I can feel Thund sniffing me before my eyes flutter open. A sheen of sweat covers my body, and splintering pain arks through my head.
It is hard to tell whether its day or night, dark clouds stretching across the heavens blot out the sun or moon. The fact that there is errant light allows me to deduce an answer, also telling me that I had been passed out for half a day.
Thund steps back as I attempt to rise, but my limbs are weak. A shiver runs through my body.
A low to high whinny, one I've learned means concern, comes from Thund as he nuzzles my hand.
"I'll be okay buddy. Seems I caught something, probably running a fever."
His snout touches my head for a second before dropping to my chest. Thund bites my shirt by the neck and drags me into the shelter I had made last night.
He snorts as he trots out, and black creeps into my vision. I try to resist but can't stop myself from slipping away once again.
***
The minotaurs smile sends shivers down my spine. When it steps forward the sound of its hoof on asphalt thunders in my ears.
The scent of a slaughter house mixed with a dirty bull pen assaults my nose. I can swear it laughs at me gagging before a new figure slams into it from the sky.
The creatures front talons dig into the minotaurs shoulders. A bellow erupts from the minotaur as it pushes back the snapping beak attacking its face.
It sends a hoof into the furred stomach of it's attacker, knocking it back. Now that there's space between the two I recognize what the new creature is.
The powerful legs of a lion skid back on the street as the griffin gives an angry screech.
The half bull bellows back before grabbing my car and ripping like paper.
The griffin twists out of the way as the front half of my car fly's toward it.
The two monsters roar and leap at each other as I stumble back.
My mouth hangs as the other half of my car slams into the griffins wing.
It's bent at an odd angle, but the beast doesn't give a care as it buries its beak into the minotaurs eye.
A bellow of pain and more screeches, but I don't see what happens next.
I'm sprinting for my house. In my peripheral vision I can see more monsters climbing out of the ground and flying through the air.
People are running around me, but seconds later the chaos becomes a full blur.
The man I had nearly hit lay in front of me. Not even five minutes ago he was flipping me off.
Now he's flat as a pancake. Pinkish goop had exploded out of his ears and blood in the shape of a foot print surrounded him.
My ears are ringing.
I use the last strength in my legs to stumble to my apartment, fumble with the keys, and slump inside as soon as the door is open.
I gag.
Then throw up all over the entry way.
And vomit.
And puke.
And heave. And heave. And heave.
My stomach is empty but tells me to expunge more.
With a shaky breath, I push the nausea away and head up the stairs to my bedroom.
All I want to do is curl up and pretend it's all a dream, but I can hear the horror filled screams of people running and dying and mourning.
Quickly I change into clothes more durable and suited for running compared to the dress slacks and button up I had been wearing. Pulling on and lacing up my black work boots, I wrack my brain for anything else I might need.
Pulling a case out from under my bed and opening it reveals the only weapons I possess.
I strap a xiphos, a short sword used by the Spartans, onto my back and a katana to my belt.
I got these as a Christmas gift from my grandpa, who knew I loved anime and Greek mythology. My parents told me to return them but I refused. They were worried about me hurting myself, but probably didn't think I would actually use them to defend myself. Well, if they can even damage those monsters.
I glance out through my curtains. And a giant eye looks back at me.
I yelp and scamper away from the window moments before a giant hand smashes through the wall. It feels around the room as I dash into the hall.
It feels like I'm flying down the stairs, then around the corner, and finally into the kitchen.
A gigantic foot kicks through the front wall.
I give up on grabbing food and sprint for the back door.
It slams into something as I explode out into an alley.
A puke green creature is holding its pointy nose, gibberish pouring out of its mouth.
The sound of my house being destroyed is the only thing stopping me from running back inside. I pull the xiphos from its sheath and point it at what I think is a goblin.
One of the weakest monsters in video games is standing in front of me. I can hardly believe my eyes, but everything else that has already happened snaps me back to reality.
It finally spots me and yelps. When it starts to back away my confidence grows, but I decide to step to my left and away from it. I turn, but before I run the goblin clears it throat.
"Don't run yet! Sorry for startling you. Are you looking for a safe place to hide?"