An character referenced from a real life is from admiration but a real-life person copying a fictional character is just pure insane.
- Author
---
Back to the present.
The undead waves kept coming at Joseph. Even though he was overpowering them, he was nearing his limit.
"Hah, there's no end to you guys. Tsk," Joseph muttered.
"Grghhh!" The necromancer stared at Joseph, almost as if it was enjoying the fight.
Phutweee—Joseph spat out some blood. "I think I might've thrown some red flags at the entrance…"
Ray's side — the left tunnel.
Ray dashed hurriedly into the tunnel. The stench was getting thinner as he got closer to the end.
At the end of the tunnel, he saw a familiar face—and froze.
"Hello, old friend," the person said.
"Why are you here?" Ray asked, slipping into a fighting stance and drawing his sword. "Have you already recovered?"
"Haha, Ray. Don't worry—I won't be getting in your way for a while. The scar you gave me still hasn't healed."The man turned slightly, revealing a gaping hole in his chest, his face twisted in hate.
Then, turning his back to Ray, he stared up at the ceiling, where thin rays of light were piercing into the tunnel.
"Well, as the ruler of all Nethoria, I should at least spare a hint or two, don't you think?" he smirked.
Ray dashed and leapt at him, blade aimed true—but before it could strike, the man vanished, his voice echoing in the air:
"The dead artifact isn't here. Nor in the other tunnels. Egotheon already retrieved it.And by the way… you didn't say goodbye to that red-haired kid.You should have. Hahahaha!"
Ray froze, stunned—and then immediately turned back, sprinting toward Joseph's path.
---
Wandy's tunnel
Wandy walked casually through her tunnel, completely unbothered. Nothing had happened.
"Aww, I got unlucky… or should I say lucky? There's nothing here. Guess I should turn back and join Joseph."
But suddenly, she felt a sharp sting in her heart.Unconsciously, tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall.
"…Why am I crying?"
Sudden realization makes her tremble in sadness. "No!" She muttered. "Nah, No... I won't let that happen. Don't you dare leave me behind!"
She ran back to the entrance.
---
"Ah haa… I think this must be it."Joseph fell to his knees, blood and bruises covering his body. He had no strength left to use his blessing.
Memories flashed through his eyes."Ah… this is what people call the last seven minutes."
---
Umbran Year 995
"Wandy," Joseph called, walking up the hill where he'd told her to wait.
"Hurry up! I wanna rest after today's training. My body's itching."Wandy stretched her arms, then relaxed. "So, what's that thing you wanted to talk about?"
From a distance, Elias peeked from behind a rock."Hey Von, you think Wandy will accept his proposal?"
Von, tidying up the tent, replied calmly, "Maybe… maybe not."
Sigh—Elias let out a heavy breath."You don't have to be this emotionless bastard all the time, you know?"
Von smiled."Well, of course she'll accept it. Joseph's the only one who's always been there for her—even for the smallest things."
"Hey, look!" Elias said, eyes widening. "Wait… did she slap him?"
Von raised an eyebrow. "What?"
He stood up and looked over.
"Now… they're kissing?!" Elias blinked in disbelief. "They're seriously weird. Shit— they're coming back."
The two never admitted they were a couple, but they always acted like one.In Umbran Year 996, when they established their base far south of Windrise, in the Wasteland, Joseph was once caught sneaking out of Wandy's room.
---
Back in the present, Joseph remembered that moment and chuckled weakly.
"Damn… she's gonna be so mad about this."
His consciousness was barely holding on. His vision was blurring.
The necromancer slowly walked toward him. Joseph, though exhausted, was ready to face his fate.
The creature seemed to want him as one of undead army.It gently cupped Joseph's face, green aura leaking from its eyes.As the glow crept toward Joseph's own eyes, a sudden gust of wind blew the aura back. The necromancer leapt away, its hand sliced by the wind.
Joseph smiled faintly before losing consciousness.
"You did well holding them back," a familiar voice said.
Von stepped in from the tunnel.
"I'll take it from here."
It would've been a tough fight had Von gone head-to-head like Joseph.The undead weren't affected by time—but time was Von's weapon.
It took a split second to kill the necromancer.
Again.
---
Ray and Wandy met at the intersection of the three tunnels. Without exchanging words, they both rushed toward Joseph's path. Wandy's eyes were already brimming with tears.
When they reached the end of the middle tunnel, they saw Von holding Joseph's unconscious body.
Ray rushed over and checked his condition.
It was bad. Way past bad.
"It's not too late yet," Von said. "I stopped time for him—but it's almost at the limit. Ray, do something."
Von's voice—usually steady and emotionless—was trembling. Just slightly. But enough to tell how serious this was.
Wandy understood instantly. She dropped to her knees, sobbing.
"Please, Ray. Save him. If necessary… take mine. Just save him!"
Ray gently patted her hair and shook his head.
"I'll try."