A chill shot down my spine. I whipped around to run, but suddenly, countless more eyes flickered into existence—glowing orbs floating in the darkness--I was surrounded. Panic surged through me like ice in my veins. I stumbled backward, heart pounding so loudly it drowned out all other sound. The more I retreated, the more eyes appeared, surrounding me in every direction. My back slammed against a solid wall, cold and unyielding. No escape.

The eyes inched closer, their eerie light intensifying. The air grew thick, pressing against my chest. I tried to scream, but my throat tightened, choking off any sound. As the suffocating darkness closed in, the eyes merged into a blinding glare. Just when it felt unbearable, I jolted awake.

A searing pain tore across my chest. [Damage Taken: 40] I gasped, the metallic scent of blood filling my nostrils. Looming over me was the Shadowfiend—a writhing mass of darkness and jagged spikes, its form shifting like smoke caught in a tempest. Crimson eyes burned with malice beneath a crown of twisted horns.

I looked down to see my armor sliced open, blood gushing from deep gashes. Something inside felt... wrong, as if vital parts were slipping away. My fingers scrambled to press against the wound, but the rigid plates wouldn't yield. No time to panic. Move!

Gritting my teeth against the agony, I rolled to the side just as the Shadowfiend's claws slashed the spot where I'd lain moments before. My limbs felt heavy, every movement a battle. Come on, get up! I urged myself, but my body was sluggish, weighed down by pain and exhaustion.

The creature snarled, its voice a guttural echo that sent shivers through me. It flowed toward me, melding with the shadows before solidifying again—a nightmare given form. Just like the beast I'd faced in the chamber with the enchanted rod. The memory flashed in my mind: its tendrils of darkness snaking toward me, the way it seemed to consume the very light around it.

My vision blurred at the edges. Do I have a healing potion left? Think! I staggered to my feet, each breath a ragged gasp. The world tilted, and black spots danced before my eyes. I was losing too much blood.

"Malice," I rasped, desperation clawing at my voice. "Do I have any potions? I'm dying here."

A cold sensation tingled in my palm as a vial materialized—Malice's doing. Relief flooded me, but it was short-lived. The Shadowfiend lunged, and pain exploded in my leg as its razor-sharp claws pierced through the metal plating of my calf as if it were paper. [Damage Taken: 25]

A scream tore from my lips. The potion slipped from my grasp, tumbling toward the ground. No! Time seemed to slow as I watched it fall. Summoning every ounce of strength, I dived forward, snatching the vial just before it shattered on the stone floor.

Ignoring the searing pain, I uncorked the potion and drank it in one gulp. A cool warmth spread through me, a soothing contrast to the agony. I could feel the edges of my wounds knitting together, the bleeding slowing. But the Shadowfiend wasn't finished.

[HP Restored: 75]

It recoiled, shadows swirling around it like a storm. Its eyes narrowed, and I could sense its fury. My heart hammered in my chest. I need a plan. Now.

"Malice," I whispered urgently "any ideas on how to beat this thing?"

[Your axe, duh,] Malice replied, its voice echoing with a detached calm. [it'll be like slicing through paper when its solid.]

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And how do I do that?"

[Don't look. Not even once. Look, and you're dead.]

Great. Easier said than done.

I locked eyes with the beast immediately breaking malice's advice, my knuckles white around the grip of my axe. The creature hovered a few feet away, its form wavering between solid and ethereal—a shadow draped in tattered, otherworldly robes. It clutched a massive scythe, the blade gleaming with a sinister light. Despite its menacing appearance, it remained motionless, as if waiting.

What is this thing? I wondered, my heart pounding in my chest. It seemed to prefer hiding in its non-corporeal form, avoiding any direct confrontation while I watched. The air around it shimmered, distorting its outline. It just stared at me, arms and weapon outstretched, as if frozen in time.

A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead. The tension was unbearable. I blinked to clear my vision.

In that instant, it vanished.

My breath caught in my throat. Where did it go? A chill ran down my spine as I frantically scanned my surroundings. Suddenly, the monster reappeared inches from my face, its scythe slicing through the air with deadly intent.

I barely managed to dodge, stumbling backward as the blade grazed a strand of my hair and nicked my face. [Damage Taken: 5]

Panic surged through me. It moves faster than I can see!

"I can't fight this," I muttered under my breath. "It can't be struck when it's like that..."

Then the realization hit me—it only attacked when I wasn't looking at it. When my eyes were closed or averted, it became solid to strike. Be a little clearer next time Malice.

That's it! I thought, a spark of hope igniting within me. I can use this to my advantage.

Steeling myself, I began to back away slowly, careful not to blink or trip over the uneven ground. My eyes locked onto the creature, which had resumed its eerie, motionless hovering. My gaze burned, but I couldn't afford to look away.

With my back nearing the ancient stone wall behind me, I formulated a plan. If it attacks when unseen, maybe I can trick it into materializing where I want.

I pressed myself against the cold wall, feeling the rough stones through my armor. Taking a deep breath, I performed a quick pirouette, turning to face the wall and deliberately closing my eyes.

Silence.

I strained my ears, every muscle in my body tense. The faintest rustle of fabric—a whisper of movement behind me.

Now!

I swung my axe in a wide arc behind me. The blade met resistance, followed by an unearthly screech that pierced the air. [Damage Dealt: 30]

I spun around to see the monster recoiling, a dark gash oozing shadowy mist where I had struck it.

A surge of triumph coursed through me. "Got you!"

The creature writhed, its form flickering like a faltering flame. Its hollow eyes seemed to bore into mine with a newfound rage.

"Not so intangible now, are you?" I taunted, though my hands trembled.

It vanished again.

My pulse quickened. Stay calm, Jamie. You know how this works now.

I closed my eyes briefly, feigning a lapse in attention. Immediately, I felt a rush of air to my left. I dodged instinctively as the scythe crashed into the wall, stone fragments exploding from the impact.

Opening my eyes, I swung my axe toward the sound. The monster howled as the blade sliced through its arm, the limb dissipating into smoke as it hit the ground. [Damage Dealt: 20]

"You're predictable," I said, trying to steady my breathing.

But the creature wasn't done. It began circling me, disappearing and reappearing in rapid succession—a disorienting display that made my head spin.

Think. How can you outsmart it?

An idea formed. I adjusted my stance, holding my axe loosely at my side. Pretending to be weary, I let my eyelids droop as if struggling to stay open. I leaned back against the wall.

Come on. Take the bait.

The monster paused, then lunged.

At the last possible moment, I dropped to the ground, rolling forward as the scythe whooshed overhead. I flipped onto my back and hurled my axe straight into the creature's chest. [Damage Dealt: 35]

It shrieked, the sound tearing at my ears.

A direct hit. I pulled the axe back as the monster convulsed in pain.

Seizing the opportunity, I leaped to my feet and charged, axe raised high. With all my might, I brought it down upon the beast. The blade cleaved through its head, splitting it apart. [Damage Dealt: 40]

A blinding flash erupted, and a shockwave sent me sprawling backward. [Damage Taken: 10]

I landed hard, the wind knocked out of me. For a moment, stars danced in my vision. As the light faded, I propped myself up on my elbows.

The creature was gone.

All that remained was a swirling wisp of darkness that slowly dissipated into the air. The oppressive weight that had filled the space lifted, leaving only silence.