The group moved cautiously through the museum's winding hallways, the narrow spaces amplifying every sound. Eli kept his steps steady, but his mind raced, still replaying the battle with the saber-tooth in his head. His muscles ached, fatigue weighing down his body, but the adrenaline had not entirely faded. The air was thick with tension, the once serene museum now a hostile labyrinth. Every corner, every shadow held the possibility of danger.
Alex led the way, his presence authoritative despite the chaos they had just faced. Maya, a student Eli had only briefly spoken to before, followed close behind him. She was quiet now, her earlier bravado subdued by the grim reality they were navigating. The rest of the group trailed in silence, their movements sharp and deliberate as they stuck close together, trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Eli's mind drifted back to his family. He thought of his younger sister, Emi, and the uncertainty of her safety. The last time he spoke to her, it was a rushed call before he left for Kingsland. He hadn't heard from her since. His heart tightened, the thought of not knowing if she was okay gnawing at him. The fear of losing someone he loved had always felt distant, like a nightmare that belonged to other people. But now it was here, and he couldn't shake the weight of it.
His parents... he didn't even know what to think about them. The weight of their expectations had always shaped his path. He had been their model son, the one they could rely on. But all of that felt irrelevant now. In a world where the rules didn't apply anymore, where survival came first, what were his parents' expectations worth? He didn't know anymore. Was he doing this for them, or for himself?
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence, amplifying his unease. The tension in his chest had grown heavier with each passing second. Fear was a constant companion now, and doubt crept in, whispering that maybe he wasn't cut out for this after all.
Alex held up a hand, signaling for the group to stop. Eli's thoughts snapped back to the present as Alex motioned for them to listen. There was something ahead—he could feel it. The museum had grown even more oppressive, the air thick with danger. It was only a matter of time before they encountered their next challenge.
As they rounded the corner, they saw it.
A knight.
It stood motionless in the hallway, its gleaming armor bathed in the eerie red glow that emanated from its eyes. The knight was a towering figure, unmoving but somehow alive. Its presence sent a chill down Eli's spine. It looked like a statue—frozen, waiting—but the mechanical, jerking movement that followed when it began to approach told him otherwise.
Alex's voice was a low whisper, commanding and calm. "Eli, left. Maya, right. I'll take the front. We hit it together."
Eli's heart rate picked up again as the knight's gaze shifted, locking onto them. Its heavy sword scraped the ground with a metallic screech. Eli tightened his grip on the jagged pole in his hands. His thoughts flashed to the movies he had watched, those action-packed scenes where the underdog faced off against the giant, defeating it with skill and sheer determination. He'd always imagined himself in those moments, the hero rising to the challenge. But this was no film. There were no retakes.
His breath quickened as the knight began to move, the sound of its steps sending vibrations through the floor. He had no combat experience—not real combat, at least. He had only the lessons he learned from watching action films, from boxing. Would that be enough?
"Focus," Alex's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and commanding. "Stay calm. You've got this."
Eli nodded, trying to steady his breath. The knight was coming closer, its glowing red eyes fixed on them. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this, but there was no turning back now.
With a sudden shout, Alex charged forward, his movements calculated and precise. Maya darted to the right, trying to flank the knight, and Eli followed, his feet heavy as he pushed himself forward. He swung the jagged pole toward the knight's head, but his aim was off, and the pole grazed the armor without making a real impact. The knight's sword swung in retaliation, narrowly missing Alex, who ducked and rolled to the side.
"Again!" Alex shouted, already back on his feet. "Don't waste the opening!"
Eli's heart pounded in his chest as he tried again, this time focusing on timing his strikes. He swung the pole with more intent, but the knight was quick, and his blow went wide again. His breath was ragged, his movements clumsy. His arms were already beginning to feel the strain of the fight.
Maya, on the other hand, was more fluid in her movements. She dashed forward, tripping the knight's leg, causing it to stumble. The distraction gave Alex the opening he needed to strike with precision, his sword cutting into the knight's side.
Eli watched as the group worked together, trying to find their rhythm in the chaos. He fumbled through each swing, his form sloppy and unrefined. But with each failed attempt, he learned something new—how to move with the weight of his weapon, how to gauge the timing, how to anticipate the knight's next move.
Alex shouted more instructions, guiding Eli, telling him to stay back and wait for the perfect moment. The others threw rocks and sticks to further distract the knight, working from a distance to assist the group without getting too close.
After what felt like an eternity, the knight finally staggered, its movements slowing. Alex took the final opportunity, driving his sword into the knight's chest. Eli blocked an incoming blow, feeling the weight of the strike vibrate through his pole. The knight collapsed, its red-glowing core exposed, pulsating in the now-silent hallway.
Eli stood there, panting, trying to steady his breath. His heart was still racing, but he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of accomplishment. It hadn't been perfect, but they had won. They had worked together. Eli had contributed, however clumsily.
"Keep moving," Alex ordered, his voice steady. "The exit's close."
The group continued, their pace quicker now, the tension easing as they moved toward what they hoped was safety. Along the way, they encountered more knights, some reanimated war machines, and even a few more extinct animals, all lone figures that were easier to defeat. The adrenaline from the previous fight kept them focused, but the sense of danger still loomed.
As they reached a new corridor, Eli's mind turned inward again, reflecting on the battle. He had been part of something bigger than himself—a team. That was something he hadn't known before. In the movies, the heroes fought alone. But in real life, it was the people around you that made the difference. That thought stayed with him as they continued their journey toward the exit, one step closer to whatever was waiting for them beyond the museum's walls.
But something nagged at the back of his mind. Alex had said something earlier—something about the creatures, the knights, the saber-tooth. Was there someone or something controlling them?
Eli shook his head, not yet ready to confront that question. They still had to survive. But it would be on his mind for a long time.