Beyond the gate lies the ultimate Treasure

Chapter 12: The Unyielding Storm

The battlefield was chaos incarnate. Blood soaked the earth, pooling so deeply that every step splashed as though they were trudging through a crimson swamp. The bodies of countless monsters lay strewn across the ground, their grotesque forms twisted and broken. Denver and his friends had been fighting for six hours straight, and the toll was evident.

Denver's dagger was slick with gore, his arm trembling as he raised it again to stab a charging beast. He felt the blade sink into its eye, the creature letting out a guttural howl before collapsing. He yanked the weapon free, stumbling as exhaustion weighed down his every movement. His vision blurred, black spots dancing in the corners of his eyes.

Denver (hoarse, panting): "We can't... stop... not yet."

Nearby, Priyanshu swung his sword in wide arcs, cleaving through anything that got too close. His face was smeared with blood and sweat, his breathing ragged. He stood protectively over Sam, who was still unconscious, her pale face illuminated by the eerie glow of the monsters' eyes.

Priyanshu (yelling): "Denver! I can't keep this up much longer!"

Denver (shouting back): "Just hold on! We're getting out of this!"

Kartik crouched behind the car, frantically scanning the battlefield. His advanced weapons had long since run out of ammo, and his explosives were spent. He clutched his arm, blood dripping from a wound on his shoulder, the result of a claw that had nearly ripped him apart.

Kartik (desperate): "We're trapped! We have nothing left!"

Denver looked around, his heart sinking. The monsters had encircled them completely, forming an unbroken ring of death. There was no path for the car to escape, no opening to exploit. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay upright despite the overwhelming fatigue.

Denver (grimly): "We're not done yet. Get inside the car!"

The group obeyed without hesitation. Priyanshu scooped up Sam and laid her gently in the back seat before jumping in himself. Kartik hauled himself into the passenger seat, wincing as he moved. Denver slid into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel with trembling hands.

Denver (steely): "Hold on."

He slammed his foot on the accelerator, the tires screeching as the car lurched forward. The monsters screeched in rage, their grotesque bodies colliding with the vehicle as it plowed through them.

The windshield was soon covered in a layer of blood and gore, making it nearly impossible to see. Denver leaned forward, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel.

Kartik (shouting): "It's too slippery! We're going to lose traction!"

The car jolted violently as it ran over another body, the engine straining under the weight. Denver knew they couldn't keep this up much longer.

Denver (growling): "Come on, come on... don't give up on me now!"

But the circle of monsters was too thick. The car began to slow, the engine groaning in protest. Denver slammed the brakes, bringing them to a stop.

Priyanshu (frustrated): "What now?!"

Before Denver could answer, Kartik's eyes lit up as he noticed something. The monsters were hesitating near the flames caused by one of his earlier bombs. They growled and hissed but wouldn't cross the fire.

Kartik (excited): "They're scared of fire! That's it!"

Denver turned to him, his brow furrowing.

Denver (urgently): "What do you mean?"

Kartik (determined): "We need to make a barrier of fire. It's the only way to hold them off long enough for us to regroup!"

Without waiting for a response, Kartik shoved the door open and jumped out.

Denver (shouting): "Kartik! What the hell are you doing?!"

Kartik (yelling back): "Just trust me! Priyanshu, cover me!"

Priyanshu didn't hesitate. He leapt out of the car, his sword flashing as he cut down the monsters surging toward Kartik.

Kartik sprinted to the trunk, yanking it open and pulling out two petrol canisters. His hands were shaking, his breath coming in short gasps, but his determination was unyielding.

Kartik (muttering to himself): "Come on... this has to work."

He began pouring the petrol in a wide circle around the car, the strong smell filling the air. Priyanshu stood guard, slashing and stabbing at the beasts that dared to get too close.

Priyanshu (gritting his teeth): "Hurry up, Kartik! I can't hold them forever!"

As the last of the petrol was poured, Kartik fumbled for the lighter Denver had thrown to him earlier. His hands were slick with sweat and blood, making the simple act of lighting it a challenge.

Kartik (yelling): "Get back in the car, Priyanshu!"

Priyanshu backed away slowly, his sword raised in case any monster tried to follow. He jumped into the vehicle, slamming the door behind him.

Kartik flicked the lighter, the tiny flame seeming impossibly small against the overwhelming darkness. He crouched low, touching the flame to the petrol-soaked ground.

The effect was instantaneous. Flames roared to life, racing along the petrol trail and encircling the car in a blazing inferno. The heat was intense, the light blinding, but it worked. The monsters screeched in terror, recoiling from the fire.

Denver (exhaling in relief): "You did it."

Kartik climbed back into the car, collapsing into the seat. His hands were shaking, his face pale, but there was a triumphant glint in his eyes.

Kartik (smirking weakly): "Told you it would work."

The group sat in silence for a moment, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The fire crackled around them, a temporary barrier against the horde.

Priyanshu (grimly): "We've bought ourselves some time. But what now?"

Denver (quietly): "Now... we rest. And then, we figure out how to end this."

The flames cast flickering shadows on their weary faces, the monsters circling just beyond the barrier, their glowing eyes filled with hunger and rage. The fight wasn't over, but for now, they had a moment of reprieve.