Maxwell's body instantly stiffened upon hearing the voice.
Snowy reacted at once, taking flight and streaking deeper into the cave, searching for the owner of the voice.
"To think you dare send such a weak being after me," the voice thundered through the cave.
Snowy halted midair and slammed into the ground with tremendous force. A crack appeared on the stone floor beneath it as the bird lay there, unable to rise, as though pinned down by some unseen power.
I knew it…
there really is no such thing as a free lunch.
If even Snowy stood no chance, Maxwell dared not act carelessly. Any mistake here would be fatal.
"We apologize, O wise ancient one, for our ignorance in intruding upon your sacred ground," Maxwell said, bowing deeply and forcing his voice to sound as meek as possible.
The voice remained silent for a moment, maintaining its composed façade.
"Now that you are here, would it not be a waste to simply let you leave as though nothing happened?"
Cold sweat broke out on Maxwell's forehead.
Don't make it sound like I have a choice here buddy.
Every instinct screamed at him to run, to grab Snowy and flee, but he knew any reckless move could result in death—or worse.
So he endured.
"Of course… it is only fair, O wise and ancient one, that such an insignificant being like me be punished for my transgression," Maxwell said through clenched teeth.
Regret gnawed at him. Coming here had been a terrible decision.
"Good. But we will set punishment aside for now," the voice said. "I only require your help with something. If you succeed, you are free to go. If you fail, you may still leave—but the Snow Hawk King stays."
The moment the voice finished speaking, the cave walls trembled. Even the air seemed to hesitate, as though awaiting permission to move.
So I can leave either way… but Snowy can't.
Maxwell glanced at Snowy.
It was still pinned to the ground, unmoving.
Leaving alone was not an option.
Abandoning Snowy would mean condemning it to eternal imprisonment in this cave.
"I'll help," Maxwell said firmly.
"Deep within the cave lies an altar," the voice continued. "Upon it are two bowls—one red, one white. Let the Snow Hawk King drip its blood into the white bowl. Take one of its feathers, dye it red with that blood, and place it into the red bowl."
That's all?
Relief flickered in Maxwell's heart—but he found himself unable to move.
The thought of cutting Snowy himself felt unbearable, like a father harming his own child.
As if sensing his hesitation, Snowy trembled faintly.
The unseen pressure vanished.
Freed, Snowy hurried toward Maxwell and gently placed a talon against his leg.
It was ready.
Maxwell exhaled shakily, grateful beyond words.
Together, they made their way toward the altar.
Snowy completed the ritual on its own.
It plucked one feather with its beak, cut its leg with a talon, and let the blood drip into the white bowl. The feather was dyed red and placed into the red bowl.
Maxwell watched in silent awe. Snowy's intelligence far exceeded his expectations.
The instant the feather touched the bowl, both it and the blood vanished, as though absorbed.
Silence followed.
Then—
The cave trembled violently. The ground shook as though something ancient had awakened.
The sound of heavy chains falling echoed from deep within the cave.
"What have I done…?" Maxwell muttered, sweat pouring down his face.
I really hope I didn't just release something that'll kill me.
That fear was half correct.
Someone had been released.
But it was no ancient horror.
It was a challenger—just like him—trapped in a place where time had lost all meaning.
Free at last.
When the shaking stopped, slow footsteps echoed from within the cave.
Maxwell's hand tightened around his sword.
He tried to step back—
And failed.
His body was frozen in place.
His key to survival now rested entirely with the owner of those approaching footsteps.