Chapter 47
The atmosphere in the gymnasium was thick with terror as the beast, a vicious and grotesque figure, struggled against the unforgiving surface. Each desperate attempt to regain its footing was met with failure, and its frustration only fueled its fury. Ethan's heart raced as he surveyed the scene; the light from the high windows glinted off the sweat and fear of the onlookers, their eyes wide with disbelief.
He could hear the frantic pulse of adrenaline in his ears, drowning out the cacophony of screams that filled the air. With the crowbar gripped tightly in his hands, he felt a surge of determination wash over him. There was no time to think about the ramifications—only the instinct to defend.
As he lunged forward, the world around him faded into a blur, his sole focus being on the beast that seemed both feral and furious. The crowbar sliced through the air, connecting with a resounding thud against the creature's soft underbelly. The beast's roar reverberated through the space, twisting the guts of everyone who heard it into knots of dread.
Ethan felt a mix of adrenaline and fear as he ground his feet into the floor, refusing to let the panic around him dictate his actions. He remembered the faces of his friends in the crowd, the sparks of hope in their frightened eyes, and it propelled him to stand firm against the creature's wrath.
He grabbed hold of Katarines hand as he made sure she did not run away out of fear and panic, As Ethan knows, exposing your back was a fatal flaw in facing a wild animal, especially one as unpredictable as the creature before them. With a deep breath, Ethan whispered words of reassurance to Katarine, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. Together, they would find a way to survive this ordeal
Ethan handed her the hammer and told her to use the claw of the hammer and always aim for the face, knowing that a direct hit to the creature's vulnerable spots would be their best chance at survival. Katarine nodded, her eyes filled with resolve, as they prepared to face the creature head-on.
Meanwhile, the gymnasium transformed into a chaotic battleground. The once-familiar space, filled with laughter and camaraderie, morphed into a realm of utter chaos. People rushed for the exits, knowing they were already sealed closed from the other side, slipping and sliding on the polished floor as others huddled behind bleachers or cowered in corners.
The sound of shattering sneakers and a cry of fear melded together, creating a symphony of despair. Just as Ethan's heart thudded painfully against his chest, he became acutely aware that he was not just fighting for his life; he was embodying a fleeting glimmer of hope for those desperately seeking refuge from the beast's rampage. The clash of man versus beast resonated through the gymnasium, a story of survival unfolding in the midst of pandemonium.
The beast, now furious and wounded, thrashed about the gymnasium with reckless abandon. Its monstrous form slammed into rows of bleachers, sending metal seats flying through the air. The smell of rotting flesh filled the room as the creature's claws gouged deep trenches into the polished wooden floor.
Ethan, clutching the crowbar tightly, knew he had to keep the beast at bay. He could see the raw power in its movements, and he knew that if it escaped the confines of the gymnasium, the consequences would be catastrophic. With every ounce of strength he possessed, Ethan swung the crowbar in wide arcs, keeping the creature at a safe distance.
But he couldn't do it alone. The panicked cries of the people in the gymnasium rang in his ears, and Ethan knew that they needed to work together if they wanted to survive. With a fierce determination,
Though wounded, the creature was far from defeated. It howled in pain and frustration, its piercing cries sending shivers down everybody's spine. But he didn't falter, and he didn't back down. Katarine weapons became engulfed with fire each time Ethan would swing and strike the beast's body. It staggers for a few seconds. This is when Katarine strikes the creature's face. The impact is filled with a unseen combustible force that explodes on its face. The impact was as strong as a normal pressurized butane gas.
The blast was enough to severely wound the creature. With renewed vigor, Ethan pressed his attack, driving the beast back with a relentless assault. He called out to those around him, urging them to grab any nearby objects they could use as weapons. Chairs, basketballs, and even clipboards were thrown at the snarling beast, pummeling it with a barrage of makeshift projectiles.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the chaos came to an end as Ethan smashed the creature head. The beast, battered and bleeding, collapsed to the floor, its once-terrifying form now still and lifeless. The gymnasium, once filled with the deafening roars of a monstrous predator, was now eerily silent.
A clapping sound was heard, and it came from Mr. Thomas. Ethan wanted to say something when the arrogant and rich people reacted violently toward the man, but the four military personnel quickly pointed their weapons toward the participants. Mr. Thomas smiled and told them ,
"All 120 of you are not the only ones who experienced this."
