Descent into Madness [2]

Azriel felt his insides burn as if a fire raged within him, yet at the same time, an icy wind brushed against his skin, making him shiver uncontrollably.

The conflicting sensations gnawed at him—heat scorching him from the inside, cold prickling him from the outside.

It was disorienting.

He collapsed to his knees next to Instructor Kevin, every movement scraping against him like sandpaper.

The bottle of water sat useless in their hands, untouched.

In front of Azriel, a figure materialized.

Blurred, shadowy, its features unrecognizable.

Yet its presence alone was enough to freeze him in place.

"Ooooo... hmmmm... laaaah... mmmm..."

A soft lullaby drifted from the figure, eerie and gentle.

The melody wrapped around him like a noose.

Azriel's eyes, wide and unblinking, locked onto the figure.

He couldn't look away. He didn't want to look away.

"Ooooo... hmmmm... laaaah... mmmm..."