Melissa had extensive experience navigating the rugged terrain of the region, having spent countless days wandering in the mountains that loomed above the infamous dark labyrinth. It was a place she avoided at all costs ever since the day her friends had vanished. They hadn't perished or truly disappeared; rather, they had chosen to brave the shadows of the labyrinth, a decision Melissa could never bring herself to understand. Her heart ached with the memory of their laughter, the way they had explored the foothills together, full of life and curiosity.
After losing sight of them, Melissa sought refuge among the high peaks, far removed from the labyrinth's ominous entrance. The mountains, unlike the labyrinth, were familiar and provided her with a sense of safety, albeit surrounded by an ever-present sense of dread. She had spent years traversing their jagged cliffs and hidden valleys, mastering the secrets of their trails, and becoming attuned to the winds that whispered ancient tales of the past.
Still, Melissa couldn't shake the unease that came with knowing what lay below. The dark labyrinth was rumored to be filled with unimaginable horrors, twisting corridors, and creatures that defied logic and reason. She had heard stories from the few brave souls who dared to approach its depths, accounts of shadowy forms that lurked in the corners of perception and echoes that seemed almost alive. The inhabitants of the nearby villages told tales of explorers who had entered the labyrinth and never returned, their fates sealed by the dark unknown.
Despite her trepidation, Melissa felt an insatiable curiosity about what lay within those shadowy confines. She often wondered about the undiscovered creatures that might call the labyrinth home, beings that could hold the answers to the mysteries of her lost friends. Perhaps they had found secrets deeper than anyone could imagine, or perhaps they had encountered dangers that had consumed them.
Determined to find closure, Melissa knew that she couldn't remain on the outskirts forever. The inner conflict burned within her — the desire for safety and the yearning for truth. Every time she gazed into the valley where the labyrinth loomed, she felt a pull, a beckoning call that stirred her adventurous spirit. Would she possess the courage to descend into the depths of the dark labyrinth and unravel its mysteries? Only time would tell if she could face the darkness without losing herself in it, just as her friends seemed to have done.
At present, Melissa stood in the midst of a serene clearing, the evening twilight casting a gentle glow around her. As she focused her energy, she summoned one of the most remarkable artifacts known to her: the eternal lantern. This mythical object radiated a warm and comforting light, cutting through the encroaching darkness like a beacon of hope. Legends spoke of its origins, claiming it was a gift from the god of dawn, a divine entity who watched over wayward travelers, guiding them through perilous times when shadows threatened to consume their path.
As the lantern flickered to life, enveloping the area in a soft luminescence, Melissa felt a surge of gratitude for the power bestowed upon her. The light from the eternal lantern was not just beautiful; it was steadfast, unwavering, and always true to those who carried it. It was said that its glow never faded and that it never betrayed those who relied on it during their darkest hours. Many had found safety and guidance thanks to its light, and Melissa treasured it for the hope it represented.
Dylan had been observing the scene with wide eyes, captivated by the mysterious beauty of the lantern. His expression shifted from awe to exhilaration as the artifact illuminated the surroundings. "That shit looks awesome! Where did you buy it from? Is there some sort of service like Amazon for magical items?" His enthusiasm bubbled over, revealing a glimpse of the childlike wonder he often kept hidden.
Melissa chuckled softly at Dylan's jest. "No! But this was a holy divine artifact, gifted to me by the god of dawn during my explorations in the West." She remembered that fateful day, wandering through an ancient forest where she had stumbled upon a hidden grove, bathed in the first light of dawn. It felt like a dream, receiving such a remarkable gift from a deity.
Dylan's eyes widened even more, the thrill of possibility glinting in his gaze. "Oh wow, the god of dawn? This world is so much better than I thought! I wish I could get powers like you." He looked at her with a mix of admiration and envy, drawn to the idea of wielding such extraordinary abilities.
Melissa smiled, understanding the sentiment all too well. She had once been just like Dylan, yearning for the kinds of adventures and powers that she now possessed. "Every artifact, including the eternal lantern, comes with its own responsibilities and challenges," she reminded him gently. "It's not just power; it's about using it wisely and with purpose."
Dylan nodded, absorbing her words. "I guess that makes sense. But still, having something like that would be incredible! Just imagine all the adventures we could have!" His imagination ran wild, painting visions of quests and battles against dark forces, fueled by the light of the eternal lantern.
