The flame from Dante’s hand fizzled out as soon as he collapsed, sending the bottom of the pit back into darkness. For a moment, all was quiet, save for the rapid inhalations and exhalations of Luc’s breath. Then, a grinding noise thundered to life in the distance. Glancing up, Luc saw a stone door sliding open. From the opening, light streamed in. The light was dim, but it was enough for Luc to make out his general surroundings within the pit.

There was a cough from right behind Luc. Whipping around, Luc saw Matthias standing inches behind him. The slave was rubbing at his eyes furiously, nearly grinding his knuckles into the sockets. Was he trying to kill me again?

Right then, Luc did not care. He hurried over to Dante’s side, rolling the large man onto his back. In the muted light, Luc could see the rise and fall of Dante’s chest. Staring at the blood-slicked body, Luc realized he didn’t have the faintest idea of what to do.

“Bugger off,” said Matthias, still rubbing his eyes and nudging Luc with a knee.

Luc’s mouth twisted into a snarl. Good for nothing loon just stood by watching us die! While Matthias was distracted by his apparently irritated eyes, Luc pelted him in the back of the knees with an arm. Sputtering out a curse, Matthias collapsed to the ground, nearly splitting his head open on a rock.

“What do you think you’re doing?” roared Matthias, leaping to his feet. “Do you want him to die?”

Luc simply glared at Matthias.

“Someone high and mighty like you wouldn’t know how to bandage a wound,” said Matthias, kneeling next to Dante. “Gimme some of your robe.”

Still, Luc did not respond.

“You want me to rip them off you instead?” said Matthias, cracking his knuckles.

Luc weighed his options. It only took a second. Then he took his already tattered silk robes and tore them once more.

Matthias moved swiftly and efficiently, wrapping each of Dante’s gashes and punctures with several layers of Luc’s robe. Luc watched him work. Just like when Dante had been bandaging Maho’s leg, Luc could tell that Matthias had done this before.

Glancing up, Luc saw Baz hauling Maho towards them. Maho was still unconscious, skin pale and sickly. Baz kept his eyes glued on the ground, and his chest glistened with sweat.

“Why do you look so nervous?” said Luc, scowling. This fool also just sat around watching us die.

“…I’m sorry,” said Baz after a moment. “W-when that monster attacked, I…I couldn’t do anything. You see, I’m not a fighter. Before all of this, I was - ”

“I don’t really care,” said Luc, waving the man off. “Next time when I say something, make sure you do it.”

“Ha!” said Matthias, still kneeling by Dante. “You never change, do you Lordling?”

“No thanks to you,” said Luc, keeping a careful eye on the door. If this pit was part of the tomb, he didn’t trust it one bit. A single wrong move could send the ceiling collapsing on them again.

“That’s the best I can do,” said Matthias, grunting and rising to his feet. He wiped his blood-smeared hands on his trousers and turned to Luc and Baz. His eyes were red and watery, looking as if he had severe allergies to something.

The three of them stared at each other, silent. Without Dante, we have no idea what to do. As the superior, I must take command.

“We need to get out of here as soon as possible,” said Luc. “Slave from Tosa, you carry Dante. Other slave, you carry the wagon driver.”

“I don’t listen to the words of scum,” said Matthias, sneering. “I’ll carry Dante because he seems useful. But if you want to bring that slave driver, you’re going to carry him yourself.”

“Don’t put him down!” said Luc, glaring at Baz.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Baz looked from Matthias to Luc, eyes wide. His rapid breaths were audible in the quiet of the pit, and Luc could see a single drop of sweat dripping down his face.

“Baz,” said Matthias, picking up Dante and slinging him over his back. “Let’s go.”

Baz hesitated for a moment. Then he knelt and let Maho slump to the ground. Keeping his eyes glued on the ground, he hurried over to where Matthias stood.

Dirty traitors!

Sparing Luc a glance of utter contempt, Matthias turned and began trudging towards the opening.

Luc immediately headed after them. I need to get out of here as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter if I have to leave Maho behind. It’s not like I knew him anyways.

Luc’s footsteps slowed and he glanced over his shoulder. Maho lay slumped on the ground, limp and unmoving on the ground. Luc’s red robes wrapped around his injured leg were stained with a dark splotch of blood. His brow was scrunched up, and his mouth opened and closed in brief gasps.

