Rate this chapter Eleo stirred from sleep, blinking groggily as he saw Olorun stretching in the dim light of their cell. The rough stone walls seemed to close in on them with every breath, the air thick with dirt and sweat. Olorun glanced over and offered a tired smile.

“Oh, hey Eleo. Finally up?”

Eleo rubbed his eyes, his body still aching from the previous day. “What time is it?” he asked, looking around the cell for any clue, though he already knew there wouldn’t be one.

Olorun shrugged, cracking his neck. “I have no idea. They don’t tell us anything down here. No clocks, no daylight. Just their boots in our backs when it's time to work.”

As if on cue, the heavy iron door creaked open, and a hulking gorilla-like guard lumbered in, holding a thick whip. Before Olorun could even react, the guard lashed out, the whip cracking loudly against his back.

“Get up!” the guard snarled, his voice a deep growl. “You lazy rats better hurry and get to work! The mines don’t dig themselves.”

Olorun winced but managed to smirk through the pain, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I’m going. No need to get all worked up.”

The guard snorted and stepped back, leaving the cell door open. “Move.”

Olorun nudged Eleo. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

Eleo, still half-asleep, pushed himself to his feet, his limbs heavy. Together, they followed the guard down the winding, dimly lit tunnel. The scent of damp earth and sweat filled the air as the sound of metal clanging against stone grew louder the closer they got to the mining area.

When they arrived, Eleo could see the others—prisoners from different parts of the world—already hunched over, digging away at the rock walls. Sarugami making quick work of the rocks. His eyes spotted them as they approached, and he worked his way closer to the pair.

“So,” Sarugami said with a grin, his deep voice carrying over the noise, “did you guys do anything fun while I was gone?”

Olorun rolled his eyes as he picked up a rusted pickaxe, mimicking Sarugami’s voice. “Oh yeah, we had a blast. You know, just hanging out in our cozy dirt cell. Sooo much fun,” he said sarcastically, his eyes narrowing with exhaustion.

Sarugami’s booming laugh echoed through the mine. “You’ve got a sharp tongue, human. You make this place a little less unbearable.”

Olorun smirked, taking a swing at the rocks. “And you’re not half bad yourself, monkey.”

Sarugami laughed again, but before he could respond, Eleo leaned in, lowering his voice. “Guys, guess what.”

Both Olorun and Sarugami stopped what they were doing, turning to look at Eleo with curious eyes. Olorun raised an eyebrow, always suspicious of anything that broke the monotony.

“What is it?” Sarugami asked, his voice quieter now, sensing the importance.

Eleo hesitated for a second, glancing around to make sure none of the guards were too close. “Tonight,” he began, “Lilith and I... we’re going to get the map.”

Olorun’s eyes widened, but his smirk returned almost immediately. “Lilith? Who’s that?”

“Oh, she’s this demon girl,” Eleo replied casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “She wants to marry me, I think... but I’m not really sure what ‘marry’ means.”

Olorun let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Nice, Eleo. Very nice. Demon girl, huh? You’ve got yourself in deep, buddy.”

Sarugami’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression more serious. “A demon girl... and you trust her? You sure this map is real, and not some trap?”

Eleo shrugged, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty in his chest. “I don’t know. But it’s the only chance we’ve got. We can’t stay in this hell forever.”

Olorun leaned on his pickaxe, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Well, even if she’s trying to trick you, we don’t have much to lose, do we? Except, you know, our lives. But those don’t seem worth much down here anyway.”

Sarugami crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. “A demon girl offering you a map. That’s either the luckiest break we’ve ever gotten, or a disaster waiting to happen. But if it’s real, if we can get out of here...”

“We’re doing it,” Eleo said firmly, surprising even himself with his conviction. “Tonight. No more waiting. No more second-guessing.”

Olorun slapped Eleo on the back, ignoring the lingering pain from the whip. “Well, if you’re going to marry a demon, might as well get something out of it, right? Just don’t expect me to play best man.”

