The Million-Dollar Heart

Larry grunted in agreement.

Huxley, hearing the affirmation, let out a sigh of relief and gripped Carl's sleeve tighter, his gaze dropping as he lost himself in thought.

The group trekked on, the passage of time lost to them until a faint glimmer of light hinted at the end of their subterranean journey. "Thank God," Huxley exclaimed, spotting the brightness ahead. "Looks like we're finally going to see the light of day!"

The oppressive darkness of the mine shafts had been nearly suffocating, and the promise of escape was a balm to his weary spirit. Larry, however, squinted at the light suspiciously, his instincts on high alert. Things were never this easy.

If an exit was so conveniently placed, what was the point of dragging them down here in the first place?

His steps became cautious as he whispered a warning to the others, "Stay sharp. Something's fishy up ahead."

They continued, the light growing stronger, beckoning them forward despite the potential danger.

Emerging from the stifling confines of the mine, they found themselves in a surprisingly large clearing.

"Did we actually make it out?" Carl muttered, disbelief etched across his face.

Larry's brow furrowed tighter. He was half-expecting an ambush.

Free from the claustrophobic tunnels, Huxley took a deep breath, allowing himself a momentary sense of relief. The last thing he wanted was to revisit the horrors of the mine. Although Larry and Carl were with him, that was still a terrifying experience.

"Tsk." Just then, as if on cue, a woman adorned with a golden half-mask appeared, her form draped in a striking red dress that hugged her curves like a second skin. She oozed an air of mystery and grace.

With her hands on her hips and a silver fan in her grasp, she had the poise of a seasoned actress on stage, though how long she had been there was anyone's guess.

she clapped lightly, her laughter tinged with a hint of praise. "Not

real fighting prowess among them, stepped

of an earlier drugging had worn off, and his strength was nearly restored. But he knew this woman's skills were superior to his own; her mere presence, undetected until now, was proof enough.

word was law, but here

visible beneath her mask, curved into

lunged at her, but she anticipated his attack with eerie precision, dodging with

that flew at Larry. He

expected to be bested so

the standard of Emerald Mountain's disciple? Disappointing." she taunted

another mouthful of blood in

as she continued, "You aren't waiting for your

Vivienne and the Nine Mystics Society unsettled Larry. Why

had a nagging feeling that there was more to their

have cleaned them up nicely," she said, fanning herself

as despair was setting in, a

say?" From the shadows emerged Vivienne and Percival, hand in hand, their expressions

waned at the sight of them together. "Oh?

might've mistaken them for old

thrusting her needles at the red-dressed enigma, who dodged with a

as ever. I held you as a child, you