The eight-tentacled beast slithered toward them, its grotesque body undulating with each step. Nathan's heart pounded in his chest as he stood frozen in place. The pale moonlight reflected off the creature's slimy, scaled skin, making it look even more terrifying in the dim light. Its massive form towered over them, and the sound of its breathing filled the air, a deep, guttural hiss that sent shivers down Nathan's spine.
"We need to move!" Enoch shouted, snapping Nathan out of his daze. But James was still slumped against the ancient tree, his wound bleeding heavily. He could barely stand, let alone run.
Nathan and Enoch exchanged a glance. They had to think fast. The beast was closing in, and they couldn't just leave James behind.
Nathan took a deep breath, his mind racing. "I'll distract it," he said, his voice wavering slightly. "You help James. Get him out of here."
"What?!" Enoch's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you crazy? You can't—"
"Just do it!" Nathan cut him off, grabbing a nearby rock and hurling it toward the beast. The stone bounced harmlessly off its thick hide, but it was enough to catch its attention. The creature let out a thunderous roar, its glowing eyes locking onto Nathan.
Without waiting for a response, Nathan took off running, his heart hammering in his chest. He could hear the beast's heavy footsteps as it followed, the ground shaking beneath its weight. The creature's tentacles lashed out, smashing into the earth behind him, narrowly missing his feet.
He darted between crumbling columns and twisted trees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His only thought was to stay alive—long enough for Enoch to get James to safety.
"Nathan!" Enoch's voice echoed from behind, but Nathan didn't look back. He couldn't afford to. The beast was right on his heels, its monstrous form crashing through the debris like a force of nature.
The labyrinthine courtyard seemed to twist and bend around him as he ran, the walls shifting like liquid. Was it Ching Fang manipulating the realm, or was it the realm itself responding to the chaos?
Nathan's legs burned with exhaustion, but he pushed himself harder. He needed to lose the beast, but there was nowhere to hide. Everywhere he turned, the path seemed to close in on him. The shadows themselves seemed to be alive, crawling toward him, reaching out like cold, skeletal fingers.
In the distance, he heard Enoch shout again, followed by the faint sound of footsteps. They were getting away. Good.
But Nathan's distraction had worked too well. The beast was entirely focused on him now, its tentacles whipping through the air, smashing through the trees and stone structures like they were made of paper.
Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan saw a narrow passage between two massive stone walls. Without thinking, he veered sharply to the right and dove into the gap, just as one of the beast's tentacles crashed down behind him, narrowly missing his legs.
He scrambled to his feet, breathing hard, and glanced back. The passage was too narrow for the creature to follow. For a moment, Nathan allowed himself to hope he'd lost it. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, the beast let out another deafening roar, shaking the walls around him.
Nathan didn't have much time.
He pressed on, deeper into the narrow passage, his footsteps echoing in the dark. His mind was a blur of panic and desperation. He had no plan, no idea where to go, and no way to fight the monster hunting him. His only hope was to stay one step ahead.
As he reached the end of the passage, the walls opened up into a large, open chamber. Unlike the decaying ruins of the previous area, this chamber was pristine—its marble floor gleamed in the moonlight, and the walls were adorned with intricate carvings of demons and gods. At the far end of the chamber stood an enormous, black iron gate, its surface covered in arcane symbols.
Nathan's pulse quickened. Maybe this was a way out.
Before he could move, a sharp voice echoed through the chamber.
"You've come far, Nathan."
Nathan froze, recognizing the voice instantly. Ching Fang.
The ruler of the demon realm stepped out of the shadows, his gaunt face illuminated by the pale light. His black robes flowed behind him, and his hollow eyes locked onto Nathan with a predatory gleam.
"I'm impressed," Ching Fang said, his voice low and cold. "But you've only delayed the inevitable."
Nathan's throat tightened, but he stood his ground. "Where are my friends?" he demanded. "What have you done with them?"
Ching Fang smiled, a cruel, mocking grin. "Your friends are of no consequence. They are mere pawns in this game. The only one who matters here is you."
Nathan clenched his fists, anger flaring in his chest. "What do you want from me? Why me?"
Ching Fang stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Nathan's. "Because you have something I need. Something that has been long hidden, buried deep within your bloodline."
Nathan's heart raced. "What are you talking about?"
The demon ruler's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Your grandmother never told you, did she? She thought she could protect you from your destiny. But fate is not so easily defied."
Nathan's mind reeled. What was Ching Fang talking about? His grandmother had always been protective, always warning him about the dangers of the world, but she had never mentioned anything about a destiny—or a connection to this realm.
"What do you mean?" Nathan asked, his voice trembling.
Ching Fang's gaze bore into him, cold and unrelenting. "You are the key, Nathan. The key to my freedom."
Before Nathan could react, the chamber trembled violently. The black iron gate began to glow, its arcane symbols pulsing with an eerie light. The air around them crackled with energy, and a low, guttural rumble filled the space.
Nathan took a step back, his eyes wide with fear. "What are you doing?"
Ching Fang's grin twisted into something more sinister. "The ritual has already begun. Once the gate is fully opened, I will break free from this prison, and your world will burn."
Nathan's blood ran cold. He had to stop this. He had to do something.
But before he could act, the ground beneath him gave way, and Nathan plunged into the darkness below.
4o