Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Chapter 2: Echoes of the Abyss

The creature moved through the labyrinth of the Dream Realm with a quiet, predatory grace. Its taloned feet left no sound upon the jagged, obsidian floor. The shadows shifted in its presence, not recoiling, but bowing—acknowledging their kin.

It had no name, no voice, and no purpose, but it felt.

Somewhere deep within, past the layers of raw instinct, there was a flicker of something unusual. It wasn't the primal hunger that drove the other nightmare creatures, nor the mindless desire for destruction. This was a longing—an unspoken ache for understanding. But there were no answers in the void.

As it wandered, the Dream Realm came alive with motion. The air was heavy with the stench of corruption, and in the distance, guttural roars echoed like the cries of dying gods. The creature stopped, turning its head toward the sound.

Ahead, the jagged walls of the labyrinth opened into a vast, desolate plain. The ground was uneven, covered in dark, pulsating veins that throbbed like a living organism. Towering above the plain was a massive, misshapen beast. Its form was grotesque—a mountain of sinew, scales, and bone. Its many eyes burned with primal rage as it feasted upon the remains of a smaller nightmare creature.

The newcomer watched silently, its golden eyes narrowing. The larger beast paused mid-feast, turning its massive head to sniff the air. Its nostrils flared as it detected the newcomer's scent—something strange, something alien.

A deep growl rumbled through the plain, and the larger beast shifted its massive bulk, preparing to charge. The creature stood still, its body coiled but not yet aggressive. Something stirred within it, something primal but unfamiliar.

As the monstrous beast lunged forward, the creature moved.

Its talons flashed through the air, striking with precision. The larger beast roared, its thick hide tearing under the shadowy assault. But it was no ordinary nightmare creature—it was a predator born of the same chaos. It lashed out with a massive claw, catching the smaller creature and sending it hurtling across the plain.

The creature landed with a bone-jarring crash, its dark form dissolving momentarily into a pool of shadow before reassembling itself. It rose slowly, its glowing eyes locking onto its foe.

This time, it did not hesitate.

With a burst of unnatural speed, it closed the distance, weaving through the larger beast's swipes with an almost fluid grace. It leapt onto its back, its talons piercing deep into the exposed flesh between scales. The larger beast howled in fury, thrashing wildly, but the creature held firm.

Then came the strike.

From within its chest, a jagged, obsidian spike erupted—a weapon forged of shadow and will. It drove the spike deep into the beast's skull, silencing its roars in an instant.

The massive body collapsed, shaking the ground as it fell. The smaller creature stood atop its fallen foe, its golden eyes glowing brighter now. For the first time, it felt something akin to satisfaction.

It stepped down from the corpse, its body rippling with dark energy. As the shadows of the plain enveloped the lifeless form of its enemy, the creature looked to the horizon.

There was more to this realm than survival. There was something—someone—out there, calling to it. The feeling was faint but undeniable, like a string tied to its very essence.

It didn't know what lay ahead, but it would find the answer.

The Dream Realm's shadows stirred, as though watching this aberration's every step. Something had awakened in the void, and the world itself would soon bear witness.