Dreu sat down a few meters from Brornun, watching his companion’s unconscious body. Since the battle with the bat abomination ended, the lesser demon direwolf hadn’t regained consciousness. The wolf’s initial reaction and the abomination’s remarks worried Dreu but he felt helpless. As soon as he set the direwolf down in the room, Dar ordered everyone to give Brornun some space while she did her best to heal him. Even Loryss was aiding the process by putting her Hibernation Link to use. The bat was hanging upside down in the attic where the other bats kept watch for any unlikely danger.

  Will he be okay?

  The question came from a new addition to the team following the battle. While Dar was carrying Brornun in the tunnels, Dreu heard a sound nearby and went to investigate. He couldn't risk showing his back to a potential foe. To his shock, he found what appeared to be a bear cub in the tunnel where the abomination was roaming. The creature was hurt and shuddered upon seeing him. Trusting his instincts, Dreu put the direwolf down and lifted the cub in his arms. The bear cub snuggled against him and fell asleep. The young man then got a notification.

  < Congratulations! A bear cub has joined your roster. >

  Opening his prompt window, Dreu was informed that this was a bear cub and nothing else. There was no description, skills or status associated. Unlike all his other companions, this bear cub was an enigma to him despite being part of his roster now. While he had questions about how a bear cub ended up in the tunnels and survived with the bat abomination there, the young man knew Brornun needed help urgently and they should leave before more abominations showed up. Dar, upon noticing the bear cub in Dreu’s arms, proceeded to heal the tiny creature. Once the healing was completed, Dreu held the bear cub in one arm and carried Brornun on his back with his other arm. To be on the safe side, the young man ordered his companions to seal off the tunnel. The group then made slow progress back up the tunnel and reached the cave entrance.

  Good thing we didn’t encounter any more threats. I don’t know how we would fare in our current condition.

  Dreu felt slight relief upon stepping out of the cave. Despite the times he entered it, he still couldn’t find himself adjusting to the underground. Something about the confined space unnerved him, especially when he had to face threats like the bat abomination and velo that seemed far better suited in those environments. The young man checked on Brornun who had fallen asleep. The direwolf’s labored breathing had calmed for the time being but, as stated by Dar, the healing did nothing to help his companion’s recovery. Whatever happened following the ingestion of the bat’s blood wasn’t good.

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  Let’s get back to the city! I hope Ragellon has an answer to our problems.

  With a bear cub and Brornun weighing him down, Dreu found the descent rather challenging. His center of mass had shifted with them and it wasn’t easy to get adjusted to it. As he was about to lose his balance, Zog and Dar intercepted and provided him with support. The young man looked down to see Aggich and Ilveroz doing their part as well.

  Thanks everyone! I’m glad I’m not alone in all this!

  By taking one step at a time, Dreu got closer to the base of the mountain. He could count on his companions' help whenever he needed some support. When they reached the base, the young man felt the temptation to rest. Yet, he kept going as Brornun was his top priority. While Dar and Loryss did what they could for the direwolf in the room, Dreu paced back and forth while he waited for Ragellon to arrive. The demonic girl eventually rushed into the room. She glanced at Brornun and asked what happened. Dreu told her about everything that happened and, after he was done, the room was deathly silent.

  “If a velo was there,” said Ragellon, “then I fear it’s already too late for your direwolf.”

  “At least tell me what is going on. What happened to that bat?”

  “I’m not certain so I’ll be sharing with you what my father told me.”

  Ragellon began explaining that the underworld and hell were two different places, though both were terrifying for outsiders like them. Despite their reputations, the two places still had their own followers on the continent who hoped to obtain incredible powers that came at a great cost. For those who wished to obtain powers from the underworld, they would need to experience degradation which granted power at the cost of sacrificing important things like souls and memories.

  “In essence, degradation destroys all aspects of an individual until that being or creature becomes nothing more than a loyal pawn to the master that granted the powers.”

  The demonic child then explained the hell equivalent to degradation was corruption. Unlike degradation, corruption could tap into the seven sins to control a person. The price for immense power for an individual or being was succumbing to one of the sins for the rest of one’s existence.

  “The factions in hell are said to be divided over what sin they embrace. Those with the similar sin join forces to satisfy their thirst but, due to that thirst being insatiable, the corrupted beings will constantly pursue a path that will only end in their deaths.”

  Dreu thanked Ragellon for her explanation and said that he would think about the fate of Brornun. The demonic girl urged him to end the direwolf’s misery before the degradation stripped the creature of its emotions and soul. She claimed that it was too late for them to stop the process. As soon as the direwolf went through its full degradation, then they might all be at its mercey. Once Ragellon left the building, the young man sat down.

  What is going to happen to you, Brornun? I don’t think I can bear ending your life, not after what you did in the cave for me.