act36side

Maybe It just predicted we would find Kay, and knew we would encounter a 'hornbeast' like that?

Either way, since we've run into it again...

We'll just have to deal with it.

Is it dead?

Mm.

Phew... Then I guess we can consider Chilchuck avenged.

Now let's go find him.

I've got a suggestion.

What if we started a fire here, instead of running around aimlessly?

It might attract some wild beasts, but Chilchuck could spot us too.

Uh... But—

Either way, we can't really do much on an empty stomach.

You're right.

Even if he doesn't see it, we should feed ourselves first if we want the energy to keep searching afterward.

So what do we do with this 'one-eyed' hornbeast?

Let's eat it! Together!

Aye, sounds good.

But—

I've heard of traditions where people will kill and eat an animal as a sacrifice to the gods, hoping for divine revelation.

My guess is the will of Sami was hoping for us to do something similar.

Then—

Don't even try to pretend, Laios. You were planning to eat it from the start.

Let's start a fire first.

Hopefully, Chilchuck will see it.

It's done!

Ugh—I'm being serious here, the meat looks bizarre.

Already tasted it. Doesn't seem too different from regular meat.

Fine, I guess. We've already eaten stranger things than this.

Wow, it's actually pretty good!

What are you doing over there, Kay?

Looking to see if there's an even bigger one!

Hoo, guess not. No sight of that Durin who fell earlier either.

Come join us for a meal first. We'll go look for him together afterward.

Okay, coming!

Hey—!

Whoa! You're that Durin!

*pant*—*pant*—

And you're the girl who popped out of nowhere.

Sorry I made you fall.

*pant*... *pant*... It's fine. You guys alright?

Mm, we're all good.

Great.

I knew that doom was avoidable.

They're making steaks and skewers over there. Said they'll keep looking for you after eating.

Let's go together? I bet they'll be so happy to see you.

Tch. Of course they're eating even at a time like this. What was I worried about?

Wait, steak? What kind of steak?

The 'One-eyed monster' kind.

'One-eyed monster'?!

You guys... they can't have...

Oh look, here they come.

Perfect timing. I'm going to give them a piece of my mind—

Hey, you guys can't just—

Chilchuck turns around and is about to begin scolding his friends for leaving him behind for a barbecue.

But his words clog up in his throat.

Time to go home, guys.

We have stayed too long in this world.

Falin must be getting anxious.

Yes.

It's time to harvest the crops on the golem. I still have Red Dragon meat to cook.

Their faces, now blanketed by the void, are no longer the familiar visages he once knew.

Their voices start to break and distort, until Chilchuck isn't even sure how they're speaking.

You guys... ate that corrupted hornbeast?!

Chil■■■■■, what are you still ■■■■■ here? Let's go ■■■■.

Falin, Fa■■■, ■■■■■—

Where... are you guys going?

North, the northern ■■■■.

End, door, go home, go ■■■■.

There's a door in the north we can use to go home?

Is this Sami's guidance?

But how do you guys know all this?!

We ■■■■, we come from that ■■■■.

■■ return to that ■■■■.

P■th, h■m■, F■l■n—

■■■■■■■■■■■Red Dragon■■■■■■!

Chilchuck feels a mess of emotions welling up.

Panic and resignation wash over him—doom feels inevitable. His own party members are now in dire straits, and he is powerless to help them.

But he also feels a little angry...

Because the reason for their distress... is entirely their own damn fault!

Chilchuck is sure he only blinked once, but the trio suddenly appear near him.

The next second, they are by his side.

From his perspective, they seem to have moved in a flash, as if the holes in their faces swallowed the space between them.

Soon, they disappear into the depths of the forest.

Chilchuck stands still for a moment before breaking into a deep sigh.

He hears the Cyclops approaching behind him, and sees the puzzled look on the girl's face.

He does not wait or hesitate, but begins sprinting towards where his companions vanished.

He is too embarrassed to explain what happened here to the Cyclops and her sorrowful gaze.

They are his companions after all... of course he can't just watch them disappear for good like that.

GUYS! COULD YOU JUST—SLOW DOWN!!!

An angry roar echoes in the skies above the Myrkwood, lingering for a long time.

Wait for me! I wanna join you guys too!