Story 598: The Warden’s Curse

The air in the ruined cathedral grew thick—heavy with decay and unseen malice. The Warden of the Chained loomed before the ZETU team, its elongated claws twitching, its hollow gaze locked onto them. The Chained Ones behind it groaned and shifted, their bodies writhing as though struggling against their eternal torment.

Marcus “Iron Will” Kane tightened his grip on his shotgun. “Weapons hot. We bring this thing down.”

The Warden raised a hand, and the chains in the cathedral shuddered. In a split second, rusted links snapped from the walls, moving like serpents, wrapping around the team.

Derek “Shield” Coleman barely raised his riot shield before a chain coiled around his arm, dragging him backward. “Damn thing’s got a mind of its own!” he snarled.

Riley “Quick Shot” Bennett rolled aside, her sniper rifle lining up a shot—but the Warden moved unnaturally fast, vanishing into the shadows.

Then it whispered.