The cave is dark and damp, with bats hanging silently from the ceiling. The tunnel leading deeper into the cave looms ahead is eerily quiet. Finn hesitates, glancing at Risa.

  “Wait... before we head in, how about we cook some meat out here?” he suggests.

  “What? Shouldn’t we go in and—” Risa’s puzzled expression fades as realisation dawns. “Ohh, I see what you’re doing. Sure!”

  Finn pulls cooking utensils, condiments, and pre-processed meat from his storage stone. Risa helps him set up a fire, and once the meat is marinated, Finn places it carefully over the flames.

  A few minutes later, the rich aroma of sizzling meat begins to fill the air, the sound echoing faintly through the cave, though it’s mostly drowned by the heavy downpour outside.

  “Hopefully, Nyx will smell this and come out,” Risa says, watching as Finn turns the meat with practised precision. The scent wafts deeper into the cave, a deliberate lure.

  But, of course, things are rarely that simple. One full plate of meat is cooked and ready to serve, but still, no sign of Nyx.

  “Could he be stuck inside? Maybe that’s why he hasn’t come out, even with his favourite meat.” Risa bites her lip, worry creeping in.

  “If that’s the case, we’ll have to go in after him. Stay close to me and remember the routes that we go in so we know how to get out,” Finn says, his voice firm. “And if I say retreat—run. Don’t look back.”

  If Nyx is being kept from leaving by something stronger than himself, Finn doubts the combined force of two Disciples and a plushie will make much difference.

  They stow the plate of meat back in the storage stone and step cautiously into the cave, treading carefully over the rocky ground. Nyx’s footsteps have faded, eventually disappearing altogether, but the tunnel ahead isn’t too complicated. If they hit a dead end, they can simply turn back and keep moving forward.

  Finn casts a dim flash spell, its faint glow illuminating the path ahead while simultaneously cloaking their presence with a concealment spell. Along the walls and gouged into the ground, he notices claw marks; some deep, some scattered, interspersed with animal footprints pressed into the damp mud.

  They walk and Cocoa floats in silence, accompanied only by the soft patter of dripping water. After a while, Risa lowers her voice, barely above a whisper.

  “Actually… Finn,” she murmurs from behind, “is Nyx still as strong… now that he’s in a child’s body?”

  Finn’s eyes widen. “You’re right… I should’ve thought of that earlier.”

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  He’s always thought Nyx retained his strength. But what if he’s weakened and no longer the powerful being he once was?

  Suddenly, a soft voice echoes from deep within the cave.

  “F—Finn.”

  They freeze, ears straining.

  “I–is that Nyx?” Risa breathes, leaning closer.

  “R—Risa,” the voice calls again.

  It’s definitely a child’s voice, but muffled, indistinct. They can’t be sure it’s Nyx.

  “Let’s follow it. Stay right behind me,” Finn says firmly, meeting Risa’s uncertain gaze.

  Reassured by his tone, she nods and falls into step behind him. The further they go, the clearer the voice becomes.

  Though deep down, Finn isn’t sure if he’s made the right call. The transportation stone in his hand remains unresponsive, indicating that this cave lies outside the transport network.

  But… what if it really is Nyx?

  What if he truly needs their help?

  The tunnel narrows, the walls closing in. With each step, their hearts beat louder in their chests.

  “Wait... it doesn’t sound like Nyx,” Finn says suddenly.

  Risa’s face goes pale. “If it’s not him, then who? How do they know our names?”

  “It could be a lost child who’s heard of us,” Finn murmurs, though he doesn’t believe it. “Or… a creature that can mimic human speech. Ready your spells. We’ll see what it is once we turn this corner. Wait for my cue.”

  Though he’s never heard of such a creature, the likelihood of a child knowing both their names and being trapped here is even less.

  Risa tightens her grip on her magic vault, the fear slowly draining from her face thanks to Finn’s unwavering calm. She nods.

  Finn takes the lead, turning the corner with deliberate caution. Risa follows closely, spells at the ready.

  In the dim light, Finn spots a creature sitting on a flat stone. At first glance, it looks like a large dog, but its magic field gives it away. A predator.

  As soon as it sees Finn, it falls silent.

  “Is that what was mimicking Nyx’s voice?” Risa whispers.

  Finn shines the light on it. The creature’s body resembles a hound, but its head looks more like a hyena, with a mane like a wild horse and a long, twitching tail. Finn frowns. It doesn’t match anything from The Hunter’s Guide, nor has he ever heard of a predator that mimics human voices.

  Still, judging by its magical field, it’s low-ranked. And since it’s alone, the threat seems manageable.

  But then something clicks.

  Why did it stop making sounds after seeing them?

  “Stop!” Finn hisses, halting just before he takes another step forward. Risa freezes beside him.

  Suddenly, the creature unleashes a scream so chilling it mimics a human baby's cry, warped into something monstrous. The sound slices through their ears.

  Then come the thundering footsteps, dozens pounding in from every direction.

  “Run!” Finn shouts without hesitation.

  Wind magic coils around their legs, propelling them as they race back the way they came. Risa, sure-footed and swift, leads the charge with Finn right behind.

  Chaos explodes through the cave. The air vibrates with howls, roars, and the relentless drum of feet.

  “Where were they hiding when we searched the cave?” Finn wonders, but his legs don’t stop.

  No time remains for thought, only the desperate need to run.