NIGHTTIME
The sky, already dark by nature, had now turned pitch black.
Even the clouds were gone—swallowed by the night.
The entire village was silent. Not a bird. Not a soul. Only the soft whisper of cold wind brushing through ruined homes.
Inside one of those homes, Yaku and Larkwing sat on the creaky wooden floor of a bloodstained bedroom. The bed was out of commission—drenched in dried gore. Between them, a flickering lantern cast weak orange light.
Yaku sipped from a rusty iron cup filled with warm water, his axe lying beside him. Larkwing, ever smiling, watched him like a proud parent.
"Drink up, dear. Boiled it myself in the kitchen pot. Germ-free and toasty," he said sweetly.
Yaku stared back with caution, then downed the water in one go. He touched his throat and blinked slowly.
"The feel of water running down my throat... I almost forgot it," he muttered, lost in thought.
Larkwing chuckled, eyes closed. "It's just the beginning. We'll hit richer worlds soon. You'll get to taste flavors that'll make your old life look like dog food."
Yaku glanced at him, still unsure.
He's being weirdly nice. Is it because I threatened to kill him? No... we both know who wins that fight. He killed those villagers like swatting flies.
Larkwing met his gaze and smirked.
"You like my eyes, huh? Purple suits them, don't ya think?"
Yaku scowled internally.
He plays dumb, but he's not just a guide. He's way more than that.
"Anyway," Yaku said, breaking the tension, "we came here for nothing. I don't see this 'god of darkness' anywhere."
Larkwing smiled and leaned back.
"It's nighttime, right?"
"...Yeah?"
"You know what the night brings?"
"...Darkness?"
Yaku's eyes widened. "And darkness will bring... him."
Larkwing nodded. "Smart boy."
"But why would Nareem show up? He's the one holding the Aether Bliss—we're the ones who need him."
"Because," Larkwing said, stretching lazily, "he made a deal with the devil. That 'blessing' to keep this world alive a little longer? He paid for it with his Bliss. He has to hand it to the next hellbreaker who shows up."
"And if he breaks the deal?" Yaku asked.
Larkwing gave him a sharp smile. "Even a brain-dead demon isn't dumb enough to screw with the devil's contract. Remember that."
Suddenly, the shadows in the room shifted.
Yaku squinted. "...Did it just get darker in here?"
The lantern dimmed.
Yaku instinctively picked up his axe. "That's him, right? He's just gonna give me the Bliss, right?"
"Go check the barn," Larkwing said casually, lifting the lantern and standing.
"...You what?" Yaku stared. "You're seriously sending me on a meat run now?"
"Check. The. Barn." Larkwing's tone went dead cold.
Yaku blinked, then scoffed. "If you die, that's on you."
He bolted out of the room without looking back.
As the door slammed, a thick black tentacle slithered across the floor and pulled it shut.
Larkwing exhaled slowly.
"Now we can have some private time, Nareem."
A ghastly voice echoed from the shadows.
"Long time no see, Larkwing. I see you've brought a new hellbreaker. He looks pathetic."
Larkwing chuckled. "Didn't ask for your opinion, but thanks. He's new. Might surprise you. He is still alive, unlike the last few you murdered."
"I didn't break the deal," Nareem hissed. "They simply failed my test."
"A test where a human fights a god? Sounds rigged to me. But I expect that from a coward like you."
"You're bold, Larkwing. Maybe I'll deal with you first."
"Please do. Just make it quick. We've got other worlds to pillage." Larkwing grinned and blew out the lantern. His glowing purple eyes were the only light left in the void.
MEANWHILE
Yaku stumbled near the village well, panting.
"Whatever's happening in that house is NOT my business. I ain't fighting no motherfucking god."
He straightened, catching his breath. His eyes locked on the shed.
"...Maybe Larkwing was right. Maybe there's eggs or something in there."
The barn door was chained shut with rusted iron.
"If the villagers locked it, there's something worth hiding," Yaku smirked and raised his axe.
With one clean strike, the chain snapped. He kicked the door open and stepped inside.
Darkness. Rot. The buzz of flies.
Yaku waved off the stench and muttered, "No biggie. Dead animals. Happens."
Then he stepped in something wet.
He looked down: a shredded carcass.
Okay, maybe not natural.
A deep, heavy breathing echoed from the far side of the barn.
Yaku froze.
Eyes wide.