The ground was red and dry, as if infected. The few trees that could be seen were completely unalive, with no leaves on them. Black clouds covered the sky, leaving the surroundings without any light, only illuminated by the truck lights.
But the most worrying thing was that the armored wall covering the city, was in front of them, at only a few dozen's' away. The black wall was being assaulted by creatures, a lot of them… Wich tried desperately to climb it, others, were heading towards the trucks completely open.
Why did they say that they have the green light to leave the city?
It was an easy question. Probably the creature created an illusion that made them think everything was fine. But that led to another question. How could a creature of such power appear in this place? Was it its territory?
Nobody knew the answer, and nobody would know if they were not capable of defending themselves.
"Telos!"
A worried voice sounded from behind the young man. Telos slightly glanced, looking at Colonel Jack walking quickly in his direction, panting and sweating, his figure barely illuminated by the headlights of the trucks.
When he approached, he asked:
"Are you good?"
Telos nodded.
"Great… The Lieutenants are defending the front with some other Anchors, I have to protect this side. There is someone awake?"
The man looked into his eyes with a hint of hope in his eyes. Telos waited a moment and sighed, then, turned his attention to the creatures that in a few moments are going to attack them.
"I do not think there is someone awake… Only the two of us have to defend this section…"
His words did not sound very confident.
Colonel Jack looked down.
The disgusting smell of the creatures began to enter their lungs, filling them with a nauseating feeling and squeezing their hearts.
The muscular man sighed and squeezed his greatsword, which was black like darkness, and the edge shone under the spotlights.
"I will take care of them, if they pass my defense… You have to defend the trucks from them."
Colonel Jack started walking towards the creatures, but then, he stopped and, without looking back, he said:
"Even if you do noy want to defend them… Think about the resources that we have in the trucks."
He resumed his walk, which then became running.
Telos watched the colonel move away, then turned his gaze onto the creatures.
'It's a matter of time before I fight the creatures…'
Seconds passed by, then minutes… The constant cacophony of claws colliding with swords, of the tearing of the creatures' tough, rugged hides, of the agonized screams of the Anchors who could not endure the grueling battle, and of the creatures' disgusting sounds.
Telos listened and watched all of that. Colonel Jack endured more than anyone would expect, but everyone has their limits. Blood flowed from his body like rivers, his right arm hung completely crushed, and his left arm could barely hold the weight of the greatsword.
Then, the first creature passed his defense. Telos has to join the battle.
The creature that was running towards him was disgusting. In his mouth, only four strong and big fangs threatened to kill him. The body was big enough to compare it with the colonel, only that the creature was covered in black fur.
With only an intense red eye, the creature had Telos as its only goal. His two long arms hung like tentacles, and his powerful two legs were as wide as half of his body, leaving barely enough space to prevent them from rubbing against each other. Finally, his long tail dragged on the ground like a big snake.
Telos gulped and clenched his teeth.
"Damn… How can something be so ugly?"
The young man stepped forward, then once more.
The distance between them was getting smaller and smaller, and finally, the creature attacked.
His long tentacle moved towards him at great speed, moving horizontally. The young man took a step back, slightly preventing the attack. Then his stomach was severely beaten, receiving a thrust of the creature's tail.
Telos flew backwards, hitting the ground a couple of times before stopping when his back hit a truck.
The blow nearly made him lose consciousness, the world was spinning around. Barely distinguishing what was in front of him, Telos threw himself to the left side, hoping that he guessed correctly where to avoid the blow.
The metallic sound of being bent echoed in Telos's mind. He avoid it. But the danger still did not finish, with his brain still in shock, the young man runned from side to side, barely standing.
With a guttural growl, the creature tried once more.
The tentacle this time it went down in vertical. Telos, looked back, the tentacle about to hit him. With a rough twist, Telos put his sword in front of him, holding it with both hands.
The young man hold his breath, knowing what was going to happen. When the tentacle hit the sword, Telos fell on his knees and his left hand was almost cut by the edge of the sword.
Holding the pain, Telos grimaced.
His eyes focused, blood sliding on his forearm, and his hand stinging painfully. Telos was not in the best position, and the creature threw its powerful fangs towards him.
The first time narrowly missed, the second time missed again, but the third one was going to end Telos' life.
Taking his left hand away from the sword, it fell towards the ground, and with it, the enormous tentacle. Telos rolled to the opposite side, but the tentacle grazed his femur, tearing off a piece of flesh.
The young man crawled on the ground, moving away from the creature. However, the confidence in his eyes never disappeared.
Telos turned around, standing face to face against the creature again.
His black military vest was destroyed, with torn parts and other parts ripped. The crimson color of blood shone under the truck's headlights that were in front of him, most of it covered by the silhouette of the enormous creature.
Telos sighed, letting a horse's voice come out of his mouth.
He glanced behind him. The colonel was not going to hold much longer, and creatures were going to come towards the new target.
Spitting blood, he gripped the handle of his sword tightly. The creature started moving.
Step by step, the creature moved forward, his tongue drooling, as if it was already tasting him. Well… he already did…
His steps became louder and louder, and consequently, they were faster. The creature attacked again using his right tentacle, descending at a great speed.
But this time, Telos did not take a step back; instead, he moved forward. The tentacle hit the ground behind the young man, lifting dust.
Telos was in front of the creature's chest, with a thrust, he tried to pierce the creature, but it did not happen…
His sword was strong, and the edge was sharp enough to cut through flesh. However, if the swordman is not strong or has no technique, the characteristics of the sword do not matter.
Even the sharpest blade is useless in weak hands.
It was too late to react; a strong blow came from his side. The sound of bones crushing resonated in the young man's mind, with was blinded by pain.
Being thrown a few meters, Telos let out a mouthful of blood. It hurt breathing, his right lung was probably pierced, making breathing nearly impossible, blood enterde trough it, making that little he could breathe hard and hoarse.
His hands trembled, and his eyes were out of focus.
'Damn it… Why did I get to this point?'
Slightly raising his head, he barely distinguished the creature that was running towards his position.
Telos clenched his teeth.
"You are getting on my nerves."
The young man stood up, this was going to be the last round and the shortest.
The creature ran towards him at full speed, as if his life depended on it. Telos stayed still.
This time, the creature made both of its tentacles go down at an incredible speed and strength, preventing the young man from escaping.
It was impossible to avoid it, but before it hits him, the creature doubts.
Anyone watching the battle would wonder what was going on. However, at that moment, a large amount of blood fell to the ground.
The silence reigned in the place for a few moments, as if the conclusion of the battle was the most important thing.
Breathing hoarsely, the steam from his breath hit the creature's fur. Telos felt his body about to fall apart. His arms, his legs, his chest, and his back. Everything was screaming for him in pain.
In front of the young man, the creature had lost the intense red of its eyes, replaced by an absolute darkness. The enormous creature was fine, but deeply pierced on his chest was Telos' sword. Which had been nailed by itself, with both of the creature's tentacles holding the sword.
Telos had his gaze on the ground. After a few moments, he looked at the creature pierced itself.
He chuckled, his chest pumping in pain.
"Why do I need strong hands if I have a sharp brain?"