Chapter 47: The Nightmare Realm
The fog cleared, and what unfolded before William was a scene of pure desolation. A crimson moon hung motionless in the sky, bleeding red light over a field littered with rusted crosses. At its center, a single black pillar jutted into the heavens like it was accusing the gods themselves.
A shiver crawled down William's spine.
"No... this place..."
He knew these ruins. These broken homes. His heart pounded as memories surged. This was the village where he'd first arrived in this world. The home of the original William's family.
"What the hell is going on...?"
He started walking through the village, opening doors, peeking into abandoned buildings. Everything was frozen in time. The red moon warped the colors, making the wood, the sky, even his skin look alien.
"No one's here... nothing's out of place... except that damn moon..."
Frustration simmered. He thought of Caerlin. Maybe if he retraced his steps—through the forest—
The moment he turned toward it, his body screamed. A wave of dread slammed into him like a wall. His chest tightened. His instincts roared:
Death. Turn back.
He didn't hesitate. He spun and ran the other way, heart racing.