He’s probably going to die soon.

But for some reason, Luc couldn’t rid his mind of Dante’s words about the responsibilities of a Lord. Luc shook his head, sighing. Why am I, the heir of Tosa, listening to the words of a mere slave? Have I lost my mind?

Gritting his teeth, Luc turned and trotted back to Maho’s body. Looking down, Luc noted that Maho had a wiry frame and lean muscles. He can’t be that heavy, right?

Leaning down, he dragged one of Maho’s arms over his shoulders and wrapped his arm around Maho’s waist. Pulling with his arm and leaning on one hip, Luc began hobbling after Matthias and Baz.

Holy Mother of all gods, he’s heavy!

After only a few steps, Luc was wheezing with exhaustion. Gasping for air, he resisted his urge to dump Maho on the ground and run after Matthias and Baz. He resisted partly because of Dante’s words and partly because he wanted to spite Matthias. He hoped he hadn’t made the wrong decision.

Ahead of him, Matthias and Baz had already reached the entrance. Glancing out into the light, Baz released a cry of exhilaration and dashed out of the stone pit. Matthias cast one last glance over his shoulder at Luc. He gave a small shake of his head and then followed Baz out.

Could that be the exit?

As soon as Matthias exited the dark cavern, Luc heard something from behind him. Through his heavy breathing and grunts of exertion, Luc almost didn’t hear it. But when he stopped for a quick break, he definitely heard something swishing over the rocks behind him. Then it halted. Cold sweat breaking out over his body, Luc glanced over his shoulder.

There was nothing but darkness behind him.

Swallowing, Luc began shuffling towards the opening once more. As he began walking, the dreaded swishing and scraping started once more. Once again, Luc whirled around, eyes trying to penetrate the dark of the pit.

Nothing.

Luc turned and picked up the pace. As he moved, the sound started once more, also increasing in speed. Glancing up and squinting through the brightness of the light streaming through the opening, Luc thought he could make out something green and swaying. Much like the branches of a tree.

It’s really an exit!

Hope surged through Luc and he moved forth once more. As he took his first step, a rumbling and shaking filled the chamber. Frantically, Luc looked around. There didn’t seem to be anything falling from the ceiling – they were in a pit after all. That meant that the only thing that could be happening was –

This door is closing!

In front of him, the stone door that had opened when the warg was slain was slowly but surely sliding downwards. Grating against the stone frame, it grinded its way inch by inch, blocking out the rays of light streaming in.

Luc spared a quick peek at Maho. He was still unconscious, head lolled to the side. At the pace they were moving, the door would close before they could exit. But if he left Maho behind…

It wasn’t even a debate. Screw this! I’m not a hero!

He dropped Maho to the ground and began sprinting towards the closing door. As he approached, he could see the lush green grass outside. He could see trees swaying in the wind. He could see the blue of the sky. He could –

A figure appeared on the other side of the entrance. Matthias.

Is he going to try to hold the door to buy me more time? I don’t need your help!

Luc flashed a haughty smile at Matthias and sneered at him. In that moment, their eyes met. From what Luc could see, Matthias’ eyes were quite odd. While they were still red and puffy from before, the irises and pupils had changed. Normally, Matthias had the hazel eyes of a man from Tosa. But right now, his irises were a pale green, and the round pupils of his eyes had turned to vertical slits. Much like the eyes of a snake.

/

You have been paralyzed by [The Eyes of Gorgon].

\

Luc’s entire body froze. He collapsed to the ground and skidded to a stop inches away from the exit. Luc tried to open his mouth to shout, but he couldn’t move a muscle. He couldn’t even close his eyes. The only thing that seemed to be working were his internal organs, as he still seemed to be able to think and breathe.

It all makes sense now! Luc realized now the real reason that the warg had stopped from killing Dante, the real reason why Matthias had been standing behind him and rubbing his eyes. Heart sinking, Luc tried once again to move. Nothing. All he could do was stare forward as the stone door continued its path to seal the exit forever. Inch by inch, the hope drained from Luc’s body. When there was only a crack of light left, Matthias spoke.

“I didn’t want to do it, kid,” said Matthias, voice quiet. “I wasn’t always a killer. But this is what your father made me.”

Then the stone door slammed closed, leaving Luc trapped in the darkness once more. All the while, the swishing and scratching grew closer and closer…