Garrot just grunts at that information, going silent and even closing his eyes as he adds the information to his growing bank of mind-boggling, fucked-up, world-shattering nonsense. They weren't supposed to make people fight, and both the Wizard and Protector used to be stronger. At least it wasn't supposed to be a kid-killing mission? But something about this room has been setting off a Garrot Tingle in the back of his mind, something that didn't quite add up.

"Twelve monsters, and you. Twelve companions, and him. That's the cycle." Garrot gestures to one of the pedestals, roughly in the middle between the monsters and Web. "Is number twenty-seven our incubating little friend, or did I miss something?"