Chapter 35: The Monster in the Mist
The chamber trembled violently as the hulking creature emerged fully from the fissure, its jagged form radiating raw, unbridled power. The air crackled with energy, and the oppressive heat rolling off its body seemed to suck the breath from the room. Its glowing eyes, like burning embers, locked onto the group with predatory intent.
Ethan gripped his glowing pipe tightly, trying to keep the tremble out of his hands. "So, uh, anyone else think that thing looks like it eats entire cities for breakfast?"
"It's massive," Lucas said, his shield raised as he stepped in front of the group. "Stay together. We can't let it divide us."
"It won't divide us," Karis said sharply, her knife gleaming in her hand. "We keep it contained. Target the weak points. Eyes, joints, anything that looks like it can break."
"Got it," Naomi said, nocking an arrow and aiming for the creature's glowing eyes. "Weak points. Easy."
The creature let out a deafening roar that shook the room, and then it charged.
---
The ground trembled as the creature barreled toward them, each massive step shaking loose chunks of stone from the walls. Lucas braced himself, planting his feet firmly as the monster swung one massive claw in his direction. The impact against his shield was like a battering ram, and Lucas grunted as he was forced back several feet, his boots scraping against the floor.
"That thing hits like a freight train!" he shouted, shoving the claw away with all his strength.
Naomi released an arrow, the projectile streaking through the air and striking the creature's glowing eye. It roared in pain, its head jerking to the side, but the attack only seemed to enrage it further. It swung its other claw toward her, the jagged edges cutting through the air like scythes.
"Move!" Karis shouted.
Naomi dove to the side just in time, the claw smashing into the floor where she had been standing. The impact sent shards of stone flying, one of them grazing her cheek. She rolled to her feet, already nocking another arrow.
Ethan darted around the creature's flank, his glowing pipe humming with energy. "All right, big guy," he muttered under his breath. "Let's see how you like this."
He activated Ravager's Pounce, leaping onto the creature's back and swinging his pipe down onto one of the glowing runes along its spine. The impact sent a burst of energy through the creature's body, and it let out another ear-splitting roar, thrashing violently.
"Bad idea!" Ethan shouted, clinging to the creature as it bucked and twisted. "Really bad idea!"
The monster slammed its back into one of the walls, trying to dislodge him. Ethan barely managed to activate Shadowstep, phasing through the wall and reappearing a few feet away, panting and wide-eyed.
"Okay," he said, clutching his knees. "Lesson learned. Don't ride the monster."
---
Karis darted in close, her movements a blur as she struck at the creature's legs. Her blade found a joint in its jagged armor, and she drove it in with precision. The creature let out a guttural growl, its movements faltering for a moment as it tried to swipe at her.
"Keep it off balance!" she shouted. "It's slow but powerful. Don't let it pin you down."
Lucas moved in to block the creature's next attack, his shield absorbing the brunt of the blow. The force drove him to one knee, but he held firm, his jaw clenched as he pushed back. "I could use some help here!"
Naomi fired another arrow, this one striking the creature's other eye. It howled in fury, thrashing wildly as it swung its claws in every direction. "That should buy us a little time!" she called out.
Ethan sprinted toward Lucas, his pipe glowing brightly. "On it!" he said, swinging at the creature's massive claw. The impact sent a ripple of energy through the appendage, and the creature recoiled slightly, giving Lucas the opening he needed to push it back.
"Thanks," Lucas said, his breathing heavy.
"Anytime," Ethan replied, grinning despite the chaos. "Although I'd really prefer not to do this again."
---
The fight raged on, the group working together to keep the creature contained. Naomi's arrows flew with deadly precision, each one targeting a weak point and forcing the creature to adjust its movements. Karis moved like a shadow, her blade flashing as she struck at exposed joints and glowing runes. Lucas held the line, his shield absorbing blow after blow as he kept the creature from overwhelming the others.
Ethan darted in and out of the fray, using Shadowstep to avoid the monster's devastating attacks and Ravager's Pounce to strike at vulnerable spots. But no matter how many hits they landed, the creature kept coming, its glowing eyes burning with unrelenting fury.
"This thing doesn't go down easy," Ethan said, panting as he dodged another swipe. "What's it made of, nightmares and steel?"
"It's the Forge," Karis said, her voice cold. "Nothing here is easy."
The creature let out another deafening roar, its massive body radiating a pulse of energy that sent the group sprawling. Ethan hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He groaned, rolling onto his back as he tried to catch his breath.
"Guys," he said weakly, staring up at the towering monster. "I think it's mad."
---
The group scrambled to their feet as the creature charged again, its glowing eyes locked onto them with murderous intent. Lucas raised his shield, bracing for the impact, while Karis and Naomi moved to flank it. Ethan staggered to his feet, his legs shaking but his grip on his pipe unwavering.
"This is insane," he muttered. "We're insane for doing this."
"Then stop complaining and fight," Karis snapped, her blade slicing into one of the creature's legs.
Ethan sighed, forcing himself forward. "Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting all of you."
---
The fight continued, each member of the group pushing themselves to their limits as they fought to stay ahead of the creature's relentless attacks. The chamber shook with every impact, the glowing runes on the walls flickering as the battle raged on.
By the time the creature finally faltered, its movements slowing, the group was battered and exhausted. But the fight wasn't over—not yet.
The monster let out one final roar, its glowing eyes flaring brightly as it prepared for one last, desperate attack.
And Ethan, standing closest to the creature, knew exactly what was coming.
"Oh, crap," he muttered.
The chapter concludes as the creature's massive claw descends toward Ethan, its glowing energy radiating with deadly intent. Cliffhanger: What happens next will determine their survival.