ve been an old cult chair. The world beneath this city would amaze you.” He shifted, playfully bouncing the girls on his knees. “So, what do you want?”

Cortez reached into his pocket and produced a wad of cash. “I got the money I owe you. So, are we square now? Can we end this?”

Genova snickered, his teeth briefly flashing into view. Cortez raised an eyebrow but received reassurance. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve repaid me more than enough.”

Cortez eyed Genova warily, his stomach churning with unease. “That’s… generous of you.” He couldn’t shake the feeling that this uncharacteristic refusal signaled something ominous. His gaze darted around the unfamiliar space, half-expecting a gunshot at any moment. The strange location only served to amplify his apprehension, as if this were the perfect place for a betrayal to unfold.

As Genova cradled both girls in his arms, his jaw clamped down on the throat of one of them. The other girl shrieked and struggled to free herself as he tightened his grip, her life draining away in a torrent of blood that soaked her tank top. Cortez stared, horrified, as the girl’s once-rosy complexion faded to a sickly pallor, and Genova continued to feed on her.

“What the hell!” Cortez yelled, backing away down the hall.

In response, Genova’s transformation accelerated. His face tightened, ears elongated like a goat’s, eyes blazed red, and teeth sharpened into razors. His hair grew long and wild, giving him a bestial appearance. Blood dribbled from his mouth as he mumbled, “You look so shocked.” He released his grip, and the lifeless girl crumpled to the ground, blood still gurgling from her wounds.

“What the hell are you!?” Cortez demanded, clutching his chest.

Genova rolled his head from side to side, adjusting to his new form. “Those books you hired me to protect… They’re fascinating. Your father’s work was truly impressive. It’s a shame you never took it seriously.”

Cortez’s eyes blazed with fury. “I told you not to look. You’ve become nothing more than a monster!”

Genova laughed. “What are you going to do about it? Your father sought this power too, you know. The cult never managed to achieve it, or they wouldn’t have been searching for it. But that didn’t stop me from waiting down here, biding my time until I could eliminate my rivals.” He pointed a clawed finger at Cortez. “And for that, I owe you.”

“You were always a jerk, but now you’re a murderer too!” Cortez hissed, clenching his fist.

The terrified girl in Genova’s arms looked up at him, black tears streaming down her face. “When I was younger, they teased me for being a runt. I didn’t have many friends. This girl in my arms never gave me a second glance. I was cast aside, dismissed as a nerd.” He smiled wistfully at the memory, tightening his grasp on the girl. She cried out in pain as his claws dug into her skin.

“As I grew older, I came to understand why my life was so miserable. I felt powerless, Cortez. Weak people have no place in this world.” He shifted his piercing gaze back to his former friend. “When I gained strength, people looked up to me. Power came more quickly than I ever imagined. Others sought my protection, and I capitalized on that. I started my own business, shielding them from rival gangs and the watchful eyes of the government. Even the nobles kept their distance.” He stared at the ground. “But then you showed up. A scared boy trying to support his family. You were strong, even then. When I discovered your secret, I was amazed. You had the power, but you chose not to use it.”

“That’s not power! That’s just evil!” Cortez yelled.

“Call it what you will, Cortez. But I am the Lord now. I won’t let anyone stand in my way. I am the gate of souls, a ruler of both men and devils.” Genova looked up, hearing a metallic click. Cortez held a pistol in his hand. “Struck a nerve?”

Cortez faced the monstrous creature Genova had become, his gun outstretched. “You’re insane.”

Genova growled, “Go ahead, shoot me.” The bang echoed through the hall, Genova’s eyes widening as a hole appeared in his chest. The girl in his arms struggled desperately to escape. The acrid smell of blood filled the air, and Genova raised a hand to his wound, smearing blood across his fingers. “I’m bleeding,” he murmured before bursting into laughter. “Go ahead, shoot me again.”

Cortez fired again and again, bullets clustering around Genova’s heart. As the gun clicked empty, Genova smirked. “No bullets left.” Cortez’s chest heaved, his hand shaking as he lowered the gun. With a final, terrified glance, he turned and fled down the corridor.

“Maggots don’t frighten kings,” Genova called after him. “Run, Cortez. It’s only a matter of time.” As the girl’s scream echoed down the hall, Cortez ran faster, never looking back.

“The more people you can bring here, the better! Shiori, everyone! All of them!” Cortez’s voice crackled with fear through the phone, and Apricot had to pull it away from her ear.

