The Weight of Choices

The beast's roar still lingered in the tunnels as Elena prepared herself, dagger at the ready. The mutated beast charged towards her, its huge claws swiping through the air. She just had time to roll to the side before it slammed into the stone, dust and debris flying everywhere.

Kael was already in motion, her claws flashing as she sliced at another creature. The remaining half-human survivors resisted with what they had at hand—some with makeshift weapons, others with brute instinct. But the monsters were relentless, their fury unnatural, their movement erratic as if spurred by something more than hunger.

Elena willed herself to concentrate. She charged forward, striking at the creature's vulnerable side, but it turned at the last second. A mighty swipe knocked her back, agony flowering in her ribs. She clenched her teeth, not allowing fear to grip her.

Where was Aiden?

Aiden and the Cursed One

Aiden's heart thumped as he made his way through the ruins, the whisper still echoing in his ears. "You are not ready for the truth."

He couldn't go back, though. He had to know.

The room he had abandoned now seemed far away, the visions still etched in his memory. The curse hadn't simply occurred—it had been called forth. Someone had sealed the villagers' destiny, guaranteeing none would live. But why? And who?

As he rounded a bend, the air chilled. The walls of the tunnel glowed with pale runes, their light fading as if to caution him back.

Then, he saw it.

A hunched figure sat against the opposite wall, wrapped in worn robes, its shape almost not human. Fragments of flesh hung from dry bones, and eyes that glowed from under the hood watched him.

"You are a long way from where you ought to be," the creature croaked, its voice thick with age and something not quite natural.

Aiden paused. He could sense the curse emanating from this creature, old and heavy, as if time had left them behind.

"Who are you?" he demanded, holding his dagger.

The figure emitted a rusty laugh. "A question with no easy answer." They relaxed slightly, and the bony remains of a hand were visible. "But you can use the name others once gave me—The Last Witness."

Aiden's heart beat rapidly. "You were present when it occurred. When the curse was cast."

The Last Witness cocked their head. "I wasn't simply present, boy. I was involved.

Aiden's breathing caught. He had anticipated replies, but this.

"You created it?" He spoke almost silently.

The figure let out air slowly. "I was one of those attempting to prevent it."

The remains seemed to lean in upon them, as though they were all listening.

"The council was split," went on the Last Witness. "Some thought that the village could be saved. Others saw no hope—only a need for retribution." Their fingers were trembling. "And so the curse was made. It was not a solitary act, but a choice taken by many."

Aiden scrunched his fists. "Then there must be a means to reverse it."

There was silence between them. Then, at last, the figure broke its silence.

"There is always a way." Their eyes shone bright. "But it is not an easy one. The curse lies in the heart of this land—in a place where judgment was rendered."

Aiden's breath caught. "The heart of the curse."

The figure nodded. "Uncover it, and you might uncover your answer. But beware… the curse is not simply a power. It has a mind of its own."

The air grew thick about them. The Last Witness released a deep breath, their body shuddering like dying coals. "Go, before it is too late."

Aiden faced away from them to depart but lingered. "What if I don't make it?"

The Last Witness's voice was a mere whisper.

"Then there will be no one left to remember."

The Battle for Survival

Elena's arms throbbed as she deflected another blow, her dagger wet with black blood. The beasts were stronger than any she had encountered, their mutations monstrous, their motions unnatural.

Kael fought at her side, her blows precise but weakening. The others were tiring, fatigue creeping into their movements.

Then, a bellow ripped the air.

A great form burst into the battle—another damned, but one she knew.

Tenwa.

Blood smeared his fur, and his arm dangled at an unnatural angle, but his eyes blazed with determination.

"Elena!" His voice was raw. "Fall back!"

She had no time to move before Tenwa charged, ripping into the mutated beasts with a fury.

Kael pulled Elena's arm. "He's creating an opening. We have to go."

Elena lingered, observing as Tenwa battled against insurmountable numbers. Then, clenching her teeth, she nodded.

The group fled, heading deeper into the tunnels. But as they fled, Elena knew this wasn't finished.

The creatures weren't attacking purely on instinct.

They were being pushed.

Someone—or something—was behind this.

The Truth Beckons

Aiden ran, his mind reeling from everything the Last Witness had shared with him.

The center of the curse.

It wasn't a location—it was the point of judgment itself. The source of all that had transpired.

As he approached the tunnels where Elena and the others had become stranded, a whisper wrapped around his ears.

"Find the heart… before it finds you."

Aiden pushed past the shiver creeping down his spine.

He had no option.

They needed to put an end to this.