In the village, Mihon, Youray, and Helmo entered the chief's house, where they sat down to speak with him. The old man told them everything—about the overseers of the factories, how they had come from the beginning, and how they had forced the villagers to work against their will.
Suddenly, Mihon spoke: —Was there anyone with the old man besides me?
The chief replied thoughtfully: —No, you were alone at the time.
Then, as if recalling something, he stood up quickly and walked toward a wooden cabinet in the corner. He took out a small box and said: —This… Cleavor gave it to me when I refused to leave this place. He didn't explain how to use it because he was in a hurry. He only said there was something inside that would save your lives. And until now… I haven't figured out how to open it.
Mihon said confidently as he reached out his hand: —Give it to me.
—You think you can open it? asked the old man with interest.
Mihon replied simply: —We'll see if it does.
The old man handed the box to Mihon, who began examining it carefully. But he soon paused—everyone had heard it: sounds coming from outside the house, noise rising in the village square.
Mihon turned to the old man and whispered something softly before they left the house. The old man was taken aback.
In the courtyard, five men were mounted on horses, dressed in dark gray clothes. Among them stood a man with cold features... It was the same man seen in the room full of screens, bowing his knee.
Mihon looked at the five men; all of them had a yellow rose in their hands.
The man looked at Mihon and Youray and said, "You two... will come with us."
The village chief stepped forward resolutely and said, "These two are my guests. What do you want from them?"
One of the men laughed contemptuously and said, "If you want to see the light of tomorrow, keep silent, you miserable old man. Do you think we ask for your permission?"
Mihon turned to the old man and whispered, "Don't worry about us... just do as I told you." Then Mihon and Youray set off with the men. Hilmo stood there, sorrowful, blaming himself for leading them to the village.
---
Along the way, the men began to mock them: "How unlucky you are... You came into this forest, don't you know about the beasts and bandits here?"
Another laughed and said, "You will never get out of here. You won't see the world again. You'll work like animals... You have no chance."
But Mihon and Youray walked silently, their faces void of any expression.
One of the men said, "Aren't you afraid?"
Another replied with a laugh, "They seem so terrified that they can't even utter a word."
Then he added, "Don't worry... we'll treat you 'kindly.'"
They continued riding their horses, while Mihon and Youray kept walking on foot. After two hours of traveling through the forest, rocks, and an atmosphere filled with mockery, they arrived at a massive wooden fence, at a gate with a house and a stable.
A portly man greeted them with a laugh: — "Are these the new laborers?!"
Another laughed and said: — "Too young... What a pity for their youth—it will be consumed in these factories."
The men dismounted from their horses and resumed walking toward the nearby factories, which stood a mere hundred and fifty meters away.
Mihon suddenly stopped and looked at Youray: — "It seems one of The Possessed is here."
Youray replied calmly: — "I sensed it."
One of the men whirled around, demanding: — "What are you talking about? Keep moving."
He reached out his hand to push Mihon from behind, but… before it could touch him, blood scattered through the air. The man's hand was no longer where it should be—and before he could scream, his head flew off. Everything happened in a blink.
One of the men screamed, but what he saw froze the blood in his veins.
A long white bone, twisting like a serpent, dripping with blood.
The four of them collapsed to the ground in terror, panic etched into their faces as they stared at Youray… The bone was emerging from his wrist.
One of them stammered through tears: — Wh… who are you?
The man let out one final scream—but the bone pierced through his mouth and burst out the back of his head.
As for the remaining three, they began to cry and plead, apologizing for their earlier mockery.
Youray said coldly: — What happened had nothing to do with your mockery. Mock me all you want. Do I care about insects like you? No. But don't you ever lay a hand on him.
Before they could even glance at Mihon… their three heads flew off, all at once.
Mihon turned to Youray. — I'll go after the Possessed. Do what you want with the rest.
— Fine, Youray replied.
The factories were nearly silent at night. Most of the workers were in their rooms, preparing for sleep.
In a control room filled with screens, a grim-faced man sat muttering: — What's taking those fools so long? What are they doing out there? They've got me waiting like an idiot.
Suddenly, he clutched his chest. His breath grew heavy, his heart pounding violently.
— What's happening…? Why do I feel this?
He left the room, dragging his feet as he climbed the stairs toward the roof.
Meanwhile, in one of the rooms, two men were getting ready for bed.
— Did you hear a scream? one of them asked.
— What scream are you talking about? the other replied, sluggishly.
— I'm sure! I heard something…
— Oh, stop hallucinating. Let's just sleep.
Then... a knock on the door.
— Who's the idiot coming at this hour?
He opened the door, only to find a thick fog before him… visibility no more than three meters.
He said in bewilderment, — What is this?!
But before he could finish, a writhing white bone shot forth—severing both their heads in a single instant.
As for the man climbing the stairs, he continued with a heavy feeling in his chest.
Is this death? Has the stone started affecting me? Should I request a transfer from this place?
Every step on the stairs felt heavier than the last.
When he reached the rooftop... he suddenly froze.
He saw a young man in black clothes striped with red, gazing at the sky. His hair was black, and his back was turned.
His heartbeat quickened—he knew this was no ordinary person.
"Who are you?" the man asked cautiously.
Mihon didn't turn. Still watching the sky, he replied: "In this world... everyone must choose how they wish to live. And if you choose to steal others' freedom, don't regret it when yours is taken."
"What nonsense is this?! You're insane!" the man shouted.
Mihon turned to him and asked calmly: "Who owns these factories?"
The man glared. "Why would a mere insect like you deserve to know?"
Mihon smiled. "You made the villagers work like slaves. You stole their freedom, their dreams, and scattered their children... How will you repay this debt?"
He sighed, adding: "Ah... you can't repay it, can you? Nothing gives back those lost years."
The man stared in shock. "So... you're one of those people who entered the forest today?! What happened to my men I sent?
Why haven't they returned?"
Mihon responded: "You can go see them. They're at the entrance. But first... you must answer my question."