Midnight comes too fast.
Arden stands outside the community center. Her team beside her. Five wounded survivors. Five god-killers. Five people about to enter hell again.
Olli's head is bandaged. Concussion. Shouldn't be here. Came anyway.
Jin-Hwa's nose is taped. Broken. Reset without anesthetic. Didn't make a sound.
Callum's ribs are wrapped. Maybe cracked. Maybe broken. Breathing hurts. Fighting will hurt more.
Kael's knee is swollen. Barely walking. Will have to fight anyway.
Arden's hands shake. Not from fear. From cost. From memory loss. From knowing the price keeps climbing.
"Last chance," she says. "Anyone wants out. Now's the time."
No one moves. No one speaks. They're in. All in.
"Okay." She pulls out her phone. Opens the forum. Finds the post.
Game 248 - Station One - HELP
Trapped in castle. Lady Crimson hunting us. People dying. Resurrecting. Losing themselves. Please. We need help.
Posted: 3 hours ago
Location: Castle of Blood
