Chapter Eleven: The Threat Approaches
The air outside the shelter was heavy with the scent of dust, mingling with the faint remnants of burnt wood. Ethan sat on the edge of the makeshift barricade, eyes scanning the horizon. Kara had insisted on staying watch while he rested, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The rumble from earlier still echoed in his mind, reverberating through his senses like a low hum.
"Stay alert," he muttered to himself. His hand instinctively brushed against the device on his wrist. Its surface was cool to the touch, but underneath, there was a faint pulse—like it was alive.
Kara had positioned herself beside the debris-strewn window, peering through cracks in the wall. Her enhanced senses were on high alert, the unnatural stillness of the environment amplifying the tension between them. Every rustling wind or creaking metal sent her muscles tensing. She had been with Ethan long enough to sense when danger was near. And today... she could feel it closing in.
"Do you hear that?" Kara's voice broke through the silence.
Ethan's attention snapped to her. He listened carefully. For a moment, there was nothing. Then, like the slow creeping of a storm, a low growl filled the air. It wasn't the sound of any animal they had encountered before.
"No," he said, standing up abruptly. "That's something else."
Kara's eyes widened. "What is it?"
"I don't know, but we need to be ready." Ethan's voice was steady, but beneath it lay a flicker of concern.
The air shifted again, this time with a subtle tremor, like the earth itself was warning them. Ethan's mind raced. He turned to Kara. "Get the rocks stacked higher. Make sure the entrance is completely sealed. I'll scout ahead."
Kara hesitated for a moment, looking at him with a mixture of caution and trust. "You don't have to do this alone, you know."
"I'm not alone," Ethan said, his eyes locking onto hers. "Not anymore."
Her lips quirked into a half-smile before she nodded, turning to reinforce their defenses.
Ethan stepped outside, the cool air biting against his skin. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the faint hum of the device guide his senses. The connection felt stronger now—more pronounced. He could almost feel the pull of something beyond him, urging him forward.
He concentrated, focusing on the space around him. A faint shimmer appeared, and he raised his hand. A portal opened just wide enough for him to peer through. Through it, he could see the distant silhouette of a figure. A shadow, unnaturally large, moving with a speed that defied logic.
It was massive—at least twice the size of the largest beast they had encountered. And it was headed straight for them.
With a sharp exhale, Ethan closed the portal and turned back toward the shelter. He wasn't about to risk Kara's safety by telling her everything. Not yet.
---
Back inside, Kara had successfully reinforced the barricade. She wiped sweat from her brow, her muscles burning with exertion. But it wasn't enough. The sense of dread was growing stronger with every passing moment. She could feel Ethan's determination in the way he moved, even from a distance. And she couldn't let him face whatever was coming alone.
She walked toward the small stash of supplies, her mind racing. They had no idea what kind of creature they were up against, but they needed a strategy. Kara rummaged through their meager collection—canned food, water, a few medical supplies, and some scattered tools.
Ethan entered, his expression grim. "It's coming."
Kara didn't need to ask what he meant. She saw it in his eyes—the cold calculation, the unspoken resolve. "How bad is it?"
"Bad enough that we need to be prepared for anything." Ethan's gaze drifted to the makeshift barricade she had built. "But it's not enough. We need more."
Without waiting for a response, he moved toward the rubble outside. Kara hesitated for only a moment before following him. They had to be ready.
---
The rumble grew louder, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Ethan glanced at Kara, his jaw set in determination. "We'll face this together."
Kara nodded, her fists clenched at her sides. Her body felt lighter now, the enhanced strength in her limbs giving her a sense of power she hadn't known before. But it wasn't enough. Whatever this thing was, it would take everything they had to survive.
The ground shook violently as the creature drew nearer, its massive footsteps reverberating through the ruins. The energy around them seemed to pulse in time with the creature's approach. Ethan could feel the power in his wristwatch growing stronger, the device reacting to the impending threat.
"Ready?" Kara asked, her voice steady but edged with tension.
Ethan didn't reply. Instead, he opened another portal, this time large enough for them both to pass through. "Stay close."
They moved through the portal, their surroundings changing in an instant. They found themselves on the edge of the ruined city, the creature's shadow growing larger with every passing second. The air was thick with anticipation, and the ground beneath their feet rumbled as the creature drew closer.
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he assessed the creature. It was huge—its body a twisted mass of muscle and sinew, eyes glowing a menacing red. Its hulking form was covered in scales that gleamed like blackened stone, sharp claws clicking against the ground as it moved.
It stopped just a few yards away, letting out a guttural growl that shook the very air around them. Ethan's breath caught in his throat. This was no ordinary beast. It was something else—something far more dangerous.
The creature locked eyes with him, its gaze cold and predatory. A low hiss escaped its throat, and it took a step forward.
"Stay back," Ethan muttered to Kara, stepping in front of her instinctively. The device on his wrist hummed louder, a faint light glowing from beneath its surface. "I'll handle this."
---
Kara's heart raced as she saw the confidence in Ethan's posture. But she knew better than to just stand by. She didn't care how strong he was—this creature was a monster, and they needed every advantage they could get.
She focused, feeling the energy surge within her. She dashed forward, using her newfound speed to close the gap between them and the creature. Her first punch landed with a resounding crack against its thick hide, but it barely seemed to register.
The creature growled, swiping its claws at her. She dodged, using her agility to keep moving, but its strength was overwhelming. She needed to be faster—stronger.
Ethan raised his hand, his focus intense as he summoned another portal. This time, a jagged spear materialized, crackling with energy. He didn't hesitate. With a single motion, he hurled the weapon at the creature, the spear embedding itself deep into its chest.
The beast roared in pain, thrashing wildly. Kara moved in again, her enhanced strength allowing her to land several blows before the creature swiped at her with deadly claws. She barely managed to evade, the sharp tip of the claws grazing her arm.
Ethan's expression tightened. He wasn't going to let this creature stand a chance.
As the creature lunged forward again, Ethan summoned a massive portal, larger than anything he had ever attempted before. He poured every ounce of energy into it, his wristwatch glowing brightly as the air around him hummed with power.
"Now!" he shouted to Kara.
Together, they attacked in unison. Kara landed one final crushing blow to the creature's head, and Ethan's portal opened wide. The creature, caught off guard, was sucked into the portal, its enraged roar fading as it vanished.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the portal closed with a snap.
Kara stood there, panting heavily, her body bruised but unbroken. Ethan's eyes flickered to her for a brief moment, before turning to the empty space where the creature had been.
"We survived," Kara said quietly, a breath of relief escaping her.
Ethan didn't reply. His gaze was still fixed on the spot where the creature had disappeared.
"That was too close," he muttered, his voice soft but steady. "Too damn close."
Kara didn't argue. They had won, for now. But this was only the beginning.
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To be continued...