Back at the hot springs, T’Jadaka led them to the biggest section—a vast area where the pools were much larger and the water noticeably hotter than the ones they'd soaked in before. The air hung thick with the sharp scent of sulfur and minerals, making Vitaliya wrinkle her nose.

  "God, when you said better spot, I didn’t know you meant the devil’s kitchen," she quipped, stepping forward—only to be stopped by T’Jadaka’s hand on her arm.

  “Woah now,” he said with a low chuckle, “these aren’t the kind of springs you just dip your toes in. These things get really hot.”

  "What are you talking about?" Vitaliya rolled her eyes, her usual sarcasm slipping through the cracks of exhaustion. How bad could it be? “There’s no way they can get that—”

  T’Jadaka cut her off by casually tossing a stick into the water. The moment it touched the surface, it sizzled and disintegrated completely.

  Vitaliya blinked. "...Oh. Okay, I get it," she laughed nervously, stepping back.

  “If you knew they were dangerous, why even bring us over here?” Remigio asked, frowning. His voice echoed through the steamy cavern like an accusation.

  “Because I know some that are just the right temperature, with natural jets,” T’Jadaka replied with a grin, pointing to a smaller pool nearby. Steam curled around a rock formation shaped eerily like a dragon’s tail, wisps coiling in slow spirals as if enchanted.

  Vitaliya and Lila both paused, taking in the scene. The way the steam danced around the space—soft, elegant, otherworldly—made it feel like they'd stumbled into a hidden sanctuary untouched by the outside world.

  T’Jadaka led them to the dragon-tail formation, where the water bubbled gently. As promised, it was the perfect temperature.

  “That rock looks too well-shaped,” Lila said, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Did you make it like that?”

  T’Jadaka’s chuckle echoed off the cavern walls. “Yeah. I found this place when I was six. One day I got bored and carved it out with my bare hands. Nothing too special.”

  Lila giggled. “Bare hands? You’re insane.”

  “Why do you always downplay everything?” Vitaliya teased, her voice warm and playful. “You’re too humble, you know that?”

  T’Jadaka shrugged, but a rare smile tugged at the edge of his lips.

  “Man, we’re looking bad right now, Remigio,” Ruy muttered, leaning over with a grim look. “We gotta do something. He’s rizzing way too hard.”

  Remigio nodded, and the two casually slid in between T’Jadaka, Vitaliya, and Lila.

  “Hey, Vitaliya,” Ruy said with forced nonchalance, “just wondering... where’d you girls even get those bikinis from? It’s not like we’ve been near a store lately.”

  His eyes drifted across both of them as they walked, his smirk doing a poor job of hiding his intention.

  "Oh, we had them made," Vitaliya said with a mischievous smile. "By a little old tailor in the marketplace. He's got this ancient loom that weaves fabric from the dreams of forgotten angels."

  Lila’s cheeks flushed. “Actually… Farrah knows a gay guy at the Lustful Oasis who made some for us,” she admitted shyly. “He made them really nice… but mine is so… embarrassing.” She tugged her shirt down in a vain attempt to cover her ample chest—and failed miserably.

  “Well, it can’t be that bad. You’re still wearing it, right? You just gotta be a bit more confident,” Remigio said, trying to lighten the mood—though his eyes lingered way too long on Lila’s chest.

  Vitaliya noticed, and gave him a light smack on the shoulder. “Keep it in your pants, you perv,” she laughed.

  “What!? What are you talking about!?” Remigio tried to play dumb, looking around as if someone else had been caught.

  “I think it’s dumb to be embarrassed by a bikini,” T’Jadaka said bluntly, his tone casual but cutting straight through the tension. Vitaliya and Lila both blinked in surprise.

  “What makes you say that?” Lila asked, tugging at her bikini strings. Her face was on fire.

