What Lies Beneath ✅

Peal 26

I groaned as the back of my head hurt. I looked around and found myself alone in a room. Soon a burning and paining sensation engulfed my left calf. I looked down and saw my flesh had been burnt. More of my flesh was burnt and the room stunk of that scent. It was overwhelmingly disgusting. I gagged as there weren't any windows. I tried the door, but it was shut tight. Soon the air started to clear up until the stench was no longer in the air.

I leaned against the wall then found myself tasting blood in my mouth. My side hurt and I fell forward. I weakly looked behind me and saw a sharp spike sticking out of the wall. What kind of torture was this? The spike had disappeared and all was quiet in the room after I had stopped groaning in pain. The door opened and a man had come over to me.

"Shame we have to hurt someone so beautiful." he said as he checked my body.

His hand grazed my crotch and I was quick to slap his hand away. He looked at me then reached out to my head, only to draw back.

"I can't kill you yet. Just lay still so I can see if anything is damaged." he said as he moved to my thighs.

His touch was soft and reminded me a bit of Dongju. I settled down a bit then sighed.

"You're fine. Though, I doubt you'll survive the next tests." he said then gave my head a pat.

"Wait, who...what are you?" I asked while trying to sit up.

"Me? I'm just like you. And here is where you'll die and never be found." he said with a grin before closing the door.

I tried using magic then kicked the door when nothing worked. I then thought of Youngjo and wondered if he was okay. I sat on the edge of the bed then sighed heavily. It was like we were transferred from one bad guy to another. However, these guys actually wanted to kill us. They didn't want our magic. At this rate, Dongju and the others wouldn't be able to find us.

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I was awakened from my slumber as the entire place shook. It soon stopped then started up again. My door was kicked down and I was thrown over someone's shoulder. I saw Youngjo being carried out of another room as we traveled down the hall.

"What's going on?" I asked, concerned for my safety.

"That des and deg found us." she hissed as we traveled down the stairs.

She was talking about Mammon and Phoenix. She opened a door then tossed me in. Youngjo soon joined me. The room was completely dark.

"Where are we?" Youngjo asked.

I searched the walls for a light switch then flipped it on when I found it. It was a basement. Well, dungeon fit the description better. It was completely empty though, with the exception of chains hanging from the walls.

"Well, there's your answer." I said as I went to check them out.

"I wonder what's going on up there." Youngjo said as he hit the door.

The place shook more and caused us to lose balance. Youngjo backed away from the door and it was soon opened by a familiar face.

"Keonhee!?" Youngjo said in shock.

"Quiet! Let's get out of here while they're distracted." he said then took off.

I quickly caught up to them as the place continued to shake. Pieces of the ceiling and walls fell and created an obstacle course.

"Where are the other two?" I asked as we made a left.

"Out back. We're almost there." Keonhee replied as he jumped debris.

He soon stopped as something had blasted through the wall. I watched as Phoenix weakly stood up as the guy who checked up on me approached him.

"Say your last words, disgusting creature." he said as his hand started to glow.

I found myself leaving our hiding spot and hurrying to his defense.

"You?" they both said at the same time.

"Don't hurt him! If you let him go, I'll come with you." I said with my eyes shut.

"Well, you heard the man. You're f-" he started then suddenly stopped.

I opened my eyes and saw Phoenix had decapitated him. I heard him breathing heavily behind me then fall against me.

"Geonhak! You idiot!" Keonhee said as he pushed Phoenix off of me.

"Keonhee, I did what I had to. I know he's not a good guy, but he has a heart. He fed Jo and I when we escaped his master's hold." I said as I picked up Phoenix.

"No. We're not taking him." Keonhee hissed.

"Keon, I don't think he's a bad guy..." Youngjo said from behind us.

I smiled as Youngjo was on my side.

"Fine, we'll take him. But don't come crying to me when he backstabs you both." Keonhee warned before leading the way.

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We came to a stop a little ways from the building we exited from. The scenery seemed familiar.

"Are we in Eskepaid...?" I asked as I lied Phoenix down.

"We were surprised too." Keonhee said as he looked around.

I looked at Phoenix who showed no signs of waking. I placed my hand over his chest then panicked as I couldn't feel a heartbeat. I was then reassured by the rising and falling of his chest. Their hearts weren't located where a human's was. His eyes shot open and he then sat up.

"Where am I?" he asked then looked at us. "I know you two, but who are you?"

"None of your business, deg." Keonhee spat.

Phoenix bared his claws at Keonhee, but I sat him back down.

"Calm down. Phoenix, I just want to know one thing." I said while looking him in the eyes.

"What?" he asked while crossing his arms.

"You were conscious the entire time. Why didn't you run away or attack us?" I asked with a squinted look.