The van rumbled to a stop, and the doors creaked open. Mike and Altheack, blindfolded by sacks over their heads and hands bound behind their backs, were roughly pulled out. The cold night air hit their faces, a stark contrast to the stuffy interior of the van. Mike struggled whenever he could, cursing and kicking, which often resulted in a sharp punch to his gut from the cultists. The metallic taste of blood lingered in his mouth, a bitter reminder of his resistance. He could sense the tension in the air, the anger of the cultists who were still nursing wounds from their previous encounter.

"Keep moving, asshole," one of the cultists hissed, shoving Mike forward. He grunted in pain but kept his balance, the fury simmering just below the surface.

Altheack stumbled slightly but managed to stay upright as they were dragged into a building. The atmosphere shifted from the cold night air to a cool, damp interior. The echoes of their footsteps suggested a large, empty space, the sound bouncing off stone walls.

"Down," another cultist barked, forcing both Mike and Altheack to their knees. They knelt side by side, their shoulders brushing against each other, drawing a small comfort from their proximity. Mike's breath was ragged, his jaw clenched in defiance.

With a swift motion, the sacks were yanked off their heads. They blinked against the sudden light, their eyes adjusting to the grand chamber around them. The room was vast, with high ceilings adorned with ancient runes and symbols that seemed to pulse with a faint, eerie glow. Hooded figures in dark robes surrounded them, their faces obscured by masks, except for two individuals standing at the front.

Riko Tanaka stood confidently, her sharp eyes locked onto Mike and Altheack. Her long black hair fell in a sleek curtain around her shoulders. Beside her was a tall, imposing man with Mediterranean features. His presence radiated authority, and he wore no mask, allowing his piercing gaze to bore into them.

"I am Talo," the man introduced himself, his voice echoing through the chamber with a resonant authority. "And you are our guests, albeit reluctant ones."

Mike glared up at him, his piercing blue eyes full of defiance. "Oh, so this is the royal welcome package? Getting the crap beaten out of you as a complimentary service?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and anger.

Talo's expression remained impassive. "We do what is necessary to ensure cooperation. Now, tell me, how do you both possess such magic? What do you know about Zaltheral?"

The name sent a jolt through Mike, sparking a surge of rage. His memory was hazy, fragmented pieces of a past life he couldn't fully grasp. "Zaltheral... that name..." He gritted his teeth, trying to recall details that seemed just out of reach.

"Answer him!" a cultist snarled, stepping forward as if to strike Mike again.

Riko raised a hand, stopping the cultist. "Let him speak," she commanded, her voice calm but firm.

Mike's anger flared, his hair, now showing a faint hue of purple, catching the light. "I don't owe you any answers, especially not about that cunt!" He strained against his bindings, the urge to lash out almost overwhelming.

A cultist hissed, "Watch your mouth!" and kicked Mike in the ribs. This time, neither Riko nor Talo waved the cultist off. Mike grunted but mumbled, “Oh please, get your sister. Maybe she can show you how to kick properly and give me something worth moaning about,” his defiance unwavering.

Altheack, despite being handcuffed, moved swiftly, blocking the next blow with her body. She took the hit full force, a pained gasp escaping her lips. "Wait, please!" she pleaded, her voice shaking slightly with worry as she stood between the cultist and Mike.

The cultist hesitated, glancing at Riko and Talo for guidance. When neither of them objected, he stepped back, giving Altheack the space she needed.

Mike's eyes flared with rage, seeing Altheack take the hit meant for him. He struggled against his restraints, but she quickly leaned in, her voice soft and urgent as she whispered, "Mike, please. We need to think clearly. You getting beat to a pulp doesn’t help. We have to give them something."

Mike took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He looked deeply into Altheack's green eyes, seeing the concern and desperation there. Her unwavering support and the pain she endured for him finally broke through his stubborn defiance.

"Fine," he muttered, his voice still edged with anger but tinged with a reluctant resolve. "I don't remember much," he admitted more loudly to their captors, "but I know enough to say that Zaltheral is evil and a powerful necromancer."

Talo's eyes narrowed. "We are well aware of Zaltheral's power. That's precisely why we need to understand how you both came by your abilities. They are not native to this world."

Mike scoffed. "You think I wanted this? You think I asked for any of this? It just... happened. And now I'm stuck dealing with demons and assholes like you."

One of the cultists, enraged by Mike's words, stepped forward. "You dare speak of the great one that way? He is—"

"An evil piece of shit," Mike interrupted, glaring at the cultist. "I don't remember everything, but I know enough to say that Zaltheral is a cunt."

The cultist moved to strike him again, but Talo raised a hand to stop him, though not out of mercy. He was more interested in the information Mike held. The room fell silent, the weight of Mike's words hanging in the air. Talo and Riko exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them.

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Talo leaned forward. "Tell us what you remember about him."

Mike took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. "I met Zaltheral in another world after I died," he said, his voice still edged with anger. Gasps echoed around the room from the cultists, their shock palpable.

Riko and Talo whispered to each other, their conversation too quiet to be heard. The room went silent again as Talo raised his hand, signaling for quiet. "We want to know more about this other world," he said, his tone demanding.

Mike's defiance softened slightly as he glanced at Altheack, her presence a grounding force. "I don't remember much," he repeated, his voice more measured. "Just that Zaltheral is a powerful necromancer and he's been causing hell for me and my sister. That's all I know."

Altheack nodded, a mix of relief and worry in her eyes. She leaned her head against his shoulder briefly, whispering, "Thank you, Mike. We'll get through this."

