The air thickened with every step, pressing against them like a living force. The ancient tunnel's suffocating silence swallowed all sound except the faint hiss of their oxygen masks. Their displays flashed a grim warning 28% oxygen remaining. Ryan's headlamp's feeble beam struggled to pierce the oppressive darkness, casting jittery shadows across the slick, uneven walls. They glistened unnaturally, as if the tunnel itself pulsed with sinister life.
-
Ayaka led the way, her steps hesitant yet resolute, as if the sorceress's soul within her guided her through half-forgotten memories. The rest of them followed, nerves frayed after three grueling days of marching. Their bodies screamed for rest, but there was no stopping. Not there. Not then. The memory of Ayaka's fiery assault and her impossible rebirth loomed over them like a storm cloud, heavy with unspoken dread.
Kaito strode beside Ryan, his katana glinting faintly on his back. "Ryan," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the beep-beep of Ryan's mask's alarm. "Do you think she is really herself? Or is that sorceress just waiting for her moment?"
Ryan didn't answer right away. His eyes stayed locked on Ayaka's frail silhouette ahead. Her every movement felt weighted, as if something ancient and wrong stirred within her. Behind them, Grace muttered under her breath, her sharp gaze boring into Ryan ever since their earlier talk about his "aura." Nora, at her side, kept stealing glances at Ayaka, her face a mix of pity and suspicion.
The team was fracturing Ryan could feel it. Every whispered word, every sidelong glance dripped with doubt. They were 120 kilometers deep in that labyrinth, surrounded by horrors beyond explanation. And then, one of their own might be the greatest threat of all.
A Discovery in the Dark
Crunch!! Ayaka froze, her hand shooting up. They halted behind her, weapons drawn instinctively. Ryan's heart pounded as he strained to hear what had caught her attention. The tunnel was silent too silent.
"There is a massive chasm ahead," Ayaka said, her voice steady but tinged with caution. "I think… the teleport gate might be down there."
They prepared to descend. One by one, they rappelled into the abyss, grappling hooks biting into the slick stone. The air grew colder, the walls glistening with unnatural moisture, as if they were alive and sweating. Ryan's headlamp flickered, its beam wavering. Fzzzzt.
"This place feels… wrong," Daniel muttered, his voice shaky. "It's too quiet. Too cold."
"Hmph," Mr. Jackson grunted. "It feels like the calm before a storm."
Ayaka turned to Ryan, her eyes wide with unease. "Master, should we keep going? I have a bad feeling. Something dangerous is waiting for us."
Ryan placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing confidence into his voice. "Don't worry, Ayaka. Trust in us trust in me. As long as I'm here, nothing will touch you."
Her fear seemed to ease, and she nodded. "Alright. Let's move forward."
They pressed on, the tunnel narrowing around them. Then, far ahead, a faint glow pierced the darkness. Shimmer.
Ayaka's voice dropped to a whisper. "Master, that's it. The teleport gate. That's where the witch came from."
Ryan nodded, his throat tight. "So that's the gate. Thank you, Ayaka, for leading us this far."
They advanced toward the glowing portal, hope flickering in their weary hearts. But then Rumble. The ground trembled beneath them. A low, guttural groooar echoed through the tunnel, shaking the walls. Ryan gripped his sword's hilt, eyes scanning the darkness. "Everyone, get ready!" he shouted.
Thud. Thud. THUD. Something massive emerged from the depths a creature unlike anything they had ever seen. Its body was a grotesque fusion of stone and flesh, jagged spines jutting from its back. Its head was a featureless, rocky orb, radiating menace. The air thickened with the stench of decay as its footsteps shook the earth. BOOM. BOOM.
"Ryan!" Kaito yelled, unsheathing his katana with a sharp shing. "What the hell is that?!"
"No idea!" Ryan shouted back, his pulse racing. "But it's between us and the gate. We have to kill it now!"
