Max stood in front of the stone gate, looking at Mari as she stared intensely at the gate. Despite his reassurance and her surprisingly easy cooperation, he could see that she was extremely jittery about what lay beyond. Her knuckles were white gripping the shortsword he'd lent her.
He wasn't sure if she was suffering from shock, or if that was even possible without physical trauma. Worried that she might not have fully retained the plan, he decided to run through the plan once again.
"Hey," he called. Mari turned her head to him, staring blankly for a few seconds before her eyes focused on him. Blinking, a quizzical expression crossed her face.
"Just want to cover things one last time. I'll be using poisoned arrows." He gestured at the crossbow. "I'm going to shoot the creature in there and then just run around until it takes effect. You'll need to make sure you hide somewhere and don't attract any attention, alright? Especially no noise."
"I got it," she nodded, looking both vaguely annoyed and worried at the same time. Max looked at her a moment more, then turned to the gate and placed his hand on the stone.
Participants present: 2 of 2
Enter final stage?
Yes No
"Yes." Max said.
The doors slammed inward, revealing a large, dimly lit space. Before they could do anything, a strong wind sprung up behind them, shoving them through the doorway. It disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving them in a daze as they tried to get their bearings. An Interface screen popped up in Max's vision as the doors crashed shut behind them. As he read it, the dim glow increased to full brightness, lighting the arena they now stood in.
Welcome to the final stage!
You may not return to previous stages until the final stage is completed.
Hail victorious, Contenders!
Looking around, the stage for the final trial was a large circular arena. It was roughly divided into an inner and outer ring by a set of thick marble columns. In the centre lazed a large feline beast with dark fur. Signalling Mari to move behind a column, he snuck behind one himself and quietly placed his gear on the ground. Taking out the poisoned arrows from the case, he loaded the crossbow and put everything on the ground. He took a quick moment to stretch his legs, then picked up the crossbow again.
Waving at Mari, he indicated that she should move to a different spot. As she moved away he focused on the creature in the middle of the arena, but the only response to her quiet movements was a twitch of the ear.
Satisfied she was distant enough, Max took a breath. He lined up the crossbow with the creature, exhaled, and shot. His aim was rewarded by a resounding roar that echoed through the arena. He stepped out of the shadow of the column, the beast's head immediately snapping to him with a growl. Quickly placing the crossbow on the ground, he started moving to the right, keeping close to columns as the beast tracked him.
He paused next to a column, confused at the behaviour. However, as soon as he slowed, the beast launched itself forward. The sudden dash startled a string of curses out of Max as he ran behind the column, running around the outer ring to keep obstacles between him and the predator. When he made it about halfway around the arena, the beast leapt through one of the gaps. Seeing the motion, he twisted and changed direction, cutting across into the inner circle to avoid the feline.
With a growl, the creature started to chase him again, Max running slalom through the columns to avoid the beast's fierce claws. As his muscles began to burn and breaths became gasps, the beast came closer and closer to catching him.
How long is this going to take?! Shouldn't it be down by now?
Perhaps frustrated at his dodges, the beast had stopped chasing. It lay crouched on one side of the inner ring, eyes glaring at him as he ran. With the threat less immediate, he slowed as he approached a pillar opposite, trying to catch his breath. He only had time to get a few deep gasps before he had to dive out of the way of the creature's pounce. A few claws scraped against his back as it passed him.
The beast collided into the pillar with a crash while Max rolled as far away as he could. The collision was accompanied by a scream, confusing both combantants. Spotting his backpack three columns away, a cold hand of dread gripped Max as he realised Mari hid on the other side of the pillar.
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The beast, having shook off its collision, started sniffing around the column in an attempt to locate the source of the scream. When it began to pad around the column, Max started yelling to try and regain its attention.
"Oi!" He shouted. An lone ear was turned in his direction.
"Hey! Come on you stupid beast, I'm the one who shot you, right here! Come and get me, you sorry excuse for a raid boss!"
At the end of his taunt, the creature had turned to look at him, but otherwise refused to move away from the column. The two of them engaged in a staring competition for a few moments, bodies locked with tension. Abruptly the beast moved, Max dodging to the side by instinct to avoid it. However, the creature whirled and swiped at the column, claws screeching as it flexed. For a pregnant breath, there was silence, which was broken by a yowl as the creature reared back. Max spotted the shortsword he had given to Mari was embedded in its paw.
