PoV Tornhelm

-We're here. Murad said and led us into the cave. The merchant kept looking around nervously, and we kept our weapons ready.

I was very surprised when I woke up alive and without injury. However, when I found out the reason for this, I got confused. How could he do this? What is it?

When I entered the room, I lost the ability to think for a second. A huge pile of meat is attached to the wall. Countless eyes appeared on its surface and looked at me. The eyes were from many animals, then I noticed how the mouth appeared. The monster started talking.

-You've finally come. It must have been a long way. Come here.

-Run! -I immediately turned around and ran, but a second later I fell to the ground - * Cough**Cough* - My lungs were burning, it was difficult to take even one breath.

-Why do you want to run away, Tornhelm? I've been with you all this time.

-What are you talking about? - Larry asked instead of me

-This body was created by me. And in it is my clone. We are connected to each other all the time. I've already prepared. I have enough biomaterial to create bodies for all of you. Just come to me and don't resist. It's for your own good

- Dad, I'm scared! -The girl clung to the merchant with tears in her eyes. The merchant hugged him and looked at the monster and said

-You can't spare my children? Take my life, but don't touch them.

-Take your life? What are you talking about? We agreed with you, we have a deal, after all. I will save you, and you will serve me in return. Don't worry. No one will die. All of you will meet and be able to leave this place. Approach.

Hearing this, the merchant with a sickly face still approached the monster. I admire his bravery. I wouldn't have decided to do it so quickly.

Tentacles slowly emerged from the monster and slowly engulfed the merchant. He didn't resist. In a couple of moments, he was absorbed by the monster.

-Who's next?- asked Murad.

When I heard this, I gathered all the courage, take a deep breath, and came forward. It looks like I'm going to die with my brothers today. By the monster, I've never heard of.

The tentacles slowly came out of the monster's body and began to attract me, clenching my teeth, I did not resist. When I was inside the monster, everything was dark, but there was no feeling like I was being devoured.

I was suddenly hit on the head, and my body began to weaken. I feel sleepy. You can't close your eyes! I can't! I…

…

I opened my eyes in fear. Camp. It looks like it is set up in the forest... the landscape is familiar… wait, this place... this is the place where we spent the night before the attack on those bastards!

Taking my sword in my hands, I began to look around. If there are cultists here, we must run. It's sunset now. It's going to get really dark soon.

Suddenly, a dark hole appeared in front of me, a massive silhouette came out from there. A huge lump of meat, I wonder how it even moves?

- Well, I'm glad to welcome you, Tornhelm. I am the head of the nest.

-So Murad is under your control?

- no. We are one being with him. He's my clone. Didn't I say that?

-It's better to ask twice. Where are my brothers?

-I understand. Wait a bit - Dark holes appeared behind the monster, my brothers slowly came out of the holes, looking around warily.

- Alright, everyone is here. Listen to me carefully. I need you to go to the Kingdom of Nymhidnia, there is a village near the city Gorta. We need you to help me first. After that, you will be free until I'd require your help again. Is everything clear?

-Does this mean we are dogs on a leash?

-We have a deal. I trust you. This is just a guarantee

- Okay, but what is this place?

- Your inner world. The place that you consider home.

- Me? This forest is a stranger to me.

-Then why do you think it is? Why do you consider this place your home?

After these words, I unconsciously looked around. This is the place where I lost many of my brothers.

-Where my brothers are, there I am. We've set up camp here. That day.

- Hmm, how interesting. Cultists? Who is it, the God of the Far Star?

- This is the god of another world. No one knows the true name. His believers live almost everywhere.

- I see. Do you still have any questions?

-No.

- Ok, if you have some questions later, just call me aloud. I will hear you- A dark hole appeared behind the monster and it quickly disappeared in.

-Leader - Tim the Slow-witted said to me.

-What's the matter, Tim?

-I... I feel so good. Thoughts are no longer clouded. -Tim said it in such a clear voice that I was shocked.

-What!? Are you cured?