“You must really need Shiori’s help if you’re this desperate,” Apricot commented.

“Look, tell him I’m willing to work with him. Apricot, now is not the time to joke. It’s the worst thing that could’ve happened. These are my notes, these are my father’s notes! There was some ritual performed on them. Now he’s eating people alive! We must kill him before he gets stronger!” shouted Cortez.

A man who became a monster. Her mind kept returning to the horrifying image of the man’s face splitting apart. And the woman in the tunnel—were those phantoms, or were they real people? “Cortez, stay calm. Let’s just remain calm. I’ll call for help. I’m heading out the door now. The Spook House is my next stop, so I’ll try to gather as many people there as possible. Afterward, I’ll come and help. Are you okay? Can you give me about an hour?”

“Yeah, I’m above ground. He’s hiding in a gang hideout in the old city. I’ll send you my location. But if he comes, I’m out. I think he’s enjoying himself right now with the girl I tried to save. God, what have I done?” Cortez’s voice cracked. “I abandoned her!” he sobbed.

Apricot felt a lump in her throat. The usually cool street urchin was breaking down over the phone. Something terrible must have happened to him. Apricot swallowed hard, assuming the girl had died or was close to it. There was nothing she could do except gather help. “I’ll call you soon,” she promised.

“She will sell us out for an article she’s working on! Or she’s an Okabi spy!” Apricot heard a woman’s angry voice as she approached the Spook House. She pulled open the door to discover Togashi sitting at the bar with an off-put expression. Akagi was drinking what looked like a soda out of a glass, while a slim black-haired girl sat next to him with her eyes shut. She appeared to be around Apricot’s age or a year or two younger.

“You’re silly, Miss Ohara, I am disappointed,” Shiori laughed from the back room.

There was a loud slam followed by a tumble. “Don’t give me that bullshit! You know they didn’t secure her! She’s one of them!” The argument between the two continued in rapid bursts, while Shiori chuckled with his usual casual joking manner.

“What’s with all the yelling?” Apricot asked as she made her way to the bar.

Akagi smirked. “Oh, don’t mind them. Sumai and Shiori are fighting like usual. It’ll end soon.”

“Tiring squabble, this one is,” Togashi commented, drumming his fingers on the counter and rolling his eyes.

The twin doors to the back room burst open, revealing a red-haired middle-aged woman with blue eyes that locked onto Apricot as soon as she spotted her. Their ferocity felt as if they gripped Apricot. “You need to leave!” she roared.

“What is this all about?” Apricot asked in a calm tone.

Storming up to the counter, Sumai shoved Togashi aside, earning a snicker from him. “I know all about you, Apricot! You’re an Okabi spy. How else would you be allowed to get out of all the messes you’ve been in?”

Apricot raised both of her hands. “Wait, what? I’m not a spy!”

“Where did you get a gun from?” Sumai pressed.

Shiori staggered out of the room, his tie out of place. “Sumai,” he said as she turned her head toward him, “go outside, leave her alone, and cool down. As of right now, you’re not permitted to enter the Spook House. So out.”

Sumai shook her head. “You’re such a bastard.” She huffed, walking out from behind the bar. “I’m not done with this!” she declared to Shiori. Her scornful gaze quickly returned to Apricot. “I’ve got my eyes on you!” Sumai growled, wagging her finger at Apricot as she stomped out the front doors.

“You’re very early, Apricot,” Shiori said. “What’s up?”

Apricot regained her composure as the unsettling images flooded her mind again. She felt a gentle touch on her back. “Don’t let her get to you,” Akagi said, his face beaming. “Sumai’s the same way with everyone. She’s protective to the end, a bit hardheaded, but in the end, she’ll treat you the same way.”

“Cortez called me and told me there’s a guy who used some weird ritual to become a monster,” Apricot explained. “He’s waiting outside his underground gang hideout or something. Apparently, there’s a girl down there with him. Some gang members, too.” She was surprised to see everyone giving her an unamused look.

“Heh, no,” Shiori grunted. “Cortez is a con artist, Apricot. Don’t trust him.” Shiori turned his back on her and walked toward his office.

“Wait!” Apricot said. “Help him for me. I think this is serious.”

Shiori shook his head, placing a hand on his hip. “It’s your funeral. You showed a lot of potential, but I won’t waste my time on a dog like Cortez. So help him. I won’t clean up his messes.”

