Chapter 22
To the other side
Part 4
Day Four
Date: 04/01/01
Location: In the city.
Mission Duration: Four Days
Remaining Time: One Day
Objective: Reach the City Gate
Subject Names: Thomas & Samira Ali
Native: Khorcha (Company)
Previous success rate: 85%
Expected success rate: 70%
Failed Subjects: 250
Successful subjects: 10
Successful Persentage: 4%
Experiment Results: 96% Failure
Experiment Outcome: Termination
Next Stage: Initiated
Objective: Monitoring
Stage Duration: 30 Days
Days Count- Down: 30
The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit tunnel that seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped. Thomas and Samira exchanged glances, their hearts still racing from the encounter with the Siren. Khorcha, the creature that had guided them thus far, hesitated at the threshold, its large eyes reflecting the faint light.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Samira asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The adrenaline from their recent battle was still coursing through her veins, but the oppressive atmosphere of the tunnel made her uneasy.
Khorcha nodded, its clicks echoing softly in the confined space. "This leads to the City Gate. We must hurry; the Siren was not alone. Others will come."
Thomas took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "Then let's move. We don't have much time." He stepped into the tunnel, followed closely by Samira and Khorcha. The darkness enveloped them, and the only sounds were the soft scuff of their feet against the ground and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling.
As they ventured deeper, the tunnel began to widen, revealing ancient carvings on the walls—symbols of a civilization long forgotten. Samira, her curiosity piqued, reached out to touch the cool stone. "These markings… they tell a story," she murmured, tracing her fingers over the intricate designs. "This place must have been significant to the people who lived here."
"Focus, Samira," Thomas urged, his voice firm. "We can't afford to get distracted. We need to reach the City Gate before nightfall."
Khorcha led the way, its keen senses alert for any signs of danger. The atmosphere shifted, and a low growl echoed through the tunnel, sending a shiver down Samira's spine. "Did you hear that?" she whispered, her heart racing.
Thomas nodded, his instincts kicking in. "We need to be ready for anything. Stay close." He positioned himself between Samira and Khorcha, his senses heightened. The growl grew louder, reverberating off the walls, and soon they could see shadows moving in the darkness ahead.
As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, the walls began to close in, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. The bioluminescent fungi flickered sporadically, casting eerie shadows that danced along the tunnel's surface. Thomas felt a shiver run down his spine, a primal instinct warning him of the dangers that lurked in the darkness.
Suddenly, a low growl reverberated through the tunnel, causing both of them to freeze in their tracks. The sound was guttural and menacing, echoing off the walls like a warning. Thomas exchanged a glance with Samira, and they both instinctively reached for their weapons.
"What was that?" Thomas whispered, his voice barely audible.
"I don't know, but we need to keep moving," Samira replied, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "Whatever it is, it's close."
They pressed on, the growl growing louder, more pronounced. It was a sound that sent chills down their spines, a reminder that they were not alone in this labyrinthine underworld. As they rounded a corner, the tunnel opened into a larger chamber, and the source of the growl became apparent.
Before them stood a creature unlike any they had encountered before. It was massive, easily towering over them, with thick, sinewy muscles rippling beneath its dark, matted fur. Its eyes glowed a menacing red, and sharp fangs protruded from its mouth, dripping with saliva. The creature was a beast of nightmares, a guardian of the tunnel, and it was hungry.
"Get ready!" Thomas shouted, adrenaline surging through him as he took a defensive stance. Samira quickly accessed her Technical Mastery skill, searching for any advantage they could exploit in their surroundings.
The beast lunged forward, its powerful legs propelling it toward them with terrifying speed. Thomas reacted instinctively, sidestepping to the left and delivering a swift kick to the creature's side. The impact reverberated through his leg, but the beast barely flinched. It turned its massive head, eyes narrowing as it focused on him.
"Samira, now!" Thomas yelled, hoping she had found a way to turn the tide in their favor.
With a flick of her wrist, Samira directed a surge of energy toward the bioluminescent fungi lining the walls. The fungi responded, glowing brighter and releasing a blinding flash of light that momentarily disoriented the beast. It let out a deafening roar, stumbling backward as it shielded its eyes.
"Keep it distracted!" Samira shouted, her fingers dancing over the interface of her skill. She was channeling energy into the fungi, creating a dazzling display of light that flickered and pulsed, drawing the creature's attention.
Thomas seized the opportunity. He charged forward, using the momentum of his previous kick to launch himself at the beast. He aimed for its throat, hoping to incapacitate it with a well-placed strike. His fist connected with the creature's neck, and it howled in pain, staggering back.
But the beast was resilient. It recovered quickly, its red eyes blazing with fury. It lunged again, this time aiming for Thomas. He barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the creature's massive jaws snapped shut where he had just been standing.
"Samira, we need to finish this!" Thomas shouted, scrambling to his feet. He could feel the exhaustion creeping in, but he pushed it aside. They had come too far to fail now.
"I'm trying!" Samira replied, her voice strained as she focused on maintaining the light show. The creature was becoming increasingly agitated, thrashing about in a frenzy. "If I can just overload the fungi, it might create a burst of energy strong enough to stun it!"
"Do it!" Thomas yelled, his heart racing as he prepared for another attack. He could see the determination in Samira's eyes, and it fueled his resolve.
With a final surge of concentration, Samira channeled all her energy into the fungi. The chamber erupted in a blinding flash of light, illuminating every corner and casting long shadows. The beast roared in agony, its body convulsing as the energy surged through it.
Seizing the moment, Thomas charged forward once more. He could feel the power of the light coursing through him, enhancing his strength and speed. He leaped into the air, delivering a powerful kick to the creature's head. The impact sent it crashing to the ground, its massive body thudding against the earth.
As the dust settled, the creature lay still, its glowing eyes dimming. Thomas and Samira stood panting, their bodies trembling from the exertion. They had defeated yet another foe, but the victory felt bittersweet. They were still far from the City Gate, and time was running out.
"Is it dead?" Samira asked, her voice shaky as she approached the fallen beast cautiously.
"I don't know," Thomas replied, scanning the creature for any signs of life. "But we can't stick around to find out. We need to keep moving."
Thomas heard the usual message at the same time samira saw it in front of her although this time the effort and reward was not equal in their opinion:
{Mission Complete: Destroyer Defeated}
{Rewards:}
{Level up: 1}
{Points: 100}
{New Skill Acquired: Enhanced Agility (Level 1)}
{You have gained one attribute point, which can be allocated to Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Vitality.}
{Reward: The gratitude of a new ally achieved.}
{Appreciation and friendship of the survivors of Zone 3 of Ramendal City Achieved.}
{Key to the next objective: Figure out the out how many zones there are in the city.}Mission: Aid the Survivors.}
{Mission: Help the Langkatan survivors by securing supplies and food pending.}
{Mission}
{Reach The City Gate}
{Time Remaining: 2 Days}