Chapter 34: Last breath
The boy’s breaths came in ragged gasps, each one a struggle that rattled in his chest. Allen knelt beside him, his hands trembling as he tried to stem the bleeding with a torn piece of his shirt. Fina and Rinni hovered close, their faces pale with worry.
"Kid," Allen said, his voice softer than anyone had heard from him before. "You’ve got to hold on. Can you tell us why they’re trying to kill you."
The boy’s eyes fluttered open, glassy and filled with tears. His lips moved, but at first, no sound came out. Then, in a hoarse whisper, he said, "The spirits... the dark ones... they... demand a sacrifice."
Allen’s brow furrowed. "What? For what reason?"
The boy coughed, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth. "A map. To the... Vault of Souls... promises power. Riches. Anything they want. But... it needs blood. And I... I was just... easy to take."
Allen’s jaw clenched so tightly his teeth ached. "Those bastards... those fucking bastards," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous.
The boy’s tears flowed freely now, streaking through the grime on his face. "I... I didn’t want to die... but... maybe this is better. I... I hated every moment of it. Being their toy. The pain... the chains... It was never going to end."
He took a shuddering breath, his eyes locking with Allen’s. "But... I’m glad I... met you," he said, his lips curling into a faint, bittersweet smile. "You... tried... no one ever did."
Allen’s throat tightened as the boy’s breathing slowed. "Don’t you dare give up now," he growled, his voice cracking. "You’re not dying on my watch!"