Kael's entire body trembled as the creatures hovered above them, their hideous faces contorted into grotesque sneers. Their leathery wings flapped with a slow, menacing rhythm, eyes glowing like fiery embers in the endless white expanse. The air was thick with tension, each breath Kael took feeling shallow, strained. These creatures were terrifying beyond imagination—veiny, with deep-set, glowing eyes, and rows of jagged teeth dripping with saliva. Every snarl that escaped their twisted mouths sent a shiver down his spine.
The group stood frozen, their weapons drawn but useless in the face of such overwhelming terror. Their breaths came in short, ragged bursts as they waited for an inevitable attack that, strangely, never came. The monsters didn't move, didn't strike. They simply watched, glaring with those fiery eyes that seemed to bore into their souls.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword, the metal slick from the sweat on his palms. His knuckles had turned white from how hard he clutched it, his heart racing faster with every passing second. His gaze flicked between the creatures, trying desperately to discern their intent, but all he saw was malice. The tension was unbearable, stretching like a taut string ready to snap. They were completely at the mercy of these monsters.
Just as Kael thought his nerves might give out, the largest of the creatures stirred. A massive figure stepped forward, its four wings flapping with slow, ominous power. It was easily double the size of the other monsters, its grotesque form hulking, black scales glinting in the pale light of the endless white expanse. But what made it even more terrifying were its horns—four of them, twisted and jagged, spiraling from its head like the branches of a dead tree. Kael's throat tightened as he gazed up at the creature, every instinct in him screaming to run.
Next to him, Lira's whisper barely registered in his panic-filled mind. "Five-layered…" she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling.
Those two words sent a bolt of cold terror through Kael's chest. Five-layered. The very concept of a five-layered monster was nightmarish. In human terms, a talented individual might reach the fourth layer with years of dedicated effort, becoming a formidable warrior or mage. But the fifth layer? That was reserved for legends. It was the stuff of myth—impossibly powerful, rarely seen even in the most prosperous kingdoms. And now, here it was, standing right in front of them.
Kael's knees buckled slightly as the reality of their situation crashed down on him. Even Gareth, their unflinching leader, seemed to falter. His posture stiffened, and Kael noticed the tightness in his grip, the flicker of doubt in his eyes. The confidence that had carried them through so many dangerous situations was now cracking under the weight of the monster's presence. But still, Gareth remained standing tall, refusing to show weakness despite the odds stacked against them.
For Kael, though, it was different. His legs trembled, his stomach churned, and the oppressive fear was like a weight crushing down on him. The massive creature's gaze locked onto him, and Kael felt as if a cold hand had gripped his heart. Then, the creature did something that made his blood run cold. It extended a long, slick finger, pointing directly at him.
Kael followed the line of its finger, feeling the heat drain from his face as it became clear—he was the target. The monster's attention was focused solely on him.
His vision blurred as his heart pounded in his ears. His thoughts spiraled, fear threatening to overtake him completely. Was this it? Was this the moment he died? His breath hitched, and he wanted nothing more than to run, to hide, to get as far from this monster as possible. But his legs wouldn't move. Panic surged through his body, his blood rushing to his head, making him dizzy.
His comrades didn't seem to notice the shift in focus. Perhaps they couldn't feel it, or maybe they were too paralyzed with fear themselves. But Kael knew—he felt it deep in his bones. This thing was singling him out. Whether it was because of his weak two-layered mana core or something else entirely, Kael couldn't tell. All he knew was the crushing terror that was wrapping itself around him like a vice.
With a grunt of effort, Kael forced himself to breathe. He shoved the tip of his sword into the marble beneath his feet, trying to ground himself, trying to regain some semblance of control. His hands were slick with sweat, trembling, but he clung to his weapon as if it were the only thing keeping him anchored in reality. Slowly, he managed to steady his breath, though the terror still clawed at his mind.
The monster stepped forward, its enormous bulk casting a shadow over the group. Kael's eyes were wide with fear, his body trembling uncontrollably. The creature's black, soulless eyes scanned them all, lingering on Kael before moving to the others. Its voice, a guttural rasp, cut through the air like the sound of stones grinding together.
"We've been waiting," it hissed in a broken, unnatural tone, its words slurred as if it wasn't used to speaking. The sound sent a fresh wave of nausea through Kael, and he swallowed hard, trying to keep from gagging.
Then, the monster let out a low, rumbling chuckle, its sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "We aren't going to eat you… especially not you, weak two-layered human."
Kael's stomach turned. His blood felt like ice in his veins. The monster knew. It knew how weak he was, how helpless he felt. And it was mocking him for it. He wanted to scream, to fight, to do something, but all he could do was stand there, shaking in fear.
"Hold your ground!" Gareth's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. It was enough to snap Kael out of his daze, his gaze flicking to their leader. Gareth's face was grim, but his eyes were fierce, unyielding. "Don't show them fear."
The group tensed, gripping their weapons tighter. No one spoke, but the tension was palpable. Kael could see the uncertainty in their eyes, but no one was willing to back down.
Before anyone could react further, the monsters moved.
In an instant, massive claws shot out, wrapping around each of them. Kael felt cold, slimy claws clamp onto his arms, lifting him off the ground with terrifying ease. His stomach dropped as he was carried upward, his feet dangling helplessly in the air. His comrades gasped, flailing as they too were seized and lifted into the sky.
"Stay calm!" Gareth yelled, though Kael could hear the strain in his voice. "Let's see what they want."
Kael's mind raced, trying to process what was happening. His heart pounded in his chest as he was carried higher, the ground disappearing beneath him. The wind whipped past him, the monstrous creatures carrying them with unnerving speed toward whatever fate awaited them.