Talo's eyes narrowed as he processed Mike's words. "Your sister... is she your twin?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

Mike hesitated, glancing at Altheack before replying wearily, "Yes."

Whispers once again erupted through the cultists, the revelation sparking a wave of murmurs that echoed around the chamber. It was clear that Mike's admission had deeper implications than he understood. Even Riko seemed to shake for a moment, her composure faltering. For the first time, Mike saw a look of shock and awe on her face, quickly replaced by anger, and then it was gone, masked by a resolute expression.

Altheack opened her mouth to speak, but Mike shook his head, squeezing her hand as a silent sign not to say anything. "I don't really remember much," he lied, his eyes fixed on Talo's. "Just bits and pieces. But trust me, it's not something you want to get involved with."

Talo's expression darkened, but he didn't push further, sensing the futility of pressing Mike for details he wasn't willing to share. Instead, he refocused on the immediate threat. "Very well. For now, you will cooperate with us in fighting the demonic threat. In return, we will protect you and help you understand your powers."

The room fell silent, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air. Mike and Altheack exchanged a glance, knowing that their cooperation was a fragile and temporary truce. But for now, it was looking like the only option they had.

"We can help you remember," Riko said softly, stepping forward. Her eyes were sharp, but her tone held a trace of genuine concern. "But we need your cooperation."

Mike's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Help me? Or use me?"

"Both, if necessary," Talo admitted, his voice lacking any pretense of gentleness. He glanced at the cult members, some still nursing their wounds and casting glares at Mike. "We have a common enemy, after all. The demons pose a threat to all of us."

Altheack squeezed Mike's hand, a subtle reminder of their shared resolve and solidarity. She could feel the tension in his grip, the mix of anger and apprehension. "What do you want from us?" she asked, her voice steady and calm despite the storm brewing inside her.

"We want your knowledge," Talo replied, his gaze piercing through them. "And your cooperation in fighting the demonic threat. In return, we offer you protection and the chance to understand your powers fully."

Mike's gaze hardened, his jaw set in defiance. "And if we refuse?"

Talo's expression darkened, a shadow passing over his features. "Then you will remain our prisoners until we extract the information we need by other means," he said coldly. The cult members behind him nodded grimly, their eyes still reflecting the pain and anger from the recent battle.

One cultist, his arm in a makeshift sling, stepped forward, his face twisted in a scowl. "You killed my brother," he spat, his voice dripping with barely contained rage. "We should rip you apart right now."

Talo raised a hand, silencing him. "Enough. They acted in self-defense. We need them alive and cooperative. Revenge will not serve our purpose."

Riko added, her voice a soothing contrast to Talo's harshness, "We understand your pain. The loss of our members is regrettable, but we must focus on the larger threat. The demons are our true enemies." She paused, her eyes locking onto Mike's with an intensity that made him uneasy. "Besides, there are sacrifices we all make for the greater good."

The room fell silent as Riko's words sank in. The cultists seemed to understand the unspoken implication of her sacrifice, their arguments dying down. It was clear that Riko had made significant personal sacrifices for their cause, a fact that carried weight among the cult members but was lost on Mike.

Mike met the cultist's glare with one of his own. "I didn't want to kill anyone. I was trying to protect Altheack and myself. But if you push us, I won't hesitate to fight back again."

Talo nodded, his eyes calculating. "Understood. We will overlook the past if you agree to help us. But make no mistake, any further defiance will be met with severe consequences."

Altheack's grip on Mike's hand tightened, her voice firm and resolute. "We'll cooperate, but we expect you to keep your word. No more violence, and no more threats."

Talo's lips curved into a thin smile. "Agreed. For now, you are our allies. But remember, trust is fragile. Betray it, and there will be no forgiveness."

The room's tension eased slightly, though the air remained thick with unspoken threats and uneasy alliances. Mike and Altheack exchanged a glance, their resolve unbroken. They had stepped into a den of vipers, but they would navigate it together, with their eyes wide open.

Mike's heart pounded, the rage simmering just below the surface. But he knew they were outnumbered, and any further resistance would only bring more pain to Altheack. He glanced at her, their silent communication conveying a shared decision.

"Fine," Mike said through gritted teeth. "We'll cooperate. But don't think for a second that we trust you."

Talo nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Trust is earned, not given. You will have the opportunity to see that we are not your enemies."

Riko stepped forward, her gaze softening slightly. "This is a chance for all of us to survive what's coming. Work with us, and you might just find the answers you're looking for."

Talo added, "We've been monitoring an increase in strange activities. We believe the demons are targeting powerful humans—CEOs, political leaders, anyone with influence. Our networks are reporting these incidents, and it's escalating."

Mike's anger simmered, but he knew they were right about the demonic threat. "Fine. But before I do anything, I want a weapon."

Talo's eyebrows rose. "A weapon?"

"Yeah," Mike replied, his voice steady. "A sword that can contain my power. If I'm going to help you, I need something I can rely on."

Talo and Riko exchanged glances, considering the request. Finally, Talo nodded. "Agreed. We'll combine our knowledge with modern technology to create it."

The cultists moved forward, unbinding Mike and Altheack's hands but keeping a close watch on them. The tension in the room remained thick, a precarious truce forged in the shadow of a greater threat.

As they were led deeper into the cult's compound, Mike and Altheack exchanged a look, their hands finding each other and squeezing tightly. They didn't know what lay ahead, but they knew they had to stay strong—together.

The chamber doors closed behind them with a resounding thud, sealing their fate within the confines of the Death Tooth cult.