The darkness thickened around them, the air heavy with the scent of blood and fire. The ground, slick with something unnatural, seemed to resist their every step.
Darius spat on the ground, gripping his axe tighter. "Something is very wrong."
Before anyone could respond, more creatures emerged from the trees—faster, more feral. One, the size of a bear, lunged straight at Leon, its jaws stretching unnaturally wide to tear him apart.
But Leon wasn't ready to die just yet.
He dodged at the last second, his sword slicing through the creature's throat. Black ichor sprayed, yet the beast did not fall. Instead, its body twisted violently, letting out a shriek that was neither human nor animal, as if pain was merely an inconvenience.
"Damn it! Why won't they die?!" Amelia shouted, driving her spear into one's chest—only for the creature to snarl and swat her away with monstrous strength.
Darius didn't wait for an answer. He swung his axe with brutal force, cleaving a beast clean in half. But instead of collapsing, black, spindly limbs erupted from its severed body, writhing like a nest of serpents.
"What the hell?!" Leon recoiled, watching in horror as the other fallen creatures followed suit. Their wounds were not wounds; they were openings.
Ethan's eyes gleamed with raw energy. "They're not just monsters! These things are vessels! Killing them only releases whatever's inside!"
Leon clenched his jaw. "If they're coming out... then we force them back in."
He leaped toward one of the creatures, sword crackling with dark blue energy. With one clean strike, he split it apart—but before the entity inside could escape, he pressed his free hand against it, channeling his power inward.
A soul-piercing shriek filled the air, and for the first time, the creature stayed dead.
"That's the way!" Ethan shouted, raising his hands. A surge of blue fire roared from his palms, consuming the creatures in its path, burning them to cinders before they could transform.
But they were not alone.
As the smoke cleared, a horrifying silhouette emerged from the trees. A towering figure, humanoid in shape, but its flesh charred and peeling. Its hollow eyes pulsed with an unnatural glow, its presence suffocating.
The smaller creatures had only been the beginning.
Leon exhaled, tightening his grip on his sword. His breath was heavy, but a smirk played on his lips.
"Well... things are finally getting interesting."
To be continued…