The only thing waiting for me on the other side of the portal is chaos. Fire burns in every direction as I watch contestants run amok with weapons raised. What the fuck is going on? Merri runs by me, covered in soot, eyes wild. I grab her arm to stop her. “Merri! What is this?”
“They’reeverywhere. Don’t stay still; that’s how they get you.”
“What? Who is everywhere?” I shake my head, her words sounding nonsensical.
Merri’s eyes widen at something behind me. “Run!” Her shriek is guttural as she takes off with a short sword raised.
I turn, fear causing my heart to drop into my stomach. “Holy shit,” I breathe. Visions from my nightmares have come to life before my very eyes. A winged beast soars towards me, mouth agape to reveal razor-sharp teeth. His eyes look like endless burning embers; he’s utterly terrifying. I tumble, somersaulting out of the way, the monster’s rancid hot breath moistening the surrounding air. I crinkle my nose and crawl towards a broken pillar, getting a better view. The beast is covered in scales of the darkest obsidian, contrasted by silvery spikes. His wings appear as shadowy wisps, tattered and webbed with star clusters connecting the webbing. Did the Kosmos create these? Are there more? Stars, I hope not.
I adjust my bandana to cover my mouth and nose, hoping to decrease smoke inhalation. The portal transported us to what appears to be a broken battlefield, complete with deteriorating ruins made of ancient stone. Further down the vast field, I watch as Miles thrusts a spear up towards the underbelly of the beast. That one differs from the one that came at me. Fuck, therearetwo of them. Miles strikes true, and the monster lets out an anguished screech that has the potential to break the sound barrier.
There are weapons around here somewhere. Merri said not to sit still. I need to move, arm myself, and find the others. The injured creature continues to roar, but its movement has significantly slowed. If we team up, we can take that one out and focus on the next one. I scan the field, finding Celeste and Atlas resting behind a crumbling building. I looked both ways for clearance before dashing towards them.
The smoke from the fire clings to the air, creating a thick haze of churning crimson and gray. The beast suddenly swoops low, swiping with its sharp, curved talons. I lunge for the ground, flattening myself as much as possible. The creature misses but circles back for a second attempt. I don’t waste a second, scrambling for my feet and sprinting the rest of the way to the safety of the building. The roof is half caved in, offering little protection from the beast.
Celeste grips my shoulders in an embrace as we scan each other for injuries. Atlas keeps a lookout, switching his watch from the roof to the hole in the building's side. “What are those things?”
“Fuck if I know!” Atlas exclaims.
“Where are the others?” I ask, taking in our surroundings and noticing a weapons cache tucked away in the corner. Atlas points diagonally across from us to Miles. He sweeps his arm to the right, and I find Aria and Merri making a run for our shelter. My heart lurches despite my desire not to care. “Where’s Leo?”
“He must have found a way out already. There has to be a portal around here somewhere. We’ve been taking turns running out to scout.” Celeste sits back on her heels, taking in the scene. “This is fucking crazy.”
A burst of blinding light shoots across the ground in front of the spot where Merri and Aria were just standing. The two took a running dive into the shelter, crashing to the floor simultaneously. “What is that?” That explains where all the fire is coming from.
“They can release pure starfire,” Aria explains as she catches her breath. Of course they do, because this isn’t wild enough as it is. My brain can’t settle as it bounces through the various stages of disarray surrounding me. I needto focus. First things first, get rid of at least one of these creatures. “I saw Miles injure one. He struck underneath the belly. If we all band together and attack, we stand a chance of taking it down.” I walk to the cache, exploring my options for weapons and selecting a short sword. “Miles!” I yell, capturing his attention and beckoning him to us.
Celeste announces, “It’s a better plan than anything we’ve been trying.”
As Miles joins us, we fill him in. “We should spread out; if we stick together, they have a better chance of injuring one or multiple of us,” Miles adds as he strategizes. “We should take a diamond formation so we can surprise from the sides as well as the back. Someone needs to distract it from the front, though.”
“I will,” Atlas volunteers. “I don’t want the girls to get hurt.” While I appreciate his courage, I pray to the stars above that he doesn’t pay for his nobility.
“Okay, then. Zell and Merri can flank the left side. Celeste and Aria man the right. I’ll trail from the back. We all aim for the underside. Inflict as much damage as you can without putting yourself in danger, am I clear?” We all nod. “Okay, on the count of three. Three. Two. One!”
Seventy-two
We rush back into the fray, forming a large pattern. Before we know it, the swooping of wings draws near. “On your right!” Miles yells as Atlas zigzags in front of us. We all shift to the right side, aligning ourselves so that the creature will fly overhead directly in the middle of all of us. Legs pumping, heart pounding, wings beating—the creature’s rancid breath is upon us.Today, I will not die. Today, I will not die.I repeat the mantra as the beast of horrors gathers above us, its jaw dropping to light Atlas ablaze. “Atlas, move!” I bellow just as Miles yells at us to attack. I thrust upward and drag my sword along the monster’s stomach lining as Atlas lets out a cry of agony. Darkened blood pours onto my arm, coursing down to my shoulder. I firmly keep my mouth shut and eyes open as I continue the motion, despite the putrid smell making me want to gag.
“Kill the fucker!” Miles demands as he uses a spear to stab repeatedly. The creature lets out a bloodcurdling screech as its body dips.
“Move!” Celeste screams, the five of us scrambling out of the way as the monster loses strength, falling closer and closer to the ground. It crashes to a skidding halt. Miles drags Atlas, who is lying on the ground, clutching his leg, out of the beast’s path. Once stopped, we all wait one beat, then two. The beast does not stir, its eyes unseeing. One down.
Right on cue, the second monster releases an angry battle cry.
I direct the group, “Back to the building!” The women run back towards our haven.
“Zellie! He can’t walk!” I whirl to find Miles struggling to support Atlas’s weight. His calf and knee are charred, the wound angry and bubbling.
Bile rises in my throat. “It’s okay, we've got you, Atlas. You’re going to be okay.” I move to the other side, hoisting his arm around my shoulder, and then we quickly hobble towards safety. A distorted beam of light catches my eye, tucked away behind a broken column.A portal.I look backwards multiple times to ensure our way out doesn’t disappear, thanking my lucky stars when I can still make out the hiding spot from our shelter.
“I found a way out,” I relay breathlessly. “There’s a portal hidden just over there.” Looks of relief and exhaustion are clear on everyone’s faces. The beast cries out again as realization washes over me. Someone will have to distract it, especially now that Atlas is injured. I will lose no one else.
Knowing I would protect my family at all costs, I conveyed my plan. “We will wait for it to fly by, then make a go for it. We should have enough time to make it if we time it right.”
With everyone in agreement, I led the way with the others trailing behind. I reach the portal, ushering Celeste, who assists Miles in carrying Atlas, through. “You guys go first; he’s hurt.” Miles tries to switch out with me, but I insist he take him. The three touch the portal, disappearing from view. The whooshing of wings distracts us who remain, eyes widening in fear.
I move without thinking, rounding behind Aria and Merri and pushing them toward our exit. “I’m right behind you!” I yell, moving into the open field to distract the creature from my friends—a lie. No one else will fall today.Today, I will not die. Today, I will not die. Today, I will not die.I make a round, circling the broken shelter before looping back towards the portal. Everyone has gone through; I am the only one to remain. My relief is short-lived as panic bursts through me.
