[Content Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence, torture, and disturbing imagery. Reader discretion is advised.]
An hour passed. The circle had drunk all the blood within it, leaving only the corpses of Nico and Mira—brother and sister, twins. They were born together. They died together.
It had drained Nero's blood as well, but the blood outside the circle still remained, clotting on the floor, painting everything in thick, dried crimson.
Nero's eyes were shut. He tried to focus on his inner power, but tears still slipped down his cheeks. Not from the screws twisting through his arms and legs—he could endure that—but from the grief of watching three innocent lives be slowly snuffed out before him, powerless to stop it.
"It's not working," Nero opened his eyes and whispered to Angelo.
It has to work, Angelo replied firmly. It's the only way.
Before Nero could say more, movement caught his eye. Eli stirred.
This is bad, Angelo warned. If the kid sees all this, he'll panic.
Nero swallowed, calming the tremor in his chest.
Eli sat up, rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep. His small voice broke the silence. "I need to go to the bathroom…"
Nero forced gentleness into his shaking voice. "Hey, kid. What's your name?"
"Eli."
"Okay, Eli… don't open your eyes."
"… Why?"
Nero thought for a split second, then said, "Because… there's a monster here. If you look at it, it'll get angry."
Eli froze, eyelids clamping shut, almost on the verge of tears.
"Don't cry," Nero said softly. "It can't see you if you keep your eyes closed."
"Okay… I won't open them."
"Good boy."
"But… I need to pee," Eli whispered.
"That's fine. Just… listen carefully. Two steps to your left—slowly, so you don't step on the other kid."
"I'll try."
Eli shuffled left, cautious.
"Now turn left. Two steps forward."
He obeyed.
"Now you can… do your thing. But remember—keep your eyes shut."
Eli peed, silent for a moment, then asked, "Who are you, mister?"
Nero hesitated, then answered bitterly, "Me? I'm just a stupid man who believed the monster's words. And now I'm tied up in here."
"… Will the monster hurt me?"
"Not if you keep your eyes closed. Then it can't touch you."
"Where's my mom? I want to go to her."
Nero's throat tightened. "Your mother? She and the others are looking for you… and the other kid. But don't worry. We'll keep our eyes closed, break free from here, and then they'll kill the monster. Okay?"
Eli nodded faintly. "Okay."
Angelo's voice pressed in Nero's mind: Use the kids to break free from the screws.
How?
Look around. See if there's anything that can cut off our arms.
Nero scanned the room. His eyes landed on the claw Anika had left behind.
"Eli," he said softly, "can you help me? We need to cut these ropes so we can run away from the monster."
The boy thought for a moment. "Okay… but how?"
"Turn toward my voice. Walk slowly."
Eli turned and shuffled forward. "Am I going the right way?"
"Yes. You're doing great. Just a bit closer."
Step by step, Eli inched forward until he bumped into Nero's leg. The screws burned deep, but Nero swallowed the cry and said calmly, "Good. Now take one step right, then five forward."
Eli obeyed.
"Crouch down. Feel for the knife."
The boy's small hands searched blindly. Then his fingers brushed against Nico's head. He flinched. "What's that?"
Nero's eyes welled. His voice shook. "That? Just… a doll's hair. I used to make dolls for kids." Tears ran freely down his cheeks. "I'll make you a cool doll after we get out of here."
"I'm not a girl. I don't play with dolls."
Nero forced a smile through the pain. "Then I'll make you something else. Deal?"
"Okay."
Eli's hand finally found the claw. He lifted it. "I found the knife, mister… but it feels strange."
"Good. Hold it carefully—it's sharp."
That won't be enough, Angelo said darkly. It can't cut bone.
Nero's eyes darted to the drill Dorne had used to pin him down.
"Eli," he said quickly, "there's something else nearby. A tool. Bring it here too."
The boy shuffled, hands out, and found the drill. He dragged it back with the claw, laying both near Nero.
Now tell him to start cutting your right arm, Angelo urged.
Nero's stomach clenched. You can't be serious. He's just a kid.
This is your only chance. Hurry, before they come back down.
Eli's small voice trembled. "What do I do next, mister? Do I… cut the rope?"
Nero stayed silent, heart pounding.
"… Mister? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Nero exhaled slowly. "Yes. You have to cut the ropes. Use your hands. Feel your way to the rope."
"Okay."
Eli stretched his hands out. His palm brushed Nero's face. Nero flinched. The last time children touched him, they had sensed his true self—and recoiled in terror.
But this time, Eli didn't sense anything. He simply traced along, down Nero's cheek, to his shoulder, and toward his right arm.
"You're there," Nero whispered, voice tight. "That's the rope. Now… get the knife and start cutting."