The Battle for the Gate
The beast charged, its massive form barreling toward them. ROOOOAR!
Daniel and his soldiers dived to the sides, their rifles spitting fire. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the creature's stone-like hide, sparking in the dark. Albert, up front, unleashed a barrage of grenades. BOOM! BOOM! Orange and white flashes lit up the tunnel, but the beast didn't falter. It roared, swinging a massive limb that sent Albert flying with a sickening crunch.
"Ayaka, stay back!" Ryan ordered, pushing her behind him. She was still weak, her body trembling under the sorceress's influence. He couldn't risk her joining the fight or worse, turning against them.
"But, Master, I want to fight!" she protested, her voice desperate.
"No!" Ryan snapped. "You're exhausted. Leave this beast to me. I'll handle it."
Kaito leaped into the fray, his katana flashing with deadly precision. "Blood Moon Slash!" he roared, his blade glowing crimson as it sliced into the creature's side. SLASH! Sparks flew, but the wound was shallow, barely slowing the monster. It retaliated with a swipe that nearly took Kaito's head off, forcing him to roll away with a grunt. WHOOSH!
Ryan's grip tightened on his sword. His mask beeped frantically 25% oxygen remaining. Time was running out. "Kaito, like before! Distract it!" he yelled, circling the beast.
"Got it!" Kaito darted forward, his blade a blur of motion. Clang! Clang! The creature's eyeless gaze locked onto him, and it unleashed a deafening roar, slamming its fist into the ground. BOOM! The tunnel shook, rocks raining down around them.
That was Ryan's chance. He focused, feeling a familiar surge of energy course through his veins the same power Grace and Nora had sensed earlier. He didn't understand it, but there was no time to question it. The world slowed, his vision sharpening.
"Phantom Eclipse Strike!" Ryan roared, leaping into the air. His sword blazed with pale blue light as he brought it down on the creature's neck. CRACK! The impact reverberated through his arms, and for a moment, he thought his blade would shatter. But then, with a sickening SPLURCH, the beast's head tore free, black blood spraying like a geyser. It staggered, then collapsed with a final THUD, shaking the tunnel one last time.
Ryan landed, gasping for breath, his mask screaming in protest. The team gathered around the fallen monster, faces pale but relieved. "Nice work, Ryan," Kaito said, clapping his shoulder. "But what was with that aura? Don't tell me it's just those fancy contact lenses."
Ryan ignored the question, turning to check on Ayaka. But then—twitch. The beast's body shuddered. Twitch. Twitch.
"What the fuck !" Ryan stumbled back as the creature started to move again. How had it recovered after he severed its head?!
"Ryan!" Grace rushed to his side, panting. "Look closely there's a green stone in its chest. I've been watching it, and I think if we destroy that stone, it might finally die."
Her words made sense. But Ryan was drained his strength gone. He staggered forward, sword raised, only to collapse. Grace caught him before he hit the ground.
Kaito sprinted past, his katana gleaming. "Ryan, why do you always hog the spotlight? Let me have a turn!" he called, charging the beast.
The creature roared, fully regenerated, and lunged at Kaito. ROAR! But he was ready. With fluid grace, he dodged its attacks, his blade dancing through the air. Clang! Clang! Seizing an opening, Kaito unleashed his strike.
"Direct Combined Slash!" he shouted, his katana glowing as it struck the green stone in the beast's chest. CRASH! The stone shattered, and the creature let out a final, agonized SCREEEEECH before collapsing, this time for good.
Ryan stared, awestruck at Kaito's power. "Not bad," he muttered, managing a weak grin.
They turned to the teleport gate, its glow beckoning them forward. Together, they stepped through.
A New World
The suffocating tunnel gave way to an impossible sight.
A cerulean sky stretched endlessly above. Rolling green plains shimmered under the sun's golden rays. In the distance, mountains gleamed, their peaks kissed by cascading waterfalls.
It felt like. They had stepped into an entirely new world.
To be continued.