After what felt like ages, Fritz finally decided to take a break. Hesitantly, he let his back rest against the sewer's wall. A blue light stick was gripped tightly in his hand. He found himself overlooking some kind of open cistern. The steady drip of water echoed from somewhere over the dark waters ahead of him. Fritz's breath was finally coming under control. His muscles' screaming need for oxygen was slowing down. The rancid air stuck to his senses filling him with nausea and disgust. Yet after Project SKUNK, it was manageably offensive.

Fritz stared out into the darkness of the sewers, as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The chittering of rats could be heard all around him. Hidden pools splashed with falling water and hidden scavengers. Insects and rats shuffled in the refuse looking for leftover food amongst all the filth.

"I need to get out of here." Fritz said. "Before the rats get me. And before the guards seal off any exits." Fritz lifted his head towards the heavens, as a sudden realization hit him. "Please, let the rats be normal sized! No giant spiders either!" Standing up, he let out a large sigh. He looked back towards the tunnel from whence he came. He couldn't go back. Any guards would be standing over the manhole waiting to pounce upon him. He would need to find another way out of the sewers. Cursing to himself, he continued down the path he had randomly chosen, hoping for the best.

After what felt like an eternity, Fritz found himself in a large open area. He had managed to escape the labyrinth of rank tunnels and cisterns into something cleaner. No sewage or water flowed through the hall.

"Some progress at least." Fritz muttered as he held out his blue light stick. Staring out into the gloom, he inspected the area.

The hall was an endless expanse of columns connecting into arched vaults supporting the ceiling above. The dark gloom of the sewer pressed in preventing Fritz from seeing too far ahead. He walked between the granite columns. The smoothed stone was littered with parallel slash marks. Stopping for a moment, Fritz inspected the damage. The stone was pierced with something long and sharp, almost like claws from an impossibly large beast. Fritz let his hands run slowly over the damage, as he looked around the encroaching darkness.

Something new came to Fritz's senses. The loping gait of footsteps echoed between the stone columns. His heart froze. Shadows stirred as Fritz saw faint movement disturbing the dark ahead of him. His muscles tensed as he held the light ahead of him.

"Who's there?" Fritz called out into the dark. Shifting quick movement to his left, caused him to spin around. By the time his eyes had centered on it, he could see nothing. Breathing in deeply, Fritz forced his mind to calm. A dagger appeared instantly in his free hand. He held it out, in front of him as he searched the dark for danger.

"Anyone there? Last chance. Marcelle? Ada?" Fritz called out into the void. The clicking of large claws scraped the gray granite behind him. Spinning around, Fritz tried to find the unknown foe. Yet, all he could see was darkness. The stench of the sewers was worsening. The reek of decaying flesh filled the large room. Fritz's chest heaved, as he struggled to suppress his growing fear.

The blue light reflected within the eyes of a creature. Fritz saw the creature staring at him from the blanketing darkness. Adrenaline pumped through him. His muscles tensed. The click of claws carried through the room, as the sewer dweller approached.

Yellow sallow flesh was pulled tight on the gaunt creature. Long sharp ears, and pointed teeth gave the impression of a failed vampire. Too long arms rippled with corded wiry muscles. Huge clawed hands, like a fan of daggers twitched in anticipation as it drew closer to Fritz. The creature was completely naked. A rictus grin pulled its thin lips upwards. Rows and rows of stark, white, sharp teeth glistened with anticipatory saliva. Fritz gripped the dagger. A grimace of determination spread through him, as he beheld the monster.

"Undead, creature. Stop. Come no further." Fritz threatened. His gaze locked onto the ghoul, as it stopped before him. Its long blade-like claws sat perfectly still, as the creature regarded him with a twisted grin.

"Ah, he speaks. Usually, your kind just screams. How fortuitous! Truly I am blessed this day!"

"Can't imagine why." Fritz replied awkwardly. The ghoul leaned forward into a deep bow, pressing its large right hand onto where its heart would be.

"Human male, my name is Gaston. Proprietor of this fine eating hall. Leader of the eternally starving!" Straightening its back, the creature stretched its arms wide as he looked around the room.

