The air in the cave grew heavier with each slow, steady step I took. My body still felt strange after emerging from the glowing lake, as if something new had awakened within me. My sharper claws scraped against the wet stone, creating a grating sound. Yet, in my mind, a single thought echoed endlessly: **I must survive. I must find a way out.**
But my steps faltered when I heard a faint noise in the distance. It wasn't the hiss of a snake or the flutter of the winged rats that often roamed these tunnels. It was a low growl, mixed with loud thuds, like something heavy striking stone.
I crept toward the source of the sound, using the shadows to conceal myself. This world was never truly bright, but the glowing moss on the cave walls provided enough light to see what lay ahead.
There, in a vast open chamber, a creature far larger than the previous snake was at work. It resembled a bear, but scales covered most of its body, and two sharp horns curved upward from its head. The beast swung its massive claws at a large boulder, smashing it into tiny fragments.
What caught my attention, however, was what lay behind the boulder: something glowing with a bright blue light.
I didn't know what it was, but my body—or my instincts—seemed to understand that it was important. Vital for survival.
But how could I take it from a creature so massive?
***
I retreated into a dark corridor, searching for a place to hide and form a plan. My animal instincts told me one thing: attack and kill. But the remnants of my human logic knew that was impossible. The creature was too big, too strong, and I was too weak.
Yet I couldn't just give up. The glowing lake had given me new strength, and perhaps that blue light could offer something similar.
I peeked back into the chamber. The creature was still busy pulverizing the boulders, seemingly trying to dig deeper toward the glowing object. Its movements were slow, but each swing of its claws or stomp of its feet made the ground tremble.
I scanned the room, looking for something to exploit. Not far from where the beast stood, there was a formation of rocks that appeared fragile. If I could collapse those rocks, I might be able to injure or at least distract the creature long enough to grab the glowing object.
The plan was risky, but I had no other choice.
I began crawling along the side of the chamber, ensuring my movements were silent. My claws gripped the stone walls, helping me climb the precarious structure. Every step felt like a test, as one of the rocks shifted and nearly caused me to fall. But I managed to reach the top without drawing the beast's attention.
From this vantage point, I could see the glowing blue object more clearly. It appeared to be a large crystal radiating light from within, as if it held a living energy. For a moment, I felt an inexplicable pull toward it, like a call I couldn't ignore.
But I couldn't let myself be distracted. I had to focus.
Using my newly sharpened claws, I began digging into the fragile rock formation, trying to weaken its structure. Small stones began to fall, creating a faint clatter that nearly made me panic. I glanced toward the beast, but it seemed too engrossed in its task to notice.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I found the critical point.
I pressed against the last large stone with all the strength I could muster. The structure began to collapse, creating a thunderous roar as the rocks tumbled down onto the massive creature below.
The beast roared in pain, its voice echoing throughout the cave. I didn't wait to see what happened next. I leapt down from the collapsing formation, sprinting toward the glowing blue crystal.
***
When I touched the crystal, the world seemed to stop.
The blue light enveloped my body, piercing through my black scales and sinking deep inside. It felt like a cold fire igniting within me, shaking every cell in my body.
I couldn't move. The light seemed to root me in place, while my mind was filled with strange visions.
I saw this world, but from a different perspective. Cracked earth, erupting volcanoes, and massive creatures like snakes and scaled bears battling each other to survive. Yet I also saw something else: the silhouettes of humans, standing tall above all these beasts.
I didn't understand what it meant, but one thing became clear. This world wasn't just a home for wild creatures. It was a battlefield.
And I was just another pawn in it.
***
When I came to, the blue light had disappeared. My body felt much stronger, more stable, but also more alien. The animal instincts within me were growing stronger, but so was the memory of Edwin.
I turned toward the massive creature. It lay beneath the rubble, its breathing still audible. Its wounds were severe but not fatal.
I could leave. I had what I needed.
But something inside me pushed me to fight. Not for survival, but for dominance.
I charged at the creature, letting out a low growl I had never heard before. My claws and teeth attacked relentlessly, tearing through its hard scales and into the flesh beneath. The beast roared in fury, trying to fight back, but it was too weak to resist.
Finally, it ended with a bite to its neck. The creature fell silent, its massive body collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
I stood over it, my breaths heavy. For the first time, I felt like a true predator.
Yet beneath that satisfaction was something else. Something darker.
I looked at my bloodied claws, now stained with the creature's life. This was the blood of a beast I fought to survive, yet why did it feel like I had lost something?
Was I still Alaric? Or had I fully become this creature?
I didn't have an answer. All I knew was that this world wouldn't stop challenging me, and if I wanted to survive, I had to keep changing.
And those changes might eventually erase what was left of my humanity.