Essence Link System: The Healer's Awakening-Chapter 27: Limb For Limb Game: Forbidden Love

Round Five – Final Limb

The room was dead silent. The cold air thickened. The box of fate stood untouched, glowing faintly with eerie green light.

Ryan stepped forward.

He placed his hand on the box, pulled a single card from within, and turned slowly to Caelen.

Caelen, calm and composed, smiled as his eyes flickered with something darker. "Now let’s hear the question," he said softly.

Ryan read aloud.

"Do you know about the green-eyed shadow that attacks the villagers at night?"

The words dropped like a sword onto glass. Shattered silence followed.

Player 2’s breath caught in his throat.

Player 8 flinched.

They both froze.

"No... not that one... not now..." Player 2 thought, his hands clenched into trembling fists. "That question was meant for the last round. How—how did it show up now?! We can’t answer this..."

Caelen tilted his head slowly, his voice sharp. "So? Anyone?"

Player 2 remained still. Player 8’s lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

"Will you answer," Caelen asked again, his tone dropping an octave. "Or should I call for the judgment?"

Still no answer.

Caelen laughed softly, but it wasn’t amusement—it was disappointment. His head dropped low, his silver hair covering his face.

The room darkened.

Even Ryan stepped back slightly, unnerved.

Player 2 swallowed hard.

"What... what’s going on with him...? Why can’t I breathe suddenly?"

Caelen raised his head slowly—eyes glowing like molten emeralds, twisted with menace and joy. His lips curled into a cruel grin.

"I see," he whispered.

"Then I guess it’s time..."

He clapped his hands once.

"Ryan. Roll the dice of fate."

Ryan nodded and let the dice roll across the polished obsidian floor.

It clattered.

Spun.

Slowed.

Then stopped.

Eight.

Player 8’s eyes widened. His knees buckled.

"No..."

Caelen grinned. "Ah, Darnis. It seems Lord Eldric’s blessings abandoned you... even when you were the most loyal."

Tears spilled silently from Player 8’s eyes.

"No... not like this..."

"Now, the judgment card," Caelen declared.

Ryan reached into the judgment box, pulling out a black-edged card sealed in a mana lock. The room tensed as he slowly read the word etched in crimson:

"Heart."

The silence cracked.

Player 2 gasped. "W-What? You must be kidding. There’s no way he’ll survive that! That’s... that’s instant death!"

Caelen turned, face unreadable. "That’s the point of this game, isn’t it? I told you both there was only a 20% chance you’d win. It’s ’Limb for Limb,’ not ’Hope for Hope.’"

Player 8’s body trembled. He gritted his teeth, then smiled through the tears.

"It’s okay, Varek... At least you get to live. Don’t say anything no matter what happens. When you get out... report to Lord Eldric. Don’t betray him."

Caelen clapped once, slowly. "How noble. A final plea before death. This is the fun part."

He turned to Ryan.

"If you don’t mind... I’ll do this one myself."

Ryan bowed. "Of course, my Lord."

Caelen stepped forward, drawing a ceremonial dagger. The silver blade shimmered with ancient etchings, glowing with a soft pulse like it craved flesh.

Player 2 cried out, "Wait—this must be a dream! You’re an alchemist, not a killer!"

Caelen paused, kneeling beside Player 8.

His hand rested gently over Darnis’s chest.

He looked to Player 2.

"You know... I’ve always been curious. The arteries. The valves. The four chambers. The sheer miracle of how it all works."

His smile widened.

"And now, a front-row seat."

Caelen raised the dagger.

"No—no, please!!" Player 2 screamed.

But Caelen didn’t stop.

Something in Player 2’s eyes shifted. An old memory flickered. The fear of losing Darnis took root. The truth burned behind his lips.

"STOP IT!" he shouted, voice shaking. "I’ll answer! I’ll answer the question!"

Caelen froze mid-swing.

Player 8 turned his head, eyes wide.

"Why would you...?" he whispered, voice breaking. "It’s not your life. It’s mine."

"Shut up!" Player 2 snapped, voice cracking. "You can’t just throw your life away! Yes, it’s yours, but it doesn’t mean you can decide to die like this!"

Player 8 trembled. "We’re just friends. We share no bond—"

"I’ve grown feelings for you!" Varek yelled.

Veralia and Reina gasped.

Caelen blinked, then stepped back and calmly took a seat.

"Well now," he said with amusement. "A lovers’ confession. This is getting interesting."

Player 8’s lips parted. "Feelings...?"

Player 2 nodded. "I was ashamed. That’s why I never said anything. But I came on this mission with you... because I just wanted to be near you."

Tears rolled from Player 8’s eyes. "I... I knew. I always knew."

"Then stay alive for me!" Player 2 shouted.

