✦ Chapter 44 — Chaos Has No Master
Their first steps into the Second Realm were careful, uncertain.
Their second steps… were drenched in blood.
It wasn't long before they were noticed. The moment they left the burning edge of the portal, the realm welcomed them with steel and madness.
The "devils" Laei had warned them about weren't just chaotic — they were broken. Their bodies twisted in impossible ways. Their magic erupted like wildfires without form. And their minds—Jio could feel them—screamed without words, drowning in urges.
Chaos. Pure chaos.
At first, the group tried to talk their way through. Then they tried to hide. But soon they were fighting to survive.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Jio grunted, staggering back with a deep slash across his chest. His scarf was torn, his breathing ragged. His usual calm was replaced with grim focus.
Beside him, Vexi panted, dirt and blood smeared across her arms. Her staff trembled slightly in her grip. "I—I almost didn't get him off me," she said quietly, voice cracking. "That one… wasn't even trying to kill me."
Havella didn't speak. Her hand trembled as she rewrapped the warding cloth around her waist. It had been torn. She didn't even want to look down at it. She just stared ahead with wide, unreadable eyes.
They had both nearly been—
"Don't say anything," Havella said suddenly, noticing Jio's glance. "Just don't."
He nodded. Quiet. Bleeding. But breathing.
They found a brief shelter beneath a toppled arch of stone and bone. It gave them ten minutes of stillness.
Jio leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "We were warned," he muttered. "This realm doesn't care about balance. Or right and wrong."
Vexi was still hugging her knees. "It's not just the land. It's their minds. They don't even see what they're doing."
Havella nodded slowly, finally calming her breath. "They are… chaos."
Jio opened his eyes. "Not like wild animals. Worse. There's intelligence in their chaos."
"Twisted intelligence," Vexi said, spitting to the side.
Silence settled for a moment before Havella spoke again, her voice firmer. "Laei said it. Knowledge is power here. If we don't understand them, we'll lose. This realm's system follows that logic. The stronger the grasp you have of your own power and of others'... the more control you gain."
Jio winced as he straightened up. "And the devils don't have control. Just instinct."
"Which means we have an advantage," Vexi said slowly. "Right?"
"No," Havella replied flatly. "It means we have a chance."
In the distance, the sky rumbled again.
The group looked toward the fire-lit horizon.
They would walk it.
Wounded, wary, but determined.
This wasn't the time to rest.
Not in the land of chaos.
Not in the place where even gods lost their names.
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End of Chapter
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