  T’Jadaka shrugged, eyes still fixed on the rippling water. “Your comfort and confidence are what truly shine. If that two-piece isn’t making you feel amazing, then it’s not the right fit—and that has nothing to do with you. So I don’t know why you feel embarrassed when, personally, I think you have a nice body.”

  His voice was calm, grounded. But the air around them? It practically sizzled.

  Lila’s heart fluttered. Why does that feel so sincere? So… gentle? The warmth from the steam was nothing compared to the heat rising inside her. For the first time, she didn’t feel like someone trying to be beautiful—she felt seen.

  Vitaliya pouted, nudging T’Jadaka’s side. “Aww, I want an awesome cool saying too, Jadaka! No fair!”

  “Hey, stop that,” he muttered, slightly annoyed. “Besides, your comfort and confidence are always shining. That’s nothing new.”

  His words made her smirk, but it wasn’t lost on Remigio and Ruy. Both of them stood off to the side, watching in disbelief.

  “How the fuck does he keep doing this!?” Ruy hissed under his breath. “He’s still casually rizzing without even trying!”

  Remigio didn’t answer. He just glared at Lila and T’Jadaka, his fists clenched tight.

  They finally reached the massive spring—easily the size of a gym’s swimming pool and just as deep. Steam rolled off its surface in thick, lazy waves, and the water shimmered with an almost inviting glow.

  “Okay guys, this is the best spring I’ve ever found,” T’Jadaka announced, standing proudly at its edge.

  “Wow, it’s so big…” Vitaliya said, her voice thick with playful mischief. Then, with a nudge, “I bet you get that a lot, huh T’Jadaka~?”

  T’Jadaka blinked, confused. “I mean… I get that I’m tall for fifteen, if that’s what you’re saying.”

  Vitaliya giggled, clearly enjoying his cluelessness.

  Oh my god, he’s actually innocent? That makes it so much worse... or better, she thought, biting back another laugh. T’Jadaka, meanwhile, was clearly annoyed.

  “Great… now she’s making dick references,” Ruy thought, watching the interaction with narrowed eyes. I need to get my game up.

  He puffed up a bit before throwing in, “I might be as big as him, but that doesn’t mean I’m not log, though~”

  Vitaliya raised an eyebrow. “Eh, I don’t know about that. Farrah told us about his daddy…” Her eyes slid back to T’Jadaka, lingering. “And I’m kinda interested to see if the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree~”

  The boys all froze.

  “What you talkin’ about, girl?” Ruy asked, blinking. “What’s his dad’s genetics got to do with anything?”

  Vitaliya just smiled. “Don’t even worry about it.” She turned and flicked her wet hair over her shoulder.

  “It’s for me to knock… and for us girls to find out.”

  T’Jadaka just shrugged and stepped off the edge, landing in the water with barely a splash. He floated on the surface like a leaf, completely still, arms behind his head.

  “Are you guys just gonna stand there?” he asked, eyes half-closed as the steam curled lazily around him.

  One by one, the others jumped in, gasping at how perfect the temperature was. The water jets massaged their bodies in just the right spots, the steam wrapping around them like silk.

  But off to the side, Lila and Remigio remained standing.

  T’Jadaka cracked an eye open and noticed them. Huh… they still not in?

  Lila hugged her arms around herself, hesitating just a step away from the edge. She was clearly stalling.

  “Why aren’t you in the water?” she finally asked, glancing over at Remigio.

  He shrugged, his expression soft but nervous. “Because you’re not in the water. And I didn’t want you to feel left out.”

  Lila blinked. That wasn’t what she expected. Not from Remigio.

  Is he... actually being considerate?

  She looked at him again—really looked. His posture was stiff, but there was no mockery, no smirk. Just sincerity.

  For once, Remigio wasn’t trying to show off. He was just... waiting.

  And somehow, that made her cheeks flush even more than any of the flirting earlier.

  T’Jadaka drifted calmly on the far side of the spring, eyes closed, arms spread wide, just soaking in the warmth. He seemed completely detached from the splashing and laughter echoing across the water.

