Lyric navigated cautiously through the marshland, each step slow and deliberate, boots sinking slightly into the sodden earth. The air was dense with moisture, wrapping around him like a heavy cloak, tinged with the faintly sweet yet foul odor of decomposing leaves and stagnant water. Mist drifted lazily among the twisted roots of willow trees, their drooping branches dipping into murky pools and creating ripples that distorted the reflections of pale birch trunks and shadowy thickets.
Bell hovered near his shoulder, a gentle luminescence emanating from her tiny form. Her wings fluttered quietly, barely audible above the distant croaks of hidden creatures. Lyric glanced around, noticing the eerie tranquility that enveloped them. The swamp seemed unnaturally silent—as if holding its breath.
"This place feels off," Lyric murmured, scanning the shadows beneath the dripping branches.
Bell nodded slightly, her glow dimming as if sensing the oppressive mood. "It's more than just quiet—it feels… watchful."
Lyric suppressed a shiver, pausing briefly to pull out the guild-issued tracking device. He frowned as he examined the faint screen. The device was flickering oddly, displaying intermittent pulses that shouldn't have been there. He tapped it gently, thinking it might be malfunctioning, but the pulses persisted.
"Something's definitely out there," he said quietly, stowing the device away and gripping the handle of his makeshift scrap gun more firmly.
Bell flitted closer, her voice barely a whisper. "We should move carefully. Whatever it is, it might not be friendly."
As they pressed deeper into the heart of the swamp, the trees grew denser, their roots protruding from the mud like grasping fingers, forcing Lyric to pick his way carefully over and around them. The waterlogged terrain made every movement an effort, each step pulling at his boots. The distant sounds of wildlife slowly returned, growing in volume—low, haunting calls echoing through the mist.
Lyric's instincts screamed at him, the sensation of unseen eyes burning into his back growing stronger. He halted, turning sharply to scan the dense foliage. His heart beat faster, adrenaline edging through his veins.
"Bell, do you sense—"
A sudden crashing sound from above cut off his words. Lyric instinctively raised his weapon, his eyes snapping upward in time to see a blur of green fabric plummet from the branches overhead, landing heavily in the muddy ground just ahead of him.
Mud and water sprayed upwards, splattering Lyric's cloak. He stepped back swiftly, gun aimed at the crumpled figure.
"What the…" Bell muttered, peeking cautiously from behind Lyric's shoulder.
The figure groaned, slowly pushing himself upright from the sodden earth. An elderly man rose to his feet, his flowing green robes now caked with mud and leaves. His silver hair fell in tangled strands over his face, eyes blazing with a mix of fury and indignation.
He tilted his head upward, his voice booming through the quiet swamp. "Is this what I've become? A toy tossed aside by cosmic whim? What cruel joke is this, to cast me down among mortals?"
Lyric hesitated, confused but wary, keeping his gun trained steadily. "Who are you?"
The old man's gaze shifted sharply to Lyric, eyes narrowing in disdain. "Put that pathetic weapon away, mortal. Do you even comprehend whom you address?"
Lyric's grip tightened. "Enlighten me."
The stranger straightened his posture, a faint aura of dignity seeping through despite his disheveled appearance. "I am Requiem, the God of Dreams—or at least, I once was, before the Celestial Realms fractured, scattering the gods like common dust."
Lyric glanced skeptically at Bell, who hovered nearer, studying the fallen deity closely.
"He's telling the truth, Lyric," Bell said softly. "When the realms shattered, many gods lost their divinity. He feels genuine."
Before Lyric could lower his weapon, the swamp exploded beside Requiem. From the depths of the murky water, a monstrous fish burst upward, maw gaping and lined with rows of jagged teeth, its scales glistening with a sickly red slime.
Instinctively, Lyric fired his scrap gun. The crude projectile—a shard of hardened bark—pierced the creature's head, knocking it sideways into the muck, lifeless.
"Stay alert!" Lyric shouted as the waters around them erupted into chaos. Shapes emerged, dozens of crimson-streaked predators slithering and splashing through the swamp, encircling them.
Requiem, shaken yet furious, stood his ground beside Lyric, summoning a twisted staff from thin air. Bell darted upward, her magic flaring defensively.
They braced themselves as the creatures surged forward.
Lyric's heart pounded fiercely as he steadied his makeshift weapon, watching the murky water ripple around them. The god—who had introduced himself impatiently as Echohymn after Lyric's prompting—stood behind him, watching the waters with eyes narrowed in irritation more than fear. Bell hovered close to Lyric's shoulder, her tiny body tense, wings fluttering in anxious anticipation.
