"What… what manner of creature is this?" Will staggered back two steps, stunned by the grotesque being that had just leapt out before him.
"It is a kelpie—a common demonic entity often found prowling riverbanks after dusk. They are said to be the twisted remnants of souls who once took their own lives by drowning," came the sudden echo of Pope Matthew's voice, reverberating throughout the chamber.
"Damn it! Why would something like this exist within the sacred halls of the Holy Church?" Will shouted in disbelief. Locking eyes with the creature that stared unflinchingly back at him, he hastily snatched a shield from the nearby weapon rack and raised it in front of himself.
"This is not real," the pope's voice calmly continued, "merely a divine imprint conjured by my sacred power. But be warned—even illusions can wound you if taken lightly."
"Well then—this is the kind of trial I've long awaited." Rather than fear, Will felt a surge of relief. This was the test he had envisioned: one that would challenge his strength through combat. Finally, he had a chance to prove himself.
With his shield poised before him in his left hand and the short sword ready behind it in his right, Will crept forward cautiously, inch by inch, toward the stationary kelpie.
"Hissss…" The kelpie issued a serpentine warning as Will drew closer, a guttural sound that filled the room. Will heard the threat clearly. When he deemed himself near enough, he halted, lowered his stance, and subtly tilted his head, hiding half his face behind the shield while keeping one sharp eye fixed on the creature. He tightened his grip on the short sword, then held his breath, waiting for the perfect moment to strike—a single blow aimed to pierce the monster's skull and end the battle in an instant.
Exhaling softly, then drawing a deep breath, Will noted that the kelpie had yet to make a move. In a flash, he lunged. His sword drove forward with deadly precision, and in one fluid motion, he impaled the creature's head. A spray of violet blood burst from the wound, spattering his blade and shield.
Then, as if consumed by inner fire, the kelpie's body began to glow with a golden light from within, its form slowly fading until nothing remained.
"Gods… that nearly gave me a heart attack." The tension finally drained from Will as he collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily.
But barely had he begun to catch his breath when the golden portal reappeared at the room's center. From it burst a new monstrosity—batlike in form, with leathery wings and an elongated tail. Its body bore the hooked talons of an eagle, and its skin was a pale, mottled gray. Though its face resembled a bat's, its sheer size dwarfed any ordinary creature of that kind.
"The Gryphibat—a mysterious beast found in highlands and mountain peaks. Known for attacking climbers and highland travelers, it boasts great size, swift flight, and formidable claws and tail. Fear not—it, too, is but an illusion," the voice of Pope Matthew again filled the chamber.
Still seated on the floor, Will stared at the circling beast above him. Alarmed, he scrambled to his feet and raised his shield, crouching low in anticipation of the assault. The Gryphibat hovered briefly, then dove at him with terrifying speed.
CLANG!
A thunderous crash rang out as the creature's talons struck the shield, bending it inward. The beast's entire upper body now pressed against the buckled metal, pounding it relentlessly with its claws.
"Damn it… it's too heavy. I can't stand!" Sweat streamed down Will's face as he struggled beneath the crushing weight, barely holding up the now-damaged shield. He longed to rise and deliver a decisive blow, but the sheer force of the beast held him in place.
Realizing brute force would not work, the Gryphibat sprang back briefly, then twisted and lashed out with its powerful tail.
The impact sent Will hurtling across the room, slamming him into the wall with a sickening thud.
This isn't good. Its strength and speed are beyond normal. I need a plan… Will coughed blood, thoughts racing through his mind as he tried to formulate a strategy.
The Gryphibat charged again. Dropping low, it galloped on all fours, then spun and hurled its tail at him once more.
"So fast!" Will shouted, diving left just in time to dodge the strike. "Damn tail!" he cursed, staggering to his feet.
Before he could recover, the tail came sweeping from the left. Exhausted and sluggish, Will had no time to evade. He tucked his sword into his belt and cast away the battered shield.
"Arrgh!" The beast's tail struck him with brutal force, eliciting a cry of agony. But this time, Will did not fly. Instead, he clung desperately to the tail, wrapping both arms around it with all his might.
The Gryphibat flailed wildly, trying to shake him off, thrashing from side to side—but Will held firm. Suddenly, the beast flapped its massive wings and took to the air, dragging him with it.
Dangling high above the ground, Will released his right hand just enough to draw the short sword from his belt.
"Die!" he roared, slicing clean through the creature's tail.
Will plummeted.
The Gryphibat screamed in pain, its balance lost as it crashed headfirst into the wall. It landed with a heavy thud, thrashing in agony, wings beating frantically. But its strength soon waned, and at last, it lay still.