Sarugami smirked, though his eyes still held a glimmer of concern. “If you go through with this, Eleo, we’ll all be in this together. We either escape or die trying.”

Eleo nodded, his heart pounding. Tonight was the night. It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria buzzed with the sound of clanking trays and muted conversations. Eleo, Sarugami, and Olorun stood in line, watching as the prisoners ahead of them were served steaming plates of surprisingly appetizing food: grilled meats, fresh vegetables, even a side of bread that looked crispy and warm.

Sarugami, towering over the others, sniffed the air with approval. “Smells decent for once,” he rumbled, his deep voice cutting through the din. “Maybe today won’t be as bad as usual.”

Eleo, standing on his tiptoes to peer over the counter, wiggled his nose in excitement. “I hope they have carrots. Carrots and chicken nuggets would be the best lunch ever.”

Olorun, who was already eyeing the trays with a grin, leaned forward, his stomach growling audibly. “Man, I can’t wait to—"

The moment they reached the front of the line, Olorun’s grin faded as he stared down at what had been unceremoniously dumped onto his tray: a gloopy, grayish-brown mess that looked like it had been regurgitated by something sick. His face went blank, lips pursed in a tight, distinctly unimpressed expression. He blinked slowly at the sight.

“What... what is this?” Olorun muttered, his voice a mix of disbelief and disgust.

The woman serving them, a burly gorilla-like figure with tired eyes and an apron splattered with the remnants of many questionable meals, shot him a glare. “That’s lunch. Enjoy it.”

Olorun held his tray out, still staring at the food with an almost offended look on his face. “Miss, I’m not eating this crap.”

The gorilla lady’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, you are. I put my heart and soul into that slop you’re about to throw away.”

Olorun’s expression twisted into a mix of shock and horror. He jabbed a finger at the tray. “No, the hell you didn’t. This looks like throw-up in a bowl.” He squinted at the slop, sniffing cautiously. “Wait... is this the slop I threw away yesterday?”

The server folded her arms, staring at him without blinking. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

Olorun recoiled, his face contorting in disbelief. “Man, this is racist,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he backed away from the counter. He carried his tray back to the table, joining the others.

When he reached their table, he saw Eleo, Sarugami, and the rest of the team already seated: Sharky was eating fish; Tony who somehow managed to look more annoyed; and Kenji and he's dumb blue hair

Eleo with his wide eyes and twitching ears, munched on his chicken nuggets, oblivious to Olorun’s plight. His tiny paws were coated in crumbs, and he looked entirely content.

Sharky glanced up from his own tray, which was piled with fish and something that might have once resembled vegetables. “What’s up with you?” he asked, flashing a toothy grin. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”

Olorun dropped his tray on the table with a dramatic thud. “Ghost? I wish. They gave me the same slop I threw out yesterday.” He pointed accusingly at the tray. “I swear, they’re trying to kill me with this. Look at this mess. How is this even legal?”

Tony’s bony fingers clinked together as he crossed his arms. “You’re complaining? Try being dead. I haven’t had a proper meal in, oh, I don’t know—centuries.”

Kenji, who had been silently picking at his rice, glanced up at Olorun with a raised eyebrow. “At least you can still taste things.”

Olorun slumped into his seat, pushing the tray away from him. “I’m telling you, this place gets worse by the day. First the mines, then the beatings, now they’re feeding us recycled slop. We have to get out of here before they decide to serve us ourselves next.”

Sarugami, who had been devouring his meal with the appetite of a beast, paused and leaned back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “That’s the plan, isn’t it?” he said quietly, his tone more serious now. “We’re not staying here forever.”

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Eleo’s ears perked up at that, and he glanced around the table. “Lilith and I are getting the map tonight,” he whispered, his voice barely audible above the noise of the cafeteria. “Once we have it, we’ll know the way out.”

Sharky leaned in, his sharp eyes gleaming with interest. “You trust her? A demon girl? I thought demons were bad news.”

