The chamber descended into chaos as the crab monster lunged forward, its massive claws snapping with bone-crushing force. The creature’s beady eyes gleamed with a murderous intensity, locking onto the group as it barreled toward them, each step shaking the ground beneath their feet.


    “Spread out!” Elektra barked, lightning crackling at her fingertips. She raised her hands, readying an attack, but Zabo’s voice cut through the cacophony.


    “Wait!” he shouted, his eyes darting around the chamber. “It’s a corridor!”


    “What?” Sabir panted, dodging a falling shard of rock dislodged by the monster’s thrashing claws.


    Zabo pointed toward the narrowing passage behind them. “If we keep moving, the corridor gets smaller. That thing won’t fit!”


    Elektra hesitated, her charged energy casting sharp shadows on the walls. The air around her sizzled with energy, her power begging for release. But she saw the logic in Zabo’s words. With a growl of frustration, she let the lightning fizzle out. “Fine,” she snapped. “Everyone, move! Now!”


    Sabir, still catching his breath, stumbled to his feet as the group sprang into action. Rudiger, clutching his bleeding arm, staggered forward with grim determination, his jaw clenched against the pain. Saliba followed close behind, his face pale and slick with sweat, eyes wide in terror.


    “Keep moving!” Elektra yelled, glancing over her shoulder as the crab monster closed in, its grotesque bulk crashing against the narrowing walls of the corridor. The beast’s claws scraped along the stone, sparks flying as it forced its way forward with relentless fury.


    The group picked up their pace, feet pounding against the uneven floor. Sabir’s lungs burned, his body screaming for rest, but he pushed on, driven by sheer survival instinct. Every few steps, he risked a glance back, heart hammering as the monster gained on them, undeterred by the tightening space.


    Rudiger grunted with each stride, blood trailing behind him. Saliba was on the verge of hysteria, muttering to himself, “We’re going to die, we’re going to die,” as he faltered forward. Elektra stayed at the rear, her eyes flicking between the group and the encroaching threat, ready to defend them if necessary.


    They reached a section of the corridor where the walls pressed in sharply, narrowing to a space barely wide enough for a human to pass through. Zabo stopped and turned, his eyes fixed on the monster.


    “This is it!” he shouted. “It can’t follow us any further!”


    The crab monster, undeterred, lunged forward, its massive body crashing into the constricting walls. The impact sent a tremor through the passage, and the beast let out a guttural roar as it tried to force its way through. But the walls held firm, trapping it in place.


    For a moment, there was silence, save for the monster’s labored breathing and the distant drip of water. Then, with a final, desperate thrust, the creature hurled itself forward, only to slam headfirst into the unyielding stone. The resounding crack echoed through the corridor, and the crab collapsed in a heap, its bulk blocking the passageway.


    The group stood frozen, staring at the motionless beast. Its legs twitched faintly, but it remained otherwise still.


    Sabir doubled over, gasping for air. His legs trembled, threatening to give out beneath him. “Finally,” he muttered between breaths. “It’s… down.”


    Zabo leaned against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow. “I hate monsters,” he said, shaking his head.


    Maize, still catching her breath, looked back at the creature. Her eyes softened, and she sighed. “It’s a beautiful, misunderstood creature,” she murmured.


    Zabo snorted, gesturing toward the unconscious beast. “Then step out there. I dare you.”


    Maize glanced at the doorway, her gaze lingering on the crab as it stirred. Its claws twitched, and a low groan rumbled from its chest. She took a step back, crossing her arms. “Hmm… I think I’m better off here.”


    Rudiger leaned heavily against the wall, his face pale and drawn. Blood still trickled from the ragged stump of his arm, painting the stone red. Saliba’s panicked eyes darted to the wound, his hands trembling.


    “Rudiger, you’re going to die!” Saliba cried, his voice cracking. “We have to do something!”


    Rudiger gritted his teeth, his expression hard. “Stop panicking,” he snapped. He raised his remaining hand, summoning a faint, icy glow. With a grunt of effort, he pressed his palm against the stump, and a layer of frost spread over the wound, sealing it. The blood flow stopped, and the air grew colder.


    “Better.” Rudiger muttered, flexing his fingers. “If I were like my siblings, I could’ve grown a whole new arm.” He spat the words bitterly, leaning his head back against the wall.


    Sabir sank to the floor, his body aching with exhaustion. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and his throat burned with thirst. Every muscle screamed for rest, but he knew they couldn’t afford to stop. Not yet. He closed his eyes, trying to will himself into action.


    Elektra, still standing, glared at the group. “Get up,” she ordered, her tone sharp. “We need to keep moving.”


    Warren slumped against the wall, raised his head. “Everyone’s tired,” he said, his voice weary. “We’re safe here. Let’s rest, just for a little while.”


    Elektra’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She stepped toward Warren, her presence radiating authority. “You dare question me?” she asked, her voice low and threatening.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Warren held her gaze but said nothing, his exhaustion evident.


    Elektra turned her attention to Maize and Rudiger, her expression hard. “You two are leaders alongside me,” she said. “What’s your call?”


    Rudiger glanced down at his iced-over stump, his face grim. “We should rest,” he said. “I’m no good to anyone like this.”


    All eyes turned to Maize. Zabo’s pleading gaze met hers, and Warren looked at her with desperation. Maize hesitated, her brow furrowed in thought.


    Warren spoke again, his voice softer this time. “Please, Maize.”


    She looked at him for a long moment, then smiled, a light laugh escaping her lips. “Okay, fine,” she said. “We’ll rest here.” She sat down beside Elektra, but from the corner of her eye, she kept staring at Warren.