With its attention firmly locked on identifying this new threat, Max looked about desperately for some thing to throw. To his right he spotted his gear, and his eyes lit up. He ran over and dropped to his knees, immediately trying to wrench open the case. Another screeching of claws rang out and the case slipped from his finger, the loose arrow rolling away across the floor. He scrambled after it, sparing a glance to see the beast swatting rapidly at the column.
As Max fumbled for the crossbow, another scream rang out. The beast had spotted Mari and swiped at her, clawing a chunk out of the column as she dodged out of its sight. Despite her reflexes however, she was trapped behind the pillar, unable to move anywhere else. The lycanthrope crouched, haunches raised in preparation to pounce at the slightest sign of motion.
The urgency of the situation began to breathe down his neck like a beast of his own.
Hurry up why am I here just load you stupid thing I'm so scared you need to save her I need air stop shaking she's going to die I'm going to die need to distract it - DO SOMETHING!
Max charged.
Alerted by the clatter of the crossbow as he tossed it to the side, the beast turned to him as he ran at it, dagger held in clenched fist. Seeing it crouch, he bent low, attempting a feint to the left before dodging to the right.
His progress was brought short by a strong wrench on his left arm. He stumbled and looked to see the beast's jaw clamped around his elbow. There was just enough time for a sense of impending doom to register before Max was shaken like a dog with a ragdoll. Amidst the spinning and whipping limbs, he felt his arm and shoulder burn and then turn numb.
Apparently satisfied with the damage, the feline released its jaw, sending Max soaring through the air to collide with a column. There was a loud crack, which he hoped was an armor plate and not one of his bones.
Max found himself staring at the ceiling, trying to pull his head from the spiralling vortex. He managed to roll onto his side to see the beast approaching him leisurely.
He tried to push off the floor to scramble away, but somehow only succeeded in flopping onto his other side.
Blinking at the floor, he realised that his left arm hadn't responded to his commands. Focusing on it, fear spiked as he noticed the lack of feeling - not the thick numbness of anesthesia, but an absolute void of any feedback.
Not good not good not good!
Pushing himself up with his right arm, he just managed to scramble to his feet when he was bowled over again by the feline. He crashed onto his back, followed by a heavy weight landing on his torso. Looking up, the beast was standing with one paw on his chest. He groaned as the paw flexed and sent a claw piercing through his side.
Fear spiked again when the beast leaned forward with maw open. Before he could react, he heard a crunch as the beast's teeth scraped over his helmet. Instinctively, Max flailed at its head. His struggle only resulted in teeth biting down on his hand, and a scream escaped him as his fingers were torn off.
Before the creature could do more however, he heard it yowl. Blinking through the haze of pain and tears, he saw Mari standing to the side, crossbow in her hands.
The beast turned to Mari, Max taking a gasp of air as its weight was removed. It started running, only to stagger and slow after a few steps. Moments later, it collapsed on its side, breathing heavily as it glared at Mari. After a impotent yowl, an Interface screen appeared in front of Max's eyes.
Hail, victorious!
You have completed the Challenge!
A sigh burst out of Max as he read the message, soon followed by a giggle that quickly became hysterical laughter.
When he'd calmed down, he noticed Mari watching warily nearby. His gear was piled next to a portal that had appeared in the center of the arena. He stood up from the floor, stumbling through the process as the dead weight of his left arm unbalanced him.
Apparently satisifed he was sane again, Mari came over to give him some support. He winced as she pressed against the wound in his side.
"Sorry! Are you alright?"
"Everything feels like one big bruise, but I'll live," he replied. "Don't mind me, we need to get out of here. I'm sorry to say you probably need to carry most of the stuff."
Mari nodded and walked over the gear. As she sorted things out, Max looked regretfully at the beast.
Ugh, the plan is really screwed. No point butchering it though if I end up dying before noon tomorrow.
Shuffling over to Mari, he made to pick up the crossbow. The motion brought attention to his hand and its missing digits, and like a tsunami pain reasserted its existence in his brain. Gasping, he fell to his knees, staring at the mess of flesh and fabric.
To the side, Mari let out a grunt as she shouldered the backpack.
"Holy - I know you got muscles, but you have to be Superman to carry this around everywhere!" she exclaimed. Noticing him on the ground, she walked over as quickly as she could.
"Alright, let's get you out of here," she said. She grabbed him under the shoulder to pull him to his feet, straining until he started moving. In a daze, Max allowed himself to be led, and together they stumbled through the portal.