Eleo blinked, his small nose twitching nervously. “She’s... well, she’s not like the others. She wants to help us. She said the map will lead us to the exit. If we don’t take this chance, we’ll be stuck here forever.”

Tony rattled his jaw thoughtfully. “A demon offering help. Sounds like the setup to a bad joke. You sure she’s not leading you straight into a trap?”

Eleo’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he nodded. “I don’t think so. She seems... different.”

Olorun frowned, scratching his chin. “Different or not, we’re betting everything on this. If the map’s real, we’ll be able to move fast. But if it’s fake—”

Sarugami cut in, his deep voice steady but firm. “We don’t have a choice, Olorun. We either trust Eleo or we rot here. Besides,” he added, his tone lightening, “Lilith probably has a thing for him. She wouldn’t double-cross her future husband, would she?”

Eleo’s cheeks turned bright red, and he stammered, “I—I don’t even know what ‘marry’ means! She just... talks about it a lot.”

Kenji, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke up. “Even if the map is real, we’ll need more than just directions. The guards are everywhere, and they’re armed. What’s the plan once we get out of the cells?”

Sharky tapped the side of his tray thoughtfully. “I’ve been keeping an eye on the rotations. The guards get sloppy at night, especially around the southern gate. That’s our best chance.”

Olorun nodded, his earlier frustration forgotten. “Alright, so we get the map, make our move at night, and head for the southern gate. What about after? What’s waiting for us on the other side?”

Tony’s bony fingers tapped against the table. “Freedom, I hope. But we’re not exactly gonna be welcome out there. We’ll need to stick together.”

Sarugami grunted. “We’ve made it this far as a team. We can handle whatever’s out there.”

Eleo looked around at his friends—his strange, mismatched team—and felt a surge of determination. “We’ll make it,” he said quietly, his voice filled with more conviction than his small frame should’ve been able to hold. “Lilith and I will get the map, and we’ll all get out of here. Together.”

Olorun grinned, clapping Eleo on the back. “That’s the spirit, bunny boy. Just don’t let your demon girlfriend get any ideas about leaving us behind.”

Eleo laughed nervously, but deep down, he knew the weight of

the responsibility on his shoulders. Tonight, everything would change. Tony, his bones clinking as he leaned forward, raised a bony hand. “Alright, so… how do we actually escape?” His voice echoed faintly, rattling like wind through hollow bones. “We get the map, yeah, but how do we get out of our cells in the first place? I mean, we’re all locked up separately.”

Kenji sighed, giving Tony a flat look. “Have you not been listening?”

Tony nodded quickly. “No, no, I have, it’s just… I mean, okay, say we get the map. What next? How do we get out of the cells? And where do we even meet up? We’re not all housed together.”

The group fell silent for a moment. It was a fair question—getting the map was just the first step, and without a solid plan to follow, they'd be caught before they even made it to the southern gate.

Kenji’s sharp eyes scanned the group. His quiet, calculating demeanor was a stark contrast to Tony’s fidgeting. “We’ll need to time everything perfectly,” Kenji began, speaking in his usual calm, measured tone. “Once Eleo and Lilith have the map, they’ll pass it to Olorun. He can use his size and strength to break the weak spot in the cell doors—they aren’t reinforced as well in this section of the camp.”

Olorun raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so I’m the muscle now?”

Kenji nodded. “In this case, yes. You smash the door; we slip out. But we can’t all go at once. Too much noise.”

Sharky, who had been listening intently, grinned. “I can cause a distraction. Something big. The guards are stupid enough to fall for it.”

Sarugami chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, but make sure it doesn’t get us killed. I’d rather not become collateral damage in one of your stunts, Sharky.”

Sharky winked. “Don’t worry. I’m a professional.”

Eleo, who had been listening quietly, suddenly perked up. “Lilith said there’s a patrol change at midnight. It’s the smallest group of guards—we’ll have about ten minutes before the next rotation. That’s when we move.”

Tony scratched his chin—well, the area where his chin would be if he had skin. “Alright, so let’s say we get out of the cells. Where do we meet up? We’re scattered across the camp.”

