A Burden Shared

The morning light filtered through the dense canopy above, casting a dim glow over the clearing where the group had settled for the night. The air was still heavy with the scent of blood and sweat, mingling with the damp, earthy smell of the surrounding ruins. The massive corpse of the gorilla-like beast lay sprawled across the ground, its once-imposing form now lifeless and still. Nearby, the remains of the other creature, a twisted mass of muscle and bone, lay in a similarly defeated heap.

The group had already begun the grim task of cutting the meat from the beasts, their knives flashing in the muted light. It was a necessary chore, one they approached with a mix of caution and pragmatism. The meat would be their sustenance for the days to come, but the act of carving up such powerful creatures served as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked within the Fallen Domain.

Blank, despite her exhaustion, knelt beside the beast's corpse, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Chris was beside her, the two of them working together to study the creature's anatomy, searching for any clues that might reveal more about its weaknesses.

"These things are built like tanks," Chris muttered, prodding at the beast's thick hide with the tip of his knife. "But look here, their joints are more vulnerable. The skin's thinner, and the muscle's not as dense. We could have targeted these spots earlier."

Blank nodded, though her movements were slow, her mind clearly struggling to keep up. "They're strong, but not invincible. If we encounter something like this again, we'll know where to hit it."

Chris glanced over at Blank, concern flickering in his eyes. "You holding up alright? You look like you're about to collapse."

"I'm fine," Blank replied, though her voice was strained. "We need to get as much information as we can. Every bit helps."

As they finished their grim task, the group filled their pockets and packs with as much meat as they could carry. The sky was already darkening, the sun having dipped below the horizon. The moon, now full and bright, cast an eerie glow over the ruins, but the thought of staying out in the open was too dangerous. They had no choice but to head back to the building they had previously taken refuge in, even if it meant traveling through the night.

The group set off, moving cautiously through the ruins, the moonlight barely enough to guide their way. Blank, however, was visibly struggling. Her steps were uneven, her body swaying as if on the verge of collapse. Her mind, pushed to its limits by the constant use of her sensing abilities, was fraying at the edges.

Flo, noticing Blank's condition, moved to her side and slipped an arm around her, supporting her weight. "Come on," Flo said gently, hoisting Blank's arm over his shoulder. "Let's get you back."

Blank looked at Flo, her eyes filled with exhaustion and a hint of shame. "Thanks… and I'm sorry. After all that talk about not being a burden, here I am, dragging everyone down."

Flo chuckled softly, his voice lightening the mood just a bit. "That's karma for you," he replied with a small smile. "But seriously, don't worry about it. If it weren't for you, we might still be fighting that beast, and who knows if we would've made it out without losing someone."

Blank nodded, though her gaze remained distant. The burden of her abilities was something she had grown accustomed to, but this time it felt different. She had pushed herself to the brink, and now her body was paying the price.

Despite the darkness and the potential dangers that lurked within it, the group made steady progress through the ruins. They moved in silence, their senses on high alert for any signs of danger. But luck seemed to be on their side, no monsters crossed their path, no ominous sounds disturbed the stillness of the night. It wasn't long before they reached the bridge that would take them back across the chasm.

As they began to cross, Blank's strength finally gave out. She stumbled, her knees buckling beneath her as she collapsed to the ground, unable to take another step.

"Blank" Flo exclaimed, kneeling beside him.

Blank looked up, her vision swimming. "I… I can't keep going. I won't be conscious for much longer."

Before Flo could respond, Gazo stepped forward, his strong, reassuring presence bringing a sense of calm to the group. "I've got him," Gazo said, crouching down and lifting Blank onto his back with ease. Blank, too tired to protest, rested her head against Gazo's broad shoulders, her body limp.

"It's fine," Gazo added, his voice steady. "Don't worry about it. Let's just get back."

The group resumed their journey, with Gazo carrying Blank as if she weighed nothing. The moon continued to light their way, casting long shadows across the bridge and the ruins beyond. The tension in the air was palpable, but they pressed on, determined to reach the safety of the building before anything else could go wrong.

Finally, they reached the entrance to the hall, its ancient doors looming before them like a gateway to another world. Just as they were about to step inside, a sudden, powerful gust of wind swept through the corridor, catching them off guard. The force of the wind was so strong that they had to brace themselves, their clothes whipping around them as the air howled through the ruins.

"What the hell?" Chris shouted over the noise, his eyes wide with shock.

Tamara cursed under her breath, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what was happening. "This… this isn't natural."

Blank, barely conscious, lifted her head just enough to look around, her vision blurring as the world around her seemed to spin. "What… what's going on?"

Before anyone could answer, the wind intensified, slamming the doors of the hall shut with a deafening crash. The group was left standing in the darkened corridor, the wind dying down as quickly as it had appeared, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.