The footsteps only continued for several more metres but it seemed the priest may have been injured as bloodstains continued decorating the floor, with blood-covered handprints on the walls. And based on their size it was easy to see who they belonged to.

Lily ran up to one and placed her hand next to it.

“Wow, it's even smaller than mine. Just how small was this guy?” She asked.

“Can we hurry up? Unless you prefer having our friends turned to human off-cuts.” Nora responded.

“Oh come on, it's not that likely they'll even see her in the first place.” She said that, but soon quickened her pace.

“It is a shame we didn't bring Merrill,” Elizabeth commented, seeing all the blood available to them.

“Why's that?” Lily asked.

“She knows a tracking ritual that uses it. With her here he could pinpoint location instead of walking around, hoping he isn't around a nearby corner.”

“You say that like he didn't die in some hallway,” Tina said, walking next to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth turned to her. “Well, we can't say with confidence that he is dead. If he isn't, then he'll likely be preparing something no matter how futile.”

“Come on, do you really think that guy could have survived that bitch?”

“Unlikely if he was alone, but his men may have bought him enough time to escape.”

“What a way to thank them for their services.” She snidely remarked.

“I don't imagine these men are familiar with the concept of honour,” Elizabeth responded.

They continued walking down the hallway and came across a large room. It was filled with various wooden benches. There was a separate room to the side. Based on these features and its size, Elizabeth hazarded a guess that this used to be a canteen and based on the amount of dust gathered, it seemed this part of the dungeon wasn't frequented very often.

They all thought little of the room and continued walking but Lily noticed something and borrowed Elizabeth's torch.

“Who made you in charge, you-” Tina said before being interrupted by Lily's finger on her lips.

“Huh?” Lily exclaimed looking down.

Tina firmly removed Lily's hand from her mouth and looked down. And saw nothing of note.

Elizabeth looked back into the room as well.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

“What is it?” Tina asked.

“I can't believe I missed that,” Elizabeth said as she pushed past the pair.

“What is it?” Tina asked.

Elizabeth and Lily pointed down. Tina had to focus harder until she saw it. It was an almost imperceptible red stain on the floor.

“Eugh, seriously?”

“I don't wrong you for not seeing it,” Nora said.

“I don't think I'd have seen that either,” Agatha added.

They gathered near to the entrance.

“Then… wait is he-” Tina asked as she turned to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth took the torch and walked further into the room. After nearly a minute of walking, sitting on a bench at the very opposite side of the room was a boy covered in blood. His hair had been stained with it. He looked lonely.

He weakly turned around. He put a blue-looking rock in his mouth and chewed it.

(“He didn't just!?”) Elizabeth thought as she watched his actions. The others thought little of it and kept wary of their surroundings as they approached.

“He's still alive?” Tina said, sounding disgusted.

“I assume that's him?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yeah, that's the bastard I stabbed in the hand. But it looks like we won't have to do much more to kill him.”

Tina began walking closer but Elizabeth raised hand her in front of her.

“I'll be the one to approach,” Elizabeth told her.

Tina made up her face but didn't argue it.

Elizabeth handed the torch to Tina and began creeping towards him.

His eyes looked unfocused as he looked at the group. He seemed to be in a daze. Behind, on the table's bench was a vast assortment of blue crystals, with most covered in blood. Though there weren't very many of them.

His head fell forward and it wasn't until he jolted back up, that he was conscious of what was currently happening.

“...a blonde woman with green eyes. Ugh.” He commented upon seeing Elizabeth.

He licked around his mouth, as Elizabeth made her way over.

(“Have I been doing nothing but consuming these cubes? How long have I been at this?”) He wondered to himself before standing up.

He was injured but he felt energised. He had regained all of his wasted energy from earlier.

He looked behind Elizabeth and began laughing.

“Hehe, I see my Lord. If that is your will, I shall follow it.”

“Will?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, “will” my annoying adversary. It seems my lord is intent on forcing a certain message within my skull. I have to pay them back for my misdeeds. And those women behind you are the key. My lord showed me my followers were useless.”

“You seem pretty cheery for someone who had their men killed.” As Elizabeth spoke, she inched imperceptibly closer to him, readying herself for the inevitable brawl.

“Killed, ah yes that was my punishment wasn't it?” The young seemed delirious as he spoke. “But she showed they were not the answer. You women are.”

Elizabeth couldn't help but turn her face at those words.

“I see you're sceptical but trust me, with the divine powder, you shall serve our lord well. I need not weak men with easily rent flesh but women who can do the rending.”

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly at what he implied.

“Are you saying that woman was your creation?” Elizabeth asked, with her hand ready to unsheath her sword at the drop of a pin.