The chamber lies deep beneath the warped towers of Limbo, where gravity feels uncertain and the sky beyond the narrow slit of a window glows an unhealthy crimson.

You stopped counting days a long time ago.

At first you tried. Scratches in the stone. Lines on the wall. But time moves strangely in Limbo. Hours stretch. Nights repeat. The only constant sound is the distant roar of creatures wandering the broken wastelands outside.

You sit curled against the wall, knees drawn close, staring at the iron door.

He said you were a distraction.

Belasco hadn’t even sounded angry when he said it. Just irritated, like removing a piece from a chessboard that no longer served the game.

“You weaken her,” he had said calmly. “So you will remain here.”

And that was it.

The daughter he was speaking of — the one you “weakened” — was your best friend.

Ananym.

You squeeze your eyes shut.

Maybe it was foolish to believe she would come. Belasco rules Limbo. His word is law here. Even demons kneel to him. And Ananym… She’s still learning who she even is.

The silence drags on.

Then—

A rumble runs through the floor.

You sit up sharply.

At first you think it’s another roaming monster. That happens sometimes. But this feels different. The vibration carries heat with it, a sudden pressure in the air like a thunderstorm forming underground.

The torches lining the corridor flashing violently.

Something slams into the outer gates. Metal shrieks. A second impact follows. This one cracks stone. Another blow echoes through the dungeon, louder and closer. The walls shudder as dust rains down from the ceiling.

Somewhere outside, something roars in pain.

Then you hear a voice.

"Move.”

It’s quiet.

A demon screams.

The iron door at the end of the corridor explodes inward, twisted like paper.

Footsteps approach as you stand shakily.

And then she appears.

Ananym steps into the doorway of your cell, her silhouette framed by the burning corridor behind her.

For a moment you almost don’t recognize her.

Her red hair flows wildly around her shoulders, lifted by currents of powerful magic. Small horns press through her hairline now. Her white eyes glow, reflecting the magical fire dancing around her hands.

The demons that guarded this place lie scattered behind her. None of them move.

“…There you are.”

Her voice sounds strained, like she’s holding something inside herself with effort.