Chapter 18: **The Behemoth's Shadow**
Vito stood frozen as the massive shape in the sky descended, its sheer size eclipsing the spire in the distance. The air grew heavy with its presence, an oppressive weight that made it difficult to breathe. The growl rumbled again, this time accompanied by a guttural roar that sent vibrations through the ground.
"*Alright, big guy, I get it. You're dramatic,*" Vito muttered, clutching the mask in one hand and the shard in the other. His mind raced as he tried to figure out his next move. Running wasn't an option; the creature was too fast, and the flat expanse of the field offered no cover.
The shape finally came into view, revealing a monstrous beast that defied logic. Its body was a shifting mass of shadow and stone, with jagged wings that crackled with energy. Its eyes burned like molten lava, and its maw was lined with teeth as long as Vito's arm. The creature landed with a deafening crash, its wings folding against its back as it fixed its gaze on him.
"*You're not exactly subtle, are you?*" Vito said, taking a cautious step back. The creature didn't respond, but its eyes narrowed, and a low growl escaped its throat.
The shard in Vito's hand pulsed violently, its light flaring up as though reacting to the beast. The mask, too, seemed to hum with energy, the red markings glowing brighter. Vito glanced between the two objects, his mind racing.
"*Alright, you two. Any chance one of you has a 'kill giant monster' button?*" he muttered.
The creature roared and charged, its massive claws digging into the ground as it closed the distance between them. Vito's instincts kicked in, and he dove to the side just as the beast's claws smashed into the ground where he had been standing.
"*Guess that's a no,*" he said, scrambling to his feet. The beast turned to face him, its molten eyes blazing with fury.
Vito's options were limited, and he knew it. He couldn't fight the creature head-on—it was too big, too powerful. But he wasn't about to go down without a fight. He tightened his grip on the shard and mask, his mind working frantically.
The shard's glow intensified, and Vito felt a strange pull, as though it was guiding him. He didn't have time to question it. He followed the pull, sprinting toward the spire in the distance. The beast roared in anger and gave chase, its massive form tearing through the field like a living hurricane.
The ground shook beneath Vito's feet as he ran, the beast's roars growing louder with each passing second. He glanced over his shoulder and immediately regretted it. The creature was gaining on him, its molten eyes locked on its prey.
"*This is why I hate cardio,*" Vito panted, pushing himself harder. The spire loomed closer, its dark surface shimmering with an otherworldly energy.
The shard in his hand pulsed again, and Vito felt a surge of energy course through him. The mask, too, seemed to react, its glow syncing with the shard. Without thinking, he pressed the mask to his face.
The moment the mask touched his skin, a jolt of power shot through him. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to slow. He could feel the mask melding to his face, its energy merging with his own. When his vision cleared, everything was sharper, clearer. He could see the energy radiating off the spire, the beast, and even himself.
"*Whoa... that's new,*" he said, his voice distorted slightly by the mask.
The beast roared again and lunged at him, but this time Vito was ready. He sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements faster and more fluid than before. The shard in his hand flared, and a beam of light shot out, striking the beast and sending it reeling back.
"*Now we're talking,*" Vito said, a grin spreading across his face beneath the mask.
The beast roared in fury, its molten eyes blazing brighter as it prepared to charge again. But Vito wasn't about to give it the chance. He raised the shard, its energy surging through him. He could feel the labyrinth itself responding, its power flowing into the shard and amplifying his own.
With a shout, he unleashed another beam of light, this one larger and more powerful. It struck the beast square in the chest, sending it crashing to the ground. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before its body dissolved into a swirling mass of shadow and light, which was quickly absorbed into the shard.
Vito stood there, panting, as the shard's glow dimmed and the field fell silent. The mask's energy receded slightly, and he pulled it off, its surface cool to the touch.
"*Well, that was fun,*" he said, looking at the shard. "*Any chance you want to explain what just happened?*"
The shard didn't respond, but its faint glow seemed almost smug, as if it knew something he didn't.
Vito turned his attention to the spire, which was now only a short distance away. He could feel its energy pulling him closer, beckoning him to uncover its secrets. But the beast's attack had left him shaken, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something even more dangerous was waiting for him.
"*Alright, spire. Let's see what you've got,*" he said, stepping forward.
As he approached, the air grew colder, and the whispers returned, louder and more insistent. He could feel the weight of unseen eyes watching him, their presence a constant reminder that he was far from safe.
And as he reached the base of the spire, the ground beneath him shifted, revealing a massive doorway etched with symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. The shard pulsed in his hand, its energy syncing with the symbols as the door began to creak open.
Vito took a deep breath, his grip tightening on the shard and mask. Whatever lay beyond the door, he knew it wasn't going to be easy.
But he had come too far to turn back now.