Alex stepped into the portal, the world around him shifting in an instant. The bustling cityscape was replaced by an eerie, otherworldly landscape. The air was thick with tension, and the ground beneath his feet felt unstable as if it could give way at any moment. The sky above was a swirling vortex of dark clouds, tinged with crimson, and the only light came from the glowing portal behind him and the faint glimmers reflecting off the monsters' bodies.
Ahead, the monsters loomed large, their forms more terrifying up close. They were hulking beasts, their bodies a twisted amalgamation of scales, claws, and teeth. Their eyes gleamed with a predatory intelligence, and their growls sent shivers down Alex's spine. There were three of them, each radiating a dark, oppressive aura.
Despite the fear gnawing at his insides, Alex forced himself to stay calm. He could hear Alexius's voice in his mind, reminding him of the training they had been through. He had faced challenges before—nothing quite like this—but he had to trust in his abilities.
The first beast lunged at him, its massive jaws snapping shut just inches from his face. Alex ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He felt the ground tremble as the monster's claws raked the earth where he had stood.
"Stay focused," Alex muttered to himself, rising to his feet. His eyes darted around, assessing the situation. The monsters were fast and strong, but they were also large and cumbersome. He had to use their size against them.
Another beast charged, this one faster than the first. Alex braced himself, waiting until the last possible moment before diving to the side again. The monster skidded to a halt, its momentum carrying it forward as it missed its target. Before it could recover, Alex was on his feet, rushing toward its exposed side.
With a swift, practiced motion, Alex drew the short sword he had brought with him—a weapon that had seen its fair share of battles. He struck at the monster's side, aiming for a vulnerable spot between its scales. The blade bit into the creature's flesh, eliciting a pained roar.
But the victory was short-lived. The third beast was already upon him, its massive claw sweeping toward him with lethal intent. Alex barely had time to react, raising his arm in a desperate attempt to block the attack. The impact sent him flying backward, the force of the blow knocking the wind out of him.
He hit the ground hard, pain flaring through his body as he struggled to catch his breath. The monster loomed over him, ready to deliver the final blow. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down. Alex could see the creature's massive claw descending toward him, could hear the distant sounds of the city still in chaos, and could feel the cold grip of fear tightening around his heart.
But then something snapped inside him. A surge of adrenaline, of determination, pushed him to move. He rolled to the side just as the claw struck the ground, sending up a shower of dirt and debris. Alex sprang to his feet, ignoring the pain in his side, and turned to face the monster again.
He couldn't afford to be reckless. He had to think, to outmaneuver these creatures. As the monster prepared for another attack, Alex scanned the environment, searching for anything he could use to his advantage. The landscape was barren, devoid of any cover or weapons—except for the remnants of the portal itself, still crackling with residual energy.
An idea began to form in his mind, a risky plan that could either save him or end in disaster. But he had no other options. As the monster charged again, Alex sprinted toward the portal, the beast hot on his heels. He could feel its hot breath on his back and could hear the pounding of its massive feet as it closed in.
Just as he reached the portal, Alex pivoted, using his momentum to swing around and face the creature. He raised his sword and, with a shout, drove it into the ground, striking the center of the portal's energy.
The effect was immediate. The portal flared to life, the energy within it surging outward in a wave of force. The monster, caught in the blast, was thrown backward, its body convulsing as the energy coursed through it. It let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
The other two monsters hesitated, their eyes flicking between their fallen comrade and the now-dormant portal. Alex took the opportunity to strike, rushing forward and slashing at the nearest beast's leg. The creature howled in pain, stumbling as it tried to regain its balance.
Alex didn't let up. He pressed the attack, his strikes swift and precise. The monster's movements became sluggish, its strength waning as it bled from multiple wounds. With a final, desperate lunge, Alex drove his sword deep into the creature's chest, piercing its heart.
The last beast, seeing its allies defeated, let out a low growl and began to retreat. But Alex wasn't about to let it escape. He chased after it, his exhaustion and injuries forgotten in the heat of the moment. He couldn't afford to leave any threats behind.
With a final burst of speed, Alex caught up to the creature and leaped onto its back. The beast thrashed, trying to throw him off, but Alex held on, his arms locked around its thick neck. He drove his sword into its spine, feeling the creature shudder beneath him.
With a final, pained groan, the monster collapsed to the ground, its body going limp. Alex rolled off its back, landing on his knees as he gasped for breath. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, and the pain of his injuries was beginning to set in.
But he had done it. The monsters were defeated, and the portal was closed. The city was safe—at least for now.
As he struggled to his feet, Alex heard a familiar voice in his ear. "Not bad, kid," Alexius said, his tone a mixture of relief and pride. "Not bad at all."
Alex managed a weak smile as he sheathed his sword. "Thanks," he said, his voice hoarse. "But we're not done yet. We still have to get out of here."
