Chapter 20 - The Final Phase

Chapter 20 - The Final Phase

Ray and Alkan stood at the steps leading to the lower level of the labyrinth. The yawning darkness below seemed to swallow all light, an uninviting passage that held secrets neither of them could yet fathom.

Ray let out a slow breath, his voice breaking the silence. "Alkan, do you think there are more levels? Maybe even ones above the floor where the Fallen One resides?"

Alkan's eyes remained fixed on the abyss before them. His expression was grim, shadows cast across his features from the dim glow of the labyrinth's walls.

"I don't think there should be another one," he muttered. "This place was hard enough to find. If there is another layer… well, we might be doomed."

Ray pondered for a moment, his gaze drifting between the cavern walls. "Maybe there's a pattern here. Think about it—we're in a middle floor, a place with food, water, and dormant beasts. Above us is the Fallen One's domain, and below…" He exhaled. "We'll have to see. Maybe this floor has clues or puzzles that lead to an exit."

Alkan finally looked at him, thoughtful. Ray continued, "The floor above has heavy distortions in space. This one has fewer. If that trend continues, maybe the lower level will have even less, and that could mean a way out."

They studied their surroundings carefully, marking the area on their map. The descent could wait—they needed to prepare first. After ensuring they'd left proper markers, they turned back, retracing their path toward their temporary camp.

As they walked, a piercing screech echoed through the labyrinth, a sound both familiar and terrifying.

Both men froze in their tracks.

"That voice…" Alkan started, his face darkening.

Ray clenched his jaw, finishing the thought. "It's the Fallen Outer."

A heavy silence fell between them. The Fallen One had never left its domain before. If it was coming down…

Ray swallowed. "Alkan, it looks like we have bigger problems than we thought."

Alkan's grip tightened on the hilt of his broad sword. "Ray, this might be the final phase of our trial. That Outer has never come down from above before. If it's moving now, we have to be extremely careful."

Ray nodded, his muscles tense, his fingers twitching toward his weapon. The eerie quiet that followed was suffocating. Every footstep they took after that was measured, deliberate. They had no idea how close the Fallen One was or if it was hunting them directly.

Two days passed under a heavy cloud of tension. Their pace had slowed considerably. Where they had once covered significant distances in mere hours, they now moved cautiously, always listening, always watching. The labyrinth's eerie silence gnawed at their nerves.

Not a single creature had attacked them so far, but their luck was running out.

A deep, guttural growl echoed through the tunnels.

Ray and Alkan turned sharply, instincts screaming. The air itself seemed to thicken, pressing down on them. Then, from the shadows of the cavern ahead, the creature emerged.

The Fallen Outer had found them.

It was monstrous—a grotesque, distorted amalgamation of limbs and gaping maws, its body shifting unnaturally, as though reality itself struggled to contain its form. The pressure of its presence made Ray's stomach churn.

There was no time to think. It lunged.

Ray and Alkan split apart, moving on instinct. The force of the creature's attack shattered the stone floor where they had just stood, sending debris flying. Ray gritted his teeth, dodging to the side, barely avoiding a clawed limb that could have torn him in half.

Alkan roared, bringing his broad sword down in a powerful arc. The blade connected, tearing through flesh—or what passed for flesh on this abomination. The creature shrieked, recoiling for a moment, but it was far from finished.

Ray's heart pounded. This wasn't like the dormant beasts he had fought before. This thing was faster. Stronger. More relentless.

They fought with everything they had, desperation fueling their every movement. Cuts and bruises accumulated as the battle dragged on. Ray's sword danced through the air, striking at any vulnerable points he could find, while Alkan used raw power to keep the creature at bay.

It wasn't enough.

A blur of movement—Alkan barely had time to react as one of the creature's appendages lashed out. A sickening crunch filled the air.

Ray's eyes widened in horror as Alkan staggered back, his left arm severed cleanly at the shoulder. Blood spurted from the wound, darkening the stone beneath him.

"Alkan!"

Alkan didn't fall. He gritted his teeth, one eye shut, his right hand gripping his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white. But the creature wasn't done.

Another strike—this time, a twisted spike of bone shot forward, impaling Alkan through the eye.

Ray's scream tore through the air as his friend collapsed, his sword slipping from his grip. The sight burned itself into his mind, a moment he knew he would never forget.

Rage and desperation ignited within him. He charged, adrenaline dulling the pain of his own wounds. He had to finish this. He had to buy them time to escape.

He dodged, twisted, struck. His blade carved through the creature's shifting form, cutting deeper, aiming for anything vital. The battle blurred into chaos, instincts taking over. Somehow, somehow, he landed a final strike—a deep wound that sent the beast reeling.

The Fallen Outer let out a furious, ear-splitting shriek before it retreated, its grotesque form melting into the darkness.

Ray staggered, his breath ragged, his body screaming in pain. His vision swam as he turned to Alkan, who lay motionless on the cold stone. Blood pooled around him, but he was still breathing.

Shaking, Ray dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as he checked Alkan's pulse. Weak, but there. He was alive.

Barely.

Ray exhaled shakily. "We need to get out of here. Now."

Alkan let out a weak chuckle, his one good eye barely open. "You... look worse than me."

Ray wanted to laugh, but exhaustion weighed too heavily on him. He forced himself up, hoisting Alkan onto his good shoulder. Every step back to their shelter was agony, but they had no choice.

They had survived.

For now.