  Vitaliya was giggling and splashing around with Ruy, clearly having fun—but part of her couldn’t help glancing over at T’Jadaka.

  Why’s he just chillin’ over there? Doesn’t he want to have fun with us?

  Well… with me? she corrected herself, frowning a little. She had a thing for him, after all. But when she caught Ruy’s gaze, the way he kept leaning in, laughing at everything she said, touching her arm just a bit too long—she found herself paying more attention to him instead.

  On the other side of the spring, T’Jadaka opened one eye, saw them, and gave a small smile. A quiet one.

  Good, he thought. Maybe she’s finally not chasing after me anymore.

  But Lila caught that smile. And just like that, it clicked in her head.

  Is he… intentionally pushing us away from him? But… why?

  “It’s crazy how distant he can be, huh?” Remigio said beside her. He’d been watching the same thing unfold. “Takes us all the way here, and then keeps himself apart like he’s not even part of the group.”

  He glanced toward T’Jadaka and added, “Guess he doesn’t seem to like girls or something. I had a feeling he might be—”

  “Hey! T’Jadaka!” Lila suddenly shouted, cutting him off.

  Everyone turned.

  T’Jadaka blinked, surprised, his attention fully on her now.

  This is so embarrassing... I can't believe I'm going to do it...

  She reached down and pulled off the oversized shirt she'd been clutching like armor.

  A stunned silence fell over the group as she revealed a sleek white bikini—light see-through mesh across the chest and a sheer, skirt-like drape over the hips. The steam curled around her, framing her like she’d stepped out of a dream.

  Her face was burning, voice shaking as she shouted, “How do I look..!?”

  There was a beat of total silence.

  Then—

  “OHHH! Yeah, that’s my girl! Rock that body!” Vitaliya whooped, clapping her hands.

  “Gya damn…” Ruy muttered, eyes wide.

  “Uhh… I… I’m… Wow,” Remigio stammered, suddenly forgetting how words worked.

  And T’Jadaka?

  He disappeared.

  Like—instantly.

  FWOOP. Straight to the bottom of the spring.

  “Holy shit! Is bro good!?” Ruy yelled, scrambling toward the middle.

  “Oh my goodness—is he going to be alright?!” Lila said, her panic rising with every bubble.

  Vitaliya just shrugged, unconcerned. “Relax, he’s fine. In fact… I think it’s something a little simpler than y’all are thinking.”

  Below the surface, T’Jadaka was motionless at the bottom of the spring, face glowing red like a warning light.

  Oh my fucking god... she looks so fucking hot, his thoughts raced, I get it now. I get why she was embarrassed. But holy shit—I didn’t know she was wearing something like that—it’s so hot!

  His brain was in full-blown teenage boy meltdown mode. He couldn’t even bring himself to float.

  (Vultramlights can manipulate the smart atoms within their bodies to control their density. They can be as heavy as stone or as light as a feather—hence why T’Jadaka normally floats despite his bulky frame. But the sheer shock of Lila’s bikini had short-circuited his focus... and he lost control of his smart atoms completely.)

  Moments later, everyone was in the spring, laughter and steam filling the air. T’Jadaka finally resurfaced, shaking water from his dreadlocks as he made his way back to the surface.

  He swam silently to the far end, joining Lila and Remigio—but the air around them felt heavy. Not from the heat, but the awkwardness brewing between them.

  Lila and T’Jadaka both looked anywhere but at each other. Her face was still flushed. He kept his eyes trained on the water like it held the secrets of the universe.

  And Remigio?

  He was practically steaming for a whole other reason.

  I can’t stand his ass, Remigio thought, his jaw tightening. I’ve been trying to get her to take off that damn shirt since we got here. And now she realizes he’s been avoiding everyone and suddenly she strips for him!? This is some bullshit. What does his big black ass got that I don’t!?

