He Who Resides Within

June couldn't tell exactly where the voice was coming from, but when it spoke he felt a lasting chill coarse through his body… raising the hairs on the ends of his neck.

With a wary gaze, he watched as the undead skeleton docked the boat next to what seemed to be a small wooden pier, barely managing to stay upright, illuminated by the lanterns' glow.

Once close enough, the undead placed the oar back in the rowboat and picked up the lantern, its metal handle squeaking as it swayed slightly.

It then gave June a brief glance before gesturing for him to follow.

'Great…'

June was a bit hesitant. But what choice did he have?

Reluctantly, he got up and followed. 

One after the other, they stepped onto the shaky wooden bridge which groaned under their weight — more so his than the skeleton's.

He wouldn't be surprised if it buckled now, sending them both down into the horrid acid to burn. The sound of the bubbles boiling below was already foreboding enough.

With a gulp, June made sure to stick close behind the undead, following him with utmost care.

It was a bit difficult to walk on such a shaky surface, but a minute later, they successfully touched solid ground. 

The moment they did, June couldn't help but let out a breath of relief.

Soon after, he took a look around him. He could barely make out what he was looking at…

Only, in a flash of a second, an astounding light suddenly emerged, illuminating the space.

June flinched from the sudden change in scenery, taking a second to adjust. Once he did, he took in his new surroundings, his jaw agape.

He stood in front of what appeared to be several fallen structures that were stacked atop one another, nestled at the sides. Long stone pillars, streaked with sludge, had been overturned to create a precarious floor beneath him, afloat over the acid that boiled beneath with visible cracks that partially exposed its sickly fluid. 

Stacks of bones rested next to the outer edges, leading to the middle where June soon directed his attention, his brows knitting in shock.

At the very center, a small hovel was barely standing, its ebony wood weathered and stained with mold and rust, swaying in place as it was surrounded by a heap of bones resembling various forgotten creatures.

Tattered rags clung to its structure, dangling from its small ceiling and swaying alongside it with a faint creak of the wood subtly echoing through the air.

However, it wasn't exactly that which had caught his attention…

Directly in front of it, the source of light that had suddenly emerged was present; a white flame crackling over a small pit. And just next to it, a man wearing a weird-looking hat was seated, his hand holding a measly stick with a piece of meat skewered on the tip.

"Come boy, I'm sure you're starving!"

The man nonchalantly beckoned.

'What in the world…' 

June didn't know how to react… he was dumbstruck. 

The man was just casually resting next to a fire, cooking meat and relaxing within the depths of a Great Serpent's belly with no evident worry. It was completely normal to him, as if he was used to doing such wacky things.

Suddenly getting June's attention, the undead skeleton set the lantern down in front of him before crumbling to pieces.

"W-what…"

June took a sudden step back, perplexed. 

But before he could process what had happened, the man spoke once more, happily saying:

"Oh don't worry! He's served his purpose. Now, he'll just join the rest of his lovely friends!"

With that, June watched in utter dismay as the dislodged bones of the skeleton that had crumbled to the floor began marching away like a herd of ants, leaving behind the ragged robe to join the piles of other bones toward the outer edges.

At this point… June was at a loss. 

He spent a few minutes trying to accept what he was seeing, and eventually walked forward. He made sure to watch his step as he did, avoiding the cracks that exposed the gaps.

In time, he arrived at the small campfire, still a bit speechless at the spectacle of it all.

Up close, he could see the appearance of the man clearer.

He was wearing a jet-black cloak with a cape to it that rested over his shoulders and stretched under his seat. 

Silver intricately woven patterns traced the center of the cloak, lining it and following to the bottom. Under that, he wore a frazzled black garb adorned with two silver chains and some black pants tucked into a pair of black boots.

His entire attire consisted of black. 

What's more — besides his face — his skin wasn't showing, his hands covered by a pair of gloves with the robe covering the rest.

And of course… he couldn't forget the hat.

It was weirdly shaped, unlike anything June had seen back in the Mortal Realm — even in high-class Districts.

It was wide-brimmed with a very long pointed crown that slightly bent at the tip. Along its sides, there were small bones that were somehow embellished into the design.

"Come, sit, I'm cooking up a delicious piece of meat today since it's a special occasion!"

The man happily proclaimed, patting to a spot next to him that was made of structural bones resembling a small seat.

June lingered for a bit, wondering if it was okay to actually get close to this man.

He didn't want to fall for a trick, worried that the man was just putting up a front with his carefree attitude. 

However, he couldn't just refuse him… and he had nowhere else to go, it'd just be awkward.

In the end, June took a seat beside him, albeit a bit awkwardly. He wasn't used to sitting on a seat made purely of bones so his posture was a bit… off.

Ignoring it, the man happily said:

"I'm sure you have many questions considering the unique experience you've been through, but don't you worry! They'll all be answered soon — or mostly — no, at least… ummm… well, we'll see how much time I have. But don't worry!"

Everytine the man spoke, his voice was filled with joy. 

"Here, have this."

Kindly, the man handed June the stick he had been using to cook the meat.

Awkwardly, June grabbed it, allured by the delicious smell permeating from it.

The meat looked incredibly succulent under the white light of the flame, its glistening juices making June's mouth inadvertently water.

Noticing his drooling mouth, the man laughed, saying:

"Haha! You don't have to hesitate, please… go ahead, take a bite. Relish in its marvelous taste!"

Without hesitation, June slowly opened his mouth and took a considerable bite, the juices immediately exploding inside his mouth as he closed his eyes and relished under its marvelous taste as the man had said.

'A-amazing…'