Chapter 73: Closing In
The corrupted termites surged forward, a nightmarish tide of twisted chitin and malevolent hunger. They stampeded over each other like an undulating wall of carapaces, mandibles clicking in a horrifying cacophony that sent chills down Arthur’s spine. The ground beneath their feet shook vigorously, trembling as if the world itself was shuddering in fear of the monsters approaching them.
Aziel gulped audibly, his normally confident demeanor cracking as he took an instinctive step closer to Arthur. His voice carried a tremor that betrayed his rising panic.
"W-we should go... now."
Arthur stood frozen, his eyes wide and unblinking as he stared at the approaching horde. The monstrous insects’ bodies gleamed with an unnatural sheen under the pale light, their corrupted forms twisted into something that defied natural evolution. The sight was both terrifying and mesmerizing.
"Yeah," Arthur finally managed, the single word barely audible over the thunderous approach of countless termite feet.
Their moment of awestruck horror shattered like glass, and Arthur hurried to climb onto Aziel’s shoulder, his movements clumsy with urgency. A grimace crossed his face as he settled into position.
’God, this sucks,’ he thought bitterly.
Arthur didn’t have the fondest memories of riding on Aziel’s shoulder. Granted, they weren’t covered in water this time, nor was Aziel overcharged with energy, so Arthur wouldn’t experience too much pain—if any. But still, as he climbed onto his companion’s broad shoulder, the bad taste in his mouth grew more pronounced, memories of past discomfort surfacing unbidden.
"Where to?" Aziel asked, his voice steadying as lightning began to coil around his body in delicate, luminous threads that cast eerie shadows across his determined face.
Arthur thought for a moment, scanning their surroundings. The corrupted insects were covering the distance with alarming speed, their countless bodies flowing like a living river of destruction. He sighed heavily, resignation evident in every line of his face.
"Where else is there?... To the castle."