  On the opposite side of the spring, Ruy was watching—closely. His face went from curious to concerned.

  “Oh no… this is bad,” he muttered under his breath.

  “What’s up, Ru?” Vitaliya asked, confused.

  “I think Remigio’s on the verge of a crash out,” Ruy said, eyes still locked on him. “You know he’s been trying to get with Lila this whole time.”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I know. I seen it,” Vitaliya replied, stretching back. “You know those two were friends even before we got put into slavery. So they’re really close. I get his frustration… but come on. All the girls know Lila’s had a thing for T’Jadaka.”

  Ruy blinked. “What? No way! When!?”

  Vitaliya gave him a look. “The first time she saw him. You haven’t noticed? Always talking to him, bringing him food, helping him with workouts, hell—he’s the only one who pulls her out of that shy little shell of hers.”

  She paused, then added with a smirk, “Remigio never had a chance. She was T’Jadaka’s years ago. All Jadaka has to do now… is claim his prize.”

  Ruy let out a low whistle. “Damn… I never knew.”

  Lila fidgeted slightly, sitting just far enough from T’Jadaka to make the silence between them deafening. Her fingers traced lazy circles on the surface of the water.

  “So…” she said quietly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. “You never told me what you think of my swimsuit.”

  T’Jadaka froze. He looked at her, eyes wide for a moment before glancing away.

  Oh no… he hates it, Lila thought, stomach twisting. Did I embarrass myself for nothing...?

  She tugged slightly at the sheer fabric on her skirt, suddenly very aware of how exposed she was. “It’s okay if you don’t like it. I mean, maybe it’s a little much…”

  “No! No!” T’Jadaka suddenly shouted, splashing a bit from how fast he turned to her.

  Lila jumped at the outburst.

  “I—I think you look amazing,” Remigio cut in smoothly, leaning forward with a confident smile. “It fits your curves so nicely, and you look like… like an angel. An innocent blessing us with her beauty.”

  Lila blushed, her hands fluttering to her cheeks. “T-thanks, Remigio… That’s very sweet of you to say.”

  Remigio beamed. Cocky. Satisfied. He leaned back like he just dropped a mic in front of a crowd. Yeah, let’s see you try to come back from that, Jadaka. Ain’t no way to top that verbal masterpiece.

  But then—

  “Yeah… I’d have to agree with you there,” T’Jadaka said.

  Remigio blinked. Wait—what?

  T’Jadaka finally turned to Lila, looking her directly in the eyes. “Since you're part deer, I think it fits you perfectly. Deer represent grace, gentleness… and innocence. All things that remind me of you. Not just in how you look, but how you carry yourself.”

  Lila’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at him, wide-eyed, the blush deepening on her cheeks. He… noticed that?

  “And the white,” T’Jadaka continued, stumbling a little over his words but pushing forward anyway, “white represents purity, yeah… but also perfection. So I think—uh—I mean, it fits your personality and your energy. You're… basically kind of like… um… perfect?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, ears turning red. “I'm talking too much…”

  But Lila moved closer, the water rippling gently around her. She reached out and took both of his hands in hers.

  “No…” she said softly, her eyes glowing with something warm and earnest. “I think you don’t say enough.”

  Her deer-like tail began swaying rapidly behind her, betraying her excitement no matter how composed her face tried to be.

  T’Jadaka stared at her, speechless.

  Across the spring, Vitaliya leaned toward Ruy, whispering, “Oh yeah. She done. She’s fully cooked now.”

  Ruy just nodded slowly. “Bro… we witnessing a legendary rizz off. Remigio didn’t even make it to round two.”

  T’Jadaka felt his heart hammering in his chest, a drumline of nerves and instinct. I can’t focus… If I don’t control my smart atoms—

  But then—

  Lila laced her fingers with his. Gently. Deliberately.

  His whole body stilled.

