The Beast Unleashed
The horned monstrosity loomed ahead, its massive form blocking the corridor like a living nightmare. Its crimson eyes burned with bloodlust, its claws carving deep grooves into the stone floor with every step.
Eryon’s wolf surged within him, snarling to be released, but he forced it back, his grip on his blade tightening. Misery, still leaning on him for support, straightened slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied the creature.
“Well,” she murmured, her voice tinged with dark amusement, “this should be fun.”
“Stay back,” Eryon said, his voice low and firm.
Misery chuckled softly, though the sound was laced with exhaustion. “You think I’m going to sit this one out?”
The beast roared, its deafening cry shaking the very walls of the labyrinth. It charged forward with terrifying speed, its claws tearing through the air.
Eryon moved quickly, pulling Misery out of harm’s way and dodging the creature’s initial attack. His blade slashed across its thick hide, but the beast barely flinched, its focus solely on him.
Misery, despite her injury, stepped forward and threw a dagger with deadly precision. The blade sank into the creature’s shoulder, eliciting a furious snarl.
“Nice aim,” Eryon muttered, his voice strained.
“Thank me later,” Misery shot back, her smirk brief but sharp.
The battle was brutal. The beast’s strength was overwhelming, each strike of its claws shaking the ground. Eryon dodged and countered, his movements faster and more precise than they should have been.
Misery’s sharp gaze didn’t miss a thing. As Eryon moved, his reflexes almost unnaturally quick, her suspicion grew.
“You’re full of surprises,” she remarked as she slashed at the beast’s legs, her voice edged with curiosity.
Eryon gritted his teeth, ignoring her as he focused on the fight. But the creature’s resilience was unrelenting, and Eryon realized he couldn’t win without tapping into the strength he’d been suppressing.
His wolf growled within him, its presence a constant pressure. Let me out, it seemed to say.
When the beast lunged again, its claws aimed for Misery, Eryon had no choice. He moved faster than any vampire could, grabbing the creature’s arm and twisting it with a strength that sent it crashing into the wall.
Misery’s eyes widened as she watched him, her blade faltering mid-strike.
“You’re not just a vampire, are you?” she whispered, her voice low and dangerous.
Eryon didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Instead, he used the opening to deliver a final, devastating blow, his blade piercing the beast’s chest. The creature let out a guttural roar before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching once before going still.
Breathing heavily, Eryon turned to Misery, who was watching him with a look that was equal parts suspicion and intrigue.
“Care to explain?” she asked, her tone sharp.
Before he could respond, the walls of the labyrinth trembled violently. Cracks spread across the stone, and the floor beneath their feet began to shift.
“We need to move,” Eryon said, grabbing her arm and pulling her forward.
The labyrinth collapsed around them, the sound of crumbling stone deafening as they ran.
