Creed's eyes snapped open, and he immediately shot up with a sharp intake of breath, his body tense, his mind racing, ready to fight.
His fingers twitched instinctively, expecting to find his spear, but when no enemy lunged at him, when no immediate danger presented itself, he hesitated.
His breathing slowed as his gaze darted around, scanning his surroundings.
He was in another chamber. This was another dark red cavern, its walls pulsating faintly like the inside of some colossal living beast.
The air was thick, heavy, tinged with the scent of iron and something ancient.
Creed's muscles, aching from battle, forced him to take a deep breath as he steadied himself.
The last thing he remembered was unleashing that terrifying red strike.
At that moment, everything had clicked. His spear had moved not with thought, but with something deeper.
A state beyond instinct. A moment of complete, true enlightenment.
