The night was pitch-black, the silence so thick it felt suffocating. Ray Quinn gritted his teeth, struggling to carry the unconscious Ethan Hess, their footsteps echoing ominously in the dark. As they disappeared deeper into the alleys, no one noticed that the blood Ethan had spilled on the ground had mysteriously vanished, as if greedily absorbed by the earth.
If someone were to look down from above, they would be shocked to see the abandoned town covered in twisted, hidden patterns. These patterns glowed faintly red, exuding a sinister energy beneath the night sky. The town seemed like a massive magical array, waiting patiently, as though ready for some dark summoning.
Alina Smith opened her eyes slowly, realizing her arms were bound tightly behind her with coarse rope, rendering her unable to move. The surrounding darkness was cold and damp, filled with the scent of rot and chill that made her shiver. Faint silhouettes of other women were visible in the shadows, all bound and huddling in terror, eyes filled with despair.
The silence was suffocating, interrupted only by the sound of dripping water, which echoed through the hollow room as if time had stopped. A wave of fear surged in Alina's heart—she knew she was being kept as a sacrificial offering, and those who had taken her held no pretense about their purpose.
"Why… why is this happening?" a woman beside her whispered in tears, her voice filled with helplessness.
Alina surveyed the area calmly, noticing the floor covered in ancient, eerie symbols and markings forming a foreboding pattern. She realized these were no random markings; it was a ritual altar of summoning and binding, radiating a dark energy. Her heart sank as she realized they were not just prisoners—they were sacrifices for some dark ritual.
Taking a deep breath, Alina steadied her nerves, knowing that panic would only hasten her end. She scanned the surroundings, searching for any opportunity to escape. Suddenly, the sound of murmuring reached her ears as several robed figures emerged from the darkness, moving with synchronized, rhythmic steps. Their faces were obscured by hoods, revealing only their cold, merciless eyes.
"The hour has come," one of them intoned, his voice hoarse and chilling. "Prepare the offerings; the ritual for our lord is about to commence."
The robed figures arranged an array of tools and objects around the altar, each exuding an ancient, ominous aura. Alina noticed them placing blood-stained talismans on the floor, pouring dark red liquid from leather flasks along the etched symbols, creating a network of sigils that resembled a web designed to trap souls.
"Please… no…" The other women around her were already despairing, struggling to break free, but the ropes held fast, binding them tightly despite their desperate efforts.
Alina lowered her voice, attempting to comfort the terrified women nearby. "Stay calm… we still have a chance." She knew these words might be hollow even to herself, but in such a dire situation, keeping her mind clear was the only defense she had left.
A robed figure glanced at her coldly, his eyes filled with mockery. The lead figure raised his hand, chanting an ancient incantation, and the air grew heavier, a soul-crushing chill filling the room.
"Your resistance is futile," the robed man sneered, his tone filled with contempt. "The being sealed beneath this church is beyond your comprehension. Prepare for glory—you will become the key to its rebirth."
Alina clenched her teeth, feeling her fear slowly replaced by a fierce resolve. She silently prayed for a miracle, yet knew deep down that she might have to rely on her own strength to survive.
As the chanting intensified, the symbols on the floor glowed blood-red, the air thick with the stench of blood that made her choke. Alina felt a numbing cold seep through her, the oppressive aura crushing her will.
She struggled against the ropes, ignoring the pain as they bit into her wrists. She knew that if she gave up now, she would face an irreversible fate. The robed figures remained focused on the ritual, oblivious to her efforts. As the ritual continued, the air around the altar grew more twisted, with dark red light seeping from the ground as if blood itself was rising from the depths. An immense, unseen power seemed to be drawing closer, awaiting the final sacrifice.
A mournful, low howl suddenly echoed from the depths, as if countless souls were crying out in pain and anger, chilling her to the bone. Alina's heartbeat quickened, her fingers gripping the rope tightly, knowing that time was running out.
"It's time…" one of the robed men muttered, raising a knife as he approached Alina and the other captives, eyes gleaming with manic light.
One of the robed figures seized a woman by her hair, dragging her to the center of the altar, and slashed her neck with the blade. Blood gushed onto the altar, quickly absorbed by the symbols on the floor as if the ground itself was thirsting for it. The entire altar glowed a dark red, and the robed figures chanted their eerie incantations, their voices cold and dark, entwined with the power of darkness.
Alina's eyes widened as she witnessed this horrific scene, her chest heaving with fear and anger. She bit down hard, a fierce determination igniting within her. She knew that if she didn't seize this moment to escape, she would share the same fate.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stay calm, silently resolving to escape no matter the cost. She continued to struggle against the ropes, her wrists bleeding from the effort, the pain biting into her skin, but she pushed it to the back of her mind.
The chanting rose to a fever pitch as the crimson light flickered, and the entire altar trembled. An ancient, malevolent power seemed on the brink of awakening. Alina suppressed her fear, watching her surroundings closely, searching for a path to escape.
