The iron chains groaned softly as the wind brushed against them. The air around Barry felt heavy—unnatural, as if even the ground beneath him was holding its breath.
,,Bandit: Here we are. And don't try anything… or you're dead.
The bandit stepped back slowly, his eyes lingering on them before turning away.
,,Bandit: I'll be right back.
The moment he was gone, the group rushed toward Barry.
,,Karoschi: Barry!
,,Anna: What have they done to you…?
Her voice trembled as she saw the deep marks where the chains dug into his stone-like body. Even a Titan Golem could not hide the damage completely.
Noah stepped closer, carefully inspecting the restraints.
,,Noah: These chains… they're too thick. We can't just break them.
,,Heinrich: Then what are we supposed to do? We can't leave him here!
Noah's eyes narrowed. He looked around, scanning everything—the guards, the mechanisms, the terrain. Then his expression shifted.
,,Noah: I have a plan… but we need to act like we're taming him.
He leaned in, whispering quickly to the group—and even to Barry. His voice was low, calculated.
Anna nodded first.
,,Anna: I trust you.
Johann crossed his arms, uneasy.
,,Johann: Still sounds risky as hell…
,,Noah: Just trust me.
The bandit returned shortly after.
The group immediately began pretending—gestures, movements, calm voices directed at Barry.
,,Bandit: So? Any progress?
,,Noah: Yes… but it will take time.
The bandit frowned slightly.
,,Bandit: Fine. I'll inform the boss.
A short distance away—
,,Bandit: Boss, they say they're making progress.
,,Vigor: …Keep watching them.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
,,Bandit: Yes, boss.
Vigor's eyes lingered toward the camp, unreadable.
Something is wrong…
They are not the kind to obey so easily.
Hours passed.
The sun began to fall, painting the sky in deep orange and crimson.
The group continued their act—again and again, repeating the same movements, the same illusion.
Finally—
,,Bandit: That's enough for today. Come with me. We've prepared a place for you.
As they were led away, Noah's gaze moved constantly.
Chains. Mechanisms. Catapults.
Every detail burned into his memory.
,,Bandit: You'll sleep here.
The wooden door slammed shut behind them. A lock clicked.
Silence.
,,Noah: Get some rest… tomorrow it starts.
,,Anna: …Okay.
One by one, they lay down.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Noah's eyes snapped open.
A loud, echoing thump… thump… thump…
His heartbeat.
Too loud.
Too heavy.
The room was still.
His friends… were sleeping.
But the sound didn't stop.
Then—
Whispers.
Faint. Broken.
Desperate.
,,???: Help us…
Noah slowly sat up.
,,Noah: Hello? …Is someone there?
,,???: We are here…
His breath grew uneven.
,,Noah: Where…?
,,???: By the window…
Noah turned.
The window stood still… empty.
,,Noah: There's no one there—
,,???: Look closer…
Slowly… he leaned forward.
And then—
Something moved.
A face slammed against the glass.
Johann.
Or what was left of him.
His skin torn, his eyes hollow, blood dripping from his mouth.
Noah stumbled back, screaming—
,,Noah: JOHANN?!
He turned—
The beds.
Empty.
Gone.
The door exploded open.
Anna stood there—
No… not Anna.
Her body twisted, broken, flesh torn apart, her eyes lifeless.
She lunged at him.
,,Anna (distorted): You failed us…
Her hand wrapped around his throat—
Darkness consumed everything.
And then—
Laughter.
Cold.
Endless.
Watching.
,,Karag: Hahahaha… do you see now?
The voice echoed from everywhere—and nowhere.
,,Karag: This is your future.
Shadows twisted around Noah.
Faces.
Screaming.
Burning.
,,Karag: You will lose them… one by one.
A pause.
Closer.
Right behind him.
,,Karag (whispering): And when you're finally alone…
…silence…
,,Karag: I will take what remains.
Noah gasped, shooting upright, drenched in sweat.
His heart pounded violently.
,,Anna: Noah! Are you okay?!
,,Heinrich: What the hell just happened?!
Noah looked around wildly.
Everyone was there.
Alive.
Breathing.
,,Noah: I… it was just a nightmare…
His voice shook despite himself.
,,Noah: Is it morning already…?
,,Johann: Yeah. We were just about to wake you.
Noah clenched his fists slightly.
Just a dream…
Right…?
The door opened.
,,Bandit: The boss wants to know your progress.
,,Noah: We're finished.
The bandit blinked.
,,Bandit: Don't mess with me. Do I look stupid?
,,Noah: We're not lying.
The bandit hesitated… then nodded.
,,Bandit: Fine. Come with me.
They were brought before Vigor.
He stood still, hands behind his back.
Watching.
Always watching.
,,Vigor: So… you claim you are finished?
,,Bandit: That's what they say, boss.
,,Vigor: Impossible.
His gaze locked onto Noah.
Sharp. Piercing.
,,Noah: Then let us show you.
Silence.
Then—
,,Vigor: …Very well.
They returned to Barry.
The chains rattled as the bandits prepared to release him.
,,Vigor: If you are lying… he will kill you.
Noah didn't look away.
,,Noah: We've got it under control.
Vigor's eyes narrowed slightly.
Something is wrong…
The chains fell.
Heavy.
Echoing.
Barry slowly rose.
The ground trembled beneath him.
Noah stepped forward.
His hands moved—calm, deliberate.
Barry followed.
No aggression.
No resistance.
,,Bandit A: …What?!
,,Bandit B: That's impossible…
Noah picked up a small stone.
Barry mirrored him—
Lifting a massive boulder.
The bandits leaned forward, mesmerized.
,,Bandit A: What's he doing…?
,,Bandit B: I don't—
,,Noah: NOW!!
Barry hurled the boulder.
It smashed into the chain mechanism—
CRASH!!
The ground shook violently.
Bandits lost balance, crashing to the ground.
,,Noah: GO!! Get our stuff!!
The group sprinted.
Weapons. Gear. Everything.
They grabbed it all.
Then—
They climbed onto Barry's back.
,,Vigor: AFTER THEM!!
Barry moved.
Fast.
Faster than anything human.
The forest swallowed them.
,,Heinrich: YES!!
,,Anna: We actually did it!
The wind rushed past them.
Freedom.
For now.
Behind them—
The bandits stopped.
Breathing heavily.
,,Bandit A: They… they got away…
Silence.
Vigor stood still.
Then—
A single motion.
His blade flashed.
The bandit's head fell to the ground.
Clean.
Cold.
Merciless.
The others froze.
,,Vigor: This… is what happens…
His voice was calm.
Terrifyingly calm.
,,Vigor: …when you fail me.
He turned slowly.
,,Vigor: Find them.
A pause.
,,Vigor: Or join him.
,,Bandit B: …Y-Yes… boss…
Deep in the forest—
Noah stared ahead.
But his hands trembled slightly.
Karag's voice…
Still echoed in his mind.
You will lose them… one by one…
And for the first time—
Noah wasn't sure…
if it was just a dream.