"We, the Adroit, decided to pursue this type of test to determine if people in this age bracket are mentally and physically fit to face the challenges ahead,'
"Time is changing, and the unseen are slowly appearing before our eyes,"
"You people haven't seen these creatures yet with your own eyes because you are all preoccupied with the reality you want to see."
"You spoiled bunch feel mistreated, but , as I could see, you do not have the guts to face the new reality."
"The world you all knew has already shifted, and it's time for you to adapt and evolve. "
"The challenges ahead require a new level of mental and physical fitness that you may not be prepared for."
"None of your wealthy families know about this; we orchestrated all this two years ahead of time.'
"All the branches of the government already agreed to our finding and gave them all the needed proof and actual evidence to back up our findings."
"These creatures are called hellhounds."
"These are ordinary docile or wild animals consumed with a parasitic pathogen that turns them into aggressive, bloodthirsty beasts. It's crucial that we find a way to contain and eliminate them before they spread further."
"Many researchers all over the planet studied these creatures as they were first seen in the coastal region of Russia."
"Russia is a transcontinental country, stretching vastly over two continents, Europe and Asia. It spans the northernmost edge of Eurasia and has the world's fourth-longest coastline."
"Look at it; it's just an ordinary Siberian wolf. Look what this unseen pathogen did to its body."
"The government is doing its best to control the situation , but we found out that this is just the start of something bigger and more destructive."
" I could only say as much, but soon every person in the world will be affected."
"Currently, nobody has found any information in this, meaning there is no known chemical material or biological element connected with this mysterious pathogen that is causing such devastation."
"Scientists are working tirelessly to identify the source and develop a solution before it spreads further."
"The same person who approached us was the same person who told us about these creatures being bound to somebody who was higher than every living thing in this world."
"So this is what we can offer all of you now: a chance to learn the skills to survive when this apocalyptic scenario becomes a reality." "Prepare yourselves for the unknown and stay vigilant in the face of uncertainty."
"I sure hope you two will stay,"
Mr. Thomas was looking at Ethan and Katarine. And the few people who help them distract the beast until Ethan gets the killing blow. Ethan asked Mr. Thomas a question that had been weighing on his mind since they arrived.
"Who exactly is this person that the creatures are bound to?"
Mr. Thomas paused for a moment before responding,
"All I can say is that they possess a power unlike anything we have ever seen before."
"You call these things hellhounds, so I can only imagine that demons are the only logical force controlling them."
Ethan added, and his curiosity piqued. Mr. Thomas nodded solemnly.
"Yes, it's a dark and dangerous power that we must be prepared to face."
" I came here to learn a new skill and learn, and you guys bombarded us with a terrifying reality."
Ethan remarked, feeling a mixture of annoyance and excitement. Mr. Thomas gave him a reassuring smile and said,
"Sometimes the most valuable lessons come from facing our greatest fears head-on."
" none of the 120 got killed; this was the best option we could think of. As we all know, mankind won't accept this event as true until they personally encounter it. ."
"So the person that gave you guys the basic information, who is that person?"
Mr. Thomas paused for a moment before responding,
"The person who provided us with the basic information prefers to remain anonymous.""
Ethan wasn't about to open the Pandora box right in front of Mr. Thomas; he was an avid reader, especially concerning this kind of subject matter, as he wanted to follow his father's footsteps. He knew that delving deeper into the source of the information could lead to unexpected consequences. Instead, he decided to focus on gathering more details from Mr. Thomas about the mysterious event.
The conspiracy theories surrounding this information might be connected with The Illuminati, who served under the 12 Apostles. His father, who was a retired military officer once told him that the world is ruled by an unseen group of people directly connected to ancient families.
His dad will share stories about this whenever he gets back from a missions. He told his son the horrific things he did to earn the peaceful life Ethan and his mother were living in. Growing up, he never realized these stories would eventually come knocking at his doorstep.
As he remembers, the reason his mother wanted him to pursue the arts was to keep him away from the dangerous world his father was involved in. However, as Ethan lived his life on his own, fate was still determined to intertwine him with his family's dark past. Despite his efforts to distance himself, Ethan couldn't escape the legacy that was ingrained in his bloodline. The secrets and dangers that haunted his father now threaten to consume him as well.
are a group of powerful families that have been rumored to rule the world from the shadows for centuries. These families are said to wield immense influence and power, operating behind the scenes and shaping global events according to their own interests.
