Chapter 34 - Battle in the Depths

The darkness of the cave wrapped around Aric and Saria like a suffocating blanket, but Aric's senses remained sharp. His grip tightened on his sword as the strange energy in the air prickled at his skin. There was something alive down here, something ancient, and it wasn't friendly.

"We need to find a way out," Aric muttered, his voice echoing off the cave walls. He could feel the ground vibrating beneath his feet, as though the earth itself was shifting. 

But before they could take another step, a low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows ahead. Aric's eyes narrowed as his hand instinctively went to his sword. The growl grew louder, more menacing, and from the darkness emerged a creature—massive, lumbering, and covered in scales that gleamed faintly in the dim light.

It was like nothing Aric had ever seen. Its body was serpentine, but its legs were muscular, ending in sharp claws that dug into the stone beneath it. Its head, framed by a frill of bony spikes, snapped toward them, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto Aric and Saria.

"Get ready," Aric growled, lowering himself into a fighting stance. 

The beast didn't hesitate. With a roar that shook the cave, it lunged forward, its massive jaws snapping open to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth. Aric darted to the side just as the creature's mouth closed around the spot where he had been standing, the force of its bite cracking the stone.

Aric spun, bringing his sword around in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's exposed flank. The blade connected with a solid *thunk*sparks flying as the edge skidded off the thick, armoured scales. It barely left a scratch.

"Damn it," Aric cursed, his mind racing. This thing was built like a living fortress.

Before he could recover, the beast whipped its tail around, the force of the blow slamming into Aric's chest and sending him flying backwards. He crashed into the cave wall, the air knocked from his lungs. Pain lanced through his ribs, but he forced himself to his feet, ignoring the burning in his muscles.

Saria was crouched behind a rock, eyes wide with fear, but Aric could see the determination returning to her gaze. She wasn't helpless, and they both knew it.

The creature roared again, its mouth snapping open as it lunged for Aric. This time, Aric was ready. His body moved on instinct, UnLimit surging through his veins. The world around him slowed to a crawl as his perception sharpened. The creature's movements, once blindingly fast, were now deliberate and measured in his eyes.

He ducked beneath the creature's snapping jaws, sliding across the cave floor as the massive head swung past him. In a single fluid motion, Aric planted his feet and launched himself upward, his sword gleaming in the dim light as he drove it toward the creature's underbelly. 

With the precision of a master, he targeted the softer, unarmored flesh between the plates of scales. The blade sunk in deep, and the beast let out a deafening screech, thrashing violently as blood sprayed from the wound. 

Aric gritted his teeth as the creature's tail whipped around again. He barely had time to bring his sword up to block the strike, the force of the impact sending a shockwave up his arms. The beast was relentless, its primal fury driving it to attack again and again, its massive body a blur of motion in the confined space of the cave.

But Aric wasn't done yet.

With a burst of speed, he darted to the side, using the cave walls to his advantage. He leapt onto a rock formation, propelling himself into the air as the creature charged at him once more. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging as he twisted in midair, his sword arcing downward in a lethal strike.

This time, he aimed for the creature's neck. The blade sliced through scales and sinew, the force of the blow cleaving deep into its throat. The beast reared back, its roars turning into a gurgling howl of agony as blood poured from the wound.

Aric landed in a crouch, his sword dripping with the creature's blood. His muscles burned with exertion, but there was no time to rest. The creature, though wounded, was far from defeated.

Its massive claws gouged deep furrows into the cave floor as it prepared for another attack, but Aric wasn't going to give it the chance.

He activated UnLimit once more, his heart racing as time seemed to slow again. Every detail became razor-sharp—the way the creature's muscles bunched, the sound of its laboured breathing, the scent of blood in the air.

With a surge of energy, Aric dashed forward, his sword flashing like lightning. In a series of rapid strikes, he targeted the beast's vulnerable spots—the joints of its legs, the gaps between its armour-like scales. Each blow was precise, deadly, and calculated to weaken the creature's defences.

The beast roared in fury, its body thrashing wildly as it tried to fend off Aric's relentless assault. But Aric was faster, his movements a blur as he danced around the creature, avoiding its deadly claws and teeth with practised ease.

Finally, with a roar of his own, Aric delivered the finishing blow. His sword, infused with all the strength and power of UnLimit, sliced through the creature's neck in a clean, final arc. The beast let out one last gurgling screech before collapsing to the ground, its massive body convulsing before going still.

Aric stood over the fallen creature, panting heavily, his sword still clenched in his hand. Blood dripped from the blade, pooling on the cave floor around the beast's lifeless form. His chest heaved as the adrenaline began to fade, leaving only exhaustion in its wake.

Saria emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes wide with awe. "That was… incredible."

Aric wiped the sweat from his brow, sheathing his sword with a tired sigh. "It's not over yet," he said, his voice hoarse. "We still need to find a way out of here."

But as he looked around the cave, something caught his eye. At the far end of the chamber, partially hidden behind a pile of rubble, was a strange, glowing light. It pulsed with a soft, eerie glow, drawing Aric toward it like a moth to a flame.

"What is that?" Saria whispered, her voice filled with apprehension.

Aric stepped closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword once more. The light flickered and pulsed, casting strange shadows across the cave walls. Whatever it was, it felt… wrong. Powerful, but wrong.

As they approached the source of the light, Aric's heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the ancient power emanating from it, the same power that had stirred the air when they first fell into the cave.

And then, from the shadows, a figure stepped forward.

Clad in black, with eyes that gleamed like the creature they had just fought, the figure stood tall, his presence commanding, his expression cold and unyielding.

"You've come far, Aric," the figure said, his voice a low growl. "But this is where your journey ends."

Aric's grip tightened on his sword, his muscles tensing for the fight ahead. The battle with the beast had been brutal, but this—this was something else entirely.

And Aric knew that this time, there would be no escape.