09 The Beast's Domain
Chapter Nine: The Beast's Domain
The shelter's silence was deceptive. Ethan sat against the cracked wall, absentmindedly running his fingers over the smooth, faintly glowing device on his wrist. Kara busied herself near the makeshift entrance, sharpening a rusted blade they had scavenged earlier. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken tension, the remnants of their recent battles lingering like shadows.
Ethan's mind wandered to the vision he had experienced the night before. The figure in the void, the fragmented memories of a dying world—it all felt too surreal. Yet the device's presence on his wrist was undeniable proof that something far beyond his understanding had now become part of his reality.
His thoughts were interrupted by a faint rumble, barely audible at first. He glanced at Kara, who froze mid-motion, her hand tightening on the blade.
"Did you hear that?" she asked, her voice low and tense.
Ethan nodded, rising to his feet. The rumble grew louder, accompanied by a deep, guttural growl that reverberated through the walls. Dust trickled from the ceiling as the vibrations intensified.
"It's coming from below," Ethan muttered, his cold eyes scanning the room.
Before Kara could respond, the ground beneath them cracked with a deafening roar. From the shadows of the far corridor, a massive creature emerged. Its body was a grotesque amalgamation of muscle and sinew, covered in jagged, obsidian-like scales that shimmered with a faint, eerie glow. Its eyes burned with an unnatural intelligence, and its maw was lined with rows of serrated teeth.
"That's not something we can fight head-on," Ethan said, his voice calm but firm.
Kara swallowed hard, gripping her blade tightly. "What is it doing here?"
Ethan's gaze narrowed. "We're in its territory."
The beast lunged without warning, its massive claws tearing through the air. Ethan pushed Kara aside, narrowly avoiding the strike. The wall behind them crumbled under the force, sending debris flying.
"Move!" Ethan barked, pulling Kara to her feet.
They dashed through the narrow corridors of the shelter, the beast in relentless pursuit. Its massive frame crashed through walls and ceilings, reducing the once-sturdy structure to rubble.
Ethan led the way, his mind racing. Every step was a calculated move, every turn a desperate attempt to outmaneuver their pursuer. Kara followed closely, her breaths ragged but determined.
---
They reached an open chamber, and Ethan skidded to a halt. The room was littered with remnants of old machinery, but there was no other exit.
"We're trapped," Kara said, panic creeping into her voice.
Ethan's cold demeanor didn't waver. "Not yet."
The beast entered the chamber, its glowing eyes locking onto them. It let out a deafening roar, the force of which sent vibrations through the air.
Ethan gritted his teeth. "We have to slow it down."
Kara nodded, her grip on the blade tightening. They moved in unison, attacking the beast from different angles. Kara aimed for its eyes, her movements quick and precise, while Ethan targeted its joints, looking for any weakness in its armored body.
But the creature was too powerful. It swatted Kara aside like a ragdoll, sending her crashing into a pile of debris. Ethan dodged another strike, but the beast's claws grazed his side, tearing through his coat and drawing blood.
Despite their best efforts, it became clear they couldn't win. Ethan's vision blurred from blood loss, and his movements became sluggish. Kara, though less injured, was equally exhausted.
"This isn't working," she said, struggling to her feet.
Ethan's mind raced. They needed a distraction—something to buy them time. His eyes fell on a rusted, cylindrical tank near the wall.
"Get to the far side of the room," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kara hesitated but obeyed, retreating to a safer distance. Ethan grabbed a broken pipe from the ground and slammed it against the tank. A sharp, metallic clang echoed through the chamber, catching the beast's attention.
"Come on," he muttered, backing toward the exit. "Follow me."
The creature roared and charged, its focus solely on Ethan. At the last moment, he threw the pipe into the tank and sprinted toward Kara. The beast collided with the tank, which erupted in a fiery explosion.
The blast threw Ethan and Kara off their feet, but it also created an opening. Without a word, Ethan grabbed Kara and stumbled toward the nearest tunnel.
---
They ran for what felt like hours, the echoes of the explosion fading into the distance. When they finally emerged into the open air, the sun was beginning to set, casting the desolate landscape in shades of orange and red.
Ethan collapsed against a crumbling wall, his chest heaving. Blood seeped from the gash in his side, staining his shirt. Kara dropped to her knees beside him, her own injuries visible but less severe.
"We can't stay here," Ethan said, his voice weak but resolute.
Kara nodded, helping him to his feet. Together, they staggered toward a cluster of ruined buildings in the distance.
---
They found a small, half-intact structure and barricaded themselves inside. Ethan leaned heavily against the wall, his vision swimming. Kara did her best to patch up his wounds with the limited supplies they had, but it was clear he was in bad shape.
"Stay awake," she urged, her voice laced with worry.
Ethan gave her a faint, humorless smirk. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
But despite his words, his body betrayed him. The last thing he saw before the darkness claimed him was Kara's determined face as she worked to keep him alive.
---
When Ethan woke, the world was hazy and distant. He blinked slowly, his body heavy and his thoughts sluggish. Kara's face came into focus, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"You're awake," she said, her voice soft but steady.
Ethan tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his side forced him back down. "How long?"
"Almost a day," Kara replied. She looked like she hadn't slept, her eyes shadowed and her movements weary.
Ethan nodded faintly, his gaze shifting to the device on his wrist. It was silent now, its glow barely perceptible. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that their struggles were only beginning.
---
To be continued…