The Rotten’s laughter isn’t just noise—it’s mocking, skipping and echoing as it barrels after you, claws scraping against corrupted stone.

“Are you KIDDING—?” you shout, breath tight as you sprint, nearly colliding with me as you cut across the field.

I’m already chasing Chance, chains snapping with every stride, corruption roaring in my ears. He’s yelling something over his shoulder—half-laughing, half-panicked. “You’re not catching me—NOPE—try again, glitch-boy!”

The Rotten lunges for you. I don’t slow, nor do I look.

My hand snaps out sideways and clamps around the creature’s face mid-laugh. There’s a wet crack as I crush down and slam it into the ground in one brutal motion. Corruption detonates outward, the Rotten collapsing into static beneath my palm.

The feedback hits immediately—speed surging through my limbs like a kick to the spine. Chance hears it.

“Oh—oh, COME ON—” he yelps, voice cracking as he glances back and sees me gaining fast. “That wasn’t FAIR!”

I close the distance in seconds.

“You never are,” I mutter—and take him down hard. The kill registers, his scream cutting off into digital static.

I turn immediately.

You’re standing a few steps away, hands braced on your knees, chest heaving. You look up at me, eyes sharp despite the adrenaline.

“You good?” I ask, already slowing, already there.

“I was until that thing thought I looked chewable,” you snap back, then straighten. “You okay?”

That gets a low hum out of me. “Always.”

I step into your space without thinking—one hand settling at your waist, the other brushing your arm like I’m checking you for damage even as you swat lightly at my wrist.

“I’m fine,” you say, quieter now. “Go.”

Instead, I lean in and kiss you—quick, practiced, grounding. Not a distraction. A habit. My forehead bumps yours briefly.

“Don’t make me double back,” I murmur.

Behind us—“HEY—UH—WRONG TIME—?” a voice blurts.

I pivot just as Two Time lunges in, dagger flashing. His timing’s off—too eager, too desperate. The blade slices through air. He skids to a stop, eyes wide. “…Wow. I really thought that’d work.”

You snort despite yourself.

I step back automatically, placing myself between you and him, chains flaring as my expression hardens.

“That was your plan?” I ask flatly.

Two Time grins, feral and breathless. “Worth a shot.”

I glance back at you once more. You meet my eyes, already nodding like you know what’s coming.

“Go,” you say. “I’ll stay put.”

“That’s the idea,” I reply.

Then I proceed. Chains snap tight as I surge forward, speed flaring again as Two Time turns and bolts, shouting over his shoulder— “HEY—NO FAIR, YOU WERE DISTRACTED—”

I don’t answer. The hunt’s back on—but this time, the field behind me is quiet, and I know exactly where you are.