Fuming, Apricot made her way out the door. After a few steps, she rested her back against the side of the building to catch her breath. The bricks were warm beneath her from the sun’s rays. “How am I going to handle this?” she wondered. As time passed, the entire situation grew darker, and new questions arose: What exactly had happened between them?

“You’re a piece of trash, and you need to get lost, or else.” Apricot scowled, looking beside her to see Sumai glaring at her. Without a word, she leapt off the wall and took off, unwilling to stand for such abuse from a stranger. After about a block, she heard footsteps following her.

“Would you leave me alone!?” Apricot asked, turning to look at the black-haired girl with sapphire eyes. “I’m so sorry; I thought you were…” she trailed off.

“It’s fine. I heard what Sumai said,” the girl replied without moving her lips. Her soft, calm voice seemed to resonate within Apricot’s mind, accompanied by deep, dark eyes. “I am Junko Morie. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier.”

The situation struck Apricot as odd, making her thoughts race. “How are you doing that?”

“I speak through mental connections. It’s more comfortable for me to communicate this way, and it’s far more private. At least for me,” Junko explained. Apricot furrowed her brow in thought. Junko laughed, covering her mouth with her gloved hand. “It’s okay to use your voice. I can’t read minds, but I can understand what I perceive.”

“That’s a pretty cool talent,” Apricot said, to which Junko nodded. “It’s nice meeting you, but I really have to go now.”

Junko’s expression turned serious. “You seem sincere,” she said, and Apricot nodded. “I’ll come with you, if only to ensure your safety from Cortez.”

“Why does everyone dislike him? What did he do?” Apricot asked.

Junko shook her head, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. “It’s not my place to say.”

Walking through this desolate part of the city made Apricot shudder with unease. Broken glass littered the ground, a testament to the long-abandoned ruin this place had become. Known to many as the trash land, it held the potential for valuable property, if only they could hire workers to clear the area. However, superstitions about ghosts and spirits still held sway, leaving this part of the city inhabited only by the poorest and the most morally bankrupt individuals.

Turning her gaze, Apricot spotted Cortez at the bottom of a set of stairs leading to a collapsed subway tunnel. The sound of her soft footsteps drew his attention, and a smirk crossed his face. “Nice shorts,” he remarked, noting her jean shorts and pink tank top, which sharply contrasted with Junko’s gothic attire. Cortez turned back toward the tunnel. “I’m surprised to see you here, Junko,” he murmured softly. “He’s not coming, is he?” Cortez’s voice was laced with disappointment.

“Yeah, it’s just the two of us,” Apricot replied as she walked beside Cortez, peering down into the ominous darkness below.

Junko placed a hand on Apricot’s back, looking over her shoulder. “I just came for her. Don’t cross your lines,” she warned.

Cortez grunted, “Yeah, I figured as much. So, Shiori’s too busy, or what?” Suspicion about Cortez’s prior relationship with the group grew in Apricot’s mind. Junko must have known him. In her cold eyes, there was a hint of fondness. And in Cortez’s words, a trace of pain. Their relationship resembled an old friendship. Although Apricot tried to focus on the matter at hand, she couldn’t help but dwell on it.

“No, he refused, as expected. I take it he’s still there?” Apricot asked, attempting to redirect the conversation.

Cortez didn’t avert his gaze. “The man hasn’t shown up yet, if that’s what you mean. There are tunnels everywhere. He could have escaped through another route, but I doubt he would bother. I shot him, and it didn’t even faze him. We need Shiori’s entire group – hell, we need a damn army.”

Apricot waited for Cortez to continue, but he remained silent. “A monster?” she ventured, hoping for more information.

Silently, he nodded, his hands clenched tight. “Call Shiori,” Cortez growled, his voice tense. “I want to confront that bastard myself.”

Apricot drew a black slab phone from her front pocket and opened it with a click. “You know better, Cortez. He’s not coming,” Junko said.

“Give me the phone,” Cortez insisted. “I want to know for myself.”

The phone rang briefly, then clicked. In his usual condescending tone, Shiori said, “Heh, the dog boy wants to talk to me.”

“I don’t have time for bullshit,” Cortez snapped. “I saw a man transform into a monster. He’s already killed several people.”

“Cortez, maybe this isn’t the job for us. We should call the police. Leave it in their hands,” Apricot suggested, desperate for an alternative.