But Darnis shook his head. "We’re human. We die. I accepted it."

He turned to Caelen.

"Do it. I won’t talk."

Caelen stood, knelt beside him again, and smirked. "Wow. You broke his heart, Player 8. But don’t worry. I’ll give it to you after I cut it out. That way, even in death, you’ll have it."

Player 2 lunged. "GET AWAY FROM HIM, YOU MONSTER!"

Caelen turned slowly, eyes cold. "One more word from you... and I kill you both."

Terror crushed Player 2.

Player 8 breathed in deep and closed his eyes. "I’m not scared of you... nor of death."

Caelen whispered, "A brave lie. Let’s test it."

He leaned close, breathing near his ear.

"Tell me, Darnis... when your name is forgotten, when your blood clots in the dirt, when your god turns his face away... will that bravery save you then?"

The dagger pressed gently against his chest.

"Do you know what it feels like to die wrong? Not instantly. But slowly. Bit by bit..."

Darnis flinched.

"You aren’t scared of dying now, are you?" Caelen whispered with a wicked smile.

Player 8 broke.

His jaw trembled. "I... I don’t want to die..."

Caelen’s head tilted. "I’m sorry, what?"

"I said I don’t want to die!" Player 8 screamed, sobbing. "Please! Please spare me!"

Caelen’s eyes glinted. "Too bad."

He stood.

"I’ve already promised your heart to your lover."

Player 8 cried. "No... no, please..."

Caelen smiled.

"No take-backs in this game."

But Player 2 stepped forward, eyes hard. "My heart lies with Player 8. So if you kill him... you kill me too."

The room went silent.

Caelen’s smile faded slightly. "What?"

"And," Player 2 said shakily, "if I die... who will you give his heart to?"

Caelen paused.

"The least you can do... is free us."

"You’re in no position to make demands," Caelen said coldly.

"Then kill us both!" Player 2 shouted, grabbing Player 8’s hand. "We’ll live through the pain together!"

Caelen snarled. "Enough of this melodrama—!"

Suddenly...

Sniff.

Sniff.

Caelen turned.

Veralia and Reina were crying.

Tears flowed freely as they sobbed, holding handkerchiefs.

"What’s with you two?" Caelen asked, baffled.

"It’s just... it’s so emotional!" Reina cried.

"A forbidden love, torn by the cruelty of fate!" Veralia sobbed louder.

Caelen blinked. "Are you serious right now—?"

The girls lunged, tackling him to the ground in tears.

"PLEASE SPARE THEM!" they wailed.

"I—OI! GET OFF ME!" Caelen protested, pinned beneath them.

Veralia cried, "They’re in love, Lord Caelen! Let them go!"

Reina sobbed, "Two lovebirds! Dying in each other’s arms!"

Caelen groaned.

"FINE! I’ll let them go! I wasn’t planning to kill them anyway! I just wanted to test something out!"

The girls gasped, "Really?!"

"Yes, really!" Caelen barked.

They leaned on him with a sigh of relief.

Player 2 and Player 8 stood in shock.

"He... changed his mind?" Player 8 whispered. "That easily?"

Player 2 blinked. "Is this... the power of a woman?"

Player 8 muttered, "Forget Caelen... these girls are the real threat."

Caelen struggled up and raised his hand.

"Heal."

A green light burst through the room, engulfing the two players.

Their severed limbs reattached, wounds sealed, and motion returned to their bodies.

They gasped and looked at each other.

Then hugged.

And kissed.

Caelen turned away, disgusted. "Gross."

But Reina and Veralia beamed. "True love at last!"

Ryan just watched blankly. "...What is love?"

Darnis and Varek stood. "We still won’t tell you anything."

Caelen smiled. "That’s fine. I didn’t expect you to."

"Thank you... for sparing us," Varek said.

"Don’t thank me yet," Caelen grinned. "You’re welcome to follow us... and maybe we’ll play another game."

The two ran.

"GOODBYE!" Reina and Veralia waved. "Send wedding invitations!"

Caelen sighed. "You know they’re both men, right?"

"So?" the girls said in unison.

Caelen shook his head. "What have I gotten myself into..."

But deep down... he was smiling.

Outside, Ryan sat alone, staring at the sky.

Caelen approached and sat beside him.

"You okay?"

Ryan nodded. "I learned something from today’s game."

"Oh?" Caelen smiled. "What?"

"Love."

Caelen laughed. "That makes two of us."

Ryan turned. "Why didn’t you force the answer out of them?"

Caelen looked at the sky.

"Because easy answers are boring. What’s the fun in that?"

Ryan stood. "So the game..."

"Just something to pass time," Caelen said.

He stood too and dusted himself off.

"Tomorrow, the investigation continues."

Ryan nodded.

"Yes, my Lord."

And the two walked into the sunset.