NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: The Battle Within
Before them stood an awful monster, a freak of shadows and wickedness, which with its glowing eyes resembled a conquering force of burnt embers in the twilight of the broad chamber. Its body twisted with contortions as it slithered on the ground, pulling behind rope-thin, black, sinewy strands. It was sheer monstrosity of pure nightmare, a manifestation of purest darkness growling in a voice that sounded like a thousand whispers.
Liam, now stuck in the body of Clara, could hardly seem to hide the rising panic within him. The maddening pace of his heartbeat within his chest was a reminder that this body felt quite unfamiliar. Every moving limb, every out-size hand, and everything seemed wrong. Fighting wasn't an option for him in this body. Not with Clara's body, not without his own strength, his own instincts.
Same held true for Clara, currently occupying Liam's body. Every muscle in Liam's body seemed much bigger and much stronger but foreign as ever. She found it hard to get accustomed to the power surging through her like trying to walk in oversized shoes.
"Focus," Clara's voice echoed inside Liam's mind. "We need to fight. Together."
And with that, Liam nodded, gripping the sword in Clara's hands. It feels a little too light for him, weaponry foreign in his grasp. Trials to balance as he co-ordinated movements were girded because of the pressure of the battle against him. He had to make it work.
The monster snarled and lunged, claws outstretched toward them at terrifying speed. Clara, battling against Liam's strength, dodged instinctively, but it was quicker than her. It struck out at her and she narrowly twisted away, its claws raking across her shoulder.
With no time to lose, Clara rushed forward and swung Liam's sword with every bit of strength she possessed. It struck hard, but the creature was far from finished. Hissing furiously, it twisted its huge body and struck Clara backward.
Liam, terrified but still in the mad scramble to protect Clara, reached for the bow slung over her back. He nocked an arrow and released it, watching it arc gracefully through the air toward the beast. The arrow buried itself into the hide of the creature's side. It howled in fury, twisting in agony as it thrashed.
Just for a moment, she seized an opportunity. Again propelled by Liam's strength, she thrust herself in another attempt, in a direction now aimed straight at the beast's head. The sword burrowed into its skull but the creature remained, its struggles fierce.
Then finally desperate, again thrust a sword into the creature's chest with Liam. A booming roar erupted from the monster as it thrashed wildly before collapsing into a heap of writhing shadows. The shadows dissolved within themselves and disintegrated with the air to vanish into nothingness.
It remained quiet for a long period.
The battle is over. The creature no longer exists.
But the moment its last form began to shrink away, something very odd happened. A strong tugging was suddenly felt by both Liam and Clara the instant the beast was defeated; an undercurrent of energy surging within them both-almost as though everything within them shifted suddenly. Before they could even process what was occurring, it felt as if their souls have been pulled toward their rightful bodies.
As Liam gasped, such snapping sound filled the air. The junior artist then felt like the power of his hands was returning back to him. Everything came back-the familiar weight of an arm, the feeling of having strength. Vision sharpened itself for his form to return into his own shape. He looked at Clara, whose body was regaining an original state as well. She showed relief on her face when finally her soul returned to her body.
"I'm back!" Liam said and looked at both hands feeling that wonderful relief.
Clara's eyes twinkled with a light of relief; finally, she said, voice steady, flexing her fingers, "It feels so good to be me again."
The two heaved still more heavy breaths for themselves, as they looked around their twilight at the dying remnants of battle.
But for them, the victory was more than the common destruction of the creature. It was the bond they had forged in between the obstacles—fighting through together, switching places, even learning to trust each other through disorientation.
Serious was the look on Liam's face while he turned to Clara. "Without each other, we couldn't have done it. I wouldn't be here without you."
A tired smile crossed Clara's face. "Yeah. It's going to get worse. We better be ready. More challenges coming."
They both turned toward the next stage, knowing that the worst was yet to come but feeling stronger than before. They had faced the unknown and survived, their bond now deeper than ever.
And with that, they shifted into the next chapter of their journey.
To be continue...