Luke's heart pounded as he made the difficult decision to lead the Enraged Aerdeich back into the city. His initial plan had been to draw the monster away, to lead it far from Purewood and its people. But without Tiala's speed, Luke was at a severe disadvantage. The monstrous deer would catch up to him long before he could reach any significant distance. Moreover, all their attacks on the beast had failed miserably, proving its hide was impenetrable by conventional means. If they were to have any hope of defeating it, they needed time—time to come up with a new strategy, time to find a weakness.
He led the monster through the ruins of Purewood, weaving in and out of the remnants of homes and businesses. The shattered buildings provided narrow spaces for Luke to slip through, creating a barrier the Enraged Aerdeich struggled to navigate. Its enormous size and bulk made it slow to manoeuvre, buying Luke precious moments with each turn and obstacle.
The civilians had been evacuated further inside the city, near sturdier structures like the castle, the barracks, and the cathedral. These places were built to withstand attacks, and their stone and brick walls offered more protection than the wooden houses. Luke's path kept him closer to the main gate, far from where the civilians were huddled in relative safety. This way, he could keep the monster focused on him without risking more lives.
"Over here!" Luke shouted, waving his arms to keep the beast's attention on him. The Enraged Aerdeich roared in response, its eyes locked onto its prey. It charged through the streets, smashing through walls and overturning debris in its relentless pursuit.
Luke's mind raced as he darted between buildings. He knew they couldn't keep this up forever. The knights had failed to harm the creature, and his tactics with the phone's light and sound had lost their effect. He needed a new plan, something that could exploit the monster's weaknesses—if it had any.
As he ran, Luke remembered the markings on his hand, the residue of the curse. They glowed faintly, a reminder of the evil heart he had handled. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was something in the magic that could be used against the Enraged Aerdeich. But how? He had no real knowledge of magic, no training in its use. All he had were his instincts and a deep-seated desire to protect the people of Purewood.
The beast roared again, its antlers smashing through a wall as it tried to corner Luke. He leapt over the rubble, narrowly avoiding the deadly antlers. The ruins provided some cover, but he needed more than just a reprieve. He needed a plan.
He led the Enraged Aerdeich in circles, always keeping it close enough to chase but far enough to avoid being caught. The destruction was massive, each crash and roar echoing through the empty streets. Knights and guards watched from a distance, their faces grim. They knew they were outmatched, but they also knew they couldn't give up.
Luke darted into an alley, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He pressed himself against the wall, trying to think. The markings on his hand seemed to pulse with his heartbeat, a reminder of the dark power he had touched. If only he knew how to use it, how to turn it against the beast.
"Think, Luke, think," he muttered to himself, glancing around for inspiration. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the rubble, and he noticed something glinting in the debris—a shard of glass, reflecting the moonlight. An idea began to form in his mind, a desperate, risky idea.
He picked up the shard, careful not to cut himself, and looked at the glowing markings on his hand. Maybe, just maybe, he could use the cursed magic somehow. He knew it was a long shot, but he had no other options. The Enraged Aerdeich was drawing closer, its growls and roars growing louder.
With renewed determination, Luke emerged from the alley, facing the beast head-on. He raised his hand, the shard of glass catching the moonlight and reflecting it onto the markings. He didn't know if it would work, but he had to try. The city's last stand depended on him, on this one desperate act of defiance.
"Come and get me, you ugly motherfucker," he whispered, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. The Enraged Aerdeich charged, its eyes locked on Luke's glowing hand, drawn to the cursed magic like a moth to a flame.
Luke stood his ground, praying that his gamble would pay off, praying that he could find a way to turn the darkness into light.
As the Enraged Aerdeich charged towards him, Luke's heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination. The monstrous creature was almost upon him, its glowing eyes locked onto the cursed markings on his hand. With no time to lose, Luke dove into a narrow opening between the rubble of a collapsed building, slipping through just as the beast lunged.
The Enraged Aerdeich skidded to a halt, confused by the sudden disappearance of its prey. It sniffed the air, its nostrils flaring as it caught the faint scent of the curse lingering in the debris. The beast growled a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the ruins. It began to paw at the rubble, its massive claws digging into the debris, searching for Luke.
Inside the tight confines of the rubble, Luke crawled deeper and deeper, his body scraping against jagged stones and broken beams. Every movement was agonizingly slow, each inch gained a small victory in his desperate bid for time. The sounds from above were terrifying—the growls, the crunching of debris under the beast's weight, and the hot, fetid breath of the Enraged Aerdeich seeping through the cracks.
Luke's heart raced, each beat echoing in his ears as he forced himself to move forward. The monster's snarls and the sound of its gnashing teeth were uncomfortably close. He could feel the vibration of its movements, the ground trembling as it dug through the rubble. Dust and dirt rained down on him, making it harder to breathe, but he pushed on, driven by sheer willpower.
The beast's breath was hot and foul, a mix of decay and blood that made Luke's stomach churn. He could hear its jaws snapping, the sound of teeth grinding against stone and wood. It was right above him now, tearing through the debris with relentless determination. Each gnash and gnaw brought it closer, and Luke could feel the rubble shifting, the weight pressing down on him as the Enraged Aerdeich dug deeper.
Luke's mind raced his thoughts a chaotic swirl of fear and strategy. He had to stay calm and had to think of a way to outmanoeuvre the beast. But the options were few, and the situation dire. He could hear the beast's frustration, its growls growing more intense as it realized its prey was just out of reach.
He crawled further, deeper into the maze of rubble, hoping to find a more secure spot. The air was thick with dust, each breath a struggle. His hands and knees were scraped and bleeding, but he couldn't stop. Not now. Not when the lives of the people of Purewood depended on him.
Above him, the Enraged Aerdeich's digging grew more frantic. It let out a deafening roar, shaking the very ground beneath Luke. The noise was so loud it felt like his eardrums would burst. He clenched his jaw, fighting back the panic threatening to overtake him. He had to keep moving.
Suddenly, the rubble around him shifted violently as the beast's massive antlers pierced through the debris, inches from his back. Luke held his breath, praying it wouldn't find him. The monster's snout pushed through next, sniffing and snorting, its hot breath blasting against his skin. The smell was overwhelming, a mix of rot and raw meat.
Luke could feel the creature's frustration and rage. It was so close, yet so far from reaching him. The tension was almost unbearable, every muscle in his body tensed and ready to spring. He knew he couldn't stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, the beast would dig him out.
But for now, he had to trust in the narrow confines of the rubble to protect him. He had to believe that he could outlast the monster's rage, that he could buy enough time for the knights to regroup and come up with a new plan. The survival of Purewood depended on it.
As he lay there, listening to the relentless sounds of the Enraged Aerdeich's assault, Luke closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Each breath was a victory, each heartbeat a testament to his determination. He was not going to give up. Not now. Not ever.
And so, he waited, tense and ready, hoping against hope that he could hold out long enough to find a way to turn the tide against the monstrous beast above.