*****
Alex limped toward the glowing portal, Alexius perched on his shoulder, still catching his breath after the intense battle. The eerie quiet of the alien world enveloped them, and the glow of the portal felt like a distant beacon of hope. But Alex could feel the exhaustion creeping in, the strain of the fight weighing on his every step. His wounds were starting to take their toll, the sharp pain in his abdomen reminding him that his body wasn't invincible.
"We're almost there," Alex muttered to himself, pushing through the pain.
But just as they neared the portal, a sharp, manic laughter echoed through the barren landscape. Alex's body tensed as he scanned the horizon, his eyes narrowing.
A figure appeared from the shadows, slowly walking toward them with a twisted grin plastered across his face. He wore a tattered black cloak, and his eyes gleamed with a wild, almost unhinged light. His presence was suffocating, radiating a dark aura that made the air around them feel heavier.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice sing-song and dripping with malice. "What do we have here? A little warrior trying to escape?"
Alex's heart pounded in his chest. He recognized that aura immediately—an Apostle of Lunatic. One of the seven most dangerous beings serving under the chaotic god that had unleashed terror on the world. The man's smile widened as if sensing Alex's realization.
"Look at you," the Apostle continued, his voice laced with mockery. "You're barely standing, yet here you are, still trying to fight. Fascinating." He tilted his head, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I like you. Maybe I'll keep you alive a little longer, just to see what happens."
Alex gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on his sword. He could feel Alexius tensing on his shoulder, sensing the danger as well. But there was no time to back down now. He had to fight.
With a quick movement, Alex raised his sword, summoning what strength he had left. He lunged at the Apostle, but the man moved with unnatural speed, dodging his attack effortlessly. Alex staggered, his body struggling to keep up with his mind.
The Apostle laughed again, a twisted sound that grated on Alex's nerves. "Come now, is that all you've got?" he taunted, dancing around Alex with ease. "Surely, you can do better than that."
Despite his fatigue, Alex refused to give up. He swung his sword again and again, each strike fueled by a mixture of determination and desperation. But the Apostle was toying with him, dodging and parrying with ease, as if it were all just a game to him.
"You're bleeding quite a lot," the Apostle commented offhandedly, watching with twisted glee as Alex began to falter. "It won't be long now."
Alex felt his vision blur as the blood loss began to take its toll. His body grew heavier with each passing second, and his movements became sluggish. He knew he was running out of time, but he couldn't stop. Not here. Not now.
But the Apostle was relentless. With a swift, brutal strike, he knocked Alex's sword from his hand, sending it clattering to the ground. Alex gasped, stumbling backward as the Apostle's dark aura closed in around him.
"You're fun," the Apostle whispered, his voice low and menacing. "I think I'll enjoy watching you break."
Alex tried to move, to fight back, but his body betrayed him. He could feel the blood soaking through his clothes, the world spinning around him as his strength faded. The Apostle loomed over him, his smile growing wider.
Just as Alex's vision began to darken, a bright flash of light appeared in the corner of his eye. The Apostle's grin faltered for a moment, his eyes flicking toward the source of the disturbance.
Out of nowhere, a figure appeared, bathed in a golden light—Hermes, the god. He grinned cheekily at Alex before turning to face the Apostle with a look of casual disdain.
"Well, this seems like a rather unfair fight," Hermes said, his tone light and playful. "Mind if I step in?"
The Apostle's eyes narrowed, but before he could react, Hermes snapped his fingers, and the air around them crackled with divine energy. The Apostle hissed, stepping back as the energy formed a barrier between him and Alex.
"I'm not here for you, lunatic," Hermes said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'm just here to retrieve something."
Before the Apostle could respond, Hermes turned to Alex, who was on the verge of losing consciousness. With a wink, Hermes gently placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. I've got someone on the way."
As Hermes' hand glowed with divine energy, Alex felt a wave of warmth and relief wash over him. But it wasn't enough to stop the darkness from closing in. His body had reached its limit, and despite Hermes' efforts, he could feel himself slipping away.
The last thing Alex saw before everything went black was Hermes giving him a sly smile and a playful salute. "I'll be seeing you around," the god said before vanishing into thin air.
As Alex's body crumpled to the ground, unconscious and bleeding, the Apostle stood back, his eyes narrowing in frustration. But before he could make another move, a new presence arrived.
Elias appeared, his face grim as he took in the scene before him. Without a word, he knelt beside Alex, checking his injuries with practiced precision. He looked up at the Apostle, his eyes cold and dangerous.
The Apostle smirked but took a step back. "Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Seems like the little warrior has some friends after all. How delightful."
Elias didn't respond, his focus entirely on Alex. As the Apostle watched with amusement, Elias carefully lifted the boy into his arms, his expression dark with determination.
"Enjoy your victory," the Apostle called after him, laughing as Elias began to walk away. "But remember—this is far from over."
Elias ignored him, his mind set on one thing only—getting Alex to safety.
As he disappeared into the portal, the Apostle's laughter echoed through the barren landscape, a chilling reminder that the war had only just begun.