- yes. It's so nice to feel a clear mind and perceive the world. - While saying this, Tim was looking around -This place… we were fighting against bandits here, weren't we?

- Against the believers in the god of the far star. They killed many of our members.

- yes. I hope their souls have found rest in paradise.

We all stared at the sky in silence.

-Boss, what is this place?- Finally, Lucas asked the question that everyone wanted to hear. -It called this place the inner world. But what could it mean?

-It said this is the place that we consider home. For me, this is our group. I think this place is just an illusion. I don't know what kind of magic it was created by, but it doesn't matter. I suppose we have to serve it. Does anyone have something to say?

-...-

-Ok. Does anyone want to try to free up?

-I don't think it's possible. -After a short silence, Tim said. -We can't kill it, and we are already in the trap. I think we can just drift.

Everyone agreed with Tim

…

I opened my eyes. Cave. Moving my body, I did not feel any changes, except for one. I feel like I'm connected to something. An unpleasant feeling, like a dog on a leash. My brothers nearby were also looking around, I could vaguely feel their betrayal. The tentacles handed us our equipment. After getting dressed, we left the cave.

I turned to Tim

-Well, how are you feeling, Tim? -When I didn't get an answer, I looked at Tim again. - Tim?

- Again. The mind. Blurred.

- What?! We all looked at each other. What could have happened? There is only one creature that can answer our question -Murad! What's wrong with him? After all, he felt good inside of the monster, but now he can't even connect a couple of words

Murad looked at Tim. And then, nodding, he said.

-That's because there's something wrong with his head. Inside the main body is his soul and it is not limited to the flesh. But now his soul is limited by his body. I can't find out the exact reason for this. Accordingly, can't cure.

-Can't you, uh, I don't know, replace his body?

-The body is not adapted for the soul will be an even greater burden. I can't say what this will lead to, because I haven't tried anything like this with volunteers yet.

From what he said, I only understood that he can't cure it.

- So he will be healthy only inside this nest?

- Yes. Outside, it will be as before.

- I see. - Turning to Tim, I asked him-Do you want to stay here? Don't worry about us, we will be safe.

-... no. I won't. I. With you. With. My. Brothers.

-Alright brother. I respect your decision. Let's go!

- Follow this path -A voice appeared in my head. It looks like it was transmitted through the connection. I looked at Murad. He went towards the Empire lands with someone. It looks like a Merchant with a changed face.

However, when I looked around, I realized that the monster seemed to have not only swallowed us, but also our mules.

- Murad! Can you also return the mules to us?

*Use the connection for communication, so it's better* A voice rang out in my head.

*Like that? *

* Yes. I don't have enough biomass to create a body with my cells. It always requires more biomass than I have absorbed*

…

A little before that

PoV John

I woke up in the carriage. Are my goods in place? Did nothing burn down? When I went outside, I frowned. Quietly. There are usually all sorts of sounds in the forest.

And my children were nowhere to be seen. A dark hole appeared near me, and a huge silhouette came out of it.

- Well, I'm glad to welcome you, John.

- Murad?

-Yes.

- Where are my children?

- Wait a moment. - Dark holes appeared behind Murad, and my children came out a couple of seconds later.

- Dad! -They shouted this in unison and hugged me. After a short reunion, I examined my children. The daughter's hand is in place, and the son has no injuries. Patting my cheeks, I turned to Murad with as indifferent a face as possible and asked

-What do you want from me for this? -It's hard for me to believe that this is all done for nothing.

-I will send my clone with you and you will sell various birds. Your face will be changed, as you wanted it to be.

-What about my children? -I asked the question that most worried me.

-It doesn't matter to me. If you wish, you can take them with you on the way. But you can also leave them here, no one will touch them here.

After weighing all the pros and cons, I decided that my children would be safe with him. It is not the best solution to leave children in the company of a monster, but in comparison with the option where my children got to a nobleman, this is more preferable. A monster is still more human than a nobleman. He won't take out his frustration on them.

-Can I leave them here?

- Of course. Then you'll come with me.