Chapter 28: Cranosith (2/5)
Time moved comically slowly within the tunnel, the crew watching their comrade helplessly as a strange creature dragged him into the heap of skeletal remains.
Only the hero and the captain were able to come back to their senses and make a move to save the soldier. The captain unsheathed his weapon and the hero equipped his own, and both dashed towards the commotion.
Alister moved at a speed several times faster than Theobald and arrived before the helpless soldier in a split second. Not wasting an instant, he lifted his sword and executed a quick downward slash, splitting the flexible bony hand in two and freeing the soldier.
Theobald arrived at just the right moment. He quickly grabbed the soldier and pulled him away from danger.
The other half of the strange bony appendage wiggled and retracted back into its hideout among the bones. A movement within the heap was easily noticed by everyone, including Alister.
SCREECH!
Before the crew could grasp the situation, a menacing screech echoed through the tunnel as the abnormality revealed itself, leaping out of its previous hiding place.
The revelation of the abnormality sparked fear in everyone’s heart. Some froze, while others lost their composure and collapsed onto the ground, shivering. Even Alister felt his heart skip a beat at its appearance.
The abnormality, standing not far from them, measured around ten meters in height with a robust width. Its presence dominated the space, dwarfing every living creature present. Its appearance was unlike any creature they had ever seen, its body constructed entirely of bone, including its head. Not a single bit of flesh could be found on its form.
IIt stood upon two huge bony feet and its upper torso consisted of eight flexible bony arms, each tipped with sharp claws. Although, one was shorter than the others. It was the same one that had grabbed the soldier earlier, the same one Alister had split with his sword.
Its eyes were mirror-like, reflecting the sharp glow of the crystal lantern in the hero’s grasp. Those lifeless, terrifying eyes radiated a strong bloodlust towards the humans staring at it, sending shivers down their spines.