The Pendulum

[Part 1 · Going with the Flow]

The enormous Curiosity Museum tent collapsed with a thunderous crash, like a fantastical soap bubble suddenly pierced by flames.

All the glittering illusions vanished. The beasts trapped inside fled in panic, becoming a surging torrent.

Under David Victor's guidance, two prisoners of fate also crawled out of their deep, dark cage—

—but for them, it seemed the story had only just begun. Like the slaves in the human zoo, all they had done was unlock the heavy chains in their hearts and slowly begin transforming from beasts back into men.

The Perfume Bottle Gang in Sloth Town was still trying every possible way to put out the fire. They seemed reluctant to part with this den of indulgence, this tender paradise.

The flames spread all the way to the food street, ready to burn the wooden buildings to the ground.

Countless people wailed and wept over their properties, while others took their wives and children and left their homes behind, determined to embark on a new journey.

Wen Bucai emerged from a bulging canvas bundle, hot with steam, clutching Victor.

The dark fishman spirit tore open the fabric and carried the gravely wounded Mr. Victor onto the yellow earth.

Then the one-eyed warrior crawled back into the bundle. Like pulling a placenta from a ewe's womb, he struggled to drag Jack Martin out, too.

Choked by smoke, their eyes, ears, mouths, and noses were inflamed and raw. Flames still clung to their bodies as they rolled in the dirt and writhed in agony. After a long while, they finally sat upright and came to their senses.

Victor said nothing more to inspire them. He simply embraced the little sheriff.

Vincent tossed the Walker revolver Jim Crow had given him back into the fire.