The group retreated from the nest, their bodies battered and their spirits weary. The oppressive stench of the catacombs clung to them as they stumbled through the winding tunnels, putting as much distance as they could between themselves and the horrors they had faced. Belial led the way, his sword dragging slightly as he leaned against the wall for support. His wounds were deep, but his determination burned brighter than ever. Xin followed, his face pale and his hands trembling, while Raven brought up the rear, his massive frame a silent bulwark against whatever might pursue them.
They stumbled upon a narrow alcove, half-concealed behind a collapsed section of the tunnel. It wasn't much—barely more than a dent in the rock—but it was defensible. A place to catch their breath, to bleed in peace.
Belial sank against the wall, chest rising and falling in ragged gasps. His hand pressed against the deep gash along his ribs, fingers slick with blood. Across from him, Raven stood sentinel near the entrance, his blackened armor dented and scuffed, streaked with soot and dried ichor. Despite the damage, it still held together—unlike the man beneath it.
Xin sat cross-legged on the cold ground, his cloak torn and soaked through, more red than fabric now. He stared into the middle distance, silent, his expression unreadable.
"We can't go back in there like this," Belial said at last, his voice low and rasping. Despite the pain, there was fire in his eyes. "We were outmatched. Those guards… they're not like the Fiends. They're smarter. Faster. Stronger. And that alpha Fiend…"
He trailed off, jaw clenched. The memory of it still gripped him.
"They weren't just Fiends," he said, quieter now. "Those were Hollow Rank. Monsters—mostly born in the black gate. Things that exist because the gap between B and A is too wide for anything sane to bridge."
Belial himself recalled the difference in power between him and Cassidy,
Silence stretched between them, heavy and bitter.
Finally, Belial turned his gaze to Xin. "We need a plan. And you…"
His voice finally sharpened,
"You need a weapon."
Xin looked up, his brow furrowed. "I've never used one before," he admitted. "I've always relied on my shards, hammer or axe...i was never good at the latter though, but… I'm out. I've got nothing left."
Belial nodded, his expression grim. "That's the problem. You're a Balancer, Xin. You've got the instincts, the reflexes. But without a weapon, you're a liability in a fight like that. We need you at your best."
Xin's jaw tightened. He knew Belial was right.
He had been useless in the nest, dodging and rolling but unable to contribute meaningfully to the fight. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up inside him. "What am I supposed to do? I don't know the first thing about using a weapon properly. I don't have ether. "
"You'll learn," Belial said firmly. "We'll find you something. Something simple, something you can use without needing years of training. But you've got to be willing to try."
Xin hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. I'll do whatever it takes."
Raven grunted from the entrance, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "There's a creature nearby. It's big, but slow. Its hide is covered in shards. If we can take it down, we can fashion a weapon for Xin."
Belial's eyes lit up. " That's perfect. They're sharp, durable. With the right shape, it could make a decent spear. Xin, you'll have to learn to use it, but it's better than nothing."
Xin swallowed hard, his stomach churning at the thought of facing another monster. But he nodded again, his resolve hardening. "Let's do it."
The creature was exactly as Raven had described—a hulking, lumbering beast with thick, armored hide covered in jagged shards. It moved slowly, its massive claws scraping against the stone floor as it prowled through the tunnels. Its eyes were small and beady, but its sense of smell was keen. It had already caught their scent.
Belial crouched behind a rock, his sword resting across his knees. "We hit its joints," he whispered. "That's where it's vulnerable. Raven, you take the front. Draw its attention. Xin and I will go for the legs. Once it's down, we'll pry off one of the shards."
Raven nodded, his massive frame shifting as he prepared to move. Xin crouched beside Belial, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no weapon, no plan, just the torn piece of his cloak wrapped around his hand for grip. He felt useless, but he pushed the feeling down. This was his chance to prove himself.
Raven stepped into the open, his presence immediately drawing the creature's attention. It let out a low, rumbling growl, its head swinging toward him. Raven raised his fists, his armor gleaming faintly in the dim light. "Come on," he growled, his voice echoing through the tunnel.
The creature charged, its massive claws slashing through the air. Raven met it head-on, his fists slamming into its armored hide with enough force to stagger it. The creature roared, its claws raking against Raven's armor, but he stood firm, his movements deliberate and unyielding.
Belial and Xin moved in from the sides, their eyes fixed on the creature's legs. Belial's sword flashed, slicing through the thin flesh at the back of its knee. The creature bellowed in pain, its leg buckling. Xin hesitated for a moment, then darted forward, driving his foot into the other knee. The creature swayed, its balance faltering.
"Again!" Belial shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
They struck in unison, Belial's sword and Xin's makeshift attacks targeting the creature's weak points. The creature roared, its movements growing sluggish as its legs gave out. It crashed to the ground, its massive body shaking the tunnel.
Belial didn't waste any time. He climbed onto the creature's back, his sword prying at one of the larger shards embedded in its hide. With a grunt of effort, he wrenched it free, the shard coming loose with a sickening crunch. It was long and jagged, one end sharp enough to pierce flesh.
"Here," Belial said, tossing the shard to Xin. "This'll do."
Xin caught it, his hands trembling as he examined the crude weapon. It was far from perfect—uneven and rough—but it was better than nothing. He tore another strip from his cloak, wrapping it around the base of the shard to create a makeshift handle. The weight felt strange in his hands, but he gripped it tightly, determination burning in his eyes.
"It's not much," Belial said, his voice softening. "But it's a start. You'll learn as we go. Just stay alive."
Xin nodded, his grip tightening on the shard-spear. "I will."
As they ventured deeper into the catacombs, Xin practiced with his new weapon, his movements clumsy at first but growing more confident with each step. He had no formal training, no battle arts to rely on, but he had instincts—sharp, honed by years of survival. He thrust the spear experimentally, testing its balance, his mind racing as he tried to imagine how it would fare against the Queen's Guards.
Belial watched him out of the corner of his eye, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You'll get the hang of it," he said. "Just remember—speed and precision. You're not trying to overpower them. You're trying to outthink them. You're good at that."
Xin nodded, his expression serious. "I'll do my part."
Raven grunted in approval, his massive frame casting a long shadow as they pressed onward. The nest loomed ahead, its horrors waiting for them. But this time, they were ready.
Or so they hoped.