"I'm afraid I'm not hungry." Fritz retorted.

"Ah, but I am. Painfully so."

"Whatever you're thinking, stop. I'm not interested."

"But do you know what I am thinking?" The ghoul asked. "Do you know what I desire?" The ghoul waited a moment, testing to see if Fritz would answer. Fritz turned his head around. The faint blue light reflected against more eyes within the dark of the room. More monsters awaited him. He cursed, as his head shot around. One was directly behind him, slowly approaching. "No, you don't know. You are not a gourmand. You do not appreciate your own desires like us. You cannot appreciate how deep my hunger growls. It twists and gnaws like a dagger through me each and every moment. And my friends! How they suffer too! You do not appreciate our hunger. You cannot comprehend how we suffer so!"

"So what?" Fritz asked, as he slowly shuffled towards a column. Gaston watched him intently. A long pointed tongue whipped between his teeth, coating the sharpened incisors with fresh spit.

"No, you don't appreciate it. But I could appreciate you." Gaston breathed in deeply. "Your liver. Still recovering from last night's drinking. Oh what a delicacy. Years of drinking wine has scarred it. Yet you are still healthy. It wouldn't be the most pure, but it would be a delicacy to share in my eating hall. Your heart, quivering like a rabbit, suffused with adrenaline! Oh, how your blood full of stress would season it to perfection! Your wide fearful eyes, so tender and juicy! They would be the perfect morsel to decorate this feast."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The ghoul took a step forward, Fritz tensed up.

"I'll kill you. Stand aside!"

"Ha! Never! Not before I get a taste." Gaston sniffed the air again. "Your brain, so filled with knowledge and hidden mysteries. Wouldn't it be a delight to pop your skull open and scoop out your secrets with my little finger." The ghoul pointed its index finger towards Fritz. Mimic a scooping motion, the ghoul brought his finger towards its mouth.

"Enough!" Fritz shouted. "Let me pass, and I'll let you live!" Gaston let out a sigh.

"You are correct, my dear meal. Enough! I am only torturing myself! I swore to capture you unharmed! I cannot sup upon your flesh! Yet here I am getting excited! My teeth are all a quiver. Can you hear my gnashing? Can you see how my tongue flicks searching for a meager taste! I have only myself to blame!" The ghoul pouted in a mockery of human emotion.

A burst of speed caught Fritz off guard. The long blade-like claws made way for Fritz's wrist. With a slight flick the ghoul raked its claws disarming Fritz. Blood pooled onto the sewer floor. Clicking claws trampled with excitement, as the rich smell of iron permeated the room. A dagger like claw pushed ever so softly against Fritz's jugular. Razor sharp keratin pressed into his vein. Surging, quick desperate blood pumped around the obstruction, as the nail drew the faint blood. Dripping crimson wormed it's way down towards Fritz's chest.

"Resist. Give me an excuse to taste more." Gaston threatened. Fritz blinked, as he tried to master his thoughts. The ghoul leaned in closer. Its breath smelled like a charnel house. Leaning into Fritz's chest, Gaston breathed in deeply inhaling Fritz's scent.

"You smell wonderful! Brothers! Hold me back! Don't let me take it too far!" Clattering claws approached closer. Another ghoul appeared behind Gaston ready to intervene.

"Let me...." Fritz stammered out.

"Yes. Speak up, my dear morsel."

"Let me go!"

"Never. Not while the young lady requests your capture." Thinking on his feet, Fritz did his best to buy some time. His mind churned as it search for his salvation. Could he reuse Project SKUNK? No probably not. The creatures lived in a sewer. Could he use fire? No. The sewer gases might explode killing everyone. Could he use a chemical deterrent? But what? There were no guarantees it might affect a ghoul the same way as a human. Escape was paramount, but first he needed to create some distance from the ghoul. His claws would kill Fritz before he could conjure anything if he didn't get away. Seizing upon a half-baked plan Fritz acted.

"Let me clean the wound at least! I don't want it to get infected! What if I were to die beforehand?! Wouldn't she think you've killed me?" Fritz yelped.

"The living are so fragile." Gaston sighed.