Shiori’s laughter echoed over the phone. “That wouldn’t be smart, Apricot. They’d kill you for seeing it.”

“What!?” Apricot shouted, her heart racing.

“What, you didn’t know? My dear, you must have realized by now that anything of this nature is covered up by the Okabe government. No witnesses are allowed for these spooky rumors,” Shiori paused before addressing Cortez. “Doggy boy, what exactly led you to the badlands? Is it the work of your traitorous father?”

“Shut up, you don’t know anything about my dad,” Cortez yelled. “But yeah, that file he had is down there. It was a gang I was paying to watch over it for me. Heh, you met them, Apricot. Remember those guys who kicked the crap out of me when I met you?”

“Seems to be a common occurrence for you,” Shiori gloated.

“Shiori,” Apricot chided.

Shiori’s stifled snicker carried through the receiver. “Be honest, Cortez. We both know you weren’t paying them to look after that file.”

“I did, but anyway, the tall one with the black dreads is named Genova. He’s their leader,” Cortez said, turning his gaze towards Apricot. “He solved the riddles in my father’s work, apparently. I figured he was a meathead and couldn’t figure stuff out like that.”

“So your drug lord boss has a hit out for you, and you want our help?” Apricot’s jaw dropped. “I’m not interested in helping criminal dogs like you, Cortez. You made your own mess. Apricot, I suggest you do the same.”

“Shiori, please, I need your help!” Cortez begged, desperation seeping into his voice.

Apricot furrowed her brow. “Shiori, this is a lead in the right direction. We should at least investigate it. We can deal with Cortez afterward.”

“I won’t be a lap dog for this man’s gang troubles. Farewell.”

“Shiori, don’t go. I need your help,” Cortez pleaded once more.

After a tense moment, Shiori replied coldly, “And you lack it.” A click signaled the end of the phone call.

“You didn’t mention you were in a gang!” Apricot yelled, grabbing Cortez’s arm. “What have you been doing with a gang?”

His gaze fell toward the ground, shame filling his eyes. “I had no other choice. My family, they needed the money. The gang… well, they helped me.”

“Do you sell drugs?” Apricot asked, her voice trembling.

“I sell all kinds of things,” Cortez replied, turning his back toward Apricot and pulling away. “I’ll deal with it myself if you won’t help me.”

“How?” Apricot asked, her heart aching for him despite her anger.

“I don’t know. I was hoping Shiori would help… he might not seem like it, but he’s strong. I kind of figured he wouldn’t be around, so I had an idea of my own. It would be a lot easier with you two. Junko, please help me,” Cortez implored.

Junko straightened her posture. “I’m listening.”

“I’ll help you too, but I’m not happy with you. So, what’s this plan of yours?” Apricot asked, curiosity overcoming her resentment.

Cortez pulled out a vial containing some kind of putty-like substance. “I got this; it’s called Lyiatris. I use it to break into places. A dot of it can blow a lock off.” Cortez’s gaze shifted away from Apricot as he continued, “But this tube carries a lot more danger. I’ve got a cell phone and a burner with me. I need another. I need a few wires, any wires will do. From this, I can rig up a few bombs. Three. There’s an extensive tunnel down there. We can string bombs along it. Three of them, not too far apart, but fairly close together. When he’s in the middle of them, use a group call to detonate them all. That should collapse the walls around him and trap him. We need kindling because we want him to burn.” Apricot grimaced as Cortez described the gory details of his plan. “I figure he’ll be unable to reform if he’s burned to ashes. Just like old troll legends.”

She nodded her head in agreement. “Why not just light him on fire?” Her stomach churned at how casually she had come up with such a terrible idea.

“Well, trapping him would keep him stuck in the flames. So, he will die for sure,” Cortez said as he stared at the ground.

Junko scrutinized the tube. “Will it be strong enough to do that? Those walls are made of concrete,” she questioned aloud.

“I hope so,” Cortez admitted, turning to look away. “I’m not sure, though. I’ll act as bait. Have him chase me. So, what I need you two to do is wait here while I scavenge the parts.”

“You’re not leaving. I don’t trust you, Cortez,” Junko stated firmly.

“Fine, you two go find some kindling and a cable for anything, as long as it’s for an electronic. I can rig it up with that,” Cortez said, resting his back against the concrete wall. “You only have a half an hour before I do it myself.”

