INT. THE ARK – MAIN HULL – NIGHT
The Ark groaned as the ground cracked open. The silence of Nyxira's dominion faltered for the first time—not broken, but drowned by a roar that shook every survivor's chest.
From the abyss, a mountain of flesh rose. Mawreth, the Carrion Worm, its body writhing with thousands of human arms clawing outward, dragging themselves along the floor as if begging for death. Its head split wide, teeth spiraling like a saw, saliva burning holes where it dripped.
Narration: It was not an animal. It was punishment given flesh.
Behind it came
Druval, the Butcher, the Fifth Sigil.
Chains bound his frame, trophies of ribs and skulls rattling against his hide. His smile cut too wide, splitting across his bloodstained face. He dragged himself into the Ark with fists that dripped gore before he ever struck.
Druval (booming): SILENCE, Nyxira? You starve them! You choke them until they die empty! NO! I will fatten them with fear and carve them while they still breathe!
He seized a wounded demon soldier by the neck, bit its skull until it cracked, then hurled the corpse aside, laughing with madness.
Druval (howling): FEAST, MAWRETH! FEAST UNTIL NOTHING REMAINS!
Mawreth screamed, arms flailing as it surged forward. Survivors screamed back—but their voices died in Nyxira's silence. Six were dragged down, shredded and devoured before they could strike. Their weapons clattered uselessly against stone.
Narration: In seconds, fifty-five became forty-nine.
INT. THE ARK – FRACTURED HALL – CONTINUOUS
Arven's blade slashed shadows aside, Grace spinning in tandem, their rhythm holding barely against Nyxira's chains. Lyra darted low, daggers cutting tendrils, while Kael and Tanaka struck in wide arcs to carve breathing space.
Nyxira (voice, seething): Silence is mine. You cannot outlast me.
Three more survivors collapsed, strangled by their own shadows—but before the number fell further, Arven roared, katana blazing in defiance, and forced her back a step.
Arven (snarling): You'll take no one else!
Nyxira's eyes narrowed, her silence deepening, ready to smother him whole.
INT. THE ARK – SUPPLY RING – SAME TIME
Hundreds of demons surged against the defenders. Kwame staggered to his feet, gauntlets sparking, while Cassian clung weakly to her halberd. Kairo cut like a phantom, blades flashing where eyes couldn't follow, holding the unconscious safe.
Dimitri (roaring): Keep the line! I'll deal with the Butcher myself!
He broke formation, charging through the tide. His sword sparked against stone, his boots pounding. With a roar he leapt, boot slamming into Druval's jaw. The Fifth Sigil staggered, laughter booming even as black blood dripped from his mouth.
Druval (grinning wide): HA! A morsel with teeth! COME THEN, SOLDIER—FEED MY FISTS!
Mawreth lashed forward, dozens of arms clawing for Dimitri. He spun, blade severing limbs in sprays of ichor, planting himself between Druval and the survivors.
Narration: One man stood against the Butcher and his pet. One sword against slaughter itself.
INT. THE ARK – DIMITRI'S DUEL – CONTINUOUS
Druval swung a hammering fist. Dimitri ducked, blade biting into his ribs. Black blood sprayed across the floor, sizzling as it hit. Druval only laughed, swinging again with enough force to crack pillars.
Mawreth surged behind, coils lashing. Dimitri twisted, blade carving across its face, splitting one enormous eye. The worm shrieked, acid drool spraying across stone. The floor melted where it landed.
Druval (bellowing): YES! FIGHT ME! BREAK ME! DIE WITH GLORY, LITTLE MAN!
Dimitri (snarling): If I die... I'll drag you both down with me!
He slashed upward, carving another wound across Druval's arm. The Butcher roared, staggering—but his smile never faded. Mawreth lunged again, jaws unhinging, teeth rows upon rows, and Dimitri braced, blood dripping from his torn shoulder.
INT. THE ARK – STRATEGIC SPLIT
Dimitri locked in a duel against Druval and Mawreth, holding back slaughter with pure will.
Arven, Grace, Lyra, Kael, and Tanaka and some people strained against Nyxira's shadows, blades flashing in silence.
Kwame, Kairo, Cassian, and the defenders cut into endless demons, walls shaking as they fought to keep supplies intact.
Narration: The Sixth strangled. The Fifth devoured. The survivors bled in between.
INT. THE ARK – FINAL BEAT
The Ark shook again, pillars cracking as Nyxira's silence collided with Druval's slaughter. Shadows shrieked, blood sprayed, and the worm's roar joined the chaos. Survivors stumbled in three wars, blades breaking, hearts burning, fighting for breaths they could not hear.
Narration: 49 left.49 to face Hell.
To be continued...