Then she noticed a shadowy corner near the altar, seemingly leading outside. She knew this might be her only chance. Taking advantage of the robed men's focus on the ritual, she began to retreat carefully, keeping her steps silent. However, as she moved back, her foot nudged a small stone, producing a soft clinking sound.
Instantly, the robed figures looked up, their eyes sharp as they turned in her direction. Alina's heart skipped a beat; she held her breath, hoping to remain hidden in the shadows.
At that moment, the red glow at the center of the altar flared up, emitting an even stronger scent of blood. The robed figures turned back toward the altar, drawn by the phenomenon. Seizing the moment, Alina sprinted toward the shadowed exit.
Each step felt like walking on the edge of a blade, each second filled with the risk of discovery. Her heart pounded, cold sweat soaking her back, but she dared not hesitate, knowing that this was life or death.
She held her breath, enduring the pain in her wrists, drawing closer to the exit cloaked in shadows. Her heart raced as she clutched the frayed rope on her wrists, clinging to it as her last hope. The crimson light behind her grew brighter, the ritual escalating as the chanting rose to a climax, summoning a terrifying presence.
Suddenly, one of the robed men seemed to sense something, turning to see Alina trying to escape. His gaze hardened, and he let out a low shout, alerting the others. Alina's heart sank; realizing she'd been discovered, she stopped hiding and sprinted toward the exit.
"Stop her!" one of the robed figures yelled, footsteps closing in fast. Alina ran with all her might, her breath and the sound of her own heartbeat roaring in her ears as she felt the pursuers closing in.
The exit was within reach. Exhausted, her legs weak from fear and adrenaline, her survival instinct drove her forward. Just as she was about to cross the threshold, a robed figure's hand shot out, seizing her shoulder and yanking her back.
Alina let out a cry as she was roughly thrown to the ground, her knees slamming into the hard floor, blurring her vision with pain. The robed figure cursed, clearly enraged by her escape attempt, and slapped her hard across the face, the impact leaving her cheek swollen and her lips bleeding.
"Trying to run?" he sneered coldly, his tone dripping with contempt.
Alina held back her tears and pain, glaring defiantly at him with unwavering resolve. She clung to a sliver of hope, silently strategizing a new escape plan.
"Since you crave freedom so badly…" he murmured, smirking coldly. He dragged her back toward the altar as the others continued chanting, their eyes gleaming with madness, as though her resistance was merely a part of the ritual. Her struggles seemed to intensify the light of the symbols on the ground, the absorbed blood pulsating within the runes, responding to her pain and fear.
Just then, a piercing sound shattered the darkness, and a streak of golden light shot toward the robed figures. They cried out, retreating as the unexpected attack disrupted them. Alina's heart leapt, and she turned, recognizing the familiar figure running toward her.
Hope surged within her at the sight, and the golden light cut through the darkness, scattering talismans like shooting stars among the robed figures. Upon contact, the talismans emitted searing golden light, forcing the figures back as they recoiled in agony.
"Ethan!" Alina called out, her voice filled with relief and disbelief.
Ethan's figure appeared resolute and fearless in the night, his eyes sharp and cold, a stack of talismans in hand. His gaze swept over the robed figures surrounding the altar, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. He quickly moved to Alina's side, helping her to her feet, and whispered, "Stay behind me."
The tension that had gripped Alina's body finally eased, her legs nearly giving out beneath her from fear, but she managed to steady herself, nodding breathlessly. "They… they're using us for a ritual. We have to stop them!"
Ethan nodded, his expression hardening as he glanced at the robed figures. "Let's get out of here first," he said quietly. He positioned himself between Alina and the robed figures, swiftly raising another talisman. With a flick of his wrist, the talisman unleashed a curtain of golden light, creating a barrier between them and the ritualists.
The robed figures snarled, retreating from the burning light but still undeterred. Madness gleamed in their eyes as they began chanting once more, an icy fog gathering around the altar and creeping toward Ethan and Alina.
Ethan let out a low growl, pulling out a more powerful talisman and slapping it to the ground. The talisman erupted in a blinding flash, forming a protective shield that blocked the encroaching fog. Grabbing Alina's hand, he murmured urgently, "Run!"
They sprinted away from the altar, with Ethan shielding Alina as they escaped. The robed figures chanted, the black fog pursuing them like a living entity, stretching forward with relentless determination. Just as they neared the exit, Ethan flicked his hand, sending a final talisman shooting into the fog, creating a fleeting chance for them to escape.
They finally broke free from the altar's grip, leaving the crazed robed figures behind. Alina's heart raced as she gasped for breath, her body exhausted yet her spirit fortified by the relief of freedom. She turned to Ethan, her eyes brimming with gratitude. "Thank you… I didn't think I'd get out of there alive."
Ethan gave a slight smile, his eyes softening. "We're not safe yet. There's more lurking in this town than just them. Let's find a safe place to rest for a while."
Together, they pressed forward into the night, away from the sinister shadows that still lingered over Everstar Town.