The stench of decay wafted upward, even reaching Northern at his altitude. It was a foul mixture of rot, blood, and something acrid, something ugly. The air around the hill shimmered faintly, as if warped by the sheer density of the energy emanating from the creatures.
Northern focused on the hill. It was like a river of malevolence, each creature connected to the others in a grotesque web.
"Disgusting."
His voice was cold and resolute.
As he descended toward the writhing mass, the hill seemed to notice him.
The creatures at the top turned their glowing eyes upward, snarling in unison. Slowly, the entire mound began to shift. Limbs untangled, massive forms rose, and the "hill" began to collapse as the monsters descended to face him.
The liquid-like hill was alive, and it was coming for him.
Northern smirked, his fists clenching.
"Good. Saves me the trouble of climbing."
