The walls trembled, the black liquid rising higher, swirling like it was alive.
Areeba's breath came in short gasps. "What do you mean, the first sacrifice?"
The woman's face darkened. "This town was built on blood."
The whispers grew louder. The liquid moved, forming shapes—distorted, screaming faces.
"The Smiling Man was once human," the woman continued. "A man who was betrayed. He was sacrificed by the town's leaders… and he never left."
A deep, guttural growl echoed from below.
The shadows rose—forming a figure.
The Smiling Man.
And he was staring right at Areeba.
"You found the truth," he whispered. "Now you belong to me."
The room collapsed into darkness.