Ali peered cautiously around the jagged rock he used as cover, his dark eyes scanning the storm-swept terrain. 'It's gone… 'he thought with a faint exhale of relief. But the reprieve was fleeting, his mind turning back to the daunting task ahead.
'When they said this planet was filled with monsters, I assumed they'd be manageable. But this?'
He turned his gaze toward the distant research ship. It was nestled precariously among the jagged peaks, its dark silhouette barely visible through the torrential downpour. What had once seemed like a straightforward path to the objective now felt infinitely longer. Each step was a gamble on Vorrath, every moment a struggle for survival against creatures whose strength and ferocity defied reason.
'How do I get there?' he thought, his mind racing as he considered the treacherous gap between his current peak and the nearest one. The sheer rock faces, slippery with rain and wind-blasted smooth, offered little in the way of handholds. Even with the Force, it was a daunting prospect.
VOOOOOOOOO
A sudden, powerful gust of wind howled through the peaks, slamming into the one above him with enough force to make the entire mountain tremble. Ali squinted through the rain as the gale sent sheets of water hurtling sideways, the wind bending the trajectory of the storm itself.
'Never seen that before… 'he thought, watching the peculiar currents with a flicker of intrigue. The wind was strong enough to tear loose small chunks of rock and send them tumbling into the abyss below.
After a quick scan for any sign of the monster, Ali steeled himself and climbed out from behind his rocky hiding place. He scaled the jagged surface with swift, calculated movements, his hands gripping the slick stone with the assistance of the Force. His breathing was steady, but his senses were sharp, scanning for any hint of danger.
Just as he neared the edge of the peak, his Force sense flared to life—a warning of imminent danger. Without hesitation, Ali dropped several meters back down the face of the peak.
Moments later, another fierce gust of wind roared over the summit, carrying with it shards of loose rock that would have torn into his skin.
'That was close', Ali thought grimly, pressing his body against the wet stone to avoid the worst of the wind. When the gust subsided, he resumed his climb.
This time, he stopped just beneath the summit and closed his eyes, allowing the Force to guide his awareness. He extended his senses outward, focusing on the movement of the air currents and the vibrations of the storm. The wind's power was unpredictable, but with the Force, Ali could discern its rhythm.
KEEEEEEEE
A sharp, ear-piercing screech cut through the storm, freezing Ali in place. He didn't need to look to know what it meant—the monster was nearby, and it was closing in fast. The sound of rocks crunching and splitting under the weight of its massive limbs grew louder with each passing second.
The creature's approach was accompanied by the relentless boom-boom-boom of its sharp legs stabbing into the mountain as it scaled the peak. Ali held his position, gripping the rock face tightly and willing himself to remain calm.
NOW!
In a single, fluid motion, Ali leapt from the side of the peak. He timed his jump perfectly, allowing the gale-force wind to catch him mid-air. The powerful current carried him across the gaping chasm, propelling him toward the next peak in the direction of the research ship.
He landed hard, his boots skidding on the slick rock as he absorbed the impact. Quickly regaining his balance, Ali turned to glance behind him.
The monstrous insect had leapt after him, its massive body slicing through the air with terrifying speed. But just as it was about to reach the peak, another gust of wind slammed into it, throwing the creature off course. It landed awkwardly on a cluster of sharp rocks, one of its legs impaled by the jagged spires.
KEEEEEEEEEE
The creature screeched in pain, thrashing wildly before losing its grip and tumbling into the abyss below. Ali allowed himself a brief smirk as he watched it disappear into the shadows.
"Stay down there, insect," he muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.
But his satisfaction was short-lived.
KEEEEEEEEEE
KEEEEEEEEE
KEEEEEEEE
The haunting screeches echoed from the depths below, growing louder and more numerous. Ali's smirk vanished as five more of the monstrous creatures surged out of the darkness, their sharp legs stabbing into the mountainside with relentless determination.
'Just my luck', Ali thought bitterly, already moving.
He scrambled up the slick rock face with renewed urgency, his hands and feet a blur of motion. The sharp stones tore at his palms, leaving deep cuts that oozed blood, but he didn't slow down. His fingers, even when worn down to the bone, gripped the stone with unrelenting strength as he fought through the searing pain.
The creatures pursued him with frightening speed, their sharp limbs carving into the mountain as they climbed. Ali barely had time to glance over his shoulder before leaping once more, this time riding another gust of wind across a gap between peaks.
Mid-flight, Ali's Force sense screamed in warning. He turned his head just in time to see one of the creatures lunge toward him, its razor-sharp limb slicing through the air like a scythe.
Reacting instinctively, Ali extended his hand and pushed against the air with the Force. The telekinetic burst propelled him backward mid-flight, narrowly avoiding the creature's strike. Another gust of wind caught him, redirecting his trajectory toward one of the four peaks supporting the research ship.
Ali landed hard, the impact jarring his entire body. With no handholds in sight, he activated his quinque and drove its blade into the rock face, anchoring himself securely.
But his relief was fleeting. The six monstrous insects were still in pursuit, their shrill screeches echoing through the storm as they leapt toward him. Ali's position offered no escape, and the jagged surface of the peak left him exposed.
'I'm trapped'. he thought, his mind racing for a solution.
In a desperate move, Ali drew one of his desert eagles and fired at the approaching creatures. The shots rang out sharply, cutting through the howling storm. Two of the bullets found their marks, striking the insects directly in their glowing red eyes. The wounded creatures screeched and tumbled into the abyss, but the remaining four continued their relentless advance.
'Damn it', Ali thought, holstering the weapon. He gathered the Force in his free hand, preparing for one last stand.
BOOOOOOOOOOM
A deafening crack of thunder echoed through the peaks as a bolt of Force-charged lightning struck the summit above Ali. The explosion sent a cascade of rocks tumbling down, scattering the insects and forcing them to retreat further down the mountain.
Ali seized the opportunity, swinging his quinque upward with all his strength. Deactivating the blade mid-swing, he used the momentum to propel himself toward a newly formed cave-like hole created by the lightning strike.
He barely managed to grab the edge of the hole, his fingers digging into the wet stone as he hauled himself inside. The narrow space was just large enough for him to crouch, and he ducked to avoid hitting his head on the uneven ceiling.
For the first time since landing on Vorrath, Ali allowed himself a moment to exhale. But his relief was short-lived.
The faint sound of falling rocks reached his ears, barely audible over the storm. Ali stiffened, instantly recognising the telltale noise of the insects' movements.
'Why are they so damn persistent? 'he thought angrily. 'There's plenty of food back on the ship they attacked. Go feast on that!'
With no time to waste, Ali smashed his fist into the rock wall behind him, using Force strength to carve out a small alcove. He worked quickly, the jagged stones tearing into his knuckles as he widened the space just enough to squeeze himself inside.
BANG. BANG.
The sound of the creatures' legs stabbing into the rock drew closer, each impact resonating through the narrow cave. Ali pressed himself into the alcove, his body motionless and his breathing shallow.
A faint screech echoed from the cave's entrance, followed by the unmistakable sound of sharp claws scraping against the stone. Ali remained utterly still, his heart beating normally with calmness.
Suddenly, a loose rock from the wall he had just dug fell to the ground, the sound reverberating through the confined space.
'Of course', Ali thought bitterly as the screeching outside grew louder.
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