The fog thinned, then cleared. Soon after, the limbomites began trickling back, lining up once more for their meals.

Renny's brow lifted when he saw Maeril at Baro's side, with the soul key around her neck, her demeanor softened, her eyes almost tender. He had actually pulled it off. Renny shook his head, half-amused, half-in disbelief.

"You truly are a Don," he muttered. "Even here in Hell."

Baro's grin widened, pride written across his weathered face. "Never doubt me, my boy."

Maeril urged them to sit again, pressing food upon them before their departure. They did not refuse, bowls steaming, flavors rich, a final taste of her warmth.

When the time came to leave, Baro lingered. He and Maeril shared a long, warm embrace, her arms tight around his shoulders. Their lips met in a slow, deliberate kiss before parting.

And with that, they stepped out of Drosvale, the haze waiting to swallow them once more.

***

After leaving Drosvale, they unrolled the map, tracing the winding paths until Mount Varosk loomed as their next destination. It was there that the beast Zauric was said to dwell.

As they walked, Renny's gaze shifted toward Old Man Baro. "You truly care for her, don't you? Maeril. Tell me, will you really go back to see her from time to time?"

Baro grunted, but there was a warmth in his tone. "Of course. There's much to be learned from beasts about Hell's nature. She may prove more valuable than you think."

Renny smirked. "Valuable, sure… but I can't believe it. Old Man Baro, in love with a beast. A demon and a beast... what a love story."

The elder's face wrinkled into a scowl. "Bah, boy!" He raised his stick and swung it at Renny's shoulder. Renny laughed, dodging back as the old man chased after him, the staff clacking against the ground in mock fury.

***

At the base of Mount Varosk, the ground was littered with fragments of gigantic eggshells. Some were so large that a single curve of shell matched the size of Renny's foot. They were half-buried in the stone, their edges jagged, hollowed long ago.

Renny crouched, brushing his hand along the pale surface. "What in Hell are these?"

Old Man Baro rapped his stick against one, listening to the echo. After a thoughtful pause, he gave it a few hard stomps. The brittle shell gave way with a sharp crack, collapsing into powder.

All around them, more shells lay scattered like broken bones, the mountain carrying the remains of countless births. Renny straightened, unease flickering in his eyes. Eggs? he wondered. Could Zauric be some kind of bird, a winged beast that laid its brood within the mountain? Given its domain, it wasn't impossible.

As they began their climb, the fragments grew more frequent, shards crunching underfoot. By the time they reached the mountain's middle heights, the truth revealed itself in a sudden rush of wind.

A shadow swept over them.

Zauric drifted past, its body long and gaunt like a scarecrow torn from its post. Tattered lengths of shadow and cloth trailed from its frame, flapping as if they themselves were wings. Its flight stirred a cold, violent gale that whipped their clothes and nearly knocked Renny from his footing.

He caught a glimpse of hollow, burning eyes set deep in a straw-like visage, and the crooked grasp of clawed hands clutching a writhing soul, then the thing vanished into the clouded heights above.

Renny steadied himself, voice hard. "We have to move faster. Now."

Baro grunted agreement, tightening his grip on his staff as they pressed on toward the beast's aerie.

***

They had barely set foot on the mountain's upper ledge when Kev and Ammy arrived, striding up the path.

Ammy's eyes fell on Renny, and her lip curled. "You again? Hmph. What's an Ezraphor doing here? Eww... and you dragged a fossil with you?"

Old Man Baro struck his staff against the stone with a sharp crack. "The name is Baro. Show some respect, child."

Ammy's gaze snapped to him, her smile sharp and venomous. "Respect? Perhaps you should show me some first… unless you'd like me to snuff out that ancient life of yours right here."

Kev raised a hand, voice steady, calm but with weight. "Chill, Ammy. Ain't no need to get wild over this." He turned to Renny, eyes narrowing just slightly. "Still… what y'all doing here?"

Renny folded his arms. "Funny. I was about to ask you the same thing. We're here on a side contract."

Kev's brow lifted. "Same here."

Renny tilted his head. "Now isn't that odd? Both of us sent for the same beast. Perhaps that's common… clashes like this, I mean. Bound to happen sooner or later."

Ammy scoffed, flicking her hair back. "The difference is we're higher grade. Which means we've got the better chance at handling Zauric. Unfortunately for you, that means you'll need to find another contract."

Baro scowled, tapping his staff against the ground. "Young lady, you musta lost your senses if you think we'll let this contract slip just 'cause you say so. We came all this way. Ain't turning back for nobody."

Renny rested a hand on the old man's shoulder, grounding him. "She's right, Baro. They're higher grade. Ammy's Grade Three, if she wanted, she could force the issue. Pointless to fight over it."

Baro's lips pressed into a thin line, annoyance flickering in his brow. "Hmph. Find another contract, they say. Bah… I don't care about their grades…"

Kev gave a small chuckle, palms up as if to settle the air. "Easy, gramps. Ain't worth the blood pressure. Always another contract to grab. Just sucks this one's yours." He gave a dry chuckle. "Besides, we both higher grade… heard things 'bout Zauric. Doubt y'all coulda subdued him easy."

Baro arched a brow, leaning on his stick. "Is that so? Or are you saying that just to puff your chest? If the beast was truly beyond us, we'd never have been given the contract."

Ammy cut in sharp, stepping closer. "If it were beyond us, Kev wouldn't have received it either. Somebody messed up… thought Renny was Grade Two. But he's a repeat. Move along and let us handle this." She turned toward Zauric as though the creature itself were waiting for her stage entrance.

Kev tugged at his jacket collar, offering Renny an apologetic shrug. "My bad, homie. Honestly... it's probably for the best. Don't want you runnin' into the same kind of mess you had last year."

Renny's voice came flat. "No problem." He turned to Baro. "Let's go."

Kev's smile widened. "Nah… stay. Watch. I wanna talk with you after." He shot Baro a playful grin.

Baro huffed. "Lies. You just want an audience, ragazzo. You want to show off."

Kev laughed, rich and easy. "Gramps really is an old man. I still don't get how somebody so old can be a demon."

Renny smirked, finally nodding. "Fine. Why not? Could be good to see just how strong you've gotten."

Kev spread his arms, grin flashing. "Bet. Grab some popcorn. You're in for a show."

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