  I’m… not hurting her? he realized, the tension in his muscles melting like steam into the air. I feel calm now…

  “Jadaka,” she said, her voice quiet and full of meaning. “You’re such an amazing person. You do things without ever expecting anything in return… You always put everyone else’s needs before your own.”

  She drifted closer, unconsciously, like a flower leaning toward sunlight.

  “No…” Remigio thought, jaw clenching.

  “But what I do isn’t special,” T’Jadaka said, eyes still locked on hers. “I’m just doing what feels right. Making sure everyone’s alright, ya’ know?”

  Lila giggled softly, placing a hand on his cheek and guiding his gaze back to her. “Don’t be silly…”

  Remigio bit down on his lip—hard. A faint trickle of red mixed with the water around him.

  “Stop it,” he thought, shaking now. STOP it.

  “That’s what makes you so… drawing,” Lila whispered, her chest brushing lightly against his. Her fingers trailed down his arms, over his lean, muscular frame. “You’re just so naturally kind. Sweet…”

  Her voice dipped lower. “Attractive.”

  Her shyness had dissolved completely. Her face hovered just inches from his, breath mingling with his like the steam between them.

  T’Jadaka’s body reacted before his mind could catch up. His hands slid instinctively to her hips, pulling her onto his lap. She gasped—but didn’t pull away.

  “Jadaka…?” she whispered, her breath shaky but warm.

  “Sorry,” he muttered. “I just— I have this really strong urge to do something. But I don’t know if I should. It’s like it’s taking energy just to hold it back… and it’s scaring me.”

  Her arms draped around his shoulders, her deer-like eyes wide and luminous. “Then don’t,” she whispered. “Just let go. I trust you.”

  And in that moment—it felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them.

  Then—

  “AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

  The scream shattered the air like glass.

  Everyone turned.

  Remigio was standing, fists clenched, shaking, his face twisted into something raw and venomous.

  “Oh shit,” Vitaliya muttered, eyes going wide.

  “Yep…” Ruy said flatly. “He’s crashing out. He’s gonna crash out bad.”

  "This isn't fair! It's completely fucked up!" Remigio snapped, his voice trembling with emotion.

  "Why him and not me?!" he shouted, the pain spilling out of him. "We were enslaved together for way longer than just the three years we've been with him..." His voice cracked, thick with frustration and something deeper—betrayal, maybe. Grief.

  "What are you even talking about, Remigio? Why are you so upset?" T'Jadaka asked, genuinely confused.

  "You shut the fuck up! I'm talking to her!" Remigio snapped, eyes blazing with a fury that made the steam around them feel cold.

  Lila flinched slightly. "What's wrong...? What did I do?" she asked, her voice small.

  "Oh, it's not what you did... it's what you didn't do!" Remigio’s voice cracked. He looked at her like he was holding something shattered in his hands. "You're sitting here all googly-eyed over T'Jadaka, while I'm the one who's been in love with you for years! Was it really that hard to notice? Everyone else did!"

  Lila’s eyes widened as she slowly turned to look at Vitaliya and Ruy. "Guys... did you really know...?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

  Neither answered. Vitaliya looked down, Ruy scratched the back of his neck, both suddenly very interested in the ripples in the water.

  "Remigio... I'm sorry. I didn’t know you felt so strongly about me..." Lila said, voice soft with guilt.

  "Probably because you were too busy drooling over Mr. Greek god over here," he snapped, shooting a glare at T'Jadaka.

  T'Jadaka blinked, visibly taken aback. What the fuck did I do!? he thought, completely blindsided.

  "Whose shoulder did you cry on when they killed our parents?" Remigio’s voice trembled, loud and bitter. "Who shielded you from beatings when our slave masters singled you out? Who took the hits you were too scared to face?"

  He took a step closer, eyes red with fury and heartbreak.

  "You think T'Jadaka did any of that?" he growled. "You think he was the one who stayed up with you when you had nightmares? That motherfucker wasn’t even there!"

  He pointed with a shaking hand.

