Chapter 4: The First Encounter

The creature lunged, a mass of unseen fury exploding from the darkness. Cal barely had time to brace before it slammed into him, a wall of force crashing into his chest and driving the air from his lungs. He stumbled backward, skidding on the rough stone as claws raked across his side, tearing through his flesh with searing pain.

Cal snarled through gritted teeth, adrenaline surging through his veins. Though he couldn't see anything, something clicked inside him. A surge of energy and power filled his body, making him feel stronger and faster. He touched a hand to his side and felt the wound already closing. This power came from the place the gem had left inside him, the same place that had reacted to the monster’s energy wave. His thoughts were interrupted as something whistled toward him. Cal twisted away from the swipe, dropping low and shooting forward, just like he’d done a thousand times on the wrestling mat. But this wasn’t a match. This was survival.

The creature roared, the sound vibrating through Cal’s bones, but he didn’t falter. He shot his arms out, aiming for where he thought the creature’s legs might be, and felt his hands connect with something solid. He clamped down, driving his shoulder into what he hoped was its knee, and twisted with all his might. His newfound strength surprised him as the creature's hard exoskeleton cracked under his grip.

The creature let out a pained screech, its balance wavering, and Cal seized the moment. He surged upward, using the momentum to shove the creature off balance. It crashed to the ground with a thud that reverberated through the cave, sending a shockwave of dust and debris into the air.

Cal didn’t hesitate. He sprang into action, grappling with the creature, trying to pin it down. But the creature was fast—faster than anything he’d ever faced. It twisted beneath him, lashing out with a powerful limb that caught him square in the ribs and threw him off. Cal hit the ground hard, pain flaring through his side, but he rolled with it, quickly coming back to his feet in a crouch. He heard the creature circling him, its breath ragged and furious.

It moved with an unnatural speed, but now, so did Cal. With a flash of concentration, he grabbed onto the energy surging through him and pulled. A burst of power shot through his veins, making him feel like he’d just taken a mix of pre-workout and cocaine.

“You’re not the only one who knows how to fight dirty,” Cal growled, spitting blood from his mouth. He couldn’t see the creature, but he could feel it—a hot, predatory presence closing in. He needed to think, to strategize, to use the darkness to his advantage.

The beast tripped slightly on its injured leg, and Cal heard the scrambling of its claws. Seizing the moment, he dove toward its feet, rolling forward until his back was against the ground. Bracing his hands against the stone and raising his feet toward the creature, he pushed hard, launching himself at its body. His feet slammed into its torso, and with another shove, he ricocheted off its body, narrowly avoiding a swipe that sliced through the air where he’d been.

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The creature roared in frustration, its fury intensifying. It lunged at Cal with renewed aggression, and he barely managed to dodge the attack. As he tried to reposition himself, the creature's clawed limb caught him across the chest with a savage swipe. Pain exploded through his body, and he staggered back, clutching at the deep gash that now streaked across his torso. Blood flowed freely, mixing with the dirt and grime on his skin.

Gritting his teeth, Cal struggled to keep his focus. The creature’s rapid movements and relentless attacks were wearing him down. He lunged forward again, hoping to catch the creature off guard, but it anticipated his move. With a swift, powerful blow, the creature’s limb smashed into Cal’s side, sending him sprawling to the ground. The impact left him breathless, his vision blurring as pain surged through him.

Cal managed to roll into a defensive position, gasping for air. He could feel the blood spilling over his legs, his strength waning. The creature advanced, its predatory growls echoing ominously. Desperation fueled Cal’s movements as he forced himself back to his feet, but the pain and blood loss were beginning to take their toll. The creature’s next attack was a blur of motion, a powerful strike that knocked Cal off balance, slamming him into the stone wall.

He hit the wall hard, the impact jarring his entire body. His vision swam, and he slid to the floor, the stone beneath him cold and unforgiving. The creature loomed over him, its breathing heavy and ragged. Cal's vision darkened at the edges, his strength ebbing away, but he refused to give in. He had to keep fighting, no matter how dire the situation seemed.

This thing was a monster—strong, fast, and relentless. But Cal had something it didn’t: desperation. And in a fight like this, that was worth more than anything.

Cal reached deep within himself, seeking that spark of power, and pulled with all his might. He kept pulling, past the point of safety, until something inside him gave way. An agonizing scream tore from his throat as raw energy surged through his body, flooding him with a power that felt like molten lava coursing through his veins. He scrambled to his feet, ripping chunks of rock from the floor in his desperate ascent. The creature roared at him, and Cal roared back, his voice a primal echo of his fury.

The creature charged, but this time, Cal was ready. He sidestepped the initial strike, grabbing onto one of its limbs as it passed, and wrenched with everything he had. A sickening snap filled the cave, followed by a howl of pain, but Cal didn’t let go. He drove forward, slamming the creature into the ground and pinning it beneath him as it thrashed and snarled.

For a moment, they were locked in a brutal struggle, neither willing to give an inch. But Cal’s training took over, years of wrestling matches replaying in his mind as he tightened his grip, using every ounce of strength to keep the creature down. His muscles burned, his lungs screamed for air, but he didn’t let up. The magical power flowing through him began to wane, leaving him weaker than ever before. But he didn’t stop. He couldn’t.

With one final surge of energy, Cal twisted the creature’s limb, forcing it up and out. The limb broke off with a sickening crack, and Cal scrambled to maintain his advantage. He squeezed the creature between his thighs, flipped the broken appendage, and drove the pointed tip into the beast’s body, over and over, until his strength finally gave out and he collapsed onto its still form.

The cave fell silent, save for Cal’s ragged breaths. His heart pounded in his chest, his body trembling with exhaustion and pain. The magical power fully left Cal, and a shudder ran through his body. He fought to stay awake, but his body refused to respond. Exhaustion hit him like a tidal wave, overwhelming his senses. Within moments of the fight’s conclusion, Cal’s vision blurred, and he collapsed, unconscious, onto the cold stone floor