The Prelude to the Slaughter

The rat people, who had originally been in a desperate situation, were all roused by this mysterious sound to use their last strength.

They used their hands and feet, rolling and crawling as they advanced in the grass.

The sound continued to appear.

This time, however, it was as if it had appeared in front of them, close at hand.

It attracted them to continue to take fatigued steps, stretching out their fingernails that were peeling off and bleeding profusely, pouncing toward an unknown hope.

When every drop of energy in every muscle fiber was drained, and even the cartilage in their joints had been worn away, they collapsed into the grass as if they had fallen apart, the voice then said in satisfaction, "Very good. You can rest here. When the dawn comes, you will see Hope!"