Eli put down the drill, pulled the claw from his pocket, and pressed it to Nero's arm. The sharp edge pierced his skin. Pain spread like fire, blood spilling hot over Eli's small hand.
"What's this?" the boy asked.
Nero clenched his teeth. "It's… some kind of water pipe. Water's running through it. Don't worry—keep cutting."
Eli hesitated. "Why is it hot?"
The wound sealed itself almost instantly. Nero forced a calm voice. "Hot water, maybe. Just keep going. Don't stop."
"… Okay."
Nero drew a ragged breath as Eli sliced into him again. The pain was unbearable, but Nero held his screams in. He couldn't let Eli know he was carving into flesh and muscle, not rope.
The claw tore deeper, until it hit bone. Eli paused. "There's something hard here. I can't cut through it."
Nero, sweating and trembling, swallowed back a groan. "That monster must've put something hard inside the rope to stop us… You've got the drill, right?"
Eli withdrew the claw—the wound healing again—and crouched for the drill. He lifted it with both hands. "Here it is… but it's really heavy."
"Can you use it?"
"No… but if Lina was here, she could."
Nero froze. "Lina? Thom's daughter?"
"Yes. She knows how to use tools like this."
Nero's eyes flicked to the girl lying motionless nearby. His gut twisted. I can't… there has to be another way.
Angelo's voice pressed into his skull. There is no other way. They have to cut the arm. It's the only path to freedom.
Nero exhaled, shaking. "Eli… remember when I said there was another kid here with us?"
"Yes. But… how do you know all this? Are your eyes open?"
"No, no. My eyes are shut. I just… have a good memory. I remember where everything was before I closed them."
"Oh. I understand."
"Eli… are you scared?"
The boy's voice quivered. "Yes… I'm scared. I want Mommy."
Nero forced his voice steady through the throbbing pain. "It's okay. You'll cut the ropes, and I'll take both of you outside. To your parents. Alright?"
"… Okay."
"Good boy. Now listen. The other kid with us is Lina. She's sleeping. You have to wake her up—but make sure she keeps her eyes closed, just like you and me. Can you do that?"
"I can."
"Good. You're brave, Eli. Now, turn right… two steps forward."
Eli followed the instructions until he reached Lina.
"Wake her gently," Nero whispered. "And don't let her open her eyes."
Eli tugged at her arm. "Lina. Lina, wake up."
She stirred faintly, drug still heavy in her system. "Eli…?"
"Yes, it's me." He covered her eyes with his blood-stained palm. "Don't open your eyes. The monster will hurt you."
"Monster? What monster?"
"Please, Lina," Eli begged. "Don't open them."
Nero added quickly, "He's right. The monster's here. But it can't touch you if your eyes stay shut."
Lina stilled, then slowly sat up, eyes sealed. "… Okay. But I have questions."
"You'll get your answers later," Nero said firmly. "Right now, you need to hurry. Eli—guide her to me."
Eli took her hand and carefully led her across the floor.
"Lina," Nero said, "Eli told me you can use a drill. Is that true?"
Eli handed it over. She pulled the trigger—the bit whirred. "Yes. I can use this."
"Good. Questions wait. I need you to drill through a tough pipe, after Eli cuts the softer part. I'll guide you both."
"But you said you'd answer me—"
"No time. The other monsters will come down any moment."
"Lina, please," Eli whispered.
She sighed. "… Fine. But where are our parents?"
Nero's heart sank. "I don't know. The monster brought you here. Maybe they're searching for you now. But enough of that—I'll get you both back to them. First, you have to cut this rope."
Nero guided Eli back to the task. "Start cutting the soft part again."
The boy sliced through flesh, while Nero bit back screams, sweat pouring down his face.
When Eli had finished, Nero, gasping, said, "Now—don't move your hand. Use your other hand to guide Lina. Place the drill on the hard part. Once she's ready, move away or you'll get hurt."
Eli guided her carefully. Lina pressed the drill bit against Nero's bone.
"Eli, move," she said. "I'm starting."
"Wait," Nero rasped. He took a few deep breaths, bracing himself. "Okay. Do it."
The drill whirred.
The bit bit into his humerus, grinding, tearing, crushing marrow and nerves. The sound was sickening—the pain worse. Nero shook violently, veins standing out on his neck. He wanted to scream but clamped his jaw shut, tears streaming.
Blood spattered, bone fragments splintered, flesh shredded. His body struggled to heal but couldn't keep up.
With a final crack and twist, his right arm was severed. It swung loose for a moment before his body lurched, knitting itself back together—new flesh tearing through the old, a brand-new arm growing in place.