Felt's eyes trembled. His instincts screamed. Gotta get out of here… he thought, a cold sweat sliding down his temple.
Not far from him, two monsters stared in horror—glaring at the dark figure standing among the corpses.
"BROTHER!" one of them shouted, fury trembling in his voice. "That was our brother! How dare you?!"
Together, the two lunged at the shadowy being—the Unknown Entity—but the moment they crossed into its aura, their bodies spasmed. Choking. Gasping. They fell midair, crashing to the ground.
"Wh—what is this?!" one of them wheezed, clutching his throat, clawing at air.
Moments later, both went still. Dead.
Felt stood frozen. He didn't even move... No attack. No sign of energy. His presence alone killed them? He clenched his fists.
"Zed," he muttered, turning. "We have to go."
Zed picked up his sword, confused. "Go where?" His voice deepened into something unhinged. He licked his lips and smiled, the madness in his eyes growing. "You're suggesting we run? Don't joke around. This thing… it's my prey."
Before he could advance, Felt grabbed him by the wrist and yanked him back. His stare was cold and commanding. "I said—we go."
But a faint groan diverted both their attention.
A young woman nearby stirred from unconsciousness. Her head rose slowly, eyes dazed and confused. "Huh...? What happened…?"
Unfortunately, she had awakened right next to the Unknown Entity.
Her eyes widened as the figure turned to face her.
"No wait—!" she gasped.
The creature lifted its foot—and brought it down on her skull.
A sickening crunch echoed through the clearing.
"MISS!" Felt cried out, reaching helplessly.
Zed's breath caught in his throat. His hands trembled.
Felt's mind flashed back:
Earlier...
"Ahhh!" the woman had screamed as she fell unconscious, having been struck hard by a blow.
Felt had leaned over her. "Phew...I really don't want to kill you,honesty," he'd muttered with a sigh.
The memory vanished. His eyes hardened.
Zed's face twisted with fury.
"ALRIGHT!" he roared. "I'm taking this thing down!"
He charged forward, blade drawn, the air crackling with his intent to kill.
But before he could strike, the Unknown Entity's eyes flickered.
Suddenly, the corpses of the two fallen monsters twitched—then stood.
"Wh—!" Zed's blade halted just inches away as the revived monsters blocked his strike.
"Tch!" He leapt back. "What the hell?! They're working together now?"
Felt narrowed his eyes. "No… That doesn't seem right. It's controlling them. Necromancy?"
The Unknown Entity, unbothered, reached forward and tore open a portal with its bare hands. A swirling void appeared behind it, humming with dark energy.
"Hey!" Zed shouted. "Get back here!"
But Felt's attention turned to something in his palm. A faint glow pulsed softly. A stone...? Is that what it came here for?
Before he could contemplate further, Monster 3 lunged at him.
Felt ducked, sidestepping swiftly—only to catch a heavy punch from Monster 2 to his side.
"Argh!" he grunted, flung back a few feet.
"Yohoo!" Zed howled, suddenly appearing behind Monster 2. He slashed cleanly through its arm, flipping mid-air and landing with a cocky smirk.
Monster 2 hissed, glaring at Zed—its severed limb already regenerating.
"Behind you!" Felt shouted.
A monstrous roar surged from Monster 3, blasting Zed off his feet and sending him hurtling across the battlefield.
"Ughhh!" Zed grunted as he crashed into the dirt.
"These sneak attacks are getting annoying!" Felt growled.
"Ditto!" Zed coughed, rising back up.
The two zombified monsters charged again, moving in near-perfect unison.
Felt raised an arm—and lightning exploded from his palm, roaring across the forest. Trees splintered. Dirt scattered. The attack tore through the monsters but didn't kill them.
"Hey!" he shouted to Zed. "They're zombified!"
"I'm aware!" Zed called back, standing tall. "Their coordination's tight—but I'll cut it apart if I have to!"
Together, they rushed forward.
"I'll take the left!" Felt shouted.
"Don't give me orders!" Zed barked.
The monsters unleashed a dual beam, energy bursting forth. But both Zed and Felt dodged expertly—twisting through the air.
Zed spun mid-air, kicking Monster 3 square in the face. Monster 2 grabbed his leg in response—only for Felt to intercept with a heavy punch.
The grip loosened.
Flashback…
A radiant light blurred the figure of a man standing before Zed.
"Are you alright?" the man asked gently, his face hidden.
Zed stared, transfixed.
End of flashback.
Zed's feet tapped the ground lightly. Then he vanished in a blur.
He reappeared before Monster 2 and unleashed a flurry of blade strikes—each slash slicing deep. "I hunt monsters," he growled, voice low. "That's the morally correct thing to do…"
Monster 3 roared and lunged again.
Zed slapped it aside and roundhouse kicked Monster 2 with a sickening crack. "...And you're the prey I've chosen to kill."
Felt watched, stunned. He's fighting both of them…The resolve he has…
Suddenly, both monsters froze.
Zed lowered his blade. "Huh? Giving up?"
But Felt's expression darkened. Wait. They're brothers… which means—
A shriek rang out as the two monsters screamed.
Their bodies twisted. Cells writhed. Flesh tore and stretched, binding grotesquely.
"What's happening?!" Zed yelled, moving back.
Felt's eyes narrowed in horror. Monsters who share bloodlines…they can merge. Combine. Become one. Stronger than they were alone…
A massive foot slammed into the ground.
Zed and Felt turned.
Standing before them,no longer two beings.
It was one.
A grotesque, hulking fusion,muscle and decay, shrieking as its form pulsed with rage.
The battlefield fell silent.
It roared.
A deafening, inhuman sound that shook the forest.