Their eyes burned as if they were about to pop out of their sockets—their vision overwhelmed after being in the dark for so long. At that very moment, the creature stomped two of its legs to the ground with a roar and started charging toward Neim and Duis.
Duis: "RUN!"
Duis immediately leapt toward the wall closest to him-on the left. Neim, frozen in fear, couldn't move.
Realizing this, Duis ran with all his might, grabbed Neim, and threw them both toward the wall. As soon as they landed, he shook Neim violently.
Duis: "Neim! NEIM! Are you okay? NEIM!"
Neim snapped out of his frozen state.
Neim: "What do we do?"
Duis: "We fight!"
The creature gathered speed again and charged at them. Neim and Duis gave each other a quick nod. As it approached, instead of stopping, the creature raised its front legs and tried to slam down on them. Duis dodged to his left, while Neim slid underneath the creature. Just as the beast landed, Neim punched what he assumed was its belly with all his strength.
"AAARGH!"
But the creature's belly was so tough, it didn't even seem to feel it. It turned toward Duis and charged. This time, Duis couldn't escape in time.
Neim kicked its back right leg, making it limp slightly-giving Duis just enough time to dive left and avoid the blow. Neim quickly got to his feet. Duis gave him a look of gratitude.
But then-suddenly-the creature grabbed Duis, hurled him against the wall, and began biting into his left arm! Duis's agonized scream echoed in the cave. He clenched his teeth and tried hitting the creature with the hilt of his dagger, but he couldn't muster the strength. Only one idea came to his mind.
Duis: "CATCH!"
He threw the dagger toward Neim. Neim ran, leaped, and caught it midair.
Duis: "THE NECK!"
Neim sprinted and jumped onto the beast. Meanwhile, Duis tried punching it with his right hand to make it let go. As Neim climbed onto its back, he noticed a small gap at its neck. Holding the dagger with both hands, he drove it into the gap. Again and again, he pushed.
As the creature slowly collapsed to the ground, sweat was pouring down both their faces. What had just happened? What was this thing?
Duis looked at his arm it was gone! He screamed in agony, trying to stop the bleeding with his right hand. But it was no use… Neim rushed to his side.
Neim: "DUIS! ARE YOU OKAY? DUIS!"
Duis: "I'm fine… I'm fine… It'll stop soon… Let's be glad we're alive."
Neim: "We have to go back right now!"
Duis coughed a few times, blood running from his mouth. Neim was now fully panicked.
Duis: "If it doesn't stop, we won't make it down… It'll get harder… First, take the dagger out."
Neim nodded and walked over to pull the dagger from the creature.
???: "Who are you?"
Neim froze again, shocked.
Duis: "You're the one who should answer that. Why did you attack us?"
???: "My name is Kima. Who is the current leader?"
Neim: "Fahg… the village headman."
Kima: "I don't even know who that is. How long has it been? Do you know me?"
Duis limped closer and leaned toward Kima.
Duis: "Why did you attack us?"
Kima: "I don't know."
Duis: "Why are you here?"
Kima: "I used to live in the village… The crystal on my forehead-it used to be held by the hero's statue. As you saw, it shined brightly. It lit up the whole village. It was beautiful… I just wanted to look at it once… just once… When I took it, I ran to the cave. A few 'arrivals' later, the crystal stuck to my forehead. That's when they came to find me… I killed them… I remember nothing after that 'arrival.'"
Neim slowly pulled the dagger out. The creature screamed in pain. Meanwhile, Duis was trying to pull the crystal from its forehead.
Kima: "Don't touch the crystal! You'll become like m—"
Duis stared at the crystal in his hand. Neim, horrified, ran toward him and tried to take it away. But the moment he touched it, the crystal exploded with a burst of light!
Neim was flung against the opposite wall. He was blinded for a few seconds. When his vision returned, he looked around.
Kima… was dead.
But Duis? He couldn't see him! He looked around frantically and ran toward him when he spotted him lying on the ground. Relief washed over him.
Was he asleep?
Neim: "Duis, wake up! Wake up, the dark has lifted!"
He shook him several times, but Duis didn't respond.
Neim: "Duis? DUIS! Are you okay? DUIS! PLEASE WAKE UP!"
Neim was shaking Duis with all his strength, but there was still no response. Slowly, tears welled up in Neim's eyes.
Neim: "Duis… Please wake up… I can't do this without you… You're the only good one left… Please, wake up, Duis!"
Neim began sobbing, calling out his name again and again.
He cried… and cried… and cried…
But no one could hear him…