Beyond the gate lies the ultimate Treasure

Chapter 6: "Ravi's Last Stand"

The city was unrecognizable. The streets, once bustling with life, were painted crimson with blood. Bodies lay sprawled across the cobblestones, their lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. The monsters had torn through the city like a storm, leaving only death and destruction in their wake.

Denver and his friends stood at the edge of the carnage, their breaths shallow, their faces pale. The air was thick with the metallic stench of blood, and the faint cries of survivors faded into the distance.

Kartik: "This... this can't be real."

His voice trembled as he stepped over the mangled remains of a child.

Priyanshu: "We need to move. Staying here means death."

He tried to sound composed, but the quiver in his voice betrayed him.

Sam's gaze was distant, her lips trembling. The scene triggered a flood of memories —Sandya's lifeless body, the blood pooling beneath her. She hugged herself tightly, whispering under her breath.

Sam: "Not again... not again..."

Ravi emerged from the shadows, his expression grim.

Ravi: "This city is lost. We have to get to the safe house before they find us."

Denver, his hands clenched into fists, stared at the devastation.

Denver: "We can't leave them like this."

Ravi: "There's nothing we can do. Survive now, fight later."

The Journey Through the Forest

Leaving the city behind, they entered the dense, suffocating forest. The sounds of the monsters feasting on the dead still echoed in their ears.

Kartik: "How much further, Ravi?"

Ravi: "Not far. Just stay quiet."

The group moved in tense silence, the snapping of twigs beneath their feet the only sound. Denver kept looking back, guilt gnawing at him.

Suddenly, the rustling of leaves and the low growl of a monster broke the silence.

Priyanshu: "They're here."

The Ambush

A monstrous figure lunged from the shadows, its grotesque body slick with fresh blood. It roared, exposing jagged teeth dripping with gore.

Ravi: "Run! I'll hold them off!"

Denver: "No! You'll die!"

Ravi turned, his expression hard.

Ravi: "l said run! That's an order!"

The group hesitated, but Denver pulled them away, his heart breaking with every step.

Ravi faced the monster, summoning a fiery barrier to slow its advance. But more beasts emerged, their eyes glinting with hunger. One leaped through the flames, pinning Ravi to the ground.

The creature's claws ripped into his legs, tearing them apart with brutal force. Ravi screamed, blood pooling beneath him.

Ravi: "Go! Don't look back!"

The monster growled, gripping Ravi's torso and splitting his body in two with a sickening crack. Blood sprayed across the trees as Ravi's screams faded.

Sam's Collapse

Sam stopped in her tracks, frozen by the horrific sight. Memories of Sandya's death flooded her mind. She clutched her head, sobbing uncontrollably.

Sam: "No... no... Sandya... Ravi..."

Her powers surged uncontrollably, and she glimpsed Ravi's final thoughts: Denver's face, young and hopeful, as Ravi promised to protect him. The image shifted to a map, a glowing landmark— The Fortress of Helden, their safe place.

Ravi's voice echoed in her mind:

Ravi (in memory): "Protect them, Denver... The Fortress of Helden is where you'll find safety...

You're their hope."

Sam collapsed, her body trembling violently.

Aftermath

The group stumbled into a clearing, exhausted and broken. Denver fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

Denver: "Ravi's gone... He's gone because of me."

Priyanshu: "We can't stop. He wouldn't want us to."

Kartik sat silently, his hands stained with dirt and blood.

Kartik: "How do we fight something like this?"

Denver wiped his tears, forcing himself to stand.

Denver: "We fight because there's no other choice. For Ravi. For Sandya. For everyone we've lost."

As the night deepened, the group huddled together in silence, the roars of the monsters growing closer in the distance