Cyrus, submerged and desperate, cast a levitation spell, but to his dismay, it had no effect. The invisible assailant's hands remained firmly clasped around his throat, unyielding and merciless. In a flash of inspiration, Cyrus moved swiftly, manipulating the water around him. A bubble formed, lifting from the pool and enveloping his attacker's head.
The figure flickered, its invisibility faltering as it struggled against the watery prison. Suddenly visible, Cyrus saw it was a woman with large, distinctive ears and sparkling blue eyes. She leaped back, tearing through the bubble before it could drown her. As she moved, her skin shimmered, transforming to a vibrant blue hue. Her ears grew, unfurling like exotic flowers in bloom.
Cyrus stared in disbelief, a nagging sense of familiarity tugging at his mind. "Wait, you can't be...?" His eyes widened in shock as recognition dawned.
Before he could fully process this revelation, the girl vanished once more, her body fading into invisibility. A sharp pain exploded in Cyrus's waist, forcing a cry from his lips as he stumbled sideways. His hand flashed out, wielding a thin, shimmering blade, but it sliced through empty air.
Another burst of agony, this time on his side. Cyrus's head snapped back, the taste of copper filling his mouth as blood flowed freely. His unseen assailant struck with the speed and precision of a cheetah, each blow landing before he could react. Cyrus's body screamed in protest, every movement sending fresh waves of pain coursing through him.
His mind raced, desperately seeking a solution. How could he defeat what he couldn't see? Suddenly, an idea struck. With a wave of his hand, Cyrus used his own blood-tainted water as a makeshift radar. "Now!" he shouted, lunging forward and striking at the moving blood mark. A sharp moan pierced the air as his blade found its mark, the invisible figure stumbling and losing her camouflage.
Exhausted and in pain, Cyrus fell to his knees. The once-clear pool had transformed into a gruesome crimson bath, a testament to the fierce struggle that had taken place.
"Help, please," the girl gasped, blood choking her words. Cyrus's heart skipped a beat as he cautiously approached. "Help me. He still needs me," she pleaded, her voice weak and desperate.
"What are you talking about? Who needs you?" Cyrus found himself drawn closer, curiosity overriding caution. As he got a better look at her face, his heart wavered. It can't be, he thought. She can't be...
The girl's hand shot out, grasping his shirt. "Help me," she begged. "You succeeded. You managed to flee the bureau." Cyrus stood motionless, torn between compassion and self-preservation. "I'm sorry, I can't," he said hastily, rising to his feet.
Her face contorted in pain and despair, the sight causing Cyrus's chest to constrict painfully. What have I done? he wondered, guilt washing over him. No, you just defended yourself, a part of him argued. But you knew who she was, another voice countered. It's impossible, he tried to convince himself. Now isn't the time for this debate.
"Shut up! Leave me alone!" Cyrus yelled, clutching his head as conflicting thoughts warred within him. He rushed towards the exit, sparing one last glance at the dying figure. "Please, help me..." her blood-covered face and dimming eyes seared themselves into his memory.
Closing his eyes against the horrific sight, Cyrus dashed through the corridors. He emerged on the other side to find Prid, Marko, and Leora, all bearing bruises and wounds from their own battles. The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps echoed from both directions, signaling the imminent arrival of more bureau agents.
"Leora, you're safe," Cyrus sighed in relief. She glanced at him but remained silent, her focus on their dire situation. They were trapped, caught between two advancing forces with no clear means of escape.
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Cyrus leaned against the wall, his body nearing its limit. Suddenly, he sensed something amiss. Acting on instinct, he jumped aside just as a deafening crash reverberated through the corridor. A monstrous, dry hand burst through the wall, seizing a bureau agent and smashing him against the opposite side. Deep claw marks etched into the sturdy walls, a chilling testament to the creature's strength.
A lifeless head flew through the air, striking Cyrus. He panicked, throwing it away in horror. The severed head belonged to one of the agents who had been pursuing them. The group held their collective breath, their faces turning sour with dread. Cyrus noticed Leora's hands trembling, a sight that shocked him more than his own pain. What in this world could provoke such a reaction from her?
Following her gaze, Cyrus looked down the corridor. His heart nearly stopped at the nightmarish scene unfolding before them. A humanoid figure was slowly advancing, its proportions grotesquely distorted. It stood unnaturally tall, its head tilted against the ceiling. Dry, emaciated arms dangled at its sides, the bones clearly visible beneath paper-thin skin. Dark, fathomless eyes gleamed in the dim light, and atop its head, dark purple flames danced, casting eerie shadows along the walls.
"Kar-kar-karmic monster," Cyrus stammered, crawling backward as violent tremors wracked his body. The bureau agents, faced with this new threat, completely ignored their original quarry. They opened fire on the monster, but to no avail. With each swing of its arms, heads were severed and bodies were smashed against walls. Its advance was unstoppable, like a vengeful deity crawling back from the depths of hell.
Leora and the others began fleeing in the opposite direction, leaving the bureau agents to handle the monster. "Cyrus, what are you doing?" Leora yelled, noticing that he remained rooted to the spot.
Cyrus stood frozen, not by choice but by paralyzing fear. His body refused to respond, locked in place by sheer terror.
"Let's go, Leora. We can't do anything for him; his brain has stopped," Marko urged, pulling at her arm.
"We can't just leave him behind," she protested, rushing back towards Cyrus.
"What the hell are you doing?" Prid shouted. "He's not the first to lose his soul in front of a karmic monster. If you want to risk your life, then do it!" With that, Prid and Marko fled, leaving Leora to her chosen fate.
"Hey, Cyrus, listen to me," Leora pleaded, her voice barely penetrating the fog of fear surrounding him.
Cyrus remained motionless, his eyes locked with those of the karmic monster. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered, "I am a coward. Leave me alone." He sank to the ground, unable to break the creature's hypnotic gaze.
"What are you saying? You're not a coward. Look at me, Cyrus! I said look at me!" Leora shouted, her voice ringing in his ears.
Grabbing his chin, she forcefully turned his face towards her. As their eyes met, Cyrus found himself lost in her mesmerizing golden gaze. His heart rate accelerated, fear giving way to a different kind of intensity.
The karmic monster, now looming over them, raised its palm, ready to crush them into oblivion. In that moment of crisis, Cyrus's survival instinct kicked in. He lifted his hand, channeling every ounce of power he could muster into a levitation spell. The monster was thrown backward, its massive form crashing into the walls with enough force to split and fissure the sturdy structure.
"Let's go!" Leora shouted, seizing Cyrus's arm and pulling him to his feet. They raced through the corridors, adrenaline fueling their flight. As they ran, they passed Nemesis, who spared them only a brief glance.
"Target priority switched," Nemesis muttered, ignoring the fleeing party as he dashed towards the monster. With his arrival, the bureau agents regained their discipline, turning the tide of battle against the nightmarish creature.
Cyrus and Leora burst out of the building, racing towards the waiting helicopter. As they lifted off, rising into the cloudy skies, Cyrus caught a glimpse of a figure emerging from the building below. Even from a distance, he could feel the weight of Nemesis's gaze as the masked agent watched their escape.
As the helicopter climbed higher, leaving the chaos behind, Cyrus slumped in his seat, exhaustion and relief washing over him in equal measure. He exchanged a look with Leora, both of them knowing that while they had survived this ordeal, the challenges ahead were far from over. The memory of the karmic monster, the mysterious girl in the pool, and the relentless pursuit of the bureau would haunt them for days to come. But for now, as they soared through the clouds, they allowed themselves a moment of respite, grateful for their narrow escape and the bond that had been forged in the crucible of danger.