"Keep your eyes open," Bell warned, her usually calm voice tight with unease.
The swamp was no longer the tranquil, eerie environment it had appeared to be upon their arrival. It was now alive with a sinister presence. Long, slender shadows glided just beneath the surface of the water, moving with predatory grace. Lyric caught glimpses of crimson fins, their jagged edges breaking the surface like sharp, rusted blades. His breathing quickened.
"Why aren't you helping?" Lyric growled to Echohymn, irritation flaring at the deity's aloof posture. The god stood with arms crossed, seemingly indifferent.
"You seem to have things under control, mortal," Echohymn said dismissively, though Lyric detected an underlying tension in his voice. The deity's eyes betrayed his unease. "Besides, it's amusing to watch."
Lyric tightened his grip, his finger itching on the trigger. "Bell, keep an eye above."
Bell zipped upward, scanning the canopy of twisted willow branches and hanging vines that draped around them like a ragged veil. The humid air hung thick and heavy, saturated with the earthy scent of decay and stagnant water. Strange, luminous fungi clung to the gnarled trees, casting a dim, sickly glow that danced across the swamp's surface.
The tracker at Lyric's waist flashed urgently now, its rhythmic pulses matching the swift movements beneath them. "Echohymn, you can help or at least not be in the way," Lyric hissed through clenched teeth.
"Mortals," Echohymn repeated with clear disdain, yet he drew himself up slightly straighter, hands flexing as faint glimmers of ethereal light danced across his fingertips.
The first fish lunged from the depths—a monstrous thing of mottled scales, eyes bulging like swollen pustules, jagged teeth gleaming blood-red. Lyric fired without hesitation, his scrap gun blasting bark projectiles into the beast, ripping through its slimy flesh and sending it sprawling back into the swamp.
The others surged forward, their hunger overpowering caution. Lyric felt adrenaline surge through his veins, a familiar, savage exhilaration coursing through him. He spun, fired again, bark shrapnel embedding deep within scaly hides. More surged from the gloom, leaping and snapping, their eyes hollow pits of dark fury.
Bell's urgent shout echoed from above, "More coming from behind!"
Lyric pivoted quickly, firing another salvo that took two creatures simultaneously, sending them crashing into each other midair. His movements were becoming more fluid, instincts honed by countless desperate skirmishes in other forsaken realms guiding his aim. Yet, the swarm was relentless.
Echohymn watched at first, his eyes narrowing as another beast lunged toward him. With a sigh, the fallen god finally raised his hand, murmuring a quiet, almost melodic chant. A barrier of shimmering sound waves rippled outward, striking several creatures with invisible force, stunning them.
"Interesting trick," Lyric commented, quickly reloading.
"You expected less?" Echohymn snapped, irritation layered with a faint hint of satisfaction.
Bell cried out a warning from above, "Lyric, behind!"
A massive swamp beast erupted from the murky depths, its gaping mouth lined with rows of razor-like teeth, lunging straight for Lyric's exposed back. He spun around, barely managing to fire a round into the beast's throat, causing it to crash at his feet, lifeless.
The creatures hesitated, their aggression wavering as their numbers began to thin. Lyric took a step forward, reloading swiftly, firing a volley into the remaining attackers. With each shot, his movements became sharper, more precise. Each kill brought clarity, a strange, unsettling focus.
Finally, the waters stilled.
Lyric stood, breath coming in short gasps, eyes scanning the quieted swamp. Echohymn, despite himself, looked impressed. Bell descended from her watch above, eyes wide.
"That was… something," Bell murmured.
Lyric slowly lowered his weapon, feeling the trembling aftershock of combat fade away. Turning to Echohymn, he raised an eyebrow. "Not bad for a mortal?"
Echohymn snorted, though the corner of his mouth tugged upward. "Adequate."
The god straightened his robes, flicking mud and grime from the fine, though now tarnished fabric. "It appears our meeting was less unfortunate than I first presumed. Perhaps mortals have some redeeming qualities after all."
Lyric didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on the expanse around them, sensing the lingering malevolence. "I don't think it's over," he murmured quietly.
Bell's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, "The tracker still shows movement, Lyric. Something bigger."
Echohymn sighed dramatically, eyes skyward as though addressing invisible witnesses. "Of course."
From deep within the swamp, a low rumble vibrated through the air. The trees trembled, their leaves whispering ominously. Lyric swallowed hard, gripping his weapon tighter as he braced himself for whatever was coming next.
Their battle was far from over.