Melissa's heart warmed at the thought. "Maybe one day you will have your own journey, Dylan. The world is vast and full of wonders waiting to be discovered. All you need is a little courage and the willingness to venture into the unknown." With the lantern casting its brilliant light around them, the future felt bright and full of promise, both for Melissa and for her aspiring companion.
Dylan barely had time to process Melissa's warning before reality itself seemed to tear open. A sickly green glow pulsed through the darkness, illuminating a nightmare made flesh. The creature stood nearly eight feet tall, its emaciated frame covered in glistening black chitin that reflected the eerie light like an oil slick. Three elongated fingers ended in barbed claws that dripped with some unknown venom, and its face... God, its face was just a gaping maw lined with rows of rotating teeth, like some hellish industrial shredder.
"Okay, what fresh hell is this?" Dylan quipped, instinctively backing up. "Did we accidentally wander into a Ridley Scott movie or—"
The alien blinked out of existence.
A split second later, the air behind Melissa rippled.
"Behind you!" Dylan shouted, but it was too late. The creature's spindly arm lashed out like a whip, aimed straight for Melissa's spine.
Somehow, through sheer instinct, Melissa twisted at the last possible moment. The claws missed her heart but still grazed her shoulder, sending dark blood splattering across the dead leaves underfoot. The creature's bulbous head snapped forward with unnatural speed, slamming into her temple with a sickening crack.
Melissa went down hard, her body crumpling into a thorny thicket.
"Shit! Melissa!" Dylan took a step forward, but the alien's head swiveled toward him with mechanical precision. All three of its glowing green eyes locked onto him, pupils contracting like a camera lens focusing.
"Uh... nice alien?" Dylan tried, raising his hands in what he hoped was a universal gesture of peace. "Listen, I'm sure we can talk this—"
The creature teleported again, appearing so close Dylan could smell the rancid meat stench of its breath.
"—out. Oh fuck me."
Dylan barely managed to duck as a clawed hand swiped where his head had been. He stumbled backward, tripping over a root. "Okay, new plan! MELISSA, A LITTLE HELP HERE?"
From the bushes, Melissa groaned, clutching her bleeding temple. "Stop... yelling... and distract it!"
"DISTRACT IT? WITH WHAT, MY WINNING PERSONALITY?"
The alien lunged again. Dylan rolled to the side, feeling the whoosh of air as those claws barely missed his face. He came up in a crouch, heart hammering. "Alright, you ugly bastard. Let's dance."
For a brief, insane moment, Dylan actually thought he could take it. He raised his fists like a boxer, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Come on, you overgrown prawn! Let's see what you've—"
Melissa's boot suddenly connected with the back of his knees, dropping him to the ground just as the alien's claws sliced through the air where his neck had been.
"YOU IDIOT!" Melissa snarled, her left eye already swelling shut from the earlier hit. Blood trickled from her nose. "This isn't a fucking Marvel movie! Stop trying to punch it!"
Dylan opened his mouth to retort, but the alien chose that moment to teleport directly behind Melissa.
"Melissa, look out—!"
Too late.
The creature's fist connected with the side of her face with a wet thud. Melissa's head snapped to the side, blood and saliva flying from her mouth as she spun like a ragdoll before crashing into a tree.
Dylan's blood ran cold. "Oh... shit."
The alien didn't even glance at Melissa's limp form. All three eyes locked onto Dylan, its maw stretching into what might have been a smile.
"Yeah, that's... that's not good."
Dylan did the only sensible thing.
He ran.
Branches whipped at his face as he crashed through the undergrowth, the alien's eerie green glow flickering behind him like a deranged strobe light. His lungs burned, his legs screamed, but he didn't dare stop.
"Holy shit holy shit holy shit—" Dylan gasped as he ran. "What in the actual fuck is that thing? How is it so fast? Why does it hate me so much? Did I kick its dog in a past life or—"
His foot caught on something—a root, a vine, maybe even a bone—and suddenly Dylan was airborne.
Time seemed to slow as he realized two things:
He was falling face-first into pitch blackness. That green glow was getting brighter.
Dylan hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs. Gasping, he rolled onto his back just in time to see the alien materialize out of the darkness, its claws raised for the killing blow.
For the first time since this nightmare began, real fear lanced through Dylan's chest.
The creature's arm came down—
And then the world exploded in blood.