There they were, the two of them by the fire. the moose had left for some reason neither knew as they talked.
"You're a madman, you know that? H-how the hell did you even manage to kill one of those devils? I-Is that how you lost your arm?" Amias asked while eating a piece of sweet and slightly spicy fish and not just any fish, but a demonic angler from the depths of hell itself, where there was a sea just above them.
"Well, no. After whatever happened when we chased that shadow from above, I went unconscious. When I woke up, you'd undergone a transformation, the moose was licking me, and I was starving. I looked for something, practically anything, to eat for a while, and then eventually..." He paused, lifting his stumped arm.
Amias looked at it with a mix of shock and disgust.
"Y-You... R-Really? Of all things? I mean, that's gross. I-I get why, but... what the hell? That's, you know, what that is," he said, honestly, then sighed.
"I expected more of a reaction," Tobi replied.
"So wait, you fought that angler with only one arm then?"
Tobi nodded.
"How?"
"Oh, well, there's not much to say. I killed it," he said bluntly.
...
"I'm sorry, that was meant to be a joke."
...
"I'll just explain; don't worry," Tobi added.
"It was a bit too serious... I couldn't tell," Amias admitted, and Tobi gave a nod.
"It wasn't easy. Its scales were extremely dense. I already knew they reacted to sound, so I had the moose help by diverting noise in different directions. It didn't work at first but it gave ideas. What we found out is that it responded to sound and vibration. It had no real vulnerability, except the gills, which would flare open every now and then.
Since I can create flame, I figured I could burn it from the inside out. The only consistent sound in this maze is the tapping of water, so I used that. Once I found a spot where the dripping noise could cover my footsteps, the moose and I waited for an angler to come. Eventually, it did. It wasn't as large as the other two we faced, so I imagine it was a juvenile. That worked in our favour.
I walked up to it, matching my footsteps with the rhythm of the dripping. Once I was close enough, I shoved my arm into its gill, and the moose stomped on its arms so it couldn't attack me. Then, I effectively burned it from the inside out. It took a second to die," he explained honestly.
"Oh, okay, so you snuck up on it. Why didn't you just wake me?" Amais asked.
"I didn't need to."
"Well, ok, anyway, thanks for saving me."
"Did I?" Tobi asked, genuinely curious.
"You… don't remember? You were on fire." Amais asked slowly, confused.
"No, I don't believe so," Tobi answered honestly.
"Huh. That's weird. You were awake; you saved me. But I guess you don't remember," Amais mumbled, unsure.
"It doesn't matter."
"Well, uhm, ok," Amais said, confused.
"I know not what I am. I is as based as I am myself."
"…W-What?"
"I didn't know what it meant either at the time."
"So… what does it mean?"
"I don't know. I just made it up."
"W-What? Why?"
"Why not, Gravewalker?"
"…Whatever, Tobi," Amais muttered before grabbing another piece of fish. "W-Why am I even eating? I'm already dead."
"You're still human in soul."
"True… um, I guess," he said, confused but simply chewing on the sweet and slightly spicy fish.
They both fell quiet, basking in the warmth of the crackling fire. Above them, the water shimmered and rippled gently.
"…Since the maze is usually dark, won't the fire attract predators?" Amais asked, breaking the silence.
Tobi laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" Amais asked, a bit unnerved.
"Amais, do you remember, back on Earth, creatures had been scared of me?" Tobi asked, and Amais nodded.
"Yeah… because of the god? Is he back?"
"No, Amais. They're not hiding because of me." He paused, his voice calm. "They're hiding because of you. That's why we've been able to stay here a few days. And why I didn't have you come hunt with me and Moosey."
Amais stared at him, eyes wide.
"R-Really? They're scared of me?"
Just a few days ago, he'd been torn apart like nothing, reduced to prey. And now… even those monsters feared him?
"Of course," Tobi said with a small smile. "You grow stronger every time I see you. You're at least a foot taller than me now. I'm sure that'll impress the girl you like."
"H-Hey! Actually, I was supposed to meet her again after the portal," Amais said, suddenly remembering. "I promised we'd continue our date. Ah, shit…"
He trailed off, scowling as he stared into the fire.
DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!!!
"Tobi… we've gotta find that portal. I owe the vampire girl a date. I mean… I promised her we'd finish it. And I haven't finished it yet," Amais mumbled, honest and determined but faltered as he thought.
"W-Well what if I embarrass my self the angler messed me up, yeah, even if I killed the bastard. Not the Shadow yet, but… you know, that can wait. Since the beginning of this nightmare, after I should've died, she's been there. And she flirts with me. It's not like a one-sided thing it's just… I can't miss this chance," he said honestly and incoherently as the hunter just watched as he rambled.
Tobi let out a rare, genuine laugh. it was kind of chilling, really, hearing him laugh without the usual dryness.
"I understand that," Tobi said, his tone shifting to something more grounded. "But don't be reckless. Rest."
Amais opened his mouth to argue, but Tobi simply raised a hand.
"Yeah, b-but… I don't know, actually…" Amais sighed. "It's just been so long since anyone's seemed that interested in me. Like, that way. I wasn't alone, exactly, but… I always felt like I was... At school, I was with people, sure, but usually I was just there, quiet, in the background. I was scared to do anything, really. It's kind of stupid. I'm not or wasn't someone girls looked at. So her noticing me, being the one to start the conversation… it was nice. I don't want to lose that."
Tobi was quiet for a moment before nodding. "I understand but right now just relax; you'll see her soon," he reassured.
Amais chuckled softly and nodded.
They both sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling gently in the damp atmosphere of the maze, its warmth cutting through the otherwise cold and unforgiving place.
"Am I an idiot?" Amais asked. "I know her for barely a moment; She shows me a little kindness, and now I'm obsessed with her."
"Perhaps you are an idiot."
Amais looked at him annoyed, having wanted more assurance. "Yeah, well… at least I'm not insane," Amais muttered, annoyed. "Burning yourself alive."
"It's not like I actually die from the flames," Tobi replied calmly. "I just feel them."
"Because that helps." Amais mumbled sarcastically.
"It does though," Tobi replied honestly