  "You want to know what I got for protecting you?" he said, voice cracking. "I got raped. Because one of those old bastards had a thing for submissive demi-humans. And I kept him away from you." His voice shattered, and the spring went silent.

  Everyone froze.

  Lila's face went pale. Her lips trembled. "Oh my God… I… I didn’t know..." she whispered, eyes brimming with tears.

  Vitaliya covered her mouth, stunned. “Wait… that night years ago… I thought they beat him because he mouthed off when that creep tried to grab Lila…”

  “I knew,” Ruy said quietly, not looking up. “He told me when it happened.”

  Vitaliya turned to him sharply. “You knew?! Why the hell didn’t you say anything!?”

  Ruy took a deep breath. His voice was quiet, but steady. “Because I promised. And because you're not a man.”

  Vitaliya's eyes narrowed.

  “I don’t mean that as an insult,” he added. “I just mean… When that kind of thing happens to a woman, it’s tragic—but people understand. There’s support. Sympathy. But when it happens to a man—especially from another man—it cuts somewhere deeper.”

  He looked over at Remigio, whose hands were clenched into trembling fists.

  “It makes you question your masculinity. Your worth. Your identity. It’s not just shame—it’s confusion, disgust, self-hate.”

  “And he begged me not to tell anyone. So I didn’t.” Vitaliya was quiet now. Even Lila’s sobs were silent.

  “But I guess… seeing the girl he’s loved for years climb into another man’s lap broke him.” Ruy looked down. “He’s not just heartbroken. He’s unraveling.”

  Remigio started laughing—quiet at first, then louder, more unhinged. His smile curled into something painful, teeth clenched, eyes glinting with a strange mix of heartbreak and fury.

  "Now here I am..." he said, voice raw. "Getting fucking friend-zoned..." He wiped at his face like he was trying to rub the pain away. "I thought maybe... just maybe... if I could get you to love me back, like I loved you..." His voice cracked. "Then maybe all the pain... everything I went through... would finally mean something."

  Then his eyes locked on T’Jadaka—cold, burning.

  "But you..." He pointed. "You had to show up. You had to come in like some goddamn hero three years ago. She didn’t even hesitate—she fell for you, and never looked back!"

  Lila stepped forward quickly, panic in her voice. "Remigio, please—don’t do this. You’re not thinking clearly. You’re too emotional right now." She reached for him, hands shaking.

  Ruy sprinted across the spring, water sloshing, trying to intervene.

  Too late.

  "I hate you, T’Jadaka!" Remigio roared, eyes wet with rage. "I hate that you saved us! I wish you never came! I’d rather be back in those goddamn hellholes—at least there, maybe she would’ve loved me by now!"

  Everyone froze.

  "If you dropped dead today, I wouldn’t miss you for a second." His voice was venom, laced with sorrow. "Not even a second!!"

  T’Jadaka stood up so fast the water rippled around him.

  Everyone froze.

  They thought he was going to attack Remigio. The tension crackled. But instead— He vanished.

  Just a blur of motion—and then a sound.

  SPLASH.

  But not water. Something heavier. Thicker. Wet and violent.

  A spatter of warm crimson hit Ruy and Vitaliya in the face. They wiped at it slowly, confused.

  Vitaliya looked down at her hand.

  “This is… blood?”

  They all looked up—and screamed.

  T’Jadaka was suspended in the air, impaled—a thick, bestial arm jammed deep through his abdomen. Blood dripped down his body, falling like rain into the spring.

  Behind him stood a creature—half-wolf, half-nightmare—its yellow eyes gleaming with savage satisfaction.

  T’Jadaka’s hands gripped the arm jammed in him, muscles straining, veins bulging.

  The creature grinned.

  "Impressive reflexes," it said in a deep, guttural voice. "I was aiming for the boy and the girl next to him. Weaklings. But you… you took the hit instead. Noble."

