Chapter 12 – The Hunt For The Vatican Relic

As the walls ground closer with a heavy, ancient groan, dust cascaded down in thick clouds, collecting on their shoulders. Bastian, Anastasia, and Matt stood still trying to assess what they could do to stop the walls from killing them. Colonel Wolf and Lieutenant Avery stood beside them, sharp-eyed and silent, their every move speaking to years of demon-hunting experience.

"The Holy City's really rolled out the red carpet for us, huh? Just a welcoming pit here, with some spooky lights there. They probably keep the warm welcome for, I dunno, their followers." Matt cracked a wry grin as he watched his breath fog in the cold air.

Colonel Wolf, towering and solid as a boulder, gave Matt a sidelong glance. "Less wisecracks, more focus," he said in a low, gravelly voice.

Matt's lips twitched. "Oh, believe me, Colonel, I'm focused. Just want to make sure we don't die without at least a little commentary."

Lieutenant Avery, a fierce presence with her steely gaze and dark braid pulled back with precision, smirked. "Just don't fall, hotshot. I'm not hauling you back up."

Anastasia examined the room, her fingers gliding across the detailed engravings on the wall, urgently looking for something to stabilize the floor. She noticed a metal lever, partially hidden in the stone, and pointed at it. "If I can just reach this…"

But her footing slipped, and she teetered on the edge. Bastian darted forward, grabbing her wrist just in time, his grip firm and unyielding. "You're not falling today," he murmured, eyes blazing with resolve as he pulled her back to the ledge.

Anastasia took a moment to breathe, regaining her composure before grasping the lever again. With one determined tug, she pulled it down, and the floor rumbled to a halt, the ledges locking into place.

They barely had a moment to relax when an ominous growl echoed from behind the wall. Stones shifted and groaned, forming a doorway to a chamber cloaked in darkness. From the void, two gleaming red eyes appeared, their gaze sweeping across the room like cold fire.

"Oh fuck man, what now!" Matt piped, getting annoyed.

Wolf, stepping forward, tightened his grip on his sword. "That's no ordinary demon," he said, his voice heavy with a tone that set every nerve on edge.

Bastian nodded, sword raised as he moved into position. "Everyone, stay close. We're in for a fight."

The creature emerged slowly, its hulking form towering over them, twisted and disfigured—its body a grotesque mass of horns, claws, and sinewy muscle. Its flesh looked burned and scarred, and sharp bone fragments jutted from its arms. It was a demon like none of them had seen before: monstrous, fierce, radiating a fury older than time itself.

Lieutenant Avery took a sharp breath but stood firm, glancing at Colonel Wolf. "We'll go left," she muttered, voice barely audible.

Wolf gave a brief nod. "Stay light on your feet. And if anyone falls behind…"

"We won't," she replied, her eyes locked on the demon.

Matt's eyes flicked between them, and he forced a smirk, though his voice wavered. "What, no pep talk? Just straight to 'try not to die'?"

Anastasia whispered, "Matt, now is not the time."

The demon's gaze fell on her, and its lips curled back into a snarl, revealing rows of jagged teeth. With a roar that sent a chill down their spines, it lunged, claws reaching toward her with terrifying speed. Bastian stepped in front of her, blocking the strike with his sword, sparks flying as metal clashed against demon flesh.

Wolf swung his massive blade at the demon's side, forcing it back a few steps. "This thing's stronger than it looks," he grunted, sweat starting to bead on his brow.

Avery moved in a blur, darting around to strike from behind, her movements precise and quick, like a shadow. "Aim for the exposed bone," she called out. "It's softer there—might be our only shot."

The demon let out another furious roar, swiping a massive clawed hand at Avery. She rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding its reach, and repositioned herself near Wolf. "We've faced worse," she said, her voice steady.

But as the creature's snarls filled the chamber, Matt, backing up to dodge the demon's strike, looked anything but convinced. "You two may have, but this thing looks like it crawled out of my nightmares."

Bastian gritted his teeth, shoving the demon back another step. "Keep moving," he barked, his eyes catching Anastasia's. "Anastasia, we need that map. Where's the weapon supposed to be?"

Anastasia fumbled for the map, her mind racing as she scanned it for any hint of a location. Her eyes widened as she spotted a symbol in the corner—a small, circular insignia that matched the markings on the walls. "The next chamber," she shouted. "It's through there! That's where the weapon should be."

But the demon blocked the way, its red eyes burning brighter as if it understood her words. It crouched lower, preparing for another attack, snarling in fury as it eyed them, daring them to approach.

Wolf, breathing heavily, tightened his grip. "We're not getting past this thing without a fight."

They formed a defensive ring, each of them on high alert, inching forward as one against the beast that loomed between them and the chamber. Matt, despite his bravado, gave Anastasia a wary glance. "Let's hope whatever's behind that door is worth it because if not, I'm blaming you."

The demon lunged again, and they all braced, ready to meet its power with everything they had.

Just then, a loud rumbling echoed from above, dust raining down in thicker, heavier sheets. The ceiling above started to crack, chunks of rock beginning to fall as the demon let out a triumphant roar, its claws extending as it prepared for the final, devastating blow.