NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: The Last Stand
Chapter 14: The Last Stand
The fire had granted them temporary reprieve, but the monstrous horde showed no sign of relenting. From beyond the burning wall, guttural growls and piercing shrieks filled the air. Denver, Kartik, Priyanshu, and a now-conscious Sam stood in the flickering glow of the flames, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they prepared for the next wave.
Denver (gripping his dagger): "This is it. No more running, no more hiding. We fight until there's nothing left."
Kartik (forcing a smirk): "You really know how to inspire confidence."
Priyanshu: "We'll make it. We always do."
Sam, her breathing still unsteady from the strain of her illusions, stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute.
Sam: "l can help again. I'm not just going to sit here and watch."
Denver turned to her, concern flashing in his eyes.
Denver: "Sam, you've already pushed yourself too far. You could—"
Sam (cutting him off): "No! I'm not going to be the one who holds us back. I can do this."
Before Denver could protest, the fire began to die down. The circle of flames that had kept the monsters at bay now flickered weakly, leaving only glowing embers in its place. The first monstrous shape emerged from the shadows, its twisted form illuminated by the dying light.
Priyanshu (raising his sword): "They're coming."
The horde surged forward, their glowing eyes like countless torches in the darkness. The ground shook beneath their charge, their guttural roars a deafening symphony of death.
The Final Battle
Denver was the first to leap into action, charging headlong into the fray. His dagger gleamed as he drove it into the chest of the nearest creature, twisting it before yanking it free. Black ichor sprayed across his face, but he didn't flinch.
Denver (roaring): "Keep pushing! Don't let them surround us!"
Kartik stood near the car, wielding a jagged metal pipe he had scavenged from the wreckage. His injured shoulder slowed him, but his determination burned brighter than ever. He swung the pipe with all his strength, caving in the skull of a creature that had leapt toward him.
Kartik (gritting his teeth): "I've got plenty of fight left in me, you bastards!"
Priyanshu was a blur of motion, his sword slicing through flesh and bone with deadly precision. Each swing left a trail of severed limbs and bodies, but the monsters kept coming. He spared a glance at Sam, who stood at the center of the group, her hands trembling as she concentrated.
Priyanshu: "Sam, now would be a good time for some of that magic!"
Sam closed her eyes, reaching deep into the well of her power. The monsters hesitated for a split second as a ripple of energy passed through the air. Their glowing eyes flickered, confusion clouding their movements.
Sam (whispering): "You're not here... None of this is real..."
Her illusions took shape once more, massive, towering figures appearing behind the group. The phantom beasts roared, their monstrous forms striking fear into the horde. The real monsters faltered, their snarls turning into panicked whines as they turned to flee.
But not all of them were fooled.
A massive, hulking creature stepped forward, its eyes glowing brighter than the others. Its thick, armored hide glistened in the moonlight, and its claws gleamed like polished steel. It let out a deafening roar, shattering the illusion.
Denver (staring in disbelief): "What the hell is that?!"
Kartik: "That's new. And terrifying."
The massive creature charged, barreling through its smaller kin and heading straight for them. Denver barely managed to roll out of the way as it slammed into the car, flipping it onto its side.
Denver (yelling): "Fall back! Regroup!
The group scrambled to put distance between themselves and the monster, but it moved with surprising speed for its size. Priyanshu met its charge head-on, his sword clashing against its armored hide. Sparks flew, but the blade couldn't penetrate.
Priyanshu: "This thing's a tank!"
The creature swiped at him with its massive claws, forcing him to leap back. Denver and Kartik flanked it, attacking from the sides. Denver's dagger glanced off its armor, while Kartik's makeshift weapon shattered on impact.
Kartik (sarcastically): "Great plan, guys. Any other brilliant ideas?"
Sam, watching from a distance, clenched her fists. She reached out with her power, trying to force the creature into an illusion, but it resisted, shaking off her influence with a guttural snarl.
Sam (frustrated): "It's too strong! I can't get into its mind!"
Denver, breathing heavily, glanced around, searching for an opening. His eyes landed on the overturned car and the leaking petrol pooling beneath it.
Denver: "Kartik, the car! We can use it!"
Kartik followed his gaze, understanding dawning on his face.
Kartik: "You want to blow it up?"
Denver: "Do we have a choice?"
The creature roared again, charging toward them.
Denver (yelling): "Sam, distract it! Priyanshu, cover me!"
Sam focused all her energy on the creature, creating a brief but vivid illusion of another massive predator behind it. The creature hesitated, glancing over its shoulder. Priyanshu seized the opportunity, darting forward to slash at its exposed leg. The attack didn't cut deep, but it was enough to slow it down.
Denver and Kartik sprinted toward the car. Kartik reached into the wreckage, pulling out the last functional explosive he had.
Kartik (grinning): "l knew this would come in handy."
Denver helped him place the explosive beneath the car, positioning it near the leaking petrol.
Denver: "Is it set?"
Kartik: "Yeah, but we need to lure it closer."
Priyanshu and Sam worked together, drawing the creature toward the car. Sam created flickering illusions of attackers around it, forcing it to charge blindly.
Denver (shouting): "Now! Get clear!"
The group scattered as the creature reached the car. Denver grabbed a small, burning stick from the dying fire and hurled it at the petrol.
The explosion was deafening.
Flames erupted in a blinding flash, consuming the car and the creature. The shockwave knocked them off their feet, and a wave of heat washed over them. When the smoke cleared, the hulking monster lay motionless, its charred body slumped over the wreckage.
The Aftermath
The battlefield was silent, save for the crackling of flames. The remaining monsters had fled, their numbers broken and their will shattered.
The group stood together, battered and bloodied but alive.
Denver (breathing heavily): "Is... is it over?"
Priyanshu (nodding): "For now."
Sam collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
Sam (whispering): "We made it... We actually made it."
Kartik sank to the ground, laughing weakly.
Kartik: "l never want to see another monster again."
Denver placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, his voice soft but firm.
Denver: "You saved us, Sam. We couldn't have done this without you."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
Sam: "l just... I just didn't want to lose any of you."
They huddled together, the weight of their victory sinking in. They had survived the impossible, but the journey was far from over.
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Denver stood, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
Denver (quietly): "We've still got a long way to go."
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