The evolved zombie's body trembled with unnatural vigor, its eyes glowing with hunger and malice. Damien stared at it, disbelief written all over his face as it began to move toward him, its reformed limbs crackling as they twisted into place. It was faster this time, its movements more fluid and precise. The wounds Damien had inflicted earlier were now healed, leaving behind no trace of the brutal fight that had just transpired.
Damien's heart hammered in his chest as his hands gripped his sword tightly. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't prepared for the creature to regenerate and become stronger. A cold dread gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. He had no choice now. He had to fight.
The evolved lunged at him, faster than before, its claws aimed straight for his face. Damien barely had time to react. He sidestepped just in time, the claws grazing his shoulder as the creature passed by. Pain flared, but he ignored it, focusing on the battle ahead.
Damien swung his sword, aiming for the creature's exposed side. The blade met its skin with a sickening thud, but it barely seemed to slow the evolved down. It howled, spinning around to face him with a renewed fury in its glowing eyes. It was relentless.
He backed away, trying to keep his distance, but the evolved didn't give him a moment to breathe. It charged at him again, this time with more speed and precision. Damien barely managed to deflect the first attack with his sword, but the sheer force of the impact nearly knocked him off balance. He staggered back, his feet slipping on the blood-slicked floor.
The evolved wasn't done. It struck again, its claws flashing like daggers. Damien ducked under the first swipe, but the creature was too quick, the second attack catching him across his ribs. The force of the blow sent him crashing into a lab bench, knocking the wind out of him. His sword slipped from his hand, clattering to the floor out of his reach.
"Shit," Damien muttered under his breath, scrambling to his feet as the evolved closed in. It was relentless now, not giving him a single moment to recover. He could feel the blood running from the gash on his side, but the pain barely registered. All he could think about was surviving.
The evolved swung its claws at him again, but Damien dodged, his body moving almost on instinct now. He rolled to the side and grabbed his sword from the ground, only for the creature to pounce on him before he could get back to his feet. Its claws raked across his chest, tearing through his jacket and skin. A surge of pain shot through him, but he didn't have time to react before it was on top of him.
Damien gritted his teeth, pushing with all his strength to shove the evolved off him. He barely managed to get some space between them before the creature lunged again, its teeth snapping inches from his throat. He twisted his body just in time, feeling the hot breath of the creature on his skin as it missed. But it didn't stop. It never stopped.
His heart raced as he stood up and staggered backward, blood dripping from his chest and side. His body was growing weaker, the fight dragging on longer than he'd anticipated. His sword felt heavier in his hand, his muscles straining with each swing. Every movement seemed to drain him more.
He couldn't keep up this pace much longer. The evolved's movements were faster than ever, its attacks relentless. Damien tried to slash at its arms, aiming for the joints, but the creature's reflexes were sharper, its blows stronger. With each failed strike, the evolved seemed to get more furious, more vicious.
Damien barely dodged another swipe to his face, his heart hammering in his chest as he ducked under its claws. He was faster now, his reflexes sharper than ever, but it still wasn't enough. The evolved was adapting, growing more intelligent with each attack. He couldn't outpace it forever.
The creature lunged again, and this time, Damien couldn't avoid it. Its claws raked across his leg, sending a jolt of pain through him as he screamed in agony. He stumbled, falling to one knee as the evolved stood over him, its teeth bared, ready to strike.
Damien's mind raced, his vision blurry from the pain. He reached for his sword with trembling hands, but the evolved was too quick. It grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. Damien gasped, his hands clutching at the creature's claws as it squeezed tighter, cutting off his air.
"No..." Damien managed to croak out, his vision dimming at the edges. He couldn't let this be how it ended. He wouldn't die here—not like this.
Summoning every last ounce of strength, he gripped his sword and plunged it into the evolved's arm, the blade sinking deep into its flesh. The creature hissed in pain, loosening its grip just enough for Damien to break free. He fell to the ground, gasping for breath as the evolved staggered back, clutching at the wound in its arm.
Damien looked up, his head spinning as he pushed himself up onto shaky legs. Blood streamed down his chest, his body battered and bruised. The evolved wasn't done, though. It was still coming, still hungry for his life.
Damien's sword felt like a weight in his hand, his muscles screaming in protest. He couldn't keep this up much longer. The creature was too strong, and he was too weak. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't ready to die.
The evolved came at him once more, its claws raised to strike. This time, Damien wasn't fast enough to dodge. The creature's claws raked across his back, sending him sprawling to the ground. His vision blurred as the pain intensified.
But even as he lay there, helpless, he refused to give in. He reached for his sword once more, the last weapon he had, and with a cry of frustration, he swung it at the evolved.
It barely even flinched.
Damien gasped, his strength fading. He could feel the world slipping away, his body giving in to the damage it had taken. The evolved's claws loomed closer, and he knew that this time, he wouldn't be able to dodge.
But before the final blow could land, the evolved paused, its head snapping up as if it had heard something.
Damien barely had time to register what was happening before the creature turned and bounded away, leaving him lying on the cold, blood-soaked floor.