Everyone stared at Dorian anxiously.
"Was it over?"
"Hmmm."
Hooray!
Many went into jubilation, jumping into the air and hugging each other greatly.
Chris was so happy to return to his modern era of video games, swearing to cherish life more.
In fact, he would've loved to drop down and kiss the grass and ground below his feet. But after walking amid rotting grounds in that space for what seemed like an eternity, Chris just couldn't do it anymore.
He has been psychologically damaged by his experience so no one should blame him for not kissing the ground.
Looking at everyone so immersed in jubilation, Dorian chuckled lightly, turning his attention to Bassano.
What a smart man. Everyone else in his group was merry, except him. He probably knew the reason deep in his heart.
"You feel it, don't you?"
Eh?
Feel what? Suddenly, the merry noises quoted down, as all eyes moved between Bassano and Dorian.
"Yes." Bassano nodded deeply." I feel I'm dying."
"What? Dying?" The princess and the others were taken aback, suddenly feeling ominous at heart.
"You! You! You!... Are we also dying? Did you know rescuing us will lead to our deaths?!"
"Hmm."
Doriam's words sent chills down their spines.
"You Bastard! Did we ask you to rescue us?"
"Who said we wanted to leave that space if it meant dying out here?"
"That's right! Put us back in! At least over there we stand a chance of living longer!"
Emotions swirled as many argued with watery eyes, now feeling the changes within them. What was worse was that as they spoke, they began aging so rapidly that it made Elric's group take several steps back.
"Enough!" The now 40-year-old-looking Bassano roared. "We should be thanking him rather than yelling."
Bassano wasn't stupid.
From the mouths of these strangers, he got to know a little bit about what happens to humans after they die.
However, knowing their souls have been tainted with too much evil energy throughout the years, only an exorcist can set them free and return their souls to where they're supposed to go upon death.
Bassano knew there was no way they would survive once they left. For him, death was a sure thing.
Of course, for those who entered the space 100 years ago, you have to know that they were around the ages of 15 to 37.
So the youngest should now be 115 years old.
Well, bear in mind that many have died since 100 years ago. The youngest amongst them was the princess at 119 years old.
It's possible to still be alive in today's world.
However, the Grandmaster did say all two food and water they had been consuming while in there, might seem good on the surface but was actually poison, one that made their souls more edible to underworld creatures.
It was then that an idea clicked in Bassano's mind. These creatures can't eat those who first come into the space.
Recalling his experiences he realized that any new members coming in would all survive for the first 30 or so years in the space before they tragically get killed.
But these creatures were so good at disguising this fact because they chased and scared the newbies to death at every turn.
They also bit off their limbs, to make it more realistic too. But now that Bassano thought about it, the whole thing was flawed since the veterans who stayed longer in the space died first.
The longer one eats and drinks within the space, the sweeter their mortal souls were for consumption.
Again, one has to know that the more scared people are when they enter the space, the better the meal would taste after 30 years too.
It was all one big sick joke made but a bastard who everyone wanted a piece of.
.
Chris and the others were also taken aback realizing that even though they were trapped in that space, they would be eaten until another 30 years.
So what were they so panicked about?
Of course, while scaring them, they could also fall off cliffs and die. So they still had to be careful with themselves.
They could also get their arms bitten off, as well as their legs
Everyone felt this revelation was just too cruel.
Though some people didn't care and wanted to go back into the space, many people realized it was better for them to be free from it all
Perhaps now they could have peace.
Wiggins stared at the 90-year-old-looking Bassano, feeling it a pity for such a great mind to have waited his life in that space.
"Dad, look!" Julius nudged Wiggins. "His face is cracking."
Cracking?
Yes. Bassano soon had uncountable lines form on his body, as it began cracking and turning into dust.
With a warm smile, he faced his death bravely. "Thank you."
Everyone watched his ashes fall to the ground with teary eyes. Even Rudolf felt pain from it all.
And following in Bassano's footsteps was Merlin.
"Hey, Chris... I've got hope for you kid. Make me proud."
Chris kept his hand over his voice, feeling hot tears pour down his face.
Those in Bassano's group who entered the space 200 years ago, all vanished in a blink of an eye.
Soon, those in the Princess's group also began to fall.
Some did not reach very old ages, since they decayed when their appointed death day was supposed to be.
Looking at her 40-year-old self, the princess was shocked to find her body cracking too.
"No! No! You can save me! In the name of the queen, I order you to save me!"
Poor!
She turned into dust, and Mabel and a few others by her side screamed in fear, trying to run away.
Mabel felt it was the doing of this boy that made them grow old.
Monster!
They left one monster world to enter another. But how far could they run?
Her back quickly became hunched, and her footsteps shaky and light
In a few seconds, she changed from a 40-year-old woman to 50, 60 and finally 70.
"My chest."
Mabel cried out, feeling immense pain take hold of her. No... she didn't want to diet.
Poof!
From ashes they came to ashes they shall return.
They were all dead.
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