Gael’s unconscious body was promptly delivered to the manor’s medbay. With little care, he was thrown onto the cold, white floor, a sharp thud echoing through the sterile chamber. Savagrios, unfazed, shot the attending mechanoid a casual thumbs-up as he scurried away from the scene.

  “We needed to get to Morray before Gael wakes up so we can explain what happened—otherwise, he might crack our head open!”

  HHKKHSSHHH…

  A low, eerie hiss slithered through the medbay door as a dense mist crept into the hallway.

  Savagrios froze mid-step, a cold shudder rippling up his spine as he glanced back at the end of the hallway. He’s awake!?

  Leaning against the medbay's doorway was Gael, his bright pink hat casting a deep shadow over his eyes, revealing only a foul grimace and gritting teeth. With deliberate slowness, he pushed up the brim of his hat, revealing a pair of bloodshot, seething eyes.

  He pulled out a pair of cracked sunglasses from one of the many pockets that lined his loose pants. He slid them on their cracked lenses, failing to hide his anger.

  “Coarseblood! I’m going TO FUCKING KILL YOU!”

  Gael’s voice tore through the hallway as he ripped his cap from his head and hurled it to the floor. His once-hidden hair—wild and stark white—flared like a storm as he stomped down, crushing the cap beneath his heel. A surge of eerie mist erupted from the impact, billowing outward, swallowing the corridor in a creeping gray.

  “SHIT!”

  Savagrios panicked, dropping on all fours—he bolted through the manor, galloping wildly as the mist surged behind him, devouring everything in its path. Tapestries, decorations, aquariums—all drained of color, reduced to a miserable grayscale as the fog rolled over them.

  Didn’t you knock him out!?

  “Apparently not!?”

  A sharp crack split the air. Then another.

  The aquariums shattered in sequence, their glass fracturing into jagged splinters. But the water inside didn’t spill—it vanished, sublimating in an instant, stolen by the mist’s touch!

  Savagrios grimaced, sliding on the tile floor as he skidded to a stop. The gray mist barreled toward him, rolling in like a grayed tide, but he didn’t hesitate. With a sharp growl, he slammed his claws into the tile floor, forcing every ounce of Kyyr he could muster into the ground.

  A thin wall of crimson tendrils erupted upward, unfurling like a butterfly’s nascent wings. The veiny weave interlocked, twisting into a tense, crimson membrane.

  “How much Kyyr does that asshat even have?!” Savagrios howled as the mist slammed into the red wall.

  He’s a senior ranger—he probably had a booster on him.

  “Or maybe that bastard’s some kind of Kyyr monster!”

  Savagrios ripped his claws out of the ground, spinning on his talons. “We have to find someone—anyone!”

  “What about Morray?!”

  Impossible. During the day, he disappears to do who knows what…

  Savagrios hurled himself down the worn stone stairs, “Perhaps someone is eating! Let us try the cafeteria!”

  Good call!

  HHKKHSSHHH…!!!

  “OH SHIT! He caught up already?! And look—he’s got a storm of those painfully little crystal things!” Savagrios exclaimed, glancing up the stairs.

  And with the mist came a tattered Gael, who was awkwardly posing as he held himself like a mummy, putting pressure on the wounds on his arm and shoulder. A deranged smile now plastered on his face.

  “Good try, you little shit! But you aren’t getting away! Didn’t you notice?” He coughed, spitting blood onto the steps. “The lack of people when you brought me here?”

  He’s right… We didn’t see anyone when we arrived at the manor.

  “Where are they?” Savagrios demanded.

  The mist thickened, curling down the towering staircases as Gael descended with slow, deliberate steps.

  “Those idiots are out prepping for the Penthestat,” he sneered. “With the influx of Servinae, they’re all out increasing security measures because of the rise in abyssal activity. That leaves just you and me to play!” Gael spat some blood as he licked his lips.

  “Shit, that means we were closer to them back on the beach!” Berserkrios groaned.

  Savagrios tensed, lowering into a defensive stance. The staircases stacked vertically above one another; the only way down was through Gael and his Dull Dust.