"Exactly! I'm very fragile. Such a wound in a sewer! It's a wonder I haven't gone into septic shock immediately and died on the spot."

"But...." Gaston said slowly. A series of guttural growls from the other two ghouls caused Gaston to ease his grip.

"As you wish, but first." Gaston, grabbed his wrist, and shoved his face towards the wounds. His long tongue ran over the wound. The gourmand ghoul moaned in ecstasy as his tongue lapped up all of Fritz's blood. His long sharp teeth nibbled like a lover's caress over Fritz's arm.

"Exquisite! I see why the young lady desires you so! Such a shame! Maybe, I could have a taste? A finger maybe? The eyes? So juicy and tender! Surely you do not need those anymore?" A guttural growl from behind Gaston returned him back to reality. "Of course not Leonard! I haven't forgotten! I would never! I am a creature of honor! I would never! Never! My hunger does not control me! I have transcended! I have transcended! I am its master! It doesn't control me!"

"Thank you! Truly you are a gentleman." Fritz said excitedly, as the ghoul let go of his wrist.

Fritz reached down into his pocket. Finding his core to pull upon his mana was difficult. He felt the pressure on his jugular lessen as he closed his eyes. He needed a miracle. He needed to go beyond his fighting capabilities. He needed something to level the playing field. A brief image of his salvation crossed his mind's eye. A rush of mana left him, as he withdrew an iron flask.

"So thirsty. I need a drink first. Haha. Calm the nerves, before I start cleaning." Fritz said with an awkward laugh. Gaston withdrew his clawed hand from his neck, as he waited. Uncorking the flask with his teeth, Fritz looked behind him. Another ghoul had approached, but lingered a little way aways. Fritz took a small tentative sip from the flask. The distinct, perfectly, pure water touched his tongue. The holy tingling energy of the water filled him. Fritz drank deeply from the flask, savoring the feeling of the holy water. Gaston seemed to frown as Fritz's cheeks puffed out.

"What are you-?" Gaston tried to ask. Fritz spat out the holy water in a vicious spray. The ghoul was immediately covered in the holy water. Gaston wailed in pain. Its large claws reflexively shot up to protect its face.

Behind Gaston, the other ghoul was moving to attack. Throwing the flask, he let the water splash onto the other ghoul. It hit the creature's side, causing it to drop to the ground. It screamed in pain as it's flesh began to melt. The ghoul behind Fritz, was moving now. It maneuvered behind a pillar, as it repositioned for an attack. Drawing on his power again, Fritz summoned another flask, as the other ghoul pounced on him. Throwing the flask towards the ghoul. The water splashed onto the ghoul. The ghoul crumpled onto the ground in pain. It's acrid burning flesh sizzled like burning meat.

Wasting no time, Fritz conjured a set of expanding slime, he threw the slime onto the ghoul. The spasming creature struggled like a desperate worm. The unearthly screams of pain, mixed with its large claws desperately scraping against the stone floor and supporting columns.

"Brothers! Brothers! Tell me you live!" Gaston cried out.

Turning back towards his other opponents, Fritz caught the glint of claws arcing towards his face. Ducking at the last minute, Fritz conjured a small hatchet instantly in his free hand. A savage hack to the ghoul felled the creature to the floor. Yelping in pain, it slashed with wild abandon trying to hit Fritz. Jumping back, Fritz reared back before throwing the hatchet. The modern steel sank easily into the creature's head. It's sinewy muscles seized before falling slack.

"Brothers!' Gaston cried out. "Wretched human! I shall feast upon your heart!"

Clicking claws were fast approaching Fritz's position. The melted face of the gourmand ghoul rocketed towards Fritz in the faint light. Gaston's skin barely clung to his skull. His destroyed eyes hung limply from their optical nerves. Fritz seized with fear as he watched the ghoul charge towards him. Gaston's pointed teeth gnashed in anticipation. Its claws flexed with power. Without its sight the ghoul slammed into the column next to Fritz. Quickly seizing upon his chance, Fritz conjured a final flask of holy water. Standing slightly out of reach, Fritz started splashing the undead creature until its flesh fused with the stone floor of the sewers.

"Die! Die! Die!" Fritz chanted like a madman.