The Chains Of Fate

Viole stood over the smoldering ashes of the creature, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. The battle was over, but the weight in his chest hadn't lifted. His broken sword trembled in his grip, and the Hunger inside him pulsed, whispering its silent demands.

More.

He clenched his jaw and pushed the thought away. The others had gathered around him, their faces grim. Ha-eun wiped her blade clean on the torn fabric of her sleeve, her expression unreadable. Azael's silver gaze flickered between the remains of the beast and Viole himself, their brows furrowed in deep contemplation.

Kairos crouched beside the ash, running his fingers through it. "Well, that was fun," he muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Are we going to talk about the part where that thing was practically calling to you?"

Viole stiffened but said nothing.

Azael exhaled slowly. "We don't have time to waste here. This is only the beginning. The creature may be dead, but the Hunger inside you is still growing."

Viole turned his gaze toward them. "And what do you suggest I do about it?" His voice was sharper than intended, laced with exhaustion and frustration.

"Control it," Azael said simply.

Viole let out a short, humorless laugh. "Control it? You say that like it's an option."

"It is an option," Azael countered. "But it won't be easy."

Kairos stood, dusting off his hands. "Great. Love that. Another impossible task for Viole. Add it to the list."

Ha-eun finally spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "It's better than the alternative."

Viole turned toward her, his eyes narrowing. "And what's the alternative?"

Ha-eun didn't hesitate. "Losing yourself completely."

A silence settled over them, thick and heavy. Viole looked away, clenching his fists. The thought had crossed his mind more times than he cared to admit. The Hunger wasn't just some lingering curse—it was changing him, eating away at the edges of his control.

Azael studied him carefully before speaking again. "We need to leave Umbra. There's someone who can help you."

Viole frowned. "Who?"

Azael hesitated for just a second. "An old ally. A Sealed One."

At that, Ha-eun's head snapped toward them, her grip on her sword tightening. "A Sealed One? You mean them?"

Azael gave a slow nod. "Yes."

Viole didn't know much about the Sealed Ones—only rumors, stories of powerful beings locked away due to their immense, uncontrollable power. Some called them living weapons. Others called them monsters.

Ha-eun's voice was edged with warning. "Are you sure we can trust them?"

"We don't have a choice," Azael said.

Kairos let out a low whistle. "I hate this plan already."

Viole exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Where do we find them?"

Azael's gaze darkened. "A place called the Hollow Keep."

Ha-eun cursed under her breath.

Viole glanced between them. "What's wrong?"

Ha-eun shook her head. "The Hollow Keep isn't just some abandoned ruin. It's a prison. And not the kind with walls and chains—the kind where the air itself keeps you locked inside."

Viole let the words sink in. "So you're saying if we go there, we might not come back."

Azael's expression was grim. "Exactly."

Kairos threw up his hands. "Fantastic. Love a good suicide mission."

Despite the weight of their next move pressing down on him, Viole felt something stir within him. Fear. Uncertainty. But also... determination.

The Hunger inside him was growing stronger. If he didn't do something soon, he wouldn't be able to fight it anymore.

If the answers lay in the Hollow Keep, then that's where they needed to go.

Viole took one last look at the ashes beneath his feet.

Then, he turned toward the darkness ahead.

"Let's move."