Chapter 216: No Mercy for the Holt

We flew through the sky, the wind brushing past as I sat on Silver’s back, enjoying the open air and the calm view above.

Before we reached the pool, I stopped him and stretched my perception outward. Once I was sure no one was nearby, we flew down and landed a short distance from it.

Silver touched down gently, and I jumped off his back.

I stepped forward, placed a hand on his side, and whispered, “You can rest now.”

The crimson mist around Silver stirred, then his body slowly broke apart into mist and flowed back into me.

The chain linking the null core and Silver’s red core inside the generator core shook once, then stilled. The red core continued circling the null core quietly.

I dismissed my staff, hoisted Marcus onto my shoulder, and sprinted toward the pool. Without slowing, I dove straight into the water.

Just like before, the crab stood guard near the tunnel entrance.

I waved my hand, parting the water as I walked up to it.

“Yo, how’s it going?”

The crab waved its claws and made a gesture like it was facepalming.

I laughed and said, “Alright, alright. If you’d kindly let me in, I promise I won’t bug you again today.”

The crab gave a slow nod, then moved the boulder aside, revealing the tunnel.

I rushed inside without delay.

This time, the giant tree didn’t make me wait. As soon as I reached it, the door opened, and in a flash, I was teleported into the hut—with Marcus slung over my shoulder.

I stepped out of the hut and stretched my senses.

Steve was training nearby, swinging his sword, while Ana sat with her group of beasts.

The King Ape suddenly looked in my direction and let out a growl toward Ana.

I figured he just told her I was back.

Shaking my head with a tired smile, I began walking toward the temple.

The moment I neared the temple, I heard the soft flap of wings cutting through the air. A shadow passed above, and Ana landed in front of me with barely a sound.

White wings folded neatly behind her. Her long black hair flowed gently in the breeze, and her blue slit eyes scanned Marcus’s body slung over my shoulder.

She raised a brow.

“Who is that?”

I shifted Marcus slightly on my shoulder and answered, “His name is Marcus Holt. I fought him and brought him back.”

Ana’s eyes narrowed. “A Holt?”

I nodded. “One of the stronger ones too I guess. He might know a lot about what’s going on here.”

Before she could reply, Steve jogged up from behind, sword resting across his back. The King Ape and Ana’s other beast companions stayed where they were, but they were all watching closely.

Steve looked at Marcus and let out a low whistle. “Damn. You really brought one back alive? Not bad.”

I dropped Marcus onto the ground with a grunt and stretched my shoulder. “Yeah. Took a bit of effort, but I think he’s worth the trouble.”

Steve gave a short nod, then glanced at me. “So… we pulling information out of him?”

I looked down at Marcus, still unconscious. “Yeah. We need to know everything—why they’re here, what they’re doing to the Ferans, and who else is involved.”

Steve rubbed his chin. “Then we’ll need to get rough with him. He’s not going to talk just because we ask nicely.”

Ana frowned and stepped back. “I’ll leave that to you two. I don’t want to be part of that.”

I gave her a nod. “Understood. We’ll handle it.”

Without another word, Steve and I picked Marcus up by his arms and legs and carried him into one of the empty wood houses near the temple.

The room was quiet and dark, with a few stone benches inside.

I placed Marcus on one of them and used a thick sheet of cloth to bind his hands and legs tightly to the bench. Then I waved my hand and covered his hands and feets with ice completely encasing them.

Steve checked the knots and stood back, crossing his arms.

I looked down at Marcus.

“Let’s see what you know, old man.”

Lightning crackled at my fingertips as I pressed them against the man’s forehead. A sharp jolt of electricity surged into him.

He jerked violently, eyes snapping open wide with a gasp.

I smiled down at him. “Hey there. Welcome home.”

His head darted around, scanning the dark room. Then his gaze locked on me. “Where… where am I?”

I chuckled. “That’s not really important. Maybe check your body first.”

He glanced down. The moment he saw the state he was in, his face twisted in pain and shock. His chest was scorched black from the lightning. Both arms were bent at odd angles, clearly broken. His left leg was badly swollen, probably from the crash landing.

He gritted his teeth.

“What do you want?”

I shrugged.

“Information.”

This time, he let out a short, bitter laugh.

“Let me guess. You’re trapped in this realm and want a way out? Too bad. You’re not getting out of here.”

Steve’s voice cut in from the side.

“Oh? Then I guess that means you’re not getting out either.”

Marcus’s eyes shifted toward Steve, narrowing.

“You can’t hide forever. This realm belongs to the Holts. It won’t be long before they find you… and then you’ll see what kind of punishment waits for those who defy our name.”

Steve stepped forward slowly, cracking his knuckles as he stared down at Marcus.

“You Holts love to talk,” he muttered, his tone dry. “Let’s see how much noise you make without your smug little voice.”

He pulled out his sword and walked toward the man.

Marcus tensed.

Steve leaned in, his face inches away. “Last chance to talk. What’s in that base of yours? How many guards? What are they doing to the Ferans?”

Marcus spat at his feet. “Rot.”

Steve didn’t blink. With surgical calm, he drove the blade into Marcus’s thigh—slow, deep. Marcus just gritted his teeth and stared at him.

Steve didn’t flinch. He twisted the blade once, then pulled it out with a slick sound.

“I’m not interested in breaking you,” Steve said quietly. “Just peeling you back until there’s nothing left to lie with.”

He grabbed Marcus’s swollen leg and pressed his thumb into the bone.

A sickening crunch echoed through the room.

This time Marcus was not able to hold on and screamed loudly.

I laughed inwardly, watching Steve try to act all tough and intimidating. I had a better way to make the man talk, but I let the scene play out—just for my own amusement.

Creation is hard, cheer me up!