  They were currently in the aptly nicknamed Dragonbone Chamber. A place where the massive skeleton of some unknown megafauna stood proud over a circular fountain. Savagrios glanced toward the massive glass panes that lined the wall, revealing a terrace overlooking the ocean. Wyrmm glass…

  Quick, Savagrios! There’s a doorway to the terrace—let’s get out of here!

  “NO!”

  Berserkrios and Savagrios roared in unison.

  What?

  “We refuse to run! We are not cowards, and this asshat has been wasting our time these last few days!”

  But—

  “But what?!”

  Morray—he told us not to…

  Berserkrios growled, “And? Morray’s the main idiot who’s been making us go through this aimless nonsense! We haven’t learned a lick of Kyyr while here! It’s time for us to take a bloody stand for ourselves!”

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  Gira hesitated, but the words struck his brain. Everything he’d learned so far hadn’t come from Morray or the rangers—it had come from the other Giras in his throne. He’d enjoyed the simple, idle life here, but… there was nothing beyond it. And that dreaded terror that he’d felt from Savagrios, that fear.

  Man… you’re right… His gaze locked onto Gael, who stood amidst the swirling mist. Ugh, fine! Let’s kick his ass!

  Savagrios lowered into a bestial stance, his crimson scales cracked, his claws flexing against the cold stone floor as he came face to face with Gael.

  Gael sneered. “Hah! Not running away, freaky doormat?” The gray mist thickened, curling around him as it spread through the chamber.

  “We’re not running away from some bleeding asshat! We’re going to kick your ass… Here and now! We guarantee your face will end up flat on the ground! That’s a bloody promise!” Savagrios snarled as he was drowned in the gray mist.

  “I guarantee you’ll be a fucking popsicle in a second here!” Gael shouted as he too vanished into the swirling gray.

  Silence…

  There was deafening quiet that permeated through every corner of the room. The few plants in the chamber had almost instantly wilted, turning dry and brittle.

  Gael crept through the room, a cluster of red crystals orbiting around him as he looked around annoyed. I made sure to block all the exits with Dull Dust’s Snowfall but knowing that monster,there’s a chance he’ll just run through them… He hobbled over to the stairway. I filled the lower floor with mist as well… He wouldn’t run. Not after such a stupid declaration. Gael walked over to the fountain.

  CHK-CHK—RRRRNK!—grrRNNNkkkkk…

  The pump groaned and struggled as his mist leeched away at the moisture, converting into more crystals before the water snap-froze in place. The remaining fluids stuttered in place before a brittle cascade of frozen droplets crashed down onto the frozen base of the fountain in a hollow glassy chime.

  Faster than expected… Gael exhaled, watching his breath curl away in the frigid air.

  He wobbled around the fountain, his bloodshot eyes scanning the frozen surface. But there was no sign of the Coarseblood.

  Where?!

  A shrill unease spread through Gael as he released another wave of Snowfall, letting it clash against every surface, every object in the chamber. The mist claimed the Dragonbone Chamber like a plague, ripping through the oppressive stillness with elegant violence.

  “Hff—hff—ugh…”

  His breathing was strained. He grimaced as he felt his Kyyr concentration falter. I need to find him—fast! Gathering his Snowfall, he pulsed it outward in a violent surge. The crystals ripped across the ceiling and floor, snapping through the chamber’s furniture, cracking decorations, splintering wood, sucking out the moisture from every corner of the room.

  CRASH!

  Gael flinched.

  The sound struck like a thunderclap in the suffocating silence. His eyes snapped toward the source.

  He spread his mist just enough—a silhouette!

  Gael braced himself as he approached the figure. His face a muted stare as he further parted the mist, allowing him to see better. His dulled expression dropped as a smile spread across his face. There, crouched and covered in one of the tattered tapestries that once lined the hall, was the Coarseblood.

  Pathetic… he leaned in to get a closer look when—Wait!

  He staggered back, remembering their fight at the beach. It might be a trap! He arched his back as he caught himself in place, staring at the frozen figure.

  The Coarseblood was simply sitting down with its mangled, fingerless hands frozen to the tapestry that was draped on its body.

