Ethan's lungs burned as he sprinted through the labyrinthine dungeon corridors, the monstrous roars echoing behind him. His heart pounded against his ribs, but he didn't dare slow down. The weight of his pack dragged at his shoulders, but dropping it wasn't an option. It held the only supplies that might keep him alive.
The beast's footsteps thundered, shaking the ground with every step. Ethan chanced a glance over his shoulder and immediately regretted it. The monster was gaining on him, its molten eyes locked onto its prey.
He clenched his teeth and pushed forward. His mind raced, desperate for an escape route. The dungeon's walls seemed to close in around him, the flickering blue light of glowing runes casting eerie shadows. He had no weapon, no plan, and no allies.
Garret's smug grin flashed in his mind. Bastard. They'd thrown him to the wolves without hesitation, leaving him to die so they could save their own skins.
He stumbled, his boot catching on uneven stone. Pain shot through his ankle as he barely managed to stay on his feet. "Not here," he muttered under his breath. "Not like this."
Ahead, the tunnel split into two paths. Without thinking, he veered left, his instincts screaming at him to keep moving. The air grew colder, the hum of the dungeon's energy intensifying. He could feel the oppressive weight of the place pressing down on him, sapping his strength.
His breathing was ragged now, each gulp of air like swallowing knives. But he couldn't stop. The monster's roars grew louder, closer.
A faint glimmer caught his eye—a narrow alcove in the wall, barely wide enough to fit. He lunged for it, pressing his back against the cold stone. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he fought to steady his breathing.
The beast's heavy footsteps slowed, and Ethan held his breath. The monster's grotesque form lumbered into view, its molten eyes scanning the tunnel. Its snarling breath filled the air, and for a moment, Ethan thought it would spot him.
It paused, tilting its massive head as if listening. Ethan pressed himself harder against the wall, every muscle in his body tense. Seconds stretched into what felt like hours. Then, with a low growl, the monster turned and continued down the tunnel, its footsteps receding.
Ethan waited, counting the beats of his heart, before daring to move. He leaned out slightly, his eyes scanning the empty tunnel. It was gone.
He collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. His body trembled from exhaustion, and the adrenaline that had kept him moving now left him in a crashing wave of fatigue.
For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the fear, the anger, the hopelessness of his situation. But then he clenched his fists, forcing himself back to his feet. He wasn't safe yet.
The dungeon was a death trap, and if he didn't find a way out, the monster—or something worse—would finish what Garret had started. Ethan adjusted his pack, his jaw set. He might be weak, but he wasn't ready to give up.
Not yet.
With a deep breath, he started forward, the faint glow of the dungeon's runes his only guide through the darkness.