It is important to note that the existence and actions of the 12 Apostles are largely based on conspiracy theories and speculation, and there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that they are a real group with a significant impact on world affairs. However, the idea of a secretive and influential group pulling the strings from behind the scenes has captured the imagination of many and has been the subject of numerous books, films, and television shows.
According to these theories, the 12 Apostles are made up of some of the wealthiest and most influential families in the world, with ties to banking, politics, and other powerful institutions. They are said to operate in complete secrecy, using their resources and influence to manipulate events and control outcomes from behind the scenes, whether they are good or evil.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the idea of the 12 Apostles continues to fascinate and intrigue people around the world. Some believe that they are a force for good, using their power and influence to shape the world in a positive way. Others see them as a malevolent force, using their wealth and influence to further their own selfish interests at the expense of the greater good.
Regardless of whether the Illuminati or the 12 Apostles are a real group or just a figment of the imagination, the concept of a secretive and powerful group ruling the world from the shadows is a compelling one. It speaks to the desire for answers and understanding in a complex and often confusing world, and it serves as a reminder of the power and influence that can be wielded by those who operate in the shadows.
Ethan was more concerned about the revelation that they encountered. His concern was Katarine, and he wasn't about to turn his back on the life he now has with her. Mr. Thomas assured them the lesson they would get was basic. And based on the participant's action and engagement, this was created to prepare all of them for the worst possible scenario that might come.
Mr. Thomas raised his hand, and soon the gymnasium doors opened, and he pointed to the exit.
"We could only do as much; after this all you can do is leave; the choice is still yours to make."
The participants exchanged nervous glances, realizing the gravity of the situation. As they filed out of the gymnasium, among the 120, a few were hesitating and wished to gain more details if the situation, as Mr. Thomas mentioned, was truly as dire as it seemed. Some whispered amongst themselves, wondering what lay ahead and how they could possibly prepare for it.
They wanted to stay as the rest went out laughing and ignoring the facts stated towards them, Most of the wealthy people were the ones mocking the situation, and some even cursed at Mr. Thomas and promised to sue them for illegal actions. The tension in the room was palpable as uncertainty loomed over those who remained, unsure of what steps to take next. Some felt a sense of urgency to investigate further before making any decisions.
Mr. Thomas took out his business card holder and gave the remaining 60 his contact information, urging them to reach out with any questions or concerns. He reassured them that he was committed to resolving the situation and finding a solution that would benefit everyone involved.
Ethan and Katarine accepted the calling card from Mr. Thomas and went on their way, like nothing happened. Katarine was having a deep thought concerning what just happened. Because she also heard about stories when she was little, her grandma once shared that his grandfather was a member of a secretive group, and they were called the knights of Zealot.
While Ethan was also in deep thought, he never expected that the stories his father told him actually had a certain amount of truth to them. The mysterious calling card from Mr. Thomas had sparked curiosity in both Ethan and Katarine, leading them to wonder about the hidden world of secret societies and their potential connections to their own families.
When they noticed Mr. Krauss's clothes were frayed and worn out, they didn't even notice the blood stain on them. Katarine notices Mr. Krauss's phony concern. She wants that ignorant person not to connect the dots that her family already knew this would happen. Katarine's intuition told her that Mr. Krauss was not to be trusted, but she kept her suspicions to herself, not wanting to alarm Ethan. As she could also play this game of deception, she decided to gather more information before taking any action. Ethan, on the other hand, remained oblivious to the danger lurking in their midst.
As he contemplates what he needs to do next, knowing that more dangers will fall into his lap, Protecting Katarine is just one of his concerns now; he thinks about his parents wellbeing and how he can ensure their safety as well. With a growing sense of unease, Ethan knew he needed to act quickly and decisively to protect those he cared about most.
As Ethan opened the car door and assisted Katarine while he finally noticed the blood stains on her clothing, she took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood stains on her soft, gentle, good-looking, cute face. Katarine smiled and just told him
"We desperately need to take a bath."
"Yes, we do."
"Together, Ethan,"
Ethan's heart raced as he realized the gravity of the situation, but he knew he had to stay calm for both their sakes. With a determined nod, he replied, "Us Together."
Katarie smiled and told him that everything that has happened in her life was all unnatural and unnatural, and she learned to accept it, seeing that these creatures are no longer a big issue for her, as she has seen more horrific acts that people have done in the past, so another unrealistic and supernatural event did not faze her.
"Mr. Krauss , would you mind driving us back home?"
She asked politely, already feeling a sense of security with him by her side. He nodded in agreement, entered the car, and drove back to her family estate.