Kenji leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. “The mess hall. It’s the one area where all paths converge. It’s close enough to the southern gate, but far enough from the guards’ quarters that we can slip through unnoticed.”

Olorun nodded slowly. “So, the mess hall. We get there, regroup, then head for the southern gate?”

Sarugami crossed his arms, his massive frame looming over the table. “Sounds solid, but what if the guards catch on before we even make it to the gate?”

Kenji’s expression didn’t change, but there was a dangerous glint in his eye. “That’s where we’ll need to be fast. Once we’re out of the cells, there’s no turning back. If we make it to the mess hall, Sharky sets off his distraction. While the guards are scrambling to figure out what’s going on, we’ll slip out through the gate.”

Eleo’s ears twitched nervously. “But what if the map’s wrong? Or… what if Lilith can’t get it?”

The group exchanged uneasy glances. There was always the possibility that something could go wrong. This plan was built on a foundation of trust—trust in Lilith, trust in each other, and trust in their ability to pull this off.

Olorun placed a hand on Eleo’s shoulder, his voice low but steady. “Don’t worry, Eleo. We’ll figure it out. We’re not going to leave anyone behind.”

Tony nodded, his usual flippant tone replaced with something more serious. “Yeah, kid. We’ve come this far. We’ll get through it, one way or another.”

Sharky grinned, leaning back in his seat. “And if things go sideways, well… that’s when it gets fun.”

Kenji shot him a warning look. “Let’s try to avoid that. This has to be precise. No mistakes.”

Eleo nodded, his small hands balling into fists as he tried to steady his nerves. “Right. I’ll make sure Lilith gets the map. We’ll be ready.”

Sarugami slapped the table lightly, his grin returning. “Alright, then. We move tonight. Everyone get ready. This could be our only shot” everyone nods.It was time for lights out, and the cold steel bars of the cell cast long shadows over Eleo and Olorun. The dim light from the corridor outside flickered slightly, adding to the oppressive silence. Olorun, his broad frame taking up a good portion of the small cell, was on the floor doing push-ups, his muscles rippling with every movement. Meanwhile, Eleo lay on the small, uncomfortable bed, his body restless. His small hands fidgeted with the thin blanket, his foot bouncing uncontrollably.

Eleo shifted in the bed, his fingers tapping nervously on the mattress as if trying to expel the anxiety coursing through him. His ears twitched, and his eyes darted around the room, unable to stay fixed on one point for long. Every few minutes, he would roll over, tugging at his clothes or wringing his hands together. It was clear—he was nervous. Too nervous.

Olorun, still doing push-ups, noticed Eleo’s constant fidgeting. Without breaking his rhythm, he glanced up. “You okay over there, kid?”

Eleo’s voice was small, almost drowned out by the weight of his own thoughts. “I’m just…nervous,” he admitted, his legs bouncing. “What if Lilith and I don’t find the map? What if we get caught? And then… it’ll be my fault she’s stuck in here with us. All because of me.”

Olorun stopped mid-push-up, exhaling loudly. He rolled onto his back, lying on the cold floor with his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it,” he said, his tone softer than usual. He then sat up, moving beside Eleo on the bed. “You’re not the only one who’s nervous. Hell, I’ve been nervous about this whole thing from the start.”

Eleo looked at him, surprised. “Really? But you seem so... confident.”

Olorun smirked, leaning back against the wall. “That’s just a front, kid. Inside, I’m worried too. If things go south, I’ll be ready to take down every guard in this place, but I’m no fool. I know it might not end well. I could die trying.”

Eleo looked down, rubbing his hands together, as if trying to make sense of everything. “Yeah... I guess if we fail, I’d probably do the same.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their plan pressing down on them. The uncertainty hung in the air, thick and heavy. But there was no turning back. This was their only shot.

