A/N: Since I never actually mentioned when this is set, it's set in/after Episode 9 (Taint Terrors) of Sjin's farm since that's when Xephos/Lewis actually says it. Probably says it before, but that's when I first remember xD It's even called 'Taint Terors', so... Anyways, enjoy~

There I sat, shivering in the darkness. I didn't ever dare open my eyes. Soon it would find me, and then it'd all be over. I was almost hoping for it. My friends, one by one, being tainted and taken from me. The one I used to love...oh, if only I hadn't been mean to her. Sips...he's my best friend, but he brings the dark side out of me. I was curled up in a ball on the ground, shivering uncontrollably. I had very little on, only my farming clothes, as it had been sunny outside and I didn't need much else. Now here, down in the depths of a cave, I was regretting bringing nothing. I could hear faint echoes of that same laugh. I had heard that Alsmiffy was always a bit crazy, even creepy. Though, being tainted had taken that to the next level. The drip of water, the hiss of lava, the distant groan of a zombie... these were the only things that 'comforted' me. They weren't an actual comfort, but it kinda made me feel like nothing was wrong. Like I had just gotten lost in a mine, but by my own fault not because I was being chased by a psychotic, tainted alchemist. Could the taint revive Djh3max and use him against us? I didn't want to think about it, remembering back to my farm. Back when HE wasn't tainted, when we would just work and laugh and everything was fine! I started shouting at myself on the inside. I think I was beginning to lose it, with what I had seen. His deranged giggle, the taint everywhere, Trottimus as a monster, Alsmiffy with no eyes as he controlled the taint, the taintacle piercing straight through Djh3max's heart... Was Lalna ok? Had he been tainted? Had he succumbed? Had he ended himself? Had he...

"Sjin?" I felt a hand on my back, instantly kicking the person away. "O-Oww! Bastard!" I slowly opened my eyes, seeing a familiar ginger bearded dwarf. He didn't seem tainted at all, just like his usual self. "Ah, so it is you Sjin! I almost didn't recognise you." I saw his smile, feeling like everything was normal again. "What are you doing down here alone?" I explained all I had gone through since the moment I heard him shout. "Xephos has been tainted?" He sighed, looking at his gloved hands. "Damn it Xeph!" He clenched his hands into fists. Honeydew looked me in the eye as he spoke again. "Sjin, we have to save him! Whether it is by curing him or killing him!" I blinked, shocked. I couldn't believe that Honeydew would kill his best friend just to 'save' him. True, it would probably release him from the taints control, but he'd be dead!

"Honeydew...are you sure that's a good idea? We can't just rashly kill him! For starters, the taint would get to us before we could 'save' him." I explained. I noticed his expression change; from determination to the most serious I think I've ever seen him.

"If I were in his situation, he would do the same for me." The dwarf replied. "If I was the one being tainted or possessed, Xephos wouldn't think twice. If he must, he would kill me. I will not be a coward! I will save him, Sjin!" His voice kept rising until it was a shout. The shout echoed down the tunnels, stunning me. I slowly nodded. I guess there was no point in trying to stop him now. The determination of a dwarf – it was not to be messed with. I eventually stood up, my hands still shaking. Honeydew began to guide me to the surface. I then had a thought.

"Honeydew, have you seen Lalna anywhere?" I asked. He glanced back at me, curious. "He and I entered the cave to try escape the taint. When Djh3max was...killed, I just ran. I have no idea whether he is still back there or if he left." Honeydew looked ahead again as he thought. I watched his little brain work as he tried to remember. He was such a forgetful dwarf every now and again, after all.

"If I had seen him, he would be with me now. I think Lalna is too impatient to just wait, so I think he'll be fine." This gave me little hope, but that was all that was needed. The two of us traversed through the tunnels. Honeydew led the way because he claimed to know the tunnels well. That and he had the torches...and I felt a little nervous. It seemed like hours, days, before we finally got to the surface. The sun was rising from the horizon. The two of us just stood, watching the sun.

"It's beautiful." I whispered. Honeydew nodded beside me. I glanced around quickly, seeing if I could spot a white lab coat wearing person around. But there was only the sight of burning mobs around us. No scientist, but also no tainted creatures. The taint from the area just seemed to...vanish. It was odd. Peculiar, even. Maybe the taint was not there to begin with. But I didn't have time to dwell, as I noticed the dwarf had already set off again, quickly following after him. For a dwarf, he could sure move it when he wanted to. I followed behind Honeydew as we continued our journey across the land. Land that had not yet been touched by the taint, as far as I could tell. It seemed almost foreign to me. Almost.

"There should be a village up ahead. I checked it recently, it should be safe." I had my doubts, but when we reached the village it did look normal. Not infected with taint like the others I've seen. I watched the villagers, or testificates as some call them, rushing around like any other normal day. Though, they seemed to be congregating around one specific house. I didn't even have to open my mouth to ask what was going on before the curious, if not nosy, dwarf made his way to the house. He barged past the villagers, entering the house even to most of their dismays. I managed to wriggle through the crowd, standing beside Honeydew in the house. I had to look at the patient for a few moments, allowing my brain to fully take in the image, before it finally clicked.

"T-This is..."

"Rythian."