It’s at this moment I notice the screams of the guards. The monsters entered the room.

I evade as best as I can the Overseer’s attacks and protect my body using my arms. I have many cuts, but nothing serious.

“You won’t escape! The security force and the army will search for you! Give up!”

I shake my head. I glance at the monsters that throw themselves in the flames so others can walk above them.

The Overseer attacks however it’s too late; a monster stabs him and raises him to the ceiling. I run towards the door. On my way out, I glance at Miry engulfed in flames.

I follow the path the monsters made with their bodies and reach the storage room. I grab my saber and go towards the exit.

There are many bodies on the ground. Even if I didn’t meet you all, I’m sorry.

As I cross the last gate, I look at Oliver. He stares back at me and immediately launches towards me. I take out my saber and prepare to fight him.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t die here!”

“Where’s Miry?”

Oh?! Damm…

“The Overseer set the room on fire and used a magic circle to stab Miry.”

Oliver is crying. He looks at me as if telling me that everything is my fault. With no warning, Oliver dashes towards me. I block his attack with my saber, but he sends me backward, making me stumble.

A monster comes to my rescue, but Oliver obliterates him with ease. I get up and fend off his attacks, but I’m tired. He can use brute strength to break my defense. Two more attacks send my saber flying.

“Die!”

I cover myself with my arms and close my eyes, but nothing happens. I open them; Oliver is in the mouth of a giant worm monster, with his head stabbed by its extended teeth.

I drop to the ground as soon as I recognize that monster. It’s called Nafti, a legend. Though Nafti’s right in front of me.

It’s said that its skin is indestructible, and you’d need an army of mages and the best warriors and weapons to fight such a monster. Nafti’s as big as a forest; you can recognize it for its golden horns and silver skin.

The legend is true. I couldn’t listen to the worm. And still can’t. I see the ground shaking and the hole opening more, but I hear nothing.

The worm approaches me. I can barely handle its presence. It terrifies me and defies all logic.

But no matter what the monsters plan to do to me, I won’t give up. I’ll find Cara!

I boost my confidence and stand. The monster opens its mouth. I stare at all the teeth and Oliver’s legs, but I stay in place. Without warning, I’m swallowed.

I try to hold its insides, but it’s too slippery. Everything is pitch black, and I continue drowning until I can’t feel reality. I lose all senses in my body as if I was dead.

I float in darkness. I use my reason and brain to know what’s happening in my surroundings. I can’t feel anything, but I’m aware of my body, so I can guess how much my arms and legs move. I extend my arms and move them to explore my surroundings.

I feel like an eternity has passed, though probably it hasn’t been a day. I just discovered why I can’t feel anything, and maybe it’s for the best.

The monster is inside me. There are tentacles in all the holes of my body.

Maybe they want me to become a monster? Still, no matter what, I’ll find Cara.

Naturally, I tried everything to fight back and get out, but apparently, there’s nothing close to me. I pulled myself using the tentacles, but I never reached the walls inside the monster.

I’m wondering if I’m still inside it.

The thought that it’s eating me and that was my only purpose is driving me crazy, but my efforts are useless. I can’t remove the tentacles. I already lost my strength.

One day, I find myself out. It’s night, but the light of the moon it’s too much for me, so I just lie on the ground.

Once I can open my eyes, I check my body.

There’s nothing out of the ordinary. Everything seems and feels normal. Wait. I had scars there. I had a little ball from a broken muscle, but it’s gone. Did the monster just fix my body?

I stand and look for anything that can reflect me. I find a puddle of clean water.

How? I look so different. My skin looks super smooth and healthy, and all the wounds over the years are gone. Why would a monster make me prettier? What in the world? Is that their way to buy me? If that’s the case, then I’m in! Except if Cara disagrees. But if she’s okay with it, then I’ll help the monsters. Though I won’t help them in killing people and destroying humanity.

I look a lot younger too! If they’re offering me to be pretty and healthy, that’s good, but if it’s immortality, I pass. I prefer to die.

Mm? I feel something… What’s this?

There’s something in my womb!!!