Then, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, a shimmering portal began to form in the corner of the cell, rippling the air around it. A gust of wind blew through, and Lilith stepped through the portal, her dark figure illuminated by the faint glow. Without hesitation, she ran to Eleo, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

“I’ve missed you so much, Eleo,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “So, so much.”

Eleo, a little taken aback by her sudden display of affection, blushed. He awkwardly returned her hug. “I’ve missed you too, Lilith. But—” he gently pulled away, “can you help us now? We need the map.”

Lilith, still blushing, smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at him. “Of course, my love. I’ll do anything for you.” Her voice was soft but filled with devotion.

Olorun, leaning back with a bemused expression, watched the interaction with a raised brow. He crossed his arms, smirking. “So... you must be Eleo’s fiancée, huh?”

At those words, Lilith’s eyes darkened, turning into a deep, crimson red. She turned sharply to Olorun, her sweet demeanor shifting in an instant. “Yeah. And you got a problem with that?” Her voice was laced with a dangerous edge, like venom waiting to strike.

Olorun raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone calm and unbothered. “No, no, it’s fine. I’ve got no issue with it,” he said, still smirking. “I just didn’t expect the ‘demon fiancée’ thing, that’s all.”

Lilith eyed him suspiciously for a moment before turning back to Eleo, her gaze softening again. Olorun, still lounging casually against the wall, suddenly raised an eyebrow in thought. “Wait,” he said, “if you can create portals... why can’t you just take us with you right now? You could teleport us out of here.”

Lilith looked down, biting her lip as if the answer pained her. “I can’t,” she admitted quietly. “The portals I create can’t carry multiple beings unless I’ve... bound them to me. And even then, it’s risky. The magic I use to teleport through the different dimension isn’t stable in this world. There are too many barriers—too much interference. If I tried to take more than one person at a time, the portal could collapse, and... I could lose you.”

Eleo’s brow furrowed, processing her words. “But you’ll still help us get the map, right?”

Lilith nodded, her voice firm again. “Yes. I’ll get you the map. I can sneak in and out of places undetected, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Just... trust me, Eleo.”

Olorun, watching the exchange closely, finally stood up and stretched. “Alright, alright. Let’s not get too sappy, lovebirds. We’ve got a job to do. Lilith, if you’re getting the map, then we need to be ready. You can handle the guards, right?”

Lilith gave a dangerous smile. “Don’t worry. No one will see me. And if they do...” Her eyes flashed crimson again. “They won’t be around long enough to regret it.”

Olorun nodded, impressed despite himself. “Fair enough. Just make sure we don’t get left behind in the chaos. I’d rather not die in this cell.” Olorun was still standing, cracking his knuckles with a smirk. “ anyways Don’t worry,” he said confidently. “I’ll bust you to outta here.” He approached the bars, ready to use brute force.

But Lilith raised a hand, her voice calm and collected. “No need.”

Before Olorun could argue, a soft but powerful aura emanated from Lilith arm, wrapping around the cell bars. With a low hum, the metal seemed to melt, bending and twisting until the entrance was wide open. Olorun blinked, impressed despite himself. “Well, damn. That’s... effective.”

Lilith’s dark crimson eyes flickered as she deactivated her aura. “We don’t have time for brute force. Subtlety is key.”

Olorun grinned. “Subtlety’s never been my strong suit, but sure, we’ll do it your way. For now.”

Just as they stepped out of the cell, Olorun paused. A sudden idea struck him, his smirk growing wider. “Actually, you know what? I’ve got an idea—” we then see Kenji and Tony point of view “Man, I hope Eleo and that demon girl can pull this off We don’t have much time.”

Tony’s voice came next, with sarcasm. “Her name’s Lilith, genius. And yeah, I hope so too, but I wouldn’t bet on it. They’re cutting it close.”

Suddenly, the shrill sound of an alarm echoed through the corridors, loud and unrelenting. Red lights flashed down the hallway, casting ominous shadows on the walls. Tony’s voice returned, more urgent. “Well, shit. Looks like subtlety’s off the table.”

