Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Hunger Beyond

The ground trembles beneath me, but I remain still. The runes on the gnarled tree pulse faster, the whispers twisting into something more distinct. The others react—Hatter steps back, rabbit flattens its ears, and even the dragon shifts its stance, wary. But me?

I feel it.

Not fear. Not hesitation.

Just interest.

This place—this force—is reaching out to me. Testing me. Calling me.

"You belong here."

The voice slithers through my mind, but I don't flinch. I step forward, pressing my palm flat against the runes again. The energy coils around my fingers like living tendrils of power, surging through my veins.

"Alright, that's enough of that!" The Hatter waves his hands frantically. "You hear voices, you don't listen! That's basic survival!"

The rabbit tugs at his coat, eyes wide. "P-please don't touch it more than you already have! What if it eats you?!"

I smirk. "Then I'll eat it first."

The rabbit lets out a squeak and ducks behind the dragon's leg. The dragon, however, watches me closely, golden eyes analyzing my reaction.

"You're not afraid," she states.

"Why would I be?"

She tilts her head slightly. "Most creatures recoil from the unknown. You step toward it."

I press my hand harder against the tree. "Because I'm stronger than it."

The runes flare violently at my words, and suddenly—

The world shifts.

---

The Other Side

A pressure clamps down on my chest, like gravity itself is trying to pull me inward. But it doesn't push me back. It welcomes me. The air distorts, the forest warping around me. The trees stretch unnaturally tall, shadows elongating like hungry fingers.

A new landscape unfolds—obsidian spires jut from a dark, undulating ground, glowing fungi casting sickly light. The air is thick, almost tangible, humming with raw, untamed power.

The others remain behind the shimmering barrier I formed earlier, watching, waiting.

"Alright, Defaulger," Hatter calls out, voice tight with nerves. "Care to share what the hell you're seeing?"

"Another realm," I say simply. "Something ancient. Hungry. But it's not threatening me."

The whispers coil around me again, more words forming.

Take more. Accept more. Become more.

I close my fingers slightly. I can feel it.

The hunger. Not mine—something else's. It's been waiting. Starving.

For me?

The dragon steps closer to the barrier. "You could sever the connection. Walk away. This thing—whatever it is—wants something from you."

I glance back, meeting her gaze. "And?"

She exhales. "And I suspect you want to know what."

I grin. "Exactly."

The Hatter throws his hands in the air. "Why are we always dealing with lunatics?!"

The rabbit clutches its ears, trembling. "S-so what now? What do we do?!"

I roll my shoulders, feeling the energy still thrumming under my skin. The power from the runes—no, from beyond—isn't receding. If anything, it's waiting for my next move.

"We have three choices," I say, voice even.

1. Step fully into the gateway and embrace whatever is on the other side.

2. Destroy the runes and cut off the connection.

3. Stay here, observe, and learn more.

The weight of their gazes presses on me, but it doesn't matter. Because I already know my answer.

I turn back to the pulsating runes, my smirk widening.

"Let's see what's waiting for me on the other side."