Story 294: The Light of Hope

The fortress stood eerily silent, its halls lit only by the flickering glow of damaged overhead lights. Damien leaned heavily against a steel column, his breathing labored. Blood smeared his torn jacket, but his grip on the shotgun remained firm. Beside him, Mira steadied herself, her blade stained with the dark ichor of the mutated creatures.

"We can’t keep doing this," Mira said, her voice a mixture of exhaustion and determination. "The Shadow King is too strong. This enhancer serum only bought us time."

Damien wiped the sweat from his brow, his steel-gray eyes scanning the hallway. "We don’t need to beat him here. We just need to survive long enough to get to the core."

Mira frowned. "And blow ourselves up in the process? That’s a hell of a plan."

Before Damien could reply, a faint glow appeared at the far end of the corridor. It wasn’t the harsh red of the Shadow King or his horde—it was soft, warm, almost inviting.

“What now?” Damien muttered, raising his shotgun.