“… The Butcher.”

However, Kessler and Kunivia knew all along that something was going to happen, just not in this manner.

Kessler kicked one of the child zombies and shoved Kunivia out of the cave and slammed the metal door shut behind them.

“Kunivia, you run, understand!?” Kessler shouts, holding the metal door in place with the entirety of his weight and strength.

“Are you kidding!? Let’s go together!” Kunivia shouted, with the metallic door suddenly turning into wood, and a hand bursts through the wood, maggots writhing and squirming in the hand.

“There is no way on earth we are going to make it out of here in one piece, Kunivia!” Kessler shouted as he brought his round shield up to deflect the blow of the hideous monster, which had seemed human when he was alive. Now, it was a hunk of metal, its flesh having rotted clear off in some areas.

“Don’t say nonsense like that!” Kunivia screamed, her crossbow reloading in a panic as she shot the small skeletons behind. They had accepted the bounty by the newly established town of Singing Gardens to investigate the odd disappearances around a recently discovered cavern. However, two junior adventurers had no idea what they were in for.

“Yes, fight! Fight! Entertain me! It pleases me so to watch all of you worthless maggots squirm and struggle!” A mad cackle sounds and Kessler, furious, reaches into his pouch as he drops his shield.

“Take this stone of sending and ask for Uncle Craig to come to our help! Run! I’ll meet you in the old place! I promise!” Kessler shouts, tossing a glowing stone towards Kunivia who catches it. Kessler smiles at Kunivia, before throwing his weight against the door once more, forcing it to shut itself once more, though it seems that it would come apart at any time.

“S-See you!” Kunivia says as she runs, tears flowing freely down her face.

“U-Uncle Craig, we need your help! Can you hear us!?”