The Outergod's Avatar-Chapter 50: The Corpse Market (3)

Early the next morning, the rusted lock rattled against the doorframe, snapping Sophia out of her shallow sleep. She clung tighter to Felvin’s chest, her heart beating like a war drum. Izikel sat upright, blinking the fatigue from his eyes, alert with anticipation. The door creaked open.

A sliver of light broke through the crack, casting long shadows inside the cramped shed.

The boy from yesterday—the boss’s son—stepped inside. His presence was quiet but tense. He shut the door behind him and locked it with the carefulness of someone smuggling secrets. His eyes swept over the three captives.

Felvin’s jaw clenched with hatred. "What do you people want this time?" he spat.

"Why don’t you kill us and get it over with?" Lyzah added, her voice trembling but defiant.

The boy’s gaze didn’t waver. He looked straight at Izikel. Then, without a word, he pulled a small blade from beneath his tunic. Izikel flinched, but instead of harm, the boy cut through the ropes binding his wrists and ankles. Then he moved to Felvin and Lyzah, freeing them as well.

They watched him in stunned silence.

He reached into a satchel and dropped a small bottle of water and a half-loaf of bread on the floor in front of them.

"My name is Kamal’Jun," he said, offering Izikel a handshake

"I am Izikel Vau-Leotard,"

Jun nodded.

"Eat and prepare. We have to leave before anyone wakes up... I’ll be back shortly."

Felvin blinked, unsure if this was a trick. Lyzah furrowed her brows. "What... just happened?"

Izikel was the first to act. He picked up the bread, broke it into portions, and passed it around.

"Might as well eat before this turns into another nightmare," he muttered. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

They ate in silence, each bite bringing a little warmth back into their cold limbs. It was the first thing they had eaten since the Maw Forest,

Minutes later, Jun returned. He was out of breath. "I checked. The guards at the entrance aren’t there yet. We have to go. Now."

Felvin and Sophia exchanged confused glances.

"You’re letting us go?" Felvin asked.

Jun’s eyes gleamed with something that looked like pride. "Yes, I am."

"But... why?" Lyzah asked.

Jun hesitated, then lifted his chin. "I had a vision from Lord Mawgath. He said that if I didn’t free you... great destruction would fall on us all."

(Dramatic sound if this were a show)

Inside Izikel’s head, a voice echoed, his own, tinged with irritation.

’That’s not exactly what I said... and he didn’t even mention anything about granting his wishes either.’

He was a bit disappointed that the boy didn’t listen attentively, after all it took his time and energy to plan this all out.

Still, Jun pressed on. "We have no time. If my father finds out, he’ll kill me."

He handed them each a hood to cover their faces. "Put these on."

As they moved out of the shed and into the half-lit alleys of the market valley, Izikel’s thoughts buzzed with disbelief.

’How is this actually working? This guy seriously thinks he’s on a sacred quest sent to him by some god. Maybe he just afraid of being punished... Can’t say I blame him’

’it not like I’m much different.’

The sun hadn’t yet risen, but the sky held the faint glow of approaching dawn. They moved like whispers through the shadows, careful not to make a sound. Eventually, they reached the gate—only to find it guarded by two men.

"Shit," Jun muttered. "The guards are out."

"We’ll need another way—"

"No," Felvin interrupted. He wobbled forward. "I can handle this."

Lyzah touched his arm. "Felvin, what are you doing?"

"Don’t worry," he said, stepping away.

As he approached, one of the guards barked, "Who goes there?"

"Stop right there. Identify yourself!"

Felvin said nothing. He let his hood drop.

Recognition flashed in the guards’ eyes. "Isn’t he one of the merchandise?"

Before either of them could react, vines erupted from the earth like serpents. They twisted around the guards’ legs, their chests, their arms—until both men were fully cocooned, their faces barely visible, nostrils flaring as they struggled to breathe.

All of it happened with one motion of Felvin’s hand.

Jun and Lyzah stood frozen. Even Izikel’s mouth was slightly open.

But Felvin swayed, his breathing ragged.

"You shouldn’t push yourself," Izikel said, catching him.

"I’m not... done."

He raised a trembling hand. The vines tightened. The men writhed and began to scream muffled cries through the green prison.

Then—someone shouted from far behind them.

"Hey! Where did my Druids go?!"

The voice was unmistakable. The boss. Jun’s father.

Panic gripped them.

"We have to go!" Jun urged.

He slung Felvin’s arm over his shoulder and dragged him forward. As they passed the writhing guards, Felvin stopped. He looked back—eyes dark, jaw clenched.

Then, with a clenched fist, he commanded the vines.

With a sickening crunch, the guards were crushed. The vines pulsed, then ruptured. Blood and viscera spattered the earth like mashed fruit. Felvin doubled over and vomited violently.

Izikel was speechless—not only because of the brutality, but because of who had done it.

’A Druid... just killed. Not by accident. Not in defense. But intentionally.’

he didn’t have much time to fully process this.

Jun stared wide-eyed. "We have to move!"

They ran through the narrow corridors of the valley, navigating its maze-like paths. The world around them blurred. Felvin stumbled again, vomited something black and oily, but forced himself onward.

"We’re almost there!" Jun shouted. "Come on!"

They turned one last corner—and sunlight bathed them.

Freedom.

Except... it wasn’t.

Standing there, arms crossed, was Jun’s father. His tall frame cast a shadow over the open space. Behind him stood the three men who had once tried to violate Lyzah, their faces curled into smug sneers. And more guards—at least a dozen—stood flanking them.

Jun froze. "F-Father... How did you get here before us?"

The boss laughed coldly. "You think there’s only one way out of my market?"

Then his eyes narrowed. "Forget that. What are you doing with my merchandise? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to run away with them"

Jun’s throat dried up. "I... I’m doing this for us. For everyone."

"For us? You’re freeing my Druids? Do you have any idea how much they’re worth? Divine Druid hearts can sell for hundreds of crystals!" He was shouting now, shaking with fury. "And you try to steal them?"

"Father... I saw it. In my dream. The Lord Mawgath—he told me—"

"Lord Mawgath?!" his father roared. "You’ve been deceived! You fool! That was no divine message—it was your own idiocy!"

Jun’s voice cracked. "But father—"

"Don’t call me your father. You’ve betrayed me. You’re no son of mine."

He turned to the guards.

"Kill the idiot. Bring me back my merchandise."