Your Party!

"Well, if we couldn't find the little coward, we're better off without him!"

You recognize the voice as Rolf, and even agree with him. If he knew what you planned to do, he would REALLY wish you had never come.

"I for one, do not regret his loss," 'Tweetie' was speaking now, "the lecher should be glad I only threw the knife at his knee..."

"Lecher he may have been... but at least we had numbered eight!" You recognize 'Twizzy' speaking, her voice high and spoilt.

"Well, he could've at least helped with the... Cy... clop...es..." Rolf had rounded the corner and saw you, sitting on the rock, whetting your blade, surrounded by the dead bodies of ten Cyclopes.

"What's the matt-" Acacia spoke in alarm, rounding the same corner, before meeting the same sight. You felt your heart race with glee at the shocked-stupid expression she bore, unable to believe the sight.

The whole party was currently wearing this expression, even 'Tweetie' didn't have a smart comment to make.

Deciding not to speak, you kept sharpening, looking directly at them, your expression clear with disdain.

"Nice to know I am missed."

"How did you do this!?" Acacia spoke out, her voice laced with **** awe.

"With my two little friends." You hold up the blade and dagger, and then continue to whet and clean them.

"I say, we should not question... this... miracle." 'Twizzy' speaks, a newfound respect in her gaze, while her sister showed **** in her face.

"I'm personally glad you survived, Maron!" Asta spoke, her face broken by a smile. She was the only pleasant one here, and thus you pitied her naivety.

"Nice to know one pretty lady cares." You growl out. An awkward silence falls over, as Rolf hefted his axe and just looked around clearing his throat.

"At least ye found the tower entrance!"

Looking behind you, you see doors of dark ebony, bone-like and rigid. Looking higher, you see a dark spiral, so dark that it blended into the shadowy landscape. Your skin crawls just looking at. It feels unnatural, unholy, a dark perversion of nature.

"So, how do we open it?" Asta asked, her small hands gliding over the door. A deep rumbling causes the ground beneath your feet to shake; vibrations sending tremors through your body. Asta rips her hand away from the door, looking white.

"What was that!?" she yells out in panic. Everyone looks to you, the same question burning in their eyes.

"That... that was the Tower responding to the key."

"Ah." Acacia responded. You watched as Asta turned back to the door in horror.

The next moment, Acacia was sliding a blade between Asta's ribs.

Innocence, You think to yourself, that is the key.

You watched as Asta gave a sharp, surprised breath. You watched as her blood began to seep down her side. You watched as Acacia gathered a handful of it, and pressed her hand into the door.

It swung open.

"Come on." Acacia motioned for you all to follow. Rolf moved past Asta with little regard, keeping his head straight forward, not daring to meet her scared eyes. The twins moved past as well, 'Tweetie' giving a sniff of disdain when some of Asta's blood got on her boot. Tavlo moved past, giving and insulting wave farewell to Asta, finally, Rephina moved past, her eyes holding a sorrow in them.

As you go to move by her, you catch sight of her terrified, hurt eyes...