Chapter 4 - Hellhounds

So the hungry hellhounds would be hunting us. I wondered then if the entire reason Camel had brought me along was to serve as bait. Regardless, all I could do now was stay close to the man with the scoped rifle and hope for the best.

Shining his light, Camel illuminated an opening in the tunnel ahead. He cautiously approached, me close at his heels. Our service tunnel led into a subterranean juncture, a cross cutting concrete basin that gave the impression of a dry aqueduct, and then continued on the other side.

Camel stealthily climbed down into the wider space, sweeping with his light. I scrambled to keep up. At least here I could stand, the ceiling disappearing somewhere in the darkness above.

Then it hit me.

The unmistakable odor of something burning.

“Hellhounds,” Camel whispered.

I nodded my head, not that he could see me in the darkness. I gripped my push dagger tight and followed as Camel stalked into the middle of the room, looking left and right.

Camel froze, lowering the barrel of his rifle. I tried to follow his gaze and there, in the darkness at the far side of the room, a pair of red eyes burned back at us. I heard a scratching noise, nails on the concrete floor, then a low growl.

Camel was silent, calm, raising the rifle and training the barrel on the hellhound. Illumined in the halo of the white flashlight beam, I saw it.

It was larger than an average dog. Its face was all black matted fur, gnarled and intense. Its eyes glowed an unnatural red. Its black lips were pulled back in a snarl, revealing fangs.

It was motionless in the flashlight beam, except for lowering its head.

Then–CRACK!

There was a muzzle flash and an ear-splitting shot from Camel’s rifle reverberated around the enclosed space. I involuntarily covered my ears, surprised by the sudden sound.

With a strangled whimper, the black dog collapsed, falling out of the beam of light.

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“That’s odin down.”

Camel pulled back the bolt handle on his rifle, pulling a fresh cartridge out of a bandolier I had not previously noticed he was wearing under his patched jacket.

Ears still ringing from the shot, I did not hear the growls from the other side of the room, behind Camel. But I did see two more pairs of red eyes emerge from the deeper darkness.

Look out! Behind you!

Camel swiveled, the light following his movements. Two more hellhounds charged at us, Camel still trying to reload his rifle.

I dashed forward, closing the distance between myself and Camel, brandishing my push dagger.

The hounds were fast. They were on us in an instant, one latching onto my left arm with its jaws.

I screamed, or at least I tried to in my weak starter voice. I felt the fangs sink into my flesh, warm blood dripping down my forearm. My entire arm felt like it was on fire. I saw ominous words appear before my eyes.

[Damage received.

Essence: 10 remaining]

The other hound jumped on Camel, knocking him to the ground with a crash. His rifle fell from his grasp, the flashlight beam pointing askew at the wall, bathing us in dark. I heard the man grunting, fighting for his life.

All I could see were those two red eyes, the large face of the hound latched onto my arm. In desperation, I plunged at those eyes with my dagger, stabbing again and again. More blood sprayed out, but this time it was not mine.

The hound released its grip on my arm, turning away, one of its eye sockets shredded and bloody.

I stabbed again blindly, lunging for the hairy bulk. I made contact, the sharp tip of my blade sinking into the chest. I pushed as hard as I could until the hilt was buried in the flesh of the beast, and I held it there, fighting against the strong flailing of the creature.

Unearthly moans issued from the hound as it fought, but I held on for dear life.

Behind me, another shot rang out. A whimper and the sound of a body slumping on concrete.

Soon, Camel was beside me, shining his light at the beast I was locked in mortal combat with. With the benefit of improved visibility, I removed my dagger and plunged it again and again in the chest, hoping against hope to strike the beast’s heart or some vital organ.

The smell of sulfur and blood filled my nostrils. At last, the hellhound ceased its fighting.

I pulled out my blade, caked with blood and black fur, and stumbled backwards. My left arm burned like crazy. Camel shined a light on it.

“That doesn't smot horrorshow, droogie. Might want to get a bandage on that until you can get it fixed.”

In the light, I noticed that Camel’s face was bleeding from large scratches.

Your face…

“I’ll be alright. Not my first rodeo.”

There was a chirp, and a system notification appeared before my eyes.

[Task Successfully Completed: Remove Hellhounds from MAR Station Service Tunnels]