"Good," Flower said, turning back to face the monster. "Now, let's finish this."
But he suddenly collapsed to the ground.
"Waaa! Flower!" I hurried to his side. His skin was burning up, and his face was both red and pale. "Crap. I didn't think I could get this weak," he mumbled, managing a pained smile.
"Two yum yum yum!" the monster growled, its eyes fixed on us.
"Run, I don't think I can do anything about this monster," Flower muttered weakly.
"No! You think I'll abandon you here?!" I shouted, my anger and fear mixing.
I hoisted him onto my back, struggling under his weight. "We're getting out of here."
"You brat, can't you see I'm just slowing you down?!" he protested.
"I don't care. I'm not leaving you," I insisted, my voice firm. Despite my exhaustion, I summoned enough strength to carry him. We needed to escape, together.
I staggered toward the door leading to the staircase, every step a battle against my own fatigue and the monster's menacing presence. The creature lunged at us, its massive claws scraping the ground just inches away.
"You won't get away that easily!" it roared.
I kicked the door open, practically falling through it with Flower on my back. We tumbled down the stairs, each bounce sending jolts of pain through my already exhausted body. When we reached the bottom, I scrambled to my feet, panting heavily.
"Flower, stay with me," I whispered urgently. His breathing was shallow, his eyes half-closed.
The monster's roar echoed down the stairwell, reminding me we had little time. I sprinted toward the nearest exit, my legs screaming in protest. As we burst out into the open air, the cool breeze was a sharp contrast to the oppressive heat inside the shop.
But freedom was short-lived. The monster crashed through the wall behind us, debris flying everywhere. "You can't escape!" it bellowed.
"Hang on, Flower," I said, more to myself than to him. I darted through the narrow alleyways, trying to lose the monster in the maze-like backstreets. My mind raced, searching for a place to hide, a way to fight back, anything to save us.
Just as my legs were about to give out, I spotted an old, abandoned building. I ducked inside, laying Flower down gently on the dusty floor. His eyes fluttered open briefly.
"You... idiot," he muttered weakly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Just rest," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll figure something out."
I scanned the room, looking for anything that could help. My eyes landed on a heavy wooden beam lying on the floor. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. I hefted it, positioning myself between Flower and the door.
The monster's footsteps grew louder, closer. My heart pounded in my chest. This was it. I had to protect him, no matter what.
The door exploded inward, the monster towering in the doorway. "Found you," it snarled.
I hurled a large piece of wood at the monster, causing it to roar in pain. "You'll pay for that! You'll pay for that!" it bellowed, its rage evident.
"Come and get me then!" I taunted, sprinting in the opposite direction. Drawing the monster's attention away from Flower was my goal. "Come, you big stinky fatcho."
I successfully led the monster outside the abandoned building, but then it crashed through another nearby structure. Caught between crumbling buildings, I muttered, "Oh crap!"
I screamed in agony as my body was crushed under the weight of the cement debris. Pain shot through me, and I could feel bones breaking, including my left hand trapped in the fallen wall. Gasping for air, I hyperventilated, tears streaming down my face in panic.
"Ahh!!!"
"Kekekek, you're mine to eat. Human."
The monstrous creature halted in front of me, its immense size overshadowing me completely. With a grip like a titan, it lifted me by my broken hand, sending waves of excruciating pain through my body. Numbness spread, engulfing my left hand and then my legs, as if they were no longer part of me.
As its gaping maw loomed closer, ready to consume me whole, a voice pierced through the chaos.
"You won't eat the Master's Myst!" A fiery axe soared through the air, striking the monster's hand and causing it to drop me. I fell to the ground, on the verge of losing consciousness.
Bufa rushed to my side, lifting my limp body. Through hazy vision, I saw Flower approaching the monster, a determined look on his face. Thorny rose vines erupted from the ground, piercing the creature's flesh with precision. "Gaaaahhh!"
"Flower..." I whispered before everything faded into darkness.