The air feels different in this part of the lab.
There's an oppressive heaviness to it, as if the walls themselves are closing in. The faint hum of the machines in the distance is almost drowned out by a low, rumbling vibration, like something massive is moving below the surface. I can feel it through the floor—the steady, rhythmic thud that sends shivers down my spine. Every step feels uncertain, like the ground beneath me could collapse at any moment, unable to bear the weight of what lies beneath.
I'm not alone here. Not anymore.
I press my back against the cold, metallic wall, trying to steady my breath. My body is still aching from the previous battle, the wounds healing slower than I'd like. Blood still stains my skin, seeping through the makeshift bandages I sticked from a monsters skin. My ribs throb with every shallow breath, and my muscles burn from overexertion. I *need* to rest, but something tells me there's no time for that. There's something nearby—something big, and it's been waiting.
The air carries the scent of blood and rot, thick and pungent, and the faint glow of the corridor's dim lights does nothing to chase away the darkness gathering at the edges of my vision. I move cautiously through the narrow corridor, my fingers gripping the jagged piece of metal that has become my makeshift weapon. It's heavy in my hand, the cold steel biting into my skin. But it's all I have.
The flickering lights overhead cast long, twisting shadows across the walls, and the floor beneath my feet feels unstable, as if it's trembling under the weight of whatever lurks in the shadows.
The deeper I go, the louder the sound becomes—the steady thud of something moving, the sound of heavy breathing that fills the air like a thunderous growl. My instincts scream at me to turn back, to run, but I press on, driven by something deeper. I've come too far to retreat now.
I round a corner, and stop dead in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat it's him again my breathing becomes ragged i felt that same lingering fear that i first saw in that room it's him again.
There, standing in the center of a large, dimly lit chamber, is the largest creature I've ever seen.
The creature is a monstrous fusion of multiple species, its body a grotesque amalgamation of muscle, claws, and fur. It's massive—easily towering over me by several feet, its body hunched and rippling with unnatural strength. Its arms are thick with bulging muscles, each movement causing the sinews under its skin to twitch and stretch. Its legs, though shorter than its arms, are powerful, ending in jagged claws that scrape against the floor as it shifts its weight.
But it's the face that haunts me the most. A twisted mess of flesh, eyes glowing a sickly yellow that pierce through the gloom. Its mouth is a grotesque maw, filled with rows of sharp, uneven teeth that drip with saliva. The stench of rot and blood hangs heavy around it, suffocating, as if it carries the weight of every life it has ever taken.
It's a living nightmare.
The creature's body is covered in scars—deep gouges and burns that mar its already hideous form. It looks like it's been through countless battles, each one leaving its mark, but none of them enough to kill it. Its skin is a patchwork of different textures—fur, scales, and jagged, armored plates that seem to pulse with a life of their own.
For a moment, neither of us moves. The creature's glowing eyes lock onto mine, and I can feel its gaze burning into me, assessing me, measuring me. It knows I'm here, and it knows I'm a threat. But it's not afraid.
I can feel the power radiating off of it in waves, pressing against me like an invisible force. This isn't like the other monsters I've faced. This thing is dangerous. Deadly.
My grip tightens around the metal bar, my heart pounding in my chest. I've fought before, I've killed before, but this—this is something else. I can't rush this one. I can't afford to make a single mistake.
The creature lets out a low, guttural growl, and I take a step back, my mind racing. Every instinct I have is screaming at me to run, but I know I can't. I've come too far to back down now. And there's something else—a deep, primal part of me that *wants* this fight. That craves it.
The creature shifts its weight, its massive shoulders rising and falling with each labored breath. It's waiting for me to make the first move.
Without warning, the creature lunges.
It moves faster than I expected for something so massive, its body a blur of muscle and claws as it charges toward me. The ground shakes under its weight, and the air whips past me as I dive out of the way, narrowly avoiding its crushing blow. Its massive fist slams into the wall behind me, the impact sending a shockwave through the floor that reverberates in my bones. The metal walls groan under the force, and I roll to my feet, my heart racing.
It's like fighting a freight train.
The creature spins, its glowing eyes locked onto me, and lets out a deafening roar that rattles my bones. It's furious now, its massive body tensing as it prepares to strike again. The sound fills the chamber, bouncing off the walls and ringing in my ears, making it hard to think. I grit my teeth, pushing the fear down.
