"Why isn't he moving?"
Tammy yelled, noticing that Xian didn't move from his place even after the creature had twisted his arm. Everyone started panicking when the Syüxa started biting off the flesh of Xian arm. It was a horrifying sight.
"Oh, you did not."
Rebel leap forward as he pushed the creature off Xian with his wind twister. Somehow, that scratch the creature on its face. Still, it was smiling. It started laughing as it disappears, running off to a different direction.
"Shit. Tammy, I need you here!"
Rebel called out as he saw how bad Xian injury is. He doesn't seem sane; he keeps staring into a blank space as his eyes had turned fully white.
"This is bad. It's infected."
Tammy said as she began healing Xian arm. Everyone was glad Indeed that she could use healing magic.
"I stopped the bleeding. But he needed to be treated right away. Bandages."
Tammy added as she started to look around searching for something.
"I'll go get it. What else do you need?"
Serina volunteers and Tammy glared at her.
"No. WE will go together. We'll meet you guys at Tia's."
Tammy said as everyone nodded.
"Let's go."
Rebel said as his friends followed him as they carried Xian on their backs.
"Why isn't he waking up??"
Kyran sighs in disbelief seeing Xian looking like a corpse.
"I have no idea. We should hurry and meet Tia. Hopefully, she's all right."
Rebel answered as they changed worried looks. If the castle is attacked, Tia might be in danger. Of all people, Tia will be in danger. It whether of time, whether they arrived in time or not.
"Xian."
"Wake up."
"Open your eyes."
"They're in danger."
"Brother."
Xian jolted awake as he heard his sister voice. He was stunned to see himself in such condition.
"What the heck happened?!"
He wondered when he noticed the pain on his arm. It looks ugly. Although, the bleeding stop. It still hurts him to the pain of dying. He felt like his flesh was being eaten. He found himself lying on the ground and realized how his friends are nowhere to be seen.
"No."
His thoughts run wild as keep thinking about what happened earlier. It talks. The Syüxa talked. He even has Chester's face. Xian was dumfounded when he thinks about it. He can't believe that he falls for the creature lies. He doubted, hoping that the creature is really Chester. While the truth is, he had been tricked.
"Tia."
Xian panicked when Tia's name crosses his mind. He was worried, how could I forget?! He started cursing himself as he rushes to Tia's room.
"Guys?! Where are you?"
Xian yelled out for his friends along the way to Tia's room. Still, no answer. He was beginning to worry since just a moment ago, they were together. And now? They're gone. Just like that...
Xian had reached the hall to Tia's room and noticed a certain someone.
"What the hell are you doing?! We needed to find Tia!"
He yelled as he approached the person that seems to be laying on the floor, laughing to himself. Just what is wrong with this guy?! He thought. But soon was surprised to see the boy condition.
"Woah. What the FUCK happened to you?!"
Aiden chuckles as he received a glare from Xian. How can he still laugh in this situation? Xian wondered. It was shocking to see Aiden looking like that.
"I don't want to hear that coming from a person who only has an eye."
Xian responded as Aiden laugh in return. Xian just stared at him in confusion when the boy did that. Something really is wrong with his head... But Xian decided to ignore that since they needed to find Tia first. Xian helped Aiden to his feet. They both looked like a bloody mess.
"Something is wrong with this place."
Aiden mentioned as Xian had a dark expression on his face. He knows. For sure.
"I'm aware."
He responded as he and Aiden made their way to Tia's. Before they could even move, a loud shrieking was heard. The floor started to grumble as both boys panicked.
"That doesn't seem good."
Aiden whispered as they exchange worried looks.
"Where are the others?"
Xian asked as he was hoping that Aiden had meet them along his way.
"What? What do you mean? Are they coming with us too?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow.
Xian told him about what happened to them earlier as Aiden stared at him in disbelief.
"Gally. She knows about this."
Aiden eyes widen as Xian stared at him in confusion.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
"Gally tried to kill me!!"
Aiden sighs as both boys arrived at Tia's room. The door was open, Xian panicked as he rushed Into the room not caring what Aiden was saying to him earlier.
"What took you guys so long?!"
Xian was surprised to see Tammy and Serina in the room. There's no trace of Tia.
"Where is she?"
Xian pushed Tammy as she tried to put the bandages on his arm.
"What the FUCK?!"
Tammy groaned.
"Can't you just stay still for a moment?! Do you seriously want to lose your hand?! Stop moving. Sit here and let me do my job."
Tammy shouted and that made Xian surprised. He doesn't mean to push her earlier. After hearing that he could lose an arm, Xian decided to obeyed her.
"Where are the others? Tia?"
Aiden finally spoke as he stared at Serina.
"We don't know. We thought the others was with you?" She eyed Xian in confusion. "And Tia was nowhere to be seen when we arrived here."
Xian was confused. Where did his friends go?
And Tia?
Where did you go?
"What are we supposed to do now?"
Tammy asked as she finally finished fixing Xian up. Everyone was worried, with the Syüxa entering the castle. It doesn't seem like a good idea to stay here any longer. And everyone else disappearing? That doesn't seem so good either. It was terrifying.
"We needed to find the others."
Xian spoke as everyone exchange worried looks, still agreeing to his idea. Since it's the only way, for now. They started walking out from the room but was stopped when Chester lookalike came back to them.
"Are you happy to see me again?"
