Resonance Unbound

The air seemed to shift, the atmosphere growing heavier as the creature's glowing eyes locked onto Ezra. It was as if Shirley no longer existed—or perhaps the beast had simply lost interest.

The monster's six glowing eyes gleamed with a chilling, predatory focus as it turned its full attention to Ezra. Its massive frame prowled closer with deliberate intent, each step slow and measured, as though savoring the moment. Ezra's breath hitched, his muscles freezing under the oppressive weight of its gaze.

Before he could react, the creature lunged with terrifying speed. Its jagged claws raked across him, sending him hurtling through the air like a discarded ragdoll.

Ezra's body slammed into the hard ground with a bone-rattling impact. He tumbled and rolled, the world spinning around him in a chaotic blur. A sickening crack echoed through the air as his ribs protested violently against the force.

Pain erupted in sharp, unrelenting waves, searing through his battered body. Blood spattered from his lips as a ragged cough tore from his chest. Groaning, he struggled to focus, each breath a battle against the suffocating agony threatening to overwhelm him.

The creature loomed over him now, its jagged claws scraping the ground with a grating screech. Each step felt like a countdown to the inevitable. Ezra's mind screamed at him to move, to do something, but his limbs refused to obey, pinned down by the sheer weight of his injuries.

Gritting his teeth, Ezra forced his trembling body to respond. With monumental effort, he pushed himself to his knees, every movement a war against his shattered frame. Pain flared anew, sharp and excruciating, as he spat blood—and with it, a couple of loose molars.

Clenching his jaw, he reached up and snapped his broken nose back into place with a sickening crunch, a hiss of pain escaping his lips. He didn't have the luxury to wince. His vision blurred, his head spinning, but he staggered to his feet, his legs shaky and uneven.

The creature snarled, its six glowing eyes narrowing as it crouched, muscles coiling for another devastating leap. Ezra exhaled shakily, bracing himself for the inevitable.

"Here we go again," he muttered under his breath, his voice rough and strained.

The beast lunged once more, a blur of claws and sinew. Instinct took over. Ezra dove to the side, the sharp claws missing him by a hair's breadth, slashing through the air where he had stood moments before.

He hit the ground hard, the impact jarring his already battered body, but he refused to stay down. Scrambling to his feet, he turned to face the creature again, his heart hammering in his chest.

The creature landed with an earth-shaking thud, its massive claws gouging deep into the stone floor. It twisted its grotesque frame toward him, its six glowing eyes locking on with relentless focus.

What the heck am I supposed to do? Where even am I?

Ezra's mind raced, desperation clawing at the edges of his thoughts. Shirley was nowhere to be seen, and Ezra couldn't even tell how far the creature had thrown him. The trees he remembered as landmarks were gone, replaced by unfamiliar rubble. He just had to survive—somehow—until Shirley found him.

His gaze darted to the ground where a broken steel pole glinted faintly in the dim light. It wasn't far, but in his current state, it might as well have been miles away.

The creature let out a guttural snarl, its muscles rippling as it prepared to strike again. Ezra knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. His body was already screaming in protest, his ribs throbbing with every shallow breath.

"Alright," Ezra muttered, his voice low and strained. "Let's see if you can keep up."

With no other choice, he pushed forward. He sprinted toward the pole, his movements clumsy and uneven but fueled by sheer desperation. The creature lunged, claws slashing down in a vicious arc. Ezra threw himself into a slide, the momentum carrying him just out of reach.

His hand closed around the pole, its cold, jagged surface biting into his palm. It was heavier than he expected, the weight unfamiliar in his grasp, but there was no time to think. The creature was already turning, its six eyes blazing with frustration.

Ezra forced himself to his feet, gripping the makeshift weapon tightly with both hands. His arms trembled under the strain, but he willed himself to focus.

"Come on, you ugly bastard," he taunted, his voice hoarse but steady. "Let's see what you've got."

The creature roared, its jaws opening wide to reveal rows of jagged, uneven teeth. It charged again, the ground trembling beneath its massive weight. Ezra's muscles tensed as he raised the pole, every instinct screaming at him to run, but he held his ground.

It's fast—too fast. I can't even see its movements.

As the beast closed the distance, Ezra swung the pole with every ounce of strength he could muster. The jagged edge caught the creature across its shoulder, tearing into its flesh. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, splattering onto the cracked ground.

The monster screeched in pain, staggering back, but it wasn't finished. It lashed out with a clawed hand, catching Ezra squarely across the chest. The force sent him flying backward, the pole slipping from his grasp as he crashed into a pile of rubble.

Ezra groaned, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He tried to push himself up, but his body refused to cooperate. The creature advanced, its movements erratic now, its injuries fueling its rage.