The carriage exited the tunnel, leaving the darkness behind. But the relief they had hoped for did not come. They found a gray sky, as if covered in ash. The clouds moved slowly, forming spirals.
The trees, which should have shown life, looked deformed. Though they were green, their trunks were twisted and their branches rose like thin fingers. Some seemed to have bent over themselves.
"This doesn't look good," said Shay, looking around.
"What did you expect? A flower garden?" the woman replied sarcastically, though her voice revealed a hint of concern.
Galigan cleared his throat as he observed.
"I've seen strange places, but this one…" he said, adjusting his cloak, "has something unsettling about it."
The driver slowed down to move forward carefully.
"Death magic changes everything it touches," he commented, maneuvering between two leaning trees. "You get used to it."
There was an uncomfortable silence. Milo leaned slightly forward.
"By the way, we don't know your name."
The driver slightly turned his head without taking his eyes off the road.
"Don't you remember me?" he asked, surprised.
They all shook their heads, even Galigan, who raised his eyebrows with curiosity.
"Interesting," murmured the driver. "My name is Anthony Lightlock, official driver of the Stormbreaker," he gave the vehicle a pat. "You are part of Romulo's group of survivors."
At the mention of that name, Milo lowered his gaze. He remembered Romulo's corpse and clenched his fists, trying not to show what he felt.
Shay noticed his reaction and then looked at Anthony.
"You recognize me too?" he asked cautiously.
Anthony tensed and avoided looking at him as he replied.
"Yes, I know all of you," he said, trying to sound neutral. "Except the bard."
"Impossible!" Galigan exclaimed dramatically. "How can you not know Galigan Smith, author of the Ballad of the Three Heroes?"
No one answered him. Milo and Shay exchanged annoyed looks, and the woman rolled her eyes. Anthony remained unfazed, focused on moving forward through that strange landscape.
Anthony turned his head slightly, still keeping his eyes on the road.
"Have you seen Romulo?" he asked.
Milo looked down.
"He didn't survive," he said quietly.
Anthony brought the carriage to a sudden stop. Everyone jolted.
"What?" he said, surprised. "He… didn't come back?"
They looked at each other, confused.
"Come back?" Galigan repeated, more serious. "What do you mean?"
Anthony sighed and continued moving, slower this time.
"The god of death sends his creatures to kill us," he said in a dull tone. "And when we die, he brings us back to start again."
No one spoke. The woman broke the silence.
"That makes no sense," she said, crossing her arms. "If that's true, why send more dead after us?"
"Because it amuses him," Anthony replied, swerving around a twisted tree. "He enjoys watching us run, fight, struggle… and fall."
"You're saying we've already died before?" asked Milo.
"Many times," Anthony answered.
Galigan played a few notes on his instrument, thoughtful.
"I've never heard of a god who toys with his victims like that," he murmured.
Shay clutched his injured leg, wincing.
"It's horrible," he said. "But at least we got out of there. We can find help, a sanctuary, or…"
Anthony let out a dry laugh.
"We got out?" he repeated, and the laughter faded. "All of this belongs to him. This is his plane. We've been searching for a way out for years since he captured us."
"Why do you know so much?" Milo asked, looking at Anthony with suspicion.
"I survived," Anthony replied, his voice trembling slightly. "When you die, the god of death takes part of your memories."
Anthony cleared his throat.
"Mr. Gearlock, you're in charge as Seneschal," he said seriously, looking at Milo. "You may take the explosive bow, though there are no arrows left. Billy will want to speak with you."
Shay frowned.
"Who's Billy?" he asked.
Anthony turned sharply, surprised.
"You don't remember Billy The Deathless either? By the heavens... you're worse off than I thought."
The carriage rolled along a bumpy path. In the distance stood a lone structure at the base of a dark hill that seemed to swallow what little light remained. It was a tavern—or what was left of one. The building was crooked, with rotting wood and broken windows. A sign hung above the door, creaking in the wind. It was so worn that it was barely legible.
Milo stayed quiet, thinking about what Anthony had said.
"A tavern? In a place like this?" Shay asked, confused.
"Perfect. I hope they have something to eat. I wonder if they serve fried bat brains," the woman said sarcastically.
"Doesn't it seem strange that a place like this is still standing and hasn't been attacked?" Shay pressed.
"I don't know and I don't care. I'm dying of thirst," Galigan said and was the first to climb down. The others followed shortly after.
The inside of the tavern was just as depressing as the outside. The tables were old and battered, with loose planks. The chairs were wobbly, and the counter was scratched and stained. The ceiling leaked, and rusty buckets had been placed to catch the dripping water.
Milo looked around, frowning. Something about the place felt familiar.
"Anthony, was this place moved recently?" he asked, running a finger across one of the tables.
Anthony nodded as he closed the door.
"Yes. I asked Billy to bring it here."
Galigan glanced around and wrinkled his nose.
"This place gives me bad vibes," he said, adjusting his cloak.
"Says the one nobody knows," Anthony replied with a sarcastic smile.
Shay stepped forward, ignoring the jab.
"What do you mean you asked him to bring it?"
"They used a transport stone," Milo said.
"It's only used in emergencies," Anthony replied.
The woman stepped in. Without looking at him, she spoke in a soft but threatening tone.
"Anthony, this better not be a trap. Because if we die, I'll smash your face in myself," she said, clenching her fists until her knuckles turned white.
Anthony was about to answer, but a sound interrupted him. From a doorless room, a staggering figure emerged. It was an undead.
In seconds, everyone prepared for battle. Milo raised the bow, Galigan pulled out his bladed guitar, Shay grabbed his warhammer, and the woman raised her fists.
Except Anthony, who lifted his hands.
"Wait! He's not an enemy," he said.
"Are you insane?" Shay shouted. "He's a damn undead!"
"A friend of yours?" Galigan said sarcastically. "What a crowd you hang out with."
"Every one of those monsters has tried to kill us since we woke up," the woman added.
Milo kept the bow raised, though he knew it wasn't much use without arrows.
"Give me one good reason not to smash his head in right now," Shay demanded.
"Forgive them, Billy. It seems that—"
Billy raised a grayish hand, and Anthony fell silent. Despite his appearance, the undead moved with a certain grace.
"Don't worry," Billy said, his voice raspy but clear. "It's obvious they died again."
The group stared, surprised. It was the first time they had seen an undead that didn't attack—and that could speak.
"Billy is trustworthy," Anthony said. "He's one of us."
Galigan was the first to lower his guard. He put away his instrument and shrugged.
"If you say so," he replied, walking to the counter. "I'll see if there's anything to drink."
After rummaging through empty bottles and broken mugs, he found one covered in dust. He opened it and recoiled at the smell.
"This smells like piss," he muttered, pushing it away in disgust.
The woman looked around with her arms crossed and an ironic smile.
"This place just needs a little more filth," she said sarcastically. "Wasn't there anything more decent?"
Billy looked at her with his empty eyes.
"This place reflects what you are," he replied calmly. "You may change it—if you can."
"Are you one of the dead? Why don't you attack us like the others?" Shay asked, still keeping his distance.
"I am an undead, Broken Bridge," Billy said. "But I am not in service to Bhael. I am Billy The Deathless, your innkeeper..."