Chapter 24: The Breaking Point

Bang!

The door slammed open, smashing into the chem-hound and sending it sprawling onto its side as Claggor charged through. Orion followed closely behind, the others sprinting past in a blur of motion.

Click-BANG

A deafening gunshot echoed through the chamber, followed by a sickening thud as the hound's head hit the stone floor. Powder let out a terrified shriek with Mylo's panicked voice ringing out, "Go go go!"

Horrifying, gurgled wails tore through the air. Bloodshot eyes blazed with rage as it limply dragged itself upright. Loose scraps of metal clattered across the floor, adding to the chaos of the moment. Its movements were jagged and unnatural, like a contortionist manipulating its limbs in an eerie dance.

With terrifying speed, it lunged toward Orion, its grotesque, rotten teeth gnashing and snapping at empty air, driven by unrelenting fury to rip out his throat. 

Orion slammed the butt of his pistol into the creature's temple, feeling its unnatural flesh and bone crunch under the force. The blow stunned it briefly, but it didn't stop the charge.

Deformed fingers clawed and dug into his arms as they both slammed into the ground. The creature landed on top, forcing a pained cry from Orion.

For a moment, the ghoul's bloodshot eyes locked with his, bloodlust radiating from its unblinking stare. Without hesitation, it resumed its frenzied attacks, snapping its jagged teeth toward his throat. Its fingernails clawed painfully into his arms, forcing him to drop the gun.

Gritting his teeth, Orion shoved a hand over the ghoul's eyes, channeling magic through the pain. Specks of blood and murky water sprayed out as the creature's claws dug into his skin. The creature thrashed violently, its gnashing jaws snapping blindly in search of its prey. Suddenly, a bright flash of blue light erupted from Orion's palm.

Wails of pain erupted from the ghoul as its body convulsed backward, its nails digging into its face, as if desperately trying to remove the light. Orion panted, relief flooding him as the gamble paid off. Bright light, he thought, was still a weakness of any creature that lives in darkness.

A wet, gurgling rasp echoed through the room as the ghoul hit the ground. Orion scrambled to his feet, scanning the floor frantically until his eyes landed on a jagged, one-inch thick metal rod, which he snatched up without hesitation.

By the time the creature regained its composure, Orion was already standing above it.

Crack

A sickening crack silenced the wailing of the creature, followed by deafening silence.

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Heightened gasps and wide eyed stares fixated on shadows as the gang sprinted out of the Old Hungry. Once outside, they slowed to a halt, each one glancing back, waiting for a figure that never emerged.

Powder whimpered, her teary eyes pleading, "Are we leaving him behind?"

"W-We have to help him!" Vi's voice wavered, filled with emotion. A rare sight for the gang- to see her faltering so openly between guilt and fear. 

Moments like this brought them together. Claggor stepped forward, speaking out confidently, "Yeah, he's one of us now!" He shot a glance at Mylo, whose look of disbelief softened to a knowing smirk, "You bet. Who else can argue with Vi and live?"

Vi breathed relieved chuckles through emotional breaths, wiping her own tears that were beginning to form. Even Powder was at Vi's side with small eyes of shining determination as she clutched her hand.

Then, as if in answer, a sharp cry of pain echoed out from the dark entryway, freezing them all in place.

"Come on, let's kick its a-" Vi's words faded slowly. A shadowy figure emerged from the dark smog, its towering presence making them all pause.

A low, familiar gruff voice cut through the silence like a beast's snarl. "We'll talk when we get back."

"Vander, I can explai-" Vi started, her voice trembling, but quickly fell silent as she realized her words were falling on deaf ears.

Vander's eyes were sharp, his jaw clenched, and broad shoulders tense with controlled anger. He strode straight past them toward the entryway without a further word or glance.

The gang exchanged troubled glances. Claggor and Mylo shifted nervously, knowing they were in trouble. Powder clutched more tightly onto Vi, who swallowed hard as she felt her heart sinking.

Regardless of whatever Vander might say, Vi broke into step after Vander after he was several paces ahead. Her eyes held clear resolution, despite the anger she might instill further.

The rest of the group hesitated for a moment before following. They still wanted to help Orion, but a flicker of shared curiosity pulled them further, eager to witness Vander destroy the creature.

Vander came to an abrupt halt just beyond the doorway, his massive figure expanding as he sucked in air, eyes widening to reflect visible shock.

Vi, following closest behind, tensed immediately. She had never seen Vander falter like this. Her gaze darted to the scene ahead and she froze, her expression shifting into an even mix of shock and horror. The rest of the gang, trailing behind her, mirrored the same stunned reaction.

For Vi and Powder, it was as if the bridge scene had come to life again. A shadowy figure loomed over a writhing corpse, jagged metal rod raised high before slamming it down with tremendous force. The sickening crunch of bones, accompanied by a wet impact, reverberated through the chamber.

Blood of various hues sprayed across metallic surfaces, pooling in distorted colors in the chemical puddles below. The overwhelming scent of blood, rust, and death mingled grotesquely with the scene, cementing itself into the minds of those watching.

The shadowy figure panted heavily, slowly straightening as it turned to face them. Clothes tattered and torn, with blood seeping from multiple lacerations across his arms and body, Orion's gaze lifted slowly.

Equal shock entered his expression upon seeing Vander and the gang standing frozen in the doorway. Still, Orion exhaled sharply with relief, a wry smile crossing his face as realization dawned on him.

"Ah, so that's how they escaped," he muttered with a tinge of exhausted amusement.