Centipede
A figure wearing a grin from ear to ear and dressed in military uniform stood before an old two-story house painted white and blue.
There were few buildings around, giving the place an abandoned feel.
Behind the figure stood an army of hundreds of marching soldiers.
The figure turned and barked a loud command:
"Attention! Search the perimeter for this object!"
An illusory projection materialized before the figure, showing a metallic centipede-shaped object with a lobster's head.
The soldiers vanished in a curtain of black smoke as the figure pantomimed grabbing objects from thin air - producing a chair, teapot, and coffee cup.
He poured green liquid from the teapot into the cup and sat down to wait.
...
Inside the old house, on the second floor, an elderly woman in a blue nightgown slept in her bed. A heart monitor stood beside her, connected through IV tubes. An oxygen mask covered her face.
She remained oblivious to the commotion outside.
...
After some time, the soldiers reappeared through the black smoke, one of them holding the centipede-like object.
The figure rose from the chair, a perverse glint flashing in its eyes.
It grabbed the object as thick, foul-smelling green smoke poured from its hands. The artifact writhed - coming to life.
The figure shoved the insect into its mouth and swallowed, then addressed the troops:
"Very well, listen up. I know you've been working hard these past few days, so I grant you permission to rest - if only briefly."
The soldiers vanished again as red light pulsed from the military-clad figure, absorbing all the black smoke.
The figure turned its attention back to the old house and began walking toward it.
The aged wooden door creaked open, revealing:
Meticulously arranged antique furniture... Paintings depicting what appeared to be a mother and young child... And a dog growling yet trembling in fear.
The figure's eyes quickly scanned the inside before entering.
It approached the dog carefully, whispering:
"Don't worry, I'm not here for you today. But if you dare bark at me, you'll end up like this."
It vomited the centipede back up, biting it in half as yellowish fluid oozed out.
The dog grew even more frightened, stopping its growls and beginning to whimper.
"Good boy, you may go," the figure continued in its soft tone.
The dog immediately bolted from the house toward parts unknown.
The figure watched it flee, spat out the insect chunk, then pressed its palms together with terrifying force - the centipede pieces reforming into their original state.
It swallowed the creature again and headed to the second floor.
Opening a bedroom door, its gaze fixed on the elderly woman lying at the room's center.
After examining her medical equipment, its face twisted into feigned compassion.
"Poor wretched life... Your misery will soon be over," the figure whispered in the woman's ear.
As it approached with the centipede, the heart monitor showed dangerously elevated readings.
The figure ignored this. Prying the woman's mouth open with one hand, it dropped the insect inside.
The monitor nearly peaked before gradually stabilizing.
Seeming pleased, the figure stroked the woman's head before leaving the room.
A repulsive aura began seeping from the space.