On the ninth day, in the afternoon, Tiralie unexpectedly ordered a stop. All she said was that the beast from the Chasm should be somewhere nearby and it was time to prepare. The rest of the day was spent raising the camp and getting everything ready. Tiralie, accompanied by four more warriors, set out to scout the area.
By midnight, they returned. The catwoman gathered everyone to share what they had learned. She sat on her giant spider so everybody could clearly see and hear her.
"Torakai warriors! Soon, it will be time to face the monster we came for. I can sense it inside a cave not far from here. We will strike tomorrow morning."
* * *
Early in the morning, Nicole woke up slightly nervous.
Something that even made Tiralie ask for help… I both want and don’t want to see it.
After a small breakfast, all the warriors left the camp. Before departing, Nicole looked at Mignon.
"Mignon!" Hearing his name, the Krellip lifted his head. "You should stay here and guard the camp. Come only if something happens." Nicole stepped back, looking at her pet. Mignon whimpered but stayed in place.
After more than an hour of walking, they reached a wide cave entrance — or rather, a large hill with a hole several meters wide. Tiralie dismounted her spider and unsheathed the blade-claw on one arm.
"Follow me. Make Merial proud of Torakai." With her other hand, she lit her torch.
The rest followed, lighting torches and venturing deeper. At first, the cave’s walls and floor were packed earth, somehow holding their shape without collapsing. Later, the ground gave way to cold stone. Everyone walked in silence, the only sounds their breathing and footsteps. Soon, they entered a large, round chamber where stalactites hung from the ceiling and stalagmites rose from the floor.
I bet this place would be beautiful if I could actually see it. Torchlight isn’t enough to even reach the walls. Damn, it’s huge.
Exiting the tunnel, Tiralie led them forward in a straight line.
"Don’t spread out. And don’t forget why we’re here." she ordered.
A few minutes later, a foul stench of blood and rotten meat filled the air. The deeper they went, the more animal bones and remains littered the ground. Nicole tried holding her breath, but it didn’t help.
Ugh. Okay, this place isn’t so cool anymore.
Tension among the people grew.
Suddenly, a growl echoed off the walls. A moment later, a blinding blue light flared at the front. Tiralie squinted, smirking triumphantly.
The glow dimmed, revealing its source — a towering wolf, over three meters tall, standing on two legs. Its fur was grey streaked with pale blue. The monster had four arms, each tipped with massive claws. Blood covered its maw, which hung open, glowing blue from within. Its claws and veins pulsed with the same eerie light, bright enough to illuminate the cave.
"AWOOARR!" The beast roared, loud enough to shake stalactites from the ceiling. Several crashed to the ground near the warriors.
Tiralie threw her torch aside and unsheathed her second claw. The torch landed ten meters away, still burning — and in its light, Bonewolves emerged from the shadows. Nicole’s heart sank. It was a trap. Bonewolves surrounded them on all sides.
Ignoring everything, Tiralie charged the beast.
"Come here, bastard! You won’t escape me this time!" she shouted.
"RHAARGH!" The beast answered with another roar, closing in as well.
With that, the Bonewolves surged forward, tightening the circle.
Chaos erupted. Growls and screams, snapping teeth and clashing weapons — all mixed into a blur. Nicole stood in the middle, gripping her spear tightly. Yet she wasn’t afraid. She was ready.
A Bonewolf lunged at her. After the previous battle, she had no trouble dealing with it. She stepped back and drove her spear forward, killing it instantly. Another came. Then another. The fight seemed endless. But not hopeless — the hunters and guards of Greenshore fought fiercely. Erta, Tiralie’s giant spider, trapped enemies in water webs, leaving them helpless.
Morilia danced around the battlefield, her spear striking without a stop. She used her weapon masterfully, not only the pointy tip, but also the blunt part to deflect and block hits. In a constant move, Morilia seemed to never stop at all. It seemed like it was not a fight for life, trapped in a cave, but a show, just performance that she improvised on the go. Yet there was no one to watch, as others were occupied with staying alive.
Away from the chaos, two figures fought alone — beast against beauty. Or perhaps beast against beast. Tiralie’s thin claws crackled with yellow lightning as she slashed rapidly, while the monster’s body surged with blue arcs of energy. Its four clawed arms swiped fast, forcing her to dodge again and again.
Her fiery red hair whipped around her like flames, but her breathing stayed steady, controlled.
Then, after a furious exchange, the beast leapt back. With a powerful roar, it launched high into the air. It struck a stalactite on the ceiling, then dove down like a meteor of blue lightning.
Tiralie’s eyes widened. She leapt aside, but not far enough.
BOOM!
The impact unleashed a shockwave of electricity, blasting in all directions. Tiralie was thrown back, slamming into the wall. Air burst from her lungs.
"Ghah!" She spat and coughed blood, struggling to her feet.
Nicole, having just killed another Bonewolf, saw the attack.
Oh shit. I wouldn’t have survived that… Should I help her? Or will I just get in the way?
She scanned quickly — no Bonewolves near her. Gritting her teeth, she ran toward the beast.
It had its back to her, locked on Tiralie. Nicole raised her spear in both hands and thrust with all her strength. The tip pierced the monster’s back, making it stumble forward.
Yes!
But in the next instant, it spun. Its massive arms slammed into Nicole, hurling her across the chamber.
The world slowed as she flew. Ow. Is this it? Am I going to die?
"Nicole!!!"
She turned her head weakly. Soi’s terrified face filled her vision. Then her body slammed into a stalagmite. She slid down, landing in a heap of dead Bonewolves that cushioned the blow.
Her vision blurred, darkness creeping in. Pain throbbed in her skull. She gasped, lungs struggling for air.
Welp. Shouldn’t have tried to help Tiralie. How the hell did she survive something like that?
She tasted blood in her mouth.
I’m sorry, Soi… Maybe you were right. Too dangerous for me… I wish we’d had more time together. And found Annie… you two would’ve been great friends… WAIT. ANNIE! I CAN’T DIE! NOT YET! SOI, ANNIE… NO… I WILL SURVIVE!
"RAHHH!"
With a groan, Nicole forced her eyes open — though only her left one still saw. She pushed herself upright, first sitting, then standing. Her body swayed and nearly collapsed again, but she stayed on her feet.
"Hah… hah…" She gasped.
Soi ran toward her — then froze. Concern and fear for her dear friend disappeared in a second, replaced by horror of what she saw.
Nicole’s right arm, shoulder, and part of her torso were completely white, inhuman. Her fingertips were long and sharp. A mask-like shell covered the right side of her face, a twisted, pale imitation of her features. Its eye socket was black, empty, radiating void.
Nicole ignored everything. Her enemy stood before her. The beast and Tiralie had resumed their duel, neither paying her any mind.
You thought you could get rid of me so easily?!
She did a small step forward, then another one, which soon grew to running. As she got closer, she didn’t wait or slow down. Nicole’s sharp fingers pierced Beast’s side. Yet this time, it couldn’t throw her away – it’s arms were occupied with Tiralie. Again and again, Nicole punched and clawed at the roaring Beast.
Distracted, the monster faltered. Tiralie seized the moment, leaping high. Both her claws pierced its thick neck forming an X in the middle of it.
"ROOAAGHHHhh…" The beast’s final roar echoed through the cave.
Die motherfucker!!!
Nicole struck it a few more times before her adrenaline drained away. Pain crushed her. She collapsed to the stone floor, barely propped on her crimson-soaked right arm.
Huh… what’s wrong with my arm?
Her strength failed. Her hand slipped in the pooling blood. She fell completely, unconscious beside the monster’s corpse.