  T’Jadaka winced, teeth clenched—but his grip on the creature’s wrist tightened.

  “You smell… like blood…” he said, his voice low and furious. His vision blurred. Rage boiled inside him. “Whose blood…? Who did you kill…!?”

  The creature chuckled, unfazed.

  “Good nose. But yeah, that’s not yours. I killed the couple making out in one of the other springs.”

  A pause. The creature licked blood from its clawed fingers. “But don’t worry—I made it quick.”

  The world seemed to go still.

  Vitaliya’s hands trembled.

  “No… No, no, no…” she whispered. Tears welled in her eyes. “He… he killed Matilda and Kichirō…”

  Lila covered her mouth, choking on a sob. Ruy’s fists clenched so hard they bled. Even Remigio—still stunned—stood frozen, horror blooming across his face.

  T'Jadaka's eyes burned, the white in them fading behind violet rage.

  "But since you're already halfway dead," the creature said, grinning as it raised its claws, "the other four are going to be a piece of—"

  CRACK!!

  T'Jadaka’s fist exploded across the creature’s jaw, sending it flying so hard its arm ripped clean out of his abdomen. The monster’s body launched like a missile into a nearby hillside, slamming with such force that a crater burst open on impact. A piece of its jaw clattered to the ground.

  T'Jadaka staggered but didn't fall. He touched the wound.

  “Big intestine... but it's cauterized by friction. Limb’s still inside me—less bleeding. I can move.” He locked in.

  "Everyone! RUN! Head back to the district—I'll hold him off!" he shouted.

  “What!? I’m pretty sure you just killed it!” Ruy yelled.

  T’Jadaka didn’t even look back. “You dumbass. That wasn’t a kill shot.”

  From the crater, a rumble echoed—and then the monster rose from the dust, its jaw and arm regenerating rapidly, sinew and bone snapping into place like a time-reverse spell.

  "Okay... that was impressive," the creature said, rolling its shoulders, "You're feistier than I thought, human."

  “Go!!” T’Jadaka roared, and that time, no one hesitated.

  They ran. But then—

  “You think I’m going to let them get away!?”

  FLASH.

  The creature vanished.

  “Faster than before? No—he’s just letting loose,” T’Jadaka realized.

  In a blink, the monster reappeared right in front of Vitaliya.

  “Hello~” it cooed sweetly, raising its claws like a guillotine.

  “Goodbye—”

  Before the claws could fall, T’Jadaka speared the creature mid-air, slamming it through several trees. The swipe still caught Vitaliya’s cheek—a thin red line of blood trailing down.

  Vitaliya fell to her knees, shaking. “He… he almost killed me…” she whispered, trembling violently.

  “He said run! So MOVE!” Ruy barked.

  “But what about T’Jadaka!? We can’t leave him!” Lila cried, struggling against her own panic.

  “None of us can fight that thing! And he can’t protect us while holding back! The best way to help him is to GET OUT OF HIS WAY!” Ruy snapped.

  Remigio didn’t wait—he scooped Lila into his arms.

  “No! Put me down! JADAKA!!” she screamed, reaching back as the forest swallowed her cries.

  T’Jadaka stood alone, panting, his left arm completely gone, the gaping wound burning with every breath.

  The creature emerged from the trees, brushing off splinters. “You again. That’s two kill shots you blocked. And look at you—hole in your gut, missing an arm.” It tilted its head. “Still think you can win?”

  T’Jadaka raised his remaining fist, taking a low, grounded stance.

  “I don’t need two arms to put you down.” He smirked through the pain. “You’re just a cocky mutt who talks too much.”

  The creature’s eye twitched.

  “Ohh, you cocky bitch…” it hissed, baring its fangs. “I’m not just gonna kill you—I’m gonna break you. Tear you apart piece by piece, and when I’m done, your friends will find what’s left of you in a tree.”

  T’Jadaka grinned, blood leaking from his lip.

  “Try it, pussy.”