The creatures moved like shadows given form—gliding, shifting, their bodies warping as if reality itself struggled to define them. Their hollow eyes pulsed with unnatural light, locked onto Reinhardt and Selene with predatory hunger.
Reinhardt barely had time to process their grotesque forms before the first one lunged. He sidestepped instinctively, slashing his sword in a clean arc. Steel met flesh—or something close to it. The creature shrieked, its form distorting as black mist poured from the wound.
Selene raised her hand, her magic flaring. "Get back!"
A wave of obsidian fire erupted from her palm, engulfing two of the beings. Their bodies writhed as they let out bone-chilling screeches, but instead of turning to ash, they twisted and reformed.
"They're not dying," Reinhardt growled.
Selene gritted her teeth. "Then we either find a way to kill them—or run."
More of the creatures emerged from the ruins, their bodies shifting in and out of existence. The air thickened with their presence, the very ground trembling beneath them.
Reinhardt made a decision. "We run."
They turned, sprinting toward the nearest structure—an enormous temple-like ruin with towering obsidian pillars. The creatures shrieked in fury, pursuing them with unnatural speed.
Reinhardt didn't look back. His instincts screamed that if he did, something far worse than these creatures would be waiting.
They reached the temple's threshold, its entrance a gaping maw of darkness. With no time to hesitate, they plunged inside.
The moment they crossed the threshold, an invisible force slammed shut behind them. The howls outside fell silent.
Reinhardt spun, panting. The creatures stood just beyond the entrance, their hollow eyes burning with rage—but they did not step inside.
Selene exhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling. "They… can't follow us."
Reinhardt swallowed, turning to face the massive chamber they had entered. The air here was heavy, charged with power. Strange symbols glowed on the walls, similar to the ones on the monoliths outside.
A realization settled over him.
"We're not safe," he muttered. "We just walked into something worse."
From the darkness ahead, something stirred.
And then—a voice, deep and ancient, spoke.
"You are not the first to seek refuge here. But tell me… will you be the first to leave?"