Eater Blade: Grinding in Apocalypse

Johnquis narrowed his eyes. "What—"

Before he could finish, Savier lunged forward and wrapped him in a tight bear hug.

"Come here, you soft bastard."

His lips puckered dramatically—

"Mwah—"

Johnquis shoved him back.

"Hell no. Get your weird ass off me."

They both laughed. Harder than they had in weeks. And for a moment, everything felt normal.

Johnquis wiped the corner of his eye, trying to play it off. He wasn't crying. Just tired. Just drained. But he looked at Saviermand for once, didn't hide anything.

"…Thanks, man."

He looked at him, calm but serious. "You always knew. Even when I didn't say a word. You saw through me, every time. I don't say it much, but… that means a lot."

A pause.

"And yeah… you're loud, rude, and constantly full of crap but you've always been real. A real friend. Maybe the only one I've had since all this started."

Savier froze. Then his face went red, his expression twitching like someone just complimented him and stabbed him in the same breath.

"Ugh," he groaned, turning away dramatically. "Why would you say something so gross and genuine like that? I feel like I just swallowed a flower. With the roots."

Johnquis smirked. "Blushing?"

"Hell no. Just hot in here." He fanned himself and walked away fast. "That's it, we're leaving. I can't be seen standing here while you give speeches like a drama club president."

Johnquis chuckled. "Says the guy who tried to kiss me."

"Desperate times!" Savier shot back. "Now let's get out of this hellhole!"

Johnquis smiled, the heavy thoughts didn't disappear. But they backed off, for now.

The nest was silent now. Its pulse gone. The queen was dead.

Dust floated through the air like falling ash. Cracks ran across the walls, the tunnels groaning as the structure began to collapse from the inside out.

But for a moment, the two boys stood still.

In the heart of a rotting grave, they'd found something solid. A moment of truth. A moment to breathe. To reflect.

To prove they weren't alone.

They had done it—just the two of them.

The duo for life.

They finished the seven-year-old nest. Together.

Savier glanced around at the collapsing nest. "So how do we get out of here? Out here in this what, 1 million meters down below in the earth?"

Johnquis looked around. "Tunnel we came from is gone."

Savier shrugged. "Guess we die here. Just rot and become part of the next creepy meat wall."

The Tanker suddenly grunted.

Then he stomped forward, fists clenching, shoulders rolling.

Savier took a step back. "Whoa, whoa—big guy? Don't get mad, I was kidding."

The Tanker slammed his palm into the ground.

For a second, nothing.

Then—CRACK.

The floor shuddered. A glowing vein of light surged from his hand and crawled along the dead nest's floor like lightning through dirt.

It spread, curling and branching, lighting up paths. And then another pulse.

The ground ahead of them split open. A new path revealed itself.

Johnquis jaw dropped. "You had that trick this whole time?"

The Tanker looked proud, standing tall with his rocky chest puffed out.

Savier blinked. "Okay. That was… badass. You're a walking GPS with fists the size of a car."

Johnquis smirked. "Told you he was special."

The Tanker gave a deep, happy grunt then pointed into the tunnel he just opened, like a guide ready to lead them home.

Johnquis stepped forward first. "Let's go."

Savier followed, arms behind his head. "Man. First we kill a queen. Then your pet rock turns into a living compass. What's next? He transforms into a helicopter?"

Behind them, the nest groaned one last time then fully collapsed into itself, sealing the hell they'd just survived.

The three walked through the tunnel.

Getting out was way easier than getting in. The Tanker led the way without hesitation, humming low and slow like it loved being down here. Every now and then, it stopped—mesmerized by glowing stones or rare ore stuck in the walls. It would just stare, like a kid admiring a toy.

Johnquis had to tug its shoulder a few times. "Not now. Later."

Savier kept his distance, eyes scanning every inch of the Tanker's back….quietly and focused. Too focused.

Johnquis narrowed his eyes. "What, falling in love with him?"

Savier scoffed. "Dumbass. I'm looking for a weak spot. Just so you know—I haven't forgotten the duel."

The tunnel ended at a thick, rusted wall. Once part of the old transport hub's boundary.

The Tanker stepped up, cracked his neck, and with a loud grunt—

BOOOOM!

He slammed both fists into the metal. The wall shattered, cracks split, steel peeled, then the entire side crumbled outward—

CRASHHH!

Blinding sunlight poured in.

They froze.

Outside was a cliffside view of the sea, waves crashing below a massive broken bridge that stretched out across the water—connecting the Southland to the distant Middleland. The sky was bright, the air clean. A fresh wind rushed in, carrying the scent of wet grass and ocean salt. You could hear distant gulls calling overhead.

It was… peace. After everything, actual peace.

The boys stepped forward slowly, eyes wide.

Savier whispered, "I forgot the sky was this blue…"

Johnquis turned to him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's like waking up after a bad dream."

They both closed their eyes as the warmth hit their face. The scent of rain-soaked earth and saltwater filled their lungs.

The Tanker made a low, content grunt beside them. It suddenly snarled, chest rising.

Johnquis looked at him. "What's wrong, buddy?"

The Tanker grumbled something only he understood, then stomped over to the edge and sat. Just watching the ocean quietly like an old guardian.

Johnquis smiled. "Yeah. Same, big guy."

Savier opened one eye, grinning. "More like waking up after a hangover, naked, in someone else's car."

Johnquis snorted. "Why is that your go-to metaphor?"

"Because it happened. Twice."

They both laughed. Then Savier's smile faded just a little.