[Bonus chapter] It's Candy! (2)
At times, Kestrel felt her logical reasoning was far less acute than her instinct. Before she could understand what was happening, her feet were already in motion. Behind her, a thick ink-like darkness seeped from all directions, slowly tainting the pristine white arms of the Backbone a filthy black.
Grasping the "key", Kestrel ran without a backward glance.
She knew countless black hands were pursuing her from behind. Soft, infinitely stretchable black hands, one by one falling off the gigantic pillar. Initially, they moved sluggishly, as if just waking from a deep slumber, but quickly they gained speed, sweeping across the ground, and scrambling up the stairs, pursuing her like a tide.
They were laughing, each one scampering and chortling gleefully, exuding endless joy.
Kestrel's tendrils could feel their genuine and intense emotions. The robust and pure desire to capture her, to possess her, to keep her nearby was incredibly intense and pure.