Nadine's heart lurched into her throat when she realized Myles was no longer behind them.
Her steps faltered and before she even thought, she turned to run back.
Victor's hand clamped around her wrist.
"What are you doing?" he hissed, pulling her back.
"I need to go back. Myles is alone there," Nadine said, her voice tight, refusing to meet Victor's eyes.
Victor hesitated. His chest felt heavy with guilt twisting deep inside him.
He didn't feel right leaving Myles to fight alone. It felt like betrayal. But the image of that grotesque monster carved itself into his mind and he realized that their makeshift weapons and stats were nothing against that thing.
Even if they tried they would only die. Myles's sacrifice would mean nothing.
"Myles is holding it back so we can live. He's going to be okay. He's strong, remember?" Victor forced the words out, though they felt hollow in his mouth.
Kade slowed, glancing between them while also feeling torn. His fists clenched as if he might run back too.
But then the memory of that distorted human face flashed before his eyes and the terror hollowed his resolve. His loyalty to Myles battled with the primal fear that froze his body.
"Listen," Victor hissed, his grip tightening. "Even if we wanted to help, we can't. You saw that monster. If we go back, we'll be dead in seconds!"
Nadine and Kade hesitated but Victor pulled them forward. His words cut through their hesitation.
He was right. Against that creature, they were powerless.
And If Myles truly had the strength to stand against it then their presence would only weigh him down and become a burden. Better to run so that they can survive.
Nadine's lips trembled, but she didn't argue. Kade lowered his head with shame flooding his face.
Slowly and reluctantly, they let Victor pull them forward again and they ran.
Behind them, sparks lit the night, followed by the clash of steel and the guttural growl of the monster.
The sounds echoed through the ruined city. All they could do was hoping Myles would survive.
—
BUAGH!
Myles's body smashed through a rusted trashcan, debris and filth scattering across the ground.
He staggered but rolled instantly, narrowly avoiding the monster's claw as it hit into the spot he had just been.
In the motion Myles was still able to flash his blade and carve a shallow line beneath the monster's arm.
The abomination snarled, blood dripping from its wound. Its distorted eyes locked on Myles.
"Who are you? How can you move that fast? No one has ever matched my speed and my strength before."
Myles tightened his grip on the Fangblade with sharp breath. He caught something in its voice. Not just rage but a twisted amusement.
"You think you're the only one changing?" Myles shot back, his tone steady despite the burn in his lungs.
The monster's mouth curled unnaturally wide, teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
"So the others change too, huh? Then tell me…" Its voice broke into a guttural growl. "…why am I the only one cursed to look this ugly? Why do I become this… thing, while you get powers while keeping your body?!"
Myles give a bitter smirk. "Maybe some things just don't change."
The sarcasm landed like a blade. The monster's roar shook the ruined street as it lunged forward again, fury radiating off its big body.
The monster bent his knees and launched itself into the sky.
Myles's eyes widened. He hadn't expected something that big to move like that.
His shadow crashed down on him. Instinct screamed and he dove sideways just as the creature's claw slammed into the pavement.
BOOM!
The concrete split apart and jagged cracks spreading like a spider's web beneath the impact. Dust and fragments blasted upward.
Myles landed hard, his breath ragged. A cold chill ran through his spine. "I can't beat this thing right now!"
He thrust out a hand and flames bursted from his palm. A blazing sphere streaked through the night and smashed against the monster's face.
"GRAAAAHHH!!!"
The abomination bellowed while clutching its burning skin, fury twisting its distorted face.
It charged through the smoke, its pounding footsteps like drums shaking the ruined street.
Dum. Dum. Dum.
Myles sprinted toward an overturned car then vaulting over its frame.
He spun mid-air, gathering his MP, and hurled two more fireballs at the car wreck.
The first ignited the metal. The second tore through it.
KA-BOOM!
The car exploded in a firestorm, the shockwave tearing across the street.
The blast swallowed the monster, flames roaring as twisted steel flew everywhere.
Myles didn't wait to see if the monster fell. He just ran.
"Fuck that monster. I can't win now but I will come back later!"
His eyes locked on familiar figures ahead—Nadine, Kade, and Victor were running with panic etched on their faces.
They didn't need words. The moment their gazes met they all turned together and bolted into the night, running as fast as their legs could carry them.
The monster charged to the last direction he saw Mylees running. But the flames still clung to his flesh and hurt him.
One of its eyes had been burned away in the blast so his vision was ruined.
He staggered with anger and swiped blindly, his guttural growl echoing through the ruins.
The beast slammed his fists into the cracked pavement, tearing chunks of concrete apart. A wall nearby crumbled under his rage as he roared into the empty street, furious that his prey had vanished.
—
Myles, Nadine, Victor, and Kade had already put distance between themselves and the monster.
"I think we lost him," Myles said, slowing just enough to glance over his shoulder. His senses stretched outward and he felt no sign of that thing closing in.
But relief never fully reached his voice. "We can't stop now. There are still monsters everywhere."
No one wasted breath replying. They run again.
The shattered silhouette of the campus building rose ahead.
As they approached, the group killed through the mutated humans and animals lurching from alleys and prowling the streets.
At last, they burst through the battered doors of the campus.
Victor slammed them shut and together they shoved debris against the entrance until the lock clicked into place.
—