Chapter 30: That’s on you
Sean walked down the sloping, dark corridor without a hint of fear. He sensed unseen eyes on him, guiding him and keeping him at ease. The feeling was pleasant.
Not like Don Capo...
Soon the light ahead reached his feet. He quickened his pace and stepped into an even larger cavern where sparkling crystal stalactites hung from the ceiling.
In the center lay a vast, crystal‑clear lake so deep its bottom vanished in darkness. The water formed tiered ledges, and the soil on each ledge glittered with blue gems. Their glow bounced off the stalactites, turning them into the chandeliers of a royal hall.
<Step down. Each step will soothe your worries and grant you the rest you deserve>
Drawn by the woman who waited on the deepest ledge, Sean stepped into the water. With every stride, blood seeped from him, dyeing the lake crimson.
His skin shriveled and turned ink‑black, while his eyes melted into blood and left hollow sockets. Still, he felt no pain or danger, only peace.
The deeper he sank, the red clouds thickened until Sean vanished from view. On the lowest tier, the water wrapped around him, and a gentle, coaxing whisper filled his mind.
<I favor your final wish. Carry it out before you drown for good>
An inhuman roar rose from the depths, thick with pain and sorrow. Moments later, a Black Umi with a massive bear-like body, larger even than Alex’s huge frame, climbed out of the bloody water.