Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 16: The Mind

The vast, echoing halls of the caves appeared to stretch endlessly before the two stick figures, and it felt like they could get lost into the unbounded labyrinth if they wandered too far out.

The entrances continued on and led onto more caves, like a complex maze, not knowing what and when is the end. Every opening that was used as a hangout spot was now empty, and dark halls stretched on. Flaring red streaks of symbols that etched across the walls faintly lit each hallway. Stalactites loomed above like dragon's teeth, glistening with red crystals embedded in every corner illuminating its edges.

Together, The Second Coming and Valhalla investigated every cave and every hollow. All they found were crates, old bags, fur mats, and stagnant pools of shadowed water. However, there was no sign of the Officials, nor the Color Gang.

The deeper they delved into the empty hideout, the feeling of loneliness became more haunting. The Second Coming could feel eyes-dozens-all locked onto him and Valhalla. His gaze darted from every shadowed corner, every cave they've already peeked through, but nothing moved. Valhalla sensed it too, uneasy bleeding through his steps, but he forced himself to focus.

They continued to search. Cave after cave-there was nothing. Every hollow that used to be occupied by Codeborn members-empty.

Suddenly, a sound of a distant blast echoed through the cavern, reverberating like a battlebell. The two froze, snapping their heads towards the direction the noise came from. It came from The Chosen One's direction.

Before they could dwell on it, something yanked Valhalla backward by the scarf.

The Second Coming turned to see a scarlet-colored Hunter, as if they appeared out of nowhere, their arm locked around Valhalla's neck from behind. Before The Second Coming could act, the shadows moved-dozens of Hunters emerged from the shadows, as if they teleported through thin air.

The Second Coming prepared to lunge at the scarlet Hunter, but a prussian-blue Hunter swiped him, throwing him off-balance. They pinned him against the ground and seized his wrists, forcefully holding him tight against the cold stone ground. The Second Coming writhed, but the Hunter dug their knee into his back, urging him still.

The scarlet Hunter then turned to the other lingering Hunters, sharply pointing down the hall. Without hesitation, the other Hunters, along with two in particular who held thin red lassos, sprinted away-towards The Chosen One.

Panic struck through The Second Coming, squirming desperately against the Hunter's hold, but the more he struggled, the tighter the grip became.

Valhalla choked against the scarlet Hunter's grasp, glancing at The Second Coming, who sprawled helplessly on the floor. Valhalla exhaled sharply, glaring back at the Hunter who restrained him. Then, without warning, Valhalla rammed his elbow to their side.

The scarlet Hunter silently yelped, and their grip of Valhalla faltered. Once Valhalla broke free from their grasp, he spun and kicked their back, stumbling them.

The prussian-blue Hunter was left stunned, and even The Second Coming was astonished. Valhalla was a figure in battle who would strike with intent rather than violent impulse, but this side of him-it truly showed how his defiance has grown stronger.

The Second Coming's expression lit up. Encouraged, he used all his strength into his locked arms, pushing against the Hunter's grip. With a sudden shove, he finally broke free. But there was no time to fight. Valhalla grabbed The Second Coming by the wrist, then darted past them.

The Hunters chased after them, keeping them in sight, but Valhalla was too fast for them. He weaved through tunnels with effortless speed, panting as he turned and spun past the Hunters. The Second Coming struggled to catch up, but he let out a breathless laugh.