    The tension eased slightly, and the rest of the group slumped against the walls, their breaths still heavy. The corridor was quiet now, save for the faint, rhythmic breathing of the crab monster. For the moment, they were safe.


    Within the small space, the air was thick and damp, clinging to their skin as Sabir, Zabo, and Warren leaned against the cold stone walls of the narrow corridor. Sabir sat sandwiched between the two, his head tilted back as he tried to catch his breath. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows across their exhausted faces.


    “I don’t get it,” Sabir muttered, his voice barely audible over the distant dripping of water. “I was stronger when we first got here. Now… it feels like I’m running on fumes.”


    Zabo glanced at him, his expression pensive. “It’s not surprising. Whatever you’ve got, it’s not an Aurasphere. It’s similar, but… off. Your body might not know how to sustain it properly.”


    Warren frowned. “What does that mean? He can’t use aura like you?”


    “Not exactly,” Zabo replied, scratching his chin. “He’s using something akin to aura, but he doesn’t seem to have a way to replenish it. He might need to try cultivation.”


    Sabir sat up straighter, intrigued. “Cultivation? What’s that?”


    Zabo smirked, leaning against the wall. “Remember that time I meditated, and my injuries healed faster than they should’ve? That’s cultivation. It’s a way to increase the amount of aura your body can hold and improve your control over it.”


    Sabir’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “How do I do it?”


    Zabo’s smirk faded, replaced by a cautious look. “I can’t teach you. My master would kill me and kick me out. Like this guy who joined The Triads, Rafael Mendoza, you’ve probably heard of him.”


    Warren, who had been listening intently, raised an eyebrow. “Kick you out of where? And did you say Mendoza? Like the noble killer. I’d hear bedtime stories about. Be well-behaved or he’d come for me.”


    At the mention of Mendoza, Sabir’s thoughts drifted to the name. Mendoza—the old man loyal to the Triads, a swordsman with a deadly reputation. The pieces fit together, but before he could say anything, Zabo cut in.


    “That’s none of your business,” Zabo said sharply, then turned back to Sabir. “As for Mendoza, he’s my master’s enemy. That makes him mine, too. I’d love to take him down someday.”


    Sabir nodded slowly. Without a way to cultivate, he was stuck. He could feel a faint trickle of aura still coursing through his body, but it was like a dwindling candle flame—flickering and uncertain. How long it would last, he didn’t know.


    “When I fought that crab,” Sabir said, his voice low, “I could barely keep up.”


    Zabo sighed. “You’re not the only one holding back. My Aurasphere is small, too. If I go all out, I’ll be a sitting duck. No better than a dud.”


    The tension in the corridor was palpable, each of them lost in their thoughts. A deep, resonant thud, however, shattered the relative silence. The ground beneath them trembled.


    Everyone froze.


    The sound came again, louder this time, followed by a guttural, echoing groan.


    “Tell me that’s not what I think it is,” Warren whispered, his face paling.


    Zabo’s eyes widened as the thud turned into a rhythmic pounding. “It’s awake.”


    The crab monster reawakened with a vengeance, slamming its massive body against the corridor walls. Each impact sent shockwaves through the stone, and cracks began to spiderweb across the surface.


    “Run!” Elektra’s voice echoed from down the passage.


    The group scrambled to their feet and bolted, the sound of the crab’s relentless pursuit growing louder with each passing second. The corridor shook violently, and chunks of stone fell around them.


    Sabir’s heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted, his legs screaming in protest. The doorway was just ahead, their only chance of escape. But the crab was gaining on them, its monstrous claws tearing through the stone barrier.


    Rudiger lagged behind, his missing arm still piercing with pain. He knew the crab was closing in on him. If he did nothing, he’d die. Him, a noble dying. How preposterous. Seeing the group in front of him, he had an idea. A way to survive.


    From behind her grabbed both of Zabo’s shoulders, pulling him back and dropping him to the floor. Zabo didn’t react in time, he desperately tried to fight back.


    “No!” Zabo shouted, but Rudiger had already made his move. Ice erupted from his hand, encasing his feet and rooting him to the spot.


    “The porter will act as bait!” Rudiger yelled, his voice defiant. “Go, now!”


    Sabir watched while running. Anger flared within him, but there was no time to scream and shout. He needed to figure out a way to save his friend.


    Zabo struggled against the chains of ice, his aura flaring. He could feel the strain as he tried to break free, but the crab was closing in fast. Its eyes locked onto him, and for a moment, Zabo thought this might be the end.


    With a desperate cry, Zabo hurled his chain toward Sabir. “Pull me back!”


    Sabir caught the chain, his aura surging as he dug his heels into the ground. Gritting his teeth, he pulled with every ounce of strength he had left. The strain was immense, but slowly, inch by inch, Zabo was dragged back toward the group.


    The crab let out an ear-splitting screech, its massive claw swiping just inches from Zabo’s face as he was yanked free of the ice.


    “Move!” Elektra shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.


    They ran, the crab still on their heels, its relentless pursuit unwavering. The doorway loomed ahead, a narrow escape that promised safety—if they could reach it in time.


    Sabir’s mind raced as he saw the crab gaining once more. Without thinking, he grabbed Rudiger by the collar and shoved him backward toward the beast.


    “Sorry,” Sabir muttered under his breath. “You can be the bait instead.”


    Rudiger’s eyes widened in shock as he stumbled, falling into the crab’s path. The monster didn’t hesitate, its claws snapping shut around him. Rudiger let out a final, defiant yell before he was silenced, giving the group just enough time to dive through the doorway.


    The heavy stone door slammed shut behind them, sealing off the corridor and muffling the sounds of the crab’s rampage.


    The group collapsed on the other side, gasping for air. The weight of Sabir’s escape settled over him—he regretted nothing.


    For now, they were safe.