Plink. Plink. Plink.
The sound of black goo dripping from the ceiling was rhythmic, almost hypnotic, as it splattered onto the tile floor. Kieran gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the weight of Amara. His shield was strapped tightly to his arm, his other arm cradling her like she was made of glass. Her head lolled against his chest, strands of her hair matted with sweat and streaked with dirt.
"Stay with me, Amara," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "You're not dying here. Not like this."
The stairwell behind him was gone, swallowed by the twisting architecture of the Core's labyrinth. Rooms had shifted again. Doors led to nowhere, hallways turned back on themselves, and the walls pulsed faintly, almost alive.
Amara stirred weakly in his arms, her breath shallow. "...hey," she whispered, the faintest hint of sarcasm threading through her words.
Kieran barked out a strained laugh. "Hey sleepy head," he said, adjusting his grip on her. "Welcome back to the living."
Her lips twitched, almost a smile. Then her head fell limp again, and his chest tightened. Focus.
He pressed forward, his boots crunching on the cracked tile. Each step sent shockwaves of pain through his legs, his body aching from the weight of her combined with the toll of the relentless battles. The shadows weren't giving up.
The hallway stretched endlessly ahead, lit by dim, flickering fluorescent lights. Puddles of black goo reflected distorted images—faces that weren't his own, eyes glowing faint red. He forced his gaze forward. Don't look. Don't let it get to you.
The air shifted. A low growl rumbled from behind him.
Kieran froze. Slowly, he turned his head, his shield raising instinctively. Out of the darkness, a shadow beast emerged, its body shifting like liquid smoke. This one was different—taller, leaner, its limbs unnaturally long. It dragged a jagged blade along the ground, the screech of metal against tile setting his teeth on edge.
"Damn it," he muttered, lowering Amara gently to the ground. He leaned her against the wall, his eyes flicking to her pale face. "Just hold on, okay? I'll get us out of this."
The beast lunged.
Kieran raised his shield, the impact reverberating up his arm. The force nearly knocked him off balance, but he held firm, his boots sliding back a few inches on the slick tile. The shadow snarled, black ichor dripping from its blade-like claws. It struck again and again, each blow heavier than the last.
"Why now of all times!," Kieran shouted, shoving forward with his shield. The sigil on its surface glowed faintly, pushing the creature back a step.
The beast snarled, circling him now. It was learning. Watching. Waiting.
But not smart enough.
Kieran charged, his shield slamming into its torso with a sickening crunch. The beast reeled back, its form flickering like a broken projection. He followed through, swinging the edge of his shield like a blade. The beast screeched as the impact sliced through its midsection, black mist spilling out like blood. It collapsed into a puddle of goo, its form disintegrating.
Panting, Kieran turned back to Amara. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, her face pale but still—alive.
"Hang in there," he said, scooping her up again. "Just a little further."
The hallway twisted again.
Doors shifted, slamming shut as walls rearranged themselves with groaning creaks. Kieran stumbled, nearly dropping Amara as the floor beneath him shifted.
"Useless," He muttered clenching his teeth, his eyes scanning the endless expanse of doors and hallways. "Come on, Lady Luck. Don't screw me over now."
A faint glimmer of light caught his eye at the end of the hall. He pushed forward, ignoring the ache in his legs and the burning in his lungs.
The light led to an elevator hall. The doors were intact, pristine even, and a faint hum of power thrummed through the space. The elevator was still working.
Kieran exhaled a shaky breath. "Finally." He adjusted Amara in his arms, shifting her weight carefully. "We're almost there, Amara. Just hang on."
He stepped forward, his fingers brushing the elevator button.
DING.
The light above the elevator door flickered. Something was coming up.
The sentinel?!
Kieran's heart slammed against his ribcage. The air grew heavier, the distant sound of footsteps echoing up the shaft.
