Chapter 5: Awakening in the Abyss
Wood ran as fast as he could, his breath ragged, heart pounding like a war drum. He nearly stumbled as he reached Hikaru and Luna.
"Luna… Hikaru… they're dead." His voice was hoarse, his face pale.
Luna frowned. "Who?"
"Minjun and Olivia! A lizard man—he killed them! He just grabbed Minjun and crushed him like he was nothing. Olivia tried to fight, but… she told me to run. I had no choice!" His hands trembled. "We have to go! Now!"
Hikaru exchanged glances with Luna, their expressions hardening. "Where?"
Wood pointed toward the cavern's darker depths. Without hesitation, the three of them sprinted toward the danger.
Meanwhile…
Ronan's eyes fluttered open, his entire body aching. His vision swam as he struggled to focus. A sharp pain burned through his right hand. "Ugh… my hand…"
Sitting nearby, Piggy was curled up, hugging his knees, face pale and tear-streaked. His lips trembled as he whispered, "Hey, Ronan… please save me. What is this place?"
Ronan clenched his jaw. "You bastard… because of you, we fell."
Piggy sniffled. "Don't say that! I just want to go home!" His voice cracked, and tears streamed down his face.
Before Ronan could respond, a deep, earth-shaking boom echoed through the cavern. Heavy footsteps sent tremors across the stone floor. A terrifying growl vibrated in the air.
A monstrous shadow emerged from the darkness—its thick, muscular frame covered in black fur. Its glowing crimson eyes burned with fury, its massive fists clenched like boulders.
Bigfoot.
Ronan's breath hitched. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his body refused to move.
With a guttural roar, Bigfoot lunged forward, its massive hand closing around Ronan like a vice. Before he could react, the beast hurled him across the chamber like a ragdoll. His body slammed into a jagged rock wall, pain exploding in his ribs. Blood trickled from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground.
Piggy fell to his knees, his entire body shaking like a leaf. "No… please… I don't wanna die…" His voice was barely above a whisper.
Bigfoot turned toward him, lifting a fist large enough to crush his entire body in one blow.
Ronan's Awakening
Ronan lay there, pain coursing through his body, his vision blurring. His mind drifted into darkness.
Why? Why is it always me?
Why do I always lose?
He saw flashes of his past. His parents. His brother. His grandfather. All gone. All taken from him.
"Do you even exist, God?"
His fingers twitched. A memory surfaced—his grandfather's voice, firm yet kind.
"Giving up is the greatest weakness."
His eyes snapped open.
In the distance, Bigfoot reached for Piggy. The beast's shadow engulfed the trembling boy.
Then, out of nowhere—
SHWING!
A gleaming axe soared through the air, striking Bigfoot in the waist. The beast howled in pain, stumbling back.
Piggy's eyes widened. "W-Who…?"
Ronan stood there, battered, bloodied—but alive. His eyes gleamed with fierce determination. He gripped his sword tightly, stepping forward.
Bigfoot roared, rushing toward him in a blind fury.
This time, Ronan didn't flinch.
As the beast swung its massive arm, Ronan dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. In one swift motion, he slashed downward, severing the creature's hand in a clean cut.
The gorilla howled in agony, thrashing wildly. It grabbed Ronan with its remaining hand and lifted him off the ground, squeezing the life out of him.
Piggy, watching helplessly, clenched his fists. His fear was overwhelming, but something inside him snapped.
"Let him go!" Piggy bit into Bigfoot's thick wrist with all his strength.
The beast growled, distracted.
That was all Ronan needed.
With the last of his strength, he raised his sword and drove it straight through Bigfoot's skull.
The creature let out one final, guttural growl before collapsing with a heavy THUD. Its blood pooled beneath it.
Piggy gasped, stepping back. "That's… Ronan?"
Ronan stood there, his sword dripping red. His chest heaved, but his gaze remained steady. His body ached, but something inside him had changed.
I won't be weak anymore.
Just as he exhaled, the cavern trembled again.
A deep, collective growl rumbled through the darkness.
Ronan and Piggy turned slowly.
Dozens of Bigfoots stood before them. Their glowing eyes burned with rage, their massive forms towering over the two.
Piggy swallowed hard. "Y-You ready for this, man?"
Ronan smirked, raising his sword. "F*** Bigfoot. Let's go!"