Chance

The silence felt oppressive, weighing down at Sezel's chest. as if the Spirit Realm itself sought to smother their fleeting existence. They stood like sacrificial lambs before the stone throne, while the six Black Knights that brought them here and the four other bowed down on one leg. The clearing held its breath, the air thick with an unspoken verdict.

Suddenly Sezel's breath heaved, his body burdened beneath an unseen weight, he flicked a gaze at the rest of his companions, all collapsing to their knees, gasping beneath the same crushing burden. "What sorcery is this?" Pain surged through his dislocated arm, a white-hot torment that buckled his legs.

He sank to the earth, barely keeping his head aloft, eyes locked on the throne. A power that mocked mortal endurance, from behind the throne another humanoid figure walked out, similar to the Black Knights but he was about two times the size of the average Black knight. In human language about three meters tall.

Sezel couldn't shake the feeling of dread now coiling around his heart stronger than before, 'Why do i feel so uneasy looking at that giant thing.' a primal fear beyond the Night Crawlers' savagery, as if the figure's gaze pierced his soul.

The Giant Black Knight walked in front of the throne, each step shaking the earth itself. its colossal form slumped on the throne, such a heavy black iron armor just sat on a stone throne and still there was no clang sound.

Before they all could gulp down the mighty figures appearance, two another figures appeared, identical to all the other Black Knights bowing down, but mightier.

Sezel's mind spun in dread, 'What is happening here?' He glanced at Arty, whose knowledge of the Spirit Realm surpassed his own. The Awakened Slayer's face was ashen, his eyes wide with disbelief.

And to prove the assumptions, Arty's cry resonated just in time, his voice broken to a whim, "This can't be, no no its not possible." he cried, his breaths ragged.

Hearing Arty's desperate rejection to believing what was happening Sez could feel cold sweat running down his spine.

'Okay this is beyond bad.'

But the next moment was even more twisted.

The Mighty Black Knight King raised a metallic arm, its surface gleaming in the Spirit Essence's glow, a gesture that seemed to command the very air. Its helm remained still, yet a voice thundered, resonant as divine judgment:

[Tie Them]

The words were a blade to the soul, stripping the group's will to stand. Sezel's breath came in gasps, his body trembling as he stared at the ashen earth. Sweat drenched his tattered clothes, his mind reeling 'What was that? what is this thing?' this voice carried a weight that crushed hope itself.

He immediately sprung his head up, Five Black Knights advanced, their steps synchronized, clutching ropes woven from twisted, blackened wood

Sezel's heart thundered, his gaze darting to the others, seeking a flicker of resistance. But before the knights could bind them, Arty snapped from his stupor, sprinting toward the throne. He collapsed to his knees before it.

"Oh, Great Ruler of the Knights in Black!" he wailed, his voice echoing through the lifeless clearing. Tears streamed like rivers. Everyone looked at him with surprised reaction. Sezel's jaw tightened, torn between awe and disgust. "How does this coward find such courage?" There were opportunists, but Arty's audacity was a desperate gamble and nothing else.

"Please spare this useless human." he begged rubbing his nose on the ground.

The Black Knights advancing stopped, the trick seemed to be working, Sezel could feel relief and dread at the same time. 'Something feels uneasy from the moment i came here.' he touched his left dislocated arm, coiling up the sleeve to reveal a little birth mark.

A laugh erupted from the King, a grating, soul-wrenching sound that seemed to tear at their essence. Arty froze, his plan crumbling, his gasp silent as panic choked his voice. The group stared, petrified, as the King's helm tilted slightly.

[I will give you a chance.]

The words shifted the air, a flicker of hope igniting in Arty's wide eyes, mirrored by the leader, his subordinate, and even Rilli, who had been lost in shock. Arty's lips curled into a trembling smile, his voice eager. "What… what does the Lord demand?"

[Choose one from your group as the sacrifice and I will send the rest back to home, I only need one of you.]

Sezel's breath caught in his throat, he looked up feeling the shock of the words that Mighty Knight uttered, 'What?' his mind reeled, he knew exactly how bad this situation was for him, 'Why this knight bastard?' he cursed inwards.

Well he was just an ant in front of the Mighty Black Knight king, an entity far beyond his reach.

He glanced at his companions, their faces clouded with calculation. Arty suddenly turned in haste his actions erratic.

'Has he lost his mind?'

The situation they were in was only ending at a single destination, and that was death, but by however chance Arty had earned them another way or so the circumstances claimed. It was the best offer for the group and the worst at the same time.

Sezel's heart sank, the inevitability of betrayal clawing at him. Arty crawled toward the group, a grotesque joy twisting his features. "We have a chance to escape," he began, voice bright with false hope, then darkening. "But one must be sacrificed." His gaze locked onto Sezel, lingering at the rear, silent and unyielding.

'This atrocious bastard.' Sezel grinded his teeth.

Slowly the whole group's eyes wandered towards him with judgment, making him feel the odd one out. He stood up and took a step back.

The leaders eyes were filled with tears, his tone a crackling whisp, "You were right from the start Arty. We must sacrifice Sezel."

His subordinate nodded, a silent affirmation. Rilli remained still, her gaze fixed on the earth, eyes wide with shock, her hands trembling.

'Please not you too Rilli.'

[Fast, I don't have much time or all of you are dying.] The voice thundered down on them.