With a reluctant nod, Apricot and Junko set off to gather the necessary materials. As they searched, Apricot couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions: anger, distrust, but also a sense of camaraderie. Cortez, for all his faults, seemed genuinely desperate for help, and she couldn’t ignore the human side of his plight.

Returning with the required items, the trio worked together to rig the makeshift bombs. As they finalized their preparations, a heaviness hung in the air. The gravity of what they were about to do, the lives they could potentially take, weighed heavily on their hearts.

“Are you sure there’s no other way?” Apricot asked one last time, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cortez hesitated, his eyes betraying a flicker of doubt. “I… I don’t know. But it’s the only plan I have.”

With a heavy sigh, they readied themselves to confront the danger lurking in the dark tunnels below, unsure of what lay ahead and whether they would all make it out alive.

Blood oozed down the walls of the tunnel, pooling on the floor. Apricot shuffled her feet to avoid the macabre puddle at the entrance to Genova’s “lair.” The sickening scent of iron and decay filled the air, turning her stomach. Torn flesh lay scattered about the room like grotesque confetti.

As Cortez walked along the dark corridor, he shielded Apricot with his body, as if trying to protect her from the horror surrounding them. In the dimly lit room, the only source of light was a small sewer grate above, casting an eerie, subdued glow. A pair of red eyes glowed menacingly from the shadows, accompanied by a low growl that echoed through the empty concrete walls. “Your bravery is commendable, Cortez. And what an offering.”

“Something like that,” Cortez replied, his voice tense. With each step, his body seemed to jerk involuntarily, betraying his fear. “I want my father’s file back.”

Genova emerged from the shadows and sat upon a makeshift throne, his form monstrous and imposing. When he stood, he had to duck to avoid hitting the ceiling. His grin was reminiscent of a wolf’s snarl. “You’re joking,” he cackled, clutching his gut. “Isn’t it obvious to you the situation you’re in?”

“I am not,” Cortez insisted, though his voice wavered as Genova took a step forward. The heavy clop of his hooved foot resounded through the room. “Now where is it?”

Apricot’s eyes fell upon the face of the man from the grocery store, and her knees trembled, threatening to buckle beneath her. A burning sensation raced down her arm, and her heart pounded in her chest. “Was that man…?” she whispered, her thoughts derailed by Genova’s sudden roar, which morphed into a chilling laugh.

“You dare to make demands of me?” he bellowed. “I will break your legs and make you watch as I rip your friend’s skin off.” He raised both his hands, revealing large, bear-like claws. “Scream for me!” he commanded, stomping his foot.

Cortez backed away, yelling, “Run!” Apricot turned and fled back into the dark tunnels, her cellphone clutched tightly in her hand. With a press of a button, the bombs they had rigged would go off. Relief washed over her as she passed the first bomb, and she continued running until she reached a green X marked on the floor with chalk. Junko waited anxiously nearby.

Cortez sprinted past the final red line, Genova’s monstrous form close behind. As Apricot pressed the button, nothing happened. Panic surged through her, and she pressed it again, her hands trembling.

“What are you doing?” Cortez screamed.

“It’s not working!” Apricot shrieked, her vision blurring as her heart sank. She felt the now-familiar burning sensation in her arm as the purple aura returned. She glanced at Cortez, who stared down the monstrous creature bearing down on them. “Wait…”

Junko grunted, her hand outstretched, her eyes rolled back in her head. Genova’s veins bulged, and he grimaced in pain. Apricot reached for her armband, pulling out a single knife. She watched as Genova raised his arm high above Cortez’s head, and she threw the knife, praying that her aim was true. The weapon found its mark, sinking into Genova’s chest. A wet, smoky burst sent him flying backward.

Heaving for breath, Genova glared at Apricot and Cortez. Junko gasped, collapsing to the ground. “I can’t,” she sobbed, her strength depleted.

With a snarl, Genova grasped the silver knife embedded in his chest. It sizzled as he screamed, “It burns!” He yanked it free and flung it to the ground before retreating down the hall, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Cortez stared rigidly into the darkness, his face pale.

“Should we follow him?” Apricot murmured, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Cortez dropped to his knees, releasing a long, ragged sigh. “I don’t think we should,” he rasped, the relief in his voice palpable. “We’ve done enough for now.”

As they caught their breath, the enormity of their ordeal washed over them. They had faced a monster and survived, but the cost of their actions was yet to be fully understood. Together, the trio picked themselves up, knowing they had to keep moving, facing the uncertain future that lay ahead.

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