  Why would he do that? This has to be a trick! He examined the body but it truly appeared drained of color and life. It appeared to be frozen solid. This is bothering the fuck out of me. Why? He can’t be this damn stupid—there’s just no way.

  Gael’s mist wavered, thinning as color began to return to the room. He frowned as he focused his mist on the Coarseblood’s body. Whatever this trick might be, I have to make sure he’s fucking dead before anyone gets back. My wounds alone should be enough proof that it was merely self-defense… and I can finally go back to pursuing my glorious purpose rather than babysitting this thing.

  He began to lower his guard, but—That noise? I heard a crashing sound… What was that? Gael dispersed his mist, letting him see more of the room. Everything was mangled and torn but still in place… Where am I anyway? Gael let more of the mist fade as he took in the room in more detail. Faded rays of light were now seeping from the massive window to his left. Did he die trying to escape?

  “No!” He suddenly howled, his pulse pounding in his skull. Something’s not adding up! He’s facing the wrong direction! Gael shook his head as he surrounded the Coarseblood with his Snowfall. Whatever. For now I’ll just tear his remains apart with my Dull Dust’s Snowfall!

  With an almost elegant calm, the Snowfall crystals descended, their delicate gleam betraying the sheer violence beneath. Chunks of scarlet flesh ripped free, muscle and sinew torn apart. The tapestry shredded in the onslaught, the body beneath it splintering, breaking, collapsing. Gael swallowed hard, staring as the remains disintegrated before him.

  What the hell was that monster even thinking? He leaned to his side, looking at one of the arms that had shattered off the torso. Crystalline flesh sparkled as more light began to seep.

  Was it that easy? I thought that cocky little bastard had some kind of plan. The mist began to fade as he carefully walked over, inspecting the remains. The tapestry had thawed almost instantly as moisture slowly returned to the room. The mangled tapestry then shifted as it fell to the side—

  “What!?”

  Gael’s voice cracked, as his stomach sank. “It—It’s hollow?!!”

  The husk crumbled, nothing but brittle remains spilling onto the floor.

  Gael whipped his head around, frantic. Where? What?! The mist erupted from his body, but it lacked the thickness and bitter aura from before. My stamina—not to mention the Kyyr density!!

  He looked around in a panic, the light from just beyond the window ripping through with beams of confusing light. Where is he? Where did he go?

  A shadow.

  Gael froze as the darkness of a human silhouette overshadowed his form. He slowly turned to face the window. In a panic he flushed all his mist in the direction of the figure, concentrating all his Kyyr on the figure. He unleashed a grayscale blizzard, choking out the light beyond.

  “Haaah… haaah…” his breath was deep and labored as he felt his Kyyr begin to dissipate.

  Gael collapsed onto his knees, his body rigid, his eyes wandering back to where he’d seen the figure.

  “HOW!?” he screamed at the figure that stood silhouetted in front of him—WAVING?!

  Gael’s heart hammered in disbelief as the figure silently strolled to the right, the last traces of mist vanishing.

  And then—Gira stepped into the room through the terrace doors. Completely naked.

  “AHAHA! You dumbass!” Gira cackled, stretching his arms behind his head with an infuriating grin. “Did you seriously think I’d fight you fair and square in your stupid death trap?!”

  Gael's fingers dug into his own wounds in rage. “YOU LITTLE BASTARD, YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T RUN AWAY!”

  Gira scoffed, “And you thought we’d just let you freeze us alive? Are you fucking dumb or what?”

  Gael’s vision blurred as more of his blood poured onto the floor, staining the white tiles in his red consciousness. “You…” he muttered as he felt his body grow cold.

  Gira sauntered over, towering above him with a smug grin. “You’re one dull idiot falling for the decoy body trick twice!” Gira shoved two fingers in his direction with a big smile.

  His eyes flashed crimson. “Flat on the ground!” he cackled. “Falling on your face sucks, huh?!”

  Gael gritted his teeth as fury flushed through him, but it was too much for him. He felt his warm blood collide with his face as he lost himself in a hateful dream.

  “Serves you right, you cocky little shit!” Savagrios laughed.

  “Damn right!” Berserkrios bellowed from within their throne