Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 8

With the door closed behind Etirn and me, my eyes get acclimated to the lower light of this decrepit hallway. I hear a crackling noise overhead. You hear me? Good. Etirn has an Escapipe. If you get hurt, DO NOT hesitate to use it. I don't want the feeding schedule messed up by a corpse. If you find any goodies in there, keep 'em. Proceed at your own discretion.

Well, Etirn, let's get started.

Let's. I see Etirn pull out his strange weapon, which swivels open, and watch him put a small object into it before closing it again. We take off running down the hallway. Rounding a corner, I notice a small pink monster. It runs off when it sees me, and proceed to chase it. I manage to keep pace, but Etirn starts to fall behind. Rather than slow down, I pour on the speed. Surely, this monster will lead us right to its creator, right?

I manage to corner it, but instead of finding the green one, I quickly get surrounded. I curse my overeager mistake. Dodging a strike from one, I slash at another, landing a blow that knocks it off balance, followed by another that cripples one of its legs. Indeed, I seem to be a natural with these claws. Caught gloating, another monster strikes me, pushing me into the wall. I quickly push back, swinging my arm in a wide arc to force a little distance. I uppercut the monster front and center, and deliver a swift kick to the one to my right. I fling the still flailing monster on my claw at the wall, and turn to block the last one's attack. A loud bang and a bright flash a short distance away, and suddenly the monster collapses. I notice a small hole in its back.

I can hear that toy from my desk, Etirn. I love it! I will admit, I'm impressed by his weapon, too.

Just remember, it's MY toy, Wynell! Etirn walked out of the darkness, putting another cartridge thing into his weapon. You good, Marika?

Just a scratch. I show Etirn my back.

Not even worth a bandage. These monsters are weak. C'mon, the big guy is usually at the bottom. We make our way into the deepest part of the Gauntlet, where the monster makers are. I notice one is broken, but the other five are holding strange organic...things.

Welcome to the breeding room. That broken one was behind the original outbreak in the basement here, but we know how to control when the critters hatch now, so we can make as many as we need.

I found myself mesmerized by the machines, but I sense Etirn tense up behind me. I look, and sure enough, a massive green creature starts approaching us.

Uh, Marika, is now a good time to be mad? I laugh at Etirn's nervous comment, and charge the creature. It shoots some small pink things out of its mouth at me and launches a pink monster out its side. I dive under the projectiles and slice up the pink creature. The green one releases one more pink and attacks me again. This time, I'm hit in the arm, so I roll away. Etirn uses his weapon to finish off the creature I started on, and I charge once more to try to take out the boss. It attacks me again, but this time, I anticipate and parry the projectiles with my claws. As Etirn reloads his weapon, I unleash a frenzy of blows upon the massive enemy. Finishing off my combo, Etirn kills the last pink creature, and I yell out as I drive my left claw as far into the creature as I can. Surprisingly, the Igglanova falls to the ground as I pull back. Etirn speaks up, Holy shit, Marika!

Light, do I really have this kind of strength within me? I wipe off my claws with the cloth they were in.

Just like Wynell said, an animal unleashed....

More crackling. Good job, guys. Head on back to the entrance, the test is over. We return to Instructor Wynell, my head spinning with questions on how a girl like myself could possibly be this strong without any practice.

Next chapter

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