The sound of shattering glass echoed through the apartment, followed by a guttural growl that sent shivers down Ethan's spine. The first creature lunged, its pale, emaciated frame moving with unnatural speed.
The Warden intercepted it midair, its massive, bone-plated arm swatting the creature into the wall with a sickening crunch. The beast crumpled to the floor, black mist leaking from its broken form.
Ethan barely had time to react when two more creatures burst through the open window, their claws raking the air. The Warden moved with fluid precision, blocking one while driving the other back with a vicious strike.
"Stay behind me, Architect," the Warden growled.
Ethan didn't need to be told twice. He retreated to the far corner of the room, gripping the crowbar tightly. His heart pounded as the sounds of battle filled the space—the Warden's thunderous roars, the creatures' shrieks, the heavy impact of bone against flesh.
...
The Warden dispatched the second creature with ease, its massive claw crushing the beast's skull. Black mist billowed from the remains, but it didn't dissipate like before. Instead, it lingered, swirling ominously around the Warden.
The last creature hissed and darted toward Ethan, its eyeless face fixed on him.
"Architect!" the Warden bellowed, but Ethan didn't wait. Adrenaline surged as he swung the crowbar with all his strength.
The blow connected, knocking the creature to the ground. It screeched and writhed, but before it could recover, the Warden loomed over it, plunging its clawed hand through the beast's chest.
The room fell silent.
...
Ethan's breath came in ragged gasps as he lowered the crowbar. The three creatures lay motionless, their forms dissolving into the same black mist. The Warden stood amidst the haze, its massive form casting an imposing shadow.
The mist began to swirl around the Warden, seeping into its body like ink into water. Ethan stepped back, alarmed.
"What's happening?" he asked.
The Warden turned to him, its hollow eyes gleaming faintly. "The price," it rumbled. "Power demands balance."
Ethan's stomach churned. "What kind of balance?"
The Warden tilted its head, as if considering its words. "Summoning me has weakened the barrier. The Catalyst will take note."
"The barrier?" Ethan echoed. "What barrier?"
The Warden didn't answer. Instead, it began to dissolve, its shadowy form breaking apart into wisps of black smoke.
"Wait!" Ethan called out. "You can't just leave! What do I do next?"
The Warden's voice echoed faintly as it vanished. "Survive."
...
Ethan stared at the empty space where the Warden had stood, his mind racing. His apartment was a wreck—shattered glass littered the floor, and claw marks gouged the walls. His arm throbbed, the wound from earlier now accompanied by fresh bruises from the fight.
The computer screen flickered, drawing his attention. New text appeared.
Combat resolved. Hostiles defeated.
The Warden has claimed its price. Reality is destabilizing.
Prepare for Day 3.
Ethan slumped into his chair, exhaustion washing over him. "Destabilizing? What does that even mean?"
The screen didn't respond, but Ethan's apartment did. The air grew colder, the lights dimming despite no apparent power failure. A faint hum, like static, filled the room.
Ethan gritted his teeth. "This can't keep happening," he muttered. He glanced at the crowbar still in his hand, its weight a small comfort.
...
He turned back to the game, scrolling through his inventory. The Bone Charm was still listed, but its description had changed.
Bone Charm (Used): Resonates with lingering energy. Further use will come at a greater cost.
"No way," Ethan muttered, exiting the inventory. He couldn't risk summoning the Warden again, not if it meant more creatures or worse.
He navigated to the next set of options:
DAY 3 Objectives:
[Scavenge for Supplies]
[Strengthen Defenses]
[Investigate the Catalyst's Influence]
Ethan hesitated. He needed answers, but each choice felt like a gamble. Investigating the Catalyst seemed like the most direct way to understand what was happening, but he had no idea what dangers it might bring.
"Investigate," he muttered, clicking the option.
...
The game's text shifted, the screen displaying a map of the surrounding area. A pulsating red marker highlighted a nearby location: The Ruined Chapel.
The Catalyst's influence is strong here. Approach with caution.
Ethan frowned. "A chapel? Why would—"
His thoughts were interrupted by a new sound: a faint, rhythmic tapping. It came from the front door.
Ethan's blood ran cold. He stared at the door, his mind flashing back to the creatures that had attacked earlier.
The tapping grew louder, more insistent.
He gripped the crowbar tightly and approached the door, every step heavier than the last. He reached for the doorknob, hesitating for a moment before pulling it open.
...
The hallway outside was empty, but a small object lay on the floor: a worn leather journal.
Ethan picked it up, his fingers trembling. The cover was unmarked, but the pages inside were filled with handwritten notes. The handwriting was jagged and uneven, as if written in a hurry.
"To the next Architect: If you're reading this, you've already been chosen. The Catalyst is alive, and it's feeding on you. Everything you do, every choice you make, strengthens it. You can't stop it, but you might be able to outlast it. Find the Anchor. It's your only hope."
The Anchor? Ethan's mind reeled. He flipped through the journal, but the remaining pages were blank.
He looked back at the computer screen, where the red marker pulsed ominously.
"The Ruined Chapel," he whispered. "That's where I start."
The Catalyst was watching, and Ethan was running out of time.