Eleo, Lilith, Olorun, and Sarugami bolted down the hallway, their footsteps echoing as they raced toward the others’ cells. Lilith’s aura continued to flicker around her, scanning for potential threats.

They skidded to a stop in front of the others’ cell. Sarugami, his heart pounding, fumbled with the lock for a moment, trying to pry it open. “Come on, come on,” he muttered under his breath. His hands were shaking slightly from the adrenaline.

But before he could get it, Lilith stepped forward again. Without a word, she raised her hand, and the bars melted away with ease. Sarugami looked up, relief flashing across his face. “Thanks, Lilith.”

They sprinted down the corridor, but as they rounded the corner, Sarugami suddenly skidded to a stop. “Wait! What about Sharky?”

As if on cue, they reached Sharky’s cell. And there he was—completely oblivious to the chaos, dancing around in his cell like he didn’t have a care in the world. His tail slapped rhythmically against the bars, his body grooving to some beat that only he could hear.

Everyone stared at him in disbelief.

Olorun groaned, rubbing his temples. “This guy… out of all the times, this is when he decides to bust out the dance moves?”

Lilith’s lips twitched in irritation, and she shook her head, muttering to herself, “If it weren’t for Eleo, I wouldn’t even be here right now.” Her crimson eyes narrowed as she focused on the cell. The bars twisted and bent once again, and Sharky, still dancing, sauntered out of the cell, completely unaware of how close he’d come to being left behind.

As they ran, Sharky finally caught up with the situation, glancing around at everyone with a confused look. “Wait, hold on. What about the plan? We’re still doing that, right?”

Tony, running beside him, let out a dry chuckle. “Seems like there’s been a change of plans, fish boy.”

Olorun grinned as they continued sprinting down the hall, his muscles tensing for whatever fight was ahead. “Nothing ever goes according to plan anyway, right?”

Lilith, now focused entirely on getting them to safety, took the lead. Her aura glowed faintly, sensing their path ahead. Behind her, Eleo’s face was a mix of determination and anxiety, still fidgeting as they ran.

But despite the chaos and alarms blaring around them, they all knew one thing: they had to get out. Together. There was no turning back now. The group sprinted through the narrow, dimly lit corridors of the prison, alarms blaring overhead. The air was thick with tension, every step echoing louder than the last, but they couldn’t afford to stop now. Not with guards likely closing in on them.

Lilith led the way, her crimson eyes glowing faintly as her aura pulsed around her, keeping them just ahead of the chaos. Olorun, ever the thrill-seeker, was grinning despite the danger, while Eleo kept a focused but nervous pace beside him, his thoughts racing with every breath.

“We have to move faster,” Lilith warned, her voice sharp but steady. “If we stay here too long, we’ll be surrounded.” They rounded a corner, and that’s when Tony slowed to a stop, his eyes widening in disbelief. “No way...”

The rest of the group halted, confusion flickering across their faces as they followed his gaze.

Standing in the middle of the hallway, just beyond the shadows, was a figure Tony hadn’t seen in what felt like a lifetime. His brother. His long-lost brother. A flood of memories hit him all at once—years of wondering, searching, and guilt over what he had believed happened to him.

“Tony?” Sarugami asked, noticing the sudden change in Tony’s expression. “What’s wrong?”

But Tony didn’t respond. His voice caught in his throat as the figure stepped forward into the faint light. It was unmistakable, the same sharp features, the same eyes, though now they carried a heavy, weathered look. “It can’t be…” Tony whispered.

Before anyone could say anything else, a strange, unsettling energy filled the air. The hairs on Eleo’s neck stood up, and a low hum began to vibrate through the walls. The shadows in the hallway started to shift, taking shape.

Then came a voice—calm, raspy, and haunting. “Tony... it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

Out from the darkness slithered Johnny Good-day, a small, sly gecko perched on the shoulder of Tony’s brother. Johnny’s beady eyes gleamed with mischief, his long tail curling as he spoke again, this time with a sharper edge. “Guilt is such a funny thing isn’t it?”