chapter 52

(more chapters ahead in PATREON)

A dense black fog spilled from beneath Doom Castle, stretching its shadowy tendrils toward the distant mountains. Once-clear outlines were now shrouded in a dreamlike haze.

"It's just like the prophecy," Adrian muttered under his breath, clutching the Book of Death tightly. He remembered Ash Williams' forewarning—the army of darkness would rise.

"Matt! What's happening?!" shouted the American Captain as he turned, only to find Daredevil's limp arm being dragged into the mist. What remained was a puddle of foul, murky blood.

Storm, still trembling, pointed a shaky finger. "I saw it…hands…so many hands…they dragged him away!"

The Captain raised his shield, rallying the others. "Form up! Defensive positions now!"

Out of the mist emerged the shapes of countless undead. Their pale faces and cold red eyes gleamed with malicious intent. Shredded robes hung loosely on their decayed bodies, fluttering like ghostly banners in the unnatural breeze.

"These abominations are doing!" barked the Captain. "Take them down!"

With a roar, he hurled his shield. It sliced through a line of undead, shattering them into brittle pieces that crumbled to the ground. He smirked, satisfied with his display of dominance. "They're weak!"

But his confidence faltered as an overwhelming horde poured out of the black fog, moving like a relentless tide. The undead swarmed the zombie formation, forcing even the most seasoned warriors to step back.

"We can't let these walking corpses stop us!" the Captain bellowed. "Charge! There's fresh meat inside that fortress!"

While the Captain led the attack, a black figure slithered through the chaos, its claws gleaming. It ensnared groups of undead with a sticky, shadowy substance, ripping them apart effortlessly.

Gambit flung card after card, their explosions lighting up the battlefield, but the diminishing stack in his hand betrayed his growing desperation.

Sunspot's blazing form incinerated the undead around him, turning them to ash in fiery bursts. "There's too many!" he shouted. Despite his devastating power, the horde seemed endless.

---

Inside the castle, Adrian observed the scene from a high window, the Book of Death grinning grotesquely in his hands.

"Quite the spectacle, isn't it?" the Book taunted, its crimson eyes narrowing with delight. "All those zombie heroes out there, fighting so valiantly, yet they're merely pawns in the grand design."

Adrian glanced at the undead horde below. "These creatures are numerous, but their strength is pathetic. They can barely hold off the zombies."

"Ah, but quantity has a quality all its own," the Book purred. "You'll take me with you when you leave this doomed place, won't you?"

"Don't count on it," Adrian replied coldly.

The Book laughed, its sinister voice echoing in Adrian's mind. "Careful now, human. The lines between ally and enemy blur quickly in a place like this."

---

Outside the castle, the hulking Red Tank approached the main gate. His massive frame cast a foreboding shadow as he lifted a steel boot and smashed it against the gate.

BOOM!

The doors flew inward with a deafening crash, sending debris flying. Dust and shattered stone filled the air.

"Ross!" the Red Tank roared, his voice booming through the castle. "You tricked me once, but not this time! I'll rip you apart before I eat you!"

Unaware that only Colossus and Luke Cage had followed him, the Red Tank stomped into the castle, his thirst for destruction blinding him to his surroundings.

Cage frowned as he glanced back at the gates. The black fog outside seemed almost alive, tendrils curling and writhing. "What's that out there?"

Colossus snorted, flipping over a long wooden table to check beneath it. "Who cares? If the others don't follow, that's their loss. Let's claim what's ours."

"Right," Cage muttered, though his unease lingered.

The trio advanced deeper into the castle. Before long, they arrived at a vast hall with three passageways stretching into darkness.

"Split up," the Red Tank said, his tone resolute. "That way, we'll triple our chances of finding fresh meat. No fighting over scraps, either."

Colossus grunted in agreement, heading down the left path. Cage took the right. The Red Tank charged boldly into the middle passage.

The hall fell silent, save for the soft crackle of dim green torches flickering on the walls.

---

Colossus stalked the shadowy corridor, his steps echoing. "Starving," he muttered, his hunger gnawing at him. Memories of his last feast resurfaced—a school filled with panicked students. Their screams, their futile resistance…it had been delicious.

A wicked grin stretched across his face as he licked his lips. "The last humans won't last long. Soon, even zombies will fight for scraps."

As he turned a corner, his glowing eyes fixed on a figure ahead. A man holding a gray book stood at the end of the hallway, staring back at him with wide, fearful eyes.

Colossus snarled, his voice low and menacing. "Don't run."

But the man bolted.

Colossus let out a guttural laugh, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground as he gave chase. "Run all you want, little morsel. You can't hide from me!"

Adrian sprinted, clutching the Book of Death, its taunts ringing in his ears.

"I deeply appreciate your support since the beginning of this exciting journey!

If you like my work and would like to support the continuation of this fanfic, consider becoming a PATREON member"

🛡️Ronin 🛡️

Visit our patreon for more chapters

https://patreon.com/Ronin550

Extra chapters already available