It smiled while staring at Xian. Aiden was shocked to see the creature that look just like Chester. It was horrendous. Xian was ready to fight again but winches in pain as he realizes that his health is worsening. And Aiden doesn't seem like he has enough energy to fight. They are in big trouble.
"Aww, feeling tired already?" It snickered.
Xian glared at the creature in hatred. He hated how the creature uses Chester face making that kind of expression, saying words that the real Chester would never say. Tammy was ready to fight as her fist turned to stone, the other Syüxa snickered at her as their teeth are showing.
"Ok what now. We are fully surrounded."
Tammy complains as Serina hides behind her. Xian and Aiden both are alarmed, they feel useless that they can't use their ability for the moment. However, that is not stopping them from fighting back. They used swords that Tammy made out of stone, although it is heavy... They both could wield it well.
"No! Let her go!"
Tammy cried as Serina was pulled away from the group. She was screaming for help.
"Don't go after her! It's dangerous!"
Aiden yelled but Tammy didn't listen.
"I'm sorry! Save yourself!"
Tammy said as she run off to Serina direction leaving Xian and Aiden in complete disadvantages. Tammy was the only one who could function as their shield, but now that she's gone. Xian and Aiden both started to panicked.
"Oh fuck."
Aiden eyes widen with the sight Infront of him.
"TAKKA."
He breathed out as Xian matched his expression well. They were both shocked to see the monster walking around in that castle. Freely. When TAKKA noticed both of them, it started to scream. As if, telling the other creature to attack them.
"RUN!"
Both Aiden and Xian said at the same time before sprinting off to the opposite direction. How is that possible? Every creatures seems to be here. And it's not a damn illusion. Xian cursed under his breath as he keeps on running with full speed. Relieved that Aiden is next to him.
"Why is that thing HERE?!"
Aiden yelled as he tried his best to run with only one eye. It was a disturbance to his sight.
Xian was anxious too. If that thing is here, and Tia is missing... Does that mean...
"Stop daydreaming! RUN!"
Aiden voice manage to get to him. He was grateful for him indeed. When they realize that they are no longer being chased, they stopped.
"What the FUCK just happened?!"
Aiden yelled-whispered as he flopped to the floor. Xian was on the floor too as he was tired from running. They were running like crazy. It was a miracle that they even managed to get away. The castle started to grumble as anonymous shrieking keeps haunting them. It was terrifying.
"Isn't that the queen?"
Xian raised an eyebrow when he noticed the woman who claimed to be the queen and Tia mother's standing, glaring at the creature Infront of her. Lots and lots of it.
"What the heck is she doing?!"
Aiden spoke as he too was staring at what happened across from them as they hid within the walls.
"No. This can't be happening! NO! How dare you do this to me?!"
The woman started screaming as she glared at something, or a certain someone.
"Gally."
Xian breathe out as he notices Gally standing there, among the creatures. Both Aiden and Xian were staring at the sight Infront if them with jaw dropped. Still, unable to believe that she really is standing there, among the creatures. Next to TAKKA.
"I have waited for this day since I was born. You will pay for everything that you did. YOU ALL will pay for the sufferings that you've caused!"
Gally scream as the woman stares at her in horror. Yelling inaudible words that Xian and Aiden can't seem to hear. Seeing that, confused Xian. What did she mean by suffering? What is she trying to say? In a flash, the creatures attacked the woman as she screamed in agony. Yelling for help, crying to be saved. But Gally just stand there, showing no regrets at all.
"Goodbye mother, father. I could finally meet you now."
Gally spoke and what happened next horrified both boys who's staring from afar. It was hard for them to believe all of that if they didn't see it with their own eyes. TAKKA had eaten Gally as she stood there doing nothing, She was smiling yet crying. It was shocking.
She's dead.
She's gone.
"We should go."
Xian said in a faint voice as he witnessed Gally last moments. She doesn't even scream when the creature munch on her flesh. She just stood there, closing her eyes. As if, she knows. This will happened.
She knows.
"What about the others?"
Aiden replied as he looks away from the horrendous sight.
"They're going to be fine."
Xian assured. He wishes that he's right. Although, he did wondered where his friends disappeared into, he hopes that they're alright.
The thoughts of his friends dying...
Xian don't want to think about that. He can't bring himself to even think about it.
"There!"
Aiden pointed at something. Xian followed his gaze and noticed, there’s a small hole not far enough from them. It was enough to make them feel relieved.
"You go first, I'll follow behind."
Aiden whispered as Xian stared at him in disbelief.
"You're in worse condition than me. Shut up and just listen."
He added and Xian just rolled his eyes. He can't believe that he's taking order from this guy.
"You better not die playing hero."
Xian glared at him as Aiden gave him a smile.
"Why would I die?"
He smirks as he urges Xian to go. Xian did what he was told to and safely arrived at the hole. He was checking the hole whether it’s safe for them or not. When he was sure that it's safe, he gave Aiden a thumps up before going off Into the hole.
"I'll see you again."
A voice echoed sending shivers down his spine.
Aiden ignored the words as he sprints off to the direction Xian went off to. He was sure that the creatures noticed him. He could hear them crystal clear. With his remaining strength, he blasts off the hole after entering it. Blocking the path hoping that the creatures won't follow him. He just wishes that they don't.
"I'll see you again, Aiden."
The same voice. Whispering sweet words Into his ears. Aiden was enraged.
"Fuck off!"
He screamed before sliding down the path that Xian had gone Into. Secretly hoping that whatever waiting at the end of the path doesn't kill them. Unfortunately...
This is only the beginning.