I don't give it the chance.
I rush forward, swinging the metal bar with all the strength I have left. It connects with the creature's arm, but it barely leaves a dent. The impact sends a jolt of pain up my arms, and before I can react, the creature swats at me like I'm nothing, its massive hand sending me crashing into the opposite wall.
Pain explodes through my chest as I hit the ground, my vision swimming. I can feel the blood pooling in my mouth, the familiar metallic taste filling my senses. My ribs feel like they've been shattered, and every breath sends a wave of agony through my body. For a moment, I can't move, the world spinning around me, but the sound of the creature's growl snaps me back to reality.
I can't stop.
I won't stop.
The creature charges again, and I roll out of the way just in time, the force of its attack sending chunks of metal flying through the air. I scramble to my feet, my muscles screaming in protest, and swing the metal bar again, aiming for the creature's face.
It ducks, its massive hand grabbing me by the leg and slamming me into the ground. The pain is blinding, my body wracked with shockwaves of agony as I struggle to breathe. My vision blurs, the edges of my consciousness darkening, but I grit my teeth and force myself to focus.
I can't let this thing kill me.
With a desperate burst of energy, I kick out, my foot connecting with the creature's jaw. It snarls, momentarily stunned, and I use the opportunity to roll away, my hand fumbling for the metal bar that's fallen to the ground. I grab it, my fingers trembling, and pull myself to my feet, my chest heaving with effort.
But the creature isn't done.
It charges again, its claws slashing through the air, and I duck just in time to avoid being torn apart. The sound of its claws scraping against the metal walls sends a shiver down my spine, but my mind is focused now—razor-sharp in its determination. I glance around the room, my eyes scanning the debris scattered across the floor. There's a broken piece of machinery nearby, its jagged edges gleaming in the dim light. If I can just get close enough...
The creature roars again, its glowing eyes narrowing as it prepares for the final strike.
I take a deep breath and run straight toward it.
The beast roars with an intensity that shakes the chamber. I see its massive jaw swing open, a flood of putrid breath escaping as its claws fly toward me again. The air is thick with the scent of blood and rot, and I can barely see the creature's body through the haze of flickering light.
This thing is faster than anything I've ever faced.
Its arm swings low, claws glinting under the pale light. I dive, hitting the ground hard and rolling underneath its massive body. I come up behind it, my hand clutching the sharp shard of metal I had scavenged earlier. I lunge forward, slamming the metal into the back of its leg, sinking it deep into its muscle.
The beast howls in pain, staggering forward, its balance disrupted. For the first time, I feel a flicker of hope. This thing can be hurt.
I press the attack, jumping to my feet and swinging the metal bar into the back of the creature's leg again. Blood gushes
from the wound, pooling beneath the beast as it roars in fury. It turns, swinging its massive fist, and I barely manage to avoid the blow, rolling across the floor and grabbing a nearby chunk of debris.
I throw it with all my strength, the sharp edge slicing across the creature's chest. It howls, the sound echoing through the chamber, and for a moment, I think I might have the upper hand.
But then it charges again, faster this time, its body a blur of muscle and rage.
I barely have time to react before it's on me, its claws raking across my chest, tearing through flesh and muscle like paper. The pain is unbearable, searing through me like fire. Blood pours from the wounds, and I collapse to the ground, gasping for breath.
The beast roars, slamming its fists into the ground next to me, shaking the floor. I roll away, my vision blurring, and try to pull myself to my feet. But my legs won't cooperate. My body is failing me. I'm losing too much blood, and the pain is overwhelming.
I can barely think, barely breathe. The world around me is spinning, the edges of my vision darkening as I struggle to stay conscious. But I can't give up. Not now.
I force myself to my feet, staggering backward as the creature charges again. It's furious now, its eyes glowing with a sickly yellow light, its body shaking with rage. I swing the metal bar again, but this time, it barely connects. The creature swats it aside, its massive hand closing around my throat.
I gasp, my hands clawing at its grip, but it's too strong. The world around me is fading, and for a moment, I think this might be the end.
But then, with a final burst of energy, I move the metal bar and stab it in his mouth it Peirce it's straight throw.
The creature howls, releasing its grip on my throat, and I collapse to the ground, gasping for breath.