"Not good," he muttered, spinning around just in time to block another attack. This time, it wasn't a beast. Two shadow creatures stepped out of the darkness, their forms sharp and humanoid. They moved in tandem, their glowing red eyes locked on him.
Kieran gritted his teeth, his shield raising instinctively. "You want her?" he growled. "You'll have to go through me."
The creatures lunged, claws aimed for his head. Kieran shifted, his shield catching one strike while he sidestepped the other. The second creature moved faster, claws raking across his armor. Sparks flew, but he didn't falter.
"Come on!" he roared, slamming his shield into the first creature. The impact sent it skidding back, but the second one was already moving. Its claws tore through the air, aiming for Amara.
Before it could strike, a sharp, metallic crack echoed through the hallway.
A deafening roar filled the hallway, followed by the unmistakable rat-a-tat-tat of a Tommy gun. Bullets made of glowing red light tore through the air, shredding the shadow mid-leap. Kieran's eyes widened as he turned to see a figure stepping out of the darkness.
The enforcer wore a sharp, pinstriped suit, his glowing red eyes narrowing as he fired his weapon in controlled bursts. Another enforcer stepped up beside him, his hands a blur as he flicked glowing poker cards through the air. The cards sliced through the remaining shadows with surgical precision, each one embedding into the creatures before they exploded into puffs of mist.
The two enforcers stood shoulder to shoulder, their weapons glowing faintly.
"See?" the one with the Tommy gun said, his voice dripping with irritation. "I told you it wasn't the girl we were babysitting."
The card-thrower scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, genius. And I told you it wasn't her the second we saw them."
"Well, excuse me for wanting to double-check," the gunner snapped, lowering his weapon. "Can't be too careful in this hellhole."
"You'd know all about being careful, wouldn't you?" the card-thrower shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
The two continued to bicker, their voices growing louder.
Kieran blinked, his shield still raised. "Wait. You two—"
Before he could finish, the elevator dinged.
The enforcers stopped mid-argument, their heads snapping toward the elevator doors as they slid open. Smoke curled out into the hallway, and a figure stepped through..
Al Capone.
He wore a sharp pinstriped suit that matched the enforcers, a cigar clenched between his teeth. His fedora cast a shadow over his glowing crimson eyes, and a smirk played on his lips as he stepped into the room.
"Well, well," Capone drawled, his voice smooth and confident. "Looks like you've been busy."
Kieran tightened his grip on his shield, his body tense. "What do you want?"
Capone raised an eyebrow, taking a long drag from his cigar before exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Relax, kid. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be a stain on this floor." He gestured to the enforcers, who were now standing silently on either side of him. "My boys here didn't save your sorry hide just for fun."
"Then why?" Kieran asked, his voice low and wary. His eyes flicked to Amara, then back to Capone. "What's your angle?"
Capone chuckled, his smirk widening. "Straight to business, huh? I like that." He stepped closer, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Let's just say I've got an investment in seeing you reach the Core. Call it… a business arrangement."
Kieran's grip on his shield tightened. "And what's in it for you?"
Capone tilted his head, the smirk never leaving his face. "Let's just say… I like keeping my options open." He glanced at Amara, his gaze lingering for a moment before he looked back at Kieran. "But you're running out of time, pal. She doesn't look so good."
Kieran's chest tightened, his eyes flicking to Amara's pale face. His jaw clenched. "I don't need your help."
Capone chuckled again, stepping back into the elevator. "Suit yourself. But if you change your mind…" He gestured to the enforcers, who followed him into the elevator. The doors began to slide shut.
"Wait!" Kieran called, his voice sharp.
Capone trusted his hand blocking the elevator door. He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Changed your mind already?"
Kieran hesitated, his gaze flicking between the closing doors and Amara. His chest ached with indecision.
The shadows flanked him, their claws glowing faintly. The air grew heavier, tension thick enough to cut.
"Now," Capone said, stepping forward. "How 'bout we make a deal?"