We entered the chamber at the heart of Hyacinth’s lair, our bodies aching but our minds focused. The stench of decay and ancient magic lingered in the air, but what hit us next was far worse than any scent—it was a sight that froze my blood.
Hyacinth stood there, arms crossed, as if waiting for us. Her eyes gleamed with something darker than malice—anticipation. The moment we entered, she smirked, her voice dripping with mockery.
“Welcome,” she said. “I’ve been expecting you. You’ve come so far… and I have a special gift for you. A surprise.”
It was only then that I saw her—Heaven.
She was suspended in the air, chained by dark, glowing links that cut into her ethereal form. Despite her spectral nature, the chains still held her in agonizing restraint. Her body twitched, her ghostly visage contorted in pain as the chains pulled tighter, their dark magic seeping into her being.
I froze. Heaven—chained, tortured, and suffering in a way that no one should have to endure, even a soul like hers.
“Heaven!” I yelled, stepping forward, my heart pounding in my chest. But Hyacinth’s cold laughter cut me off.
“Do you like my surprise, my gift for your perseverance?” Hyacinth mocked, her smile widening as she reveled in our shock. “Such a shame you can’t do anything to stop it. Not without facing the consequences first.”
I wanted to rush forward, to cut down the chains holding her, but a voice—deep, steady—stopped me.
“You’re too reckless,” the woman warned, her eyes darting around the room, her body tense. “Something’s wrong… there’s more to this.”
I didn’t understand at first. But then, the ground trembled beneath us, and a low growl filled the air.
I barely had time to react before something massive, something utterly horrifying, emerged from the shadows. A towering ogre, its skin mottled with boils and decay, stepped into view. Its yellow, bloodshot eyes gleamed with hunger, and it swung a gigantic, rusted axe over its head, ready to cleave us in two. The very air around it felt heavier, suffocating, as though the creature was dragging the weight of its own filth with every step.
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“Gordon,” Hyacinth said coolly, “Meet my loyal guard. He’ll be your last challenge. If you want to save Heaven, you’ll have to defeat him first.”
The ogre—Gordon—let out a blood-curdling roar, his axe slicing through the air with terrifying speed. We stumbled back, barely dodging the deadly swing. I could feel the ground shaking with each step it took, and I knew—we couldn’t take this thing on without everything we had.
I noticed something beside us: a small bottle lying on the floor, glinting in the dim light. The woman grabbed it instinctively, blowing it into the air. A burst of fire erupted, lighting up the room for a brief moment, pushing back Gordon momentarily. But it didn’t slow him for long.
The creature advanced, relentless. I could see the woman’s knuckles white as she gripped her weapon tightly. We were cornered. The ogre’s massive form blocked the way, and Heaven’s suffering was right there, a constant reminder of what we stood to lose.
“We have no choice,” I said, my voice low, determination burning in my chest. But Hyacinth’s laughter interrupted my thoughts, cold and chilling.
“You’re already too late,” she taunted. “Defeat my loyal guard first, and maybe then you’ll have a chance. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
Her mocking words only fueled the fire in my veins. We had to fight, had to survive. Heaven’s life depended on it.
