"Pope, with so many of them, can you handle it?" Charles asked.
"Light God above. Just keep up as best you can! I don't know how long this aura will last," the Pope said, already drifting upward.
The tentacles started to move, quickly surrounding them. But as the golden light in the Pope's eyes flickered, the tentacles swiftly dissipated.
"Move! Nobody fall behind!"
Going down the spiral staircase had been easy, but climbing up was a nightmare.
Combined with the stifling heat, it wasn't long before the crew members were soaked, as if they had just been pulled from the water. Even so, they didn't dare stop for a second, frantically charging upward. The reason was simple: the tentacles below were regrowing.
"Bandage! Hang in there!" Charles yelled, grabbing the First Mate who was lagging behind. Clearly out of sorts, he was moving the slowest of all.
The First Mate, wrapped head to toe in bandages, clutched his head, his expression pained. "I... I think I've been here before..."
