CHAPTER 19: THE COST OF VICTORY
The Abyss Lurker moved like a shadow, its twisted limbs stretching unnaturally as it lunged again.
Kieran dodged, but too late. Clawed fingers ripped through his side, tearing into flesh. Pain exploded in his ribs.
He staggered, blood dripping down his torso. Fuck.
The creature didn’t stop. It adapted, attacking with new angles, faster, more precise.
Kieran gritted his teeth. Think. Don’t react. Lead the fight.
The Lurker lunged—Kieran didn’t retreat. He stepped forward instead.
The creature hesitated. That was its mistake.
With a roar, Kieran drove his fist into its gut, energy crackling around his knuckles. The impact ripped through its body, sending it flying backward.
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But it still wasn’t dead.
Kieran’s body screamed for rest. His vision blurred, his system flickering warnings.
[Critical Energy Depletion. System Integrity Unstable.]
No. Not now.
The Lurker charged one last time.
Kieran dropped his guard on purpose.
At the last second, he sidestepped, letting its momentum carry it straight into a jagged stone spike. The impact pierced through its chest, its screech cutting off in a sickening gurgle.
But Kieran wasn’t done.
He threw everything into one final punch—red and blue lightning surged from his fists, shattering the Lurker’s skull in a burst of raw force.
The cavern shook.
Kieran stumbled back, barely standing. His body felt like lead, his arms numb, blood still trickling from his side.
He had won.
Then, the ground trembled. The cavern walls cracked, chunks of rock tumbling from above. Shit—collapsing.
Kieran turned toward the exit—Elias stood there, watching.
Not moving.
Not helping.
Watching.
Kieran grit his teeth. If he wanted me to prove myself—fine.
He forced his body forward, step by agonizing step, ignoring the pain, the exhaustion, the instinct to collapse.
The tunnel entrance neared.
A massive rock broke free above him.
Kieran lunged—
Darkness.