I wanted to get the hell out of here. If I was honest, I need to get out of here. But no! I moved forward and as they say about no good deed. Barley a few meters from the Ghoul corpse I was focused on the pathway in front of me when pain ripped across my back with a tearing sound.

“Fuck!”

I was forced forward by something hitting me from behind. Hot pain was fast spreading. Biting back more colourful words I span around to face my attacker. Another Ghoul was facing me and then was charging. I just got my shield into position as it collied with me. The impact was jarring but I held firm. The creature was knocked back but quickly recovered.

The creature continued to attack in a frenzied manner. I was being forced back by the momentum of the attacks. Dropping my axe, I went for my gladius again. This would end at close range.

My shield was being shredded and I had to win quickly. I dug my feet into the dirt to stabilise and then pushed forward. As I pushed forward, I struck out with my gladius. This type of weapon is not designed to be used in downward strikes but at a hip level with short powerful thrusts. Historical documentaries about the Roman Legions for the win!

I began to connect. I was able to inflict several injuries on the Ghoul but nothing telling. The attacks continued and one clawed hand tore the armour of my left forearm. I couldn’t hesitate and continued. The creature was a tornado of moving limbs. I had to keep the attack up.

It lent in and stabbed forward. Catching the Ghoul in the stomach its momentum carried it deep onto the blade. Twisted the blade as it entered to cause maximum damage.

The creature screamed in pain. It pushed against my shield and leapt back. This staggered me briefly but I was able to keep a hold of my blade. I quickly focused. Ready for renewal of the attack.

It crouched low and scuttled to my left still facing me. I turned with it. Black blood was pumping from the wound in its stomach. It was a female form like the other and its eyes were focused on me.

The eyes stood out as the eye was a solid bight sickly yellow with a black pupil. There was intelligence there and a lot of hate. This freaked me out as I was used to dealing with dumb low-level threats. Intelligence was not a good sign for the future. Smart enemies are more likely to kill you.

With a snarl, the assault began again. I moved forward with it this time using my shield to batter it as it advanced. This was a conscious choice. As with this shield type when I selected it as it could be used as a weapon too. The sickly sound of flesh was unpleasant. This caught it by surprise and it fell back a few steps staggered. It did not fall but was being supported by a gravestone. I followed in with my blade stinking it again into the stomach area, twisting violently. Using my bulk to pin it in place.

“AAAARRGGHHH”

The screech was loud and painful in my ears. I didn’t let up pulling the blade out. Thrusting it back in again and again. This was enough to kill the creature I hoped. Its form went limp. It collapsed on the floor as I stepped back.

I stomped down with my boots on the head not going back for my axe. I kept stomping until the skull gave way. Gore splattering everywhere. Impacts sending shock waves up my leg. Panting hard I tried to get my breathing back under control. Adrenaline surging through my body caused my limbs to shake uncontrollably and my legs gave way.

I lay on my back looking up at the solid white/grey of the fog-bound sky. Then turned over and began dry heaving from the renewed stench.

I couldn’t stay here I had to get up and move or I could die at any moment. The Grave Chill was like a stone weight on my body and mind. The cold made the shaking worse. The only thing that got me moving was simply my fear of death and rage in my chest. The back was too sudden but my anger was growing at the whole situation.

I pick myself up and began to retreat towards the entry point. The second Ghoul was more than enough of a sign that something was seriously wrong here. I was now sure that Morgan was dead. My training kicked in and I checked my status as I left. I could be attacked and was in no position to fight again.

My back was beginning to burn as I felt blood running down it. So, my back armour had been breached. My shield was not going to withstand another attack like that as even the metal outer ring was torn up. Adrenaline was covering a lot of minor injuries and bruising.

My lower body was covered with the black blood and gore of the Ghouls I had fought. The armour and suit looked good in some areas. My right arm was fine as my shield was strapped to it but my right shoulder armour was damaged. My left arm and shoulder armour was torn up but not breached as far as I can tell.

I moved faster than normal. This was risking running into other threats and not even going to pick up my axe. I was not running but walking fast. I was not that stupid as the ground was damp and slipping was a danger. It could leave me prone to another threat or more injury. It didn’t take long to reach the gate. I quickly went through it and closed it behind me. Before I could relock it, however.

“RRRAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHH!”

The roar came from within the zone and the fact I could hear it was just bad. I almost pissed myself at the sound as it echoed. The rage and pain were evident. I quickly padlocked the gate and began retreating. I almost turned and ran but that could be the end of me my training had hammered into me. Instead walking backwards as fast as I dared with my shield and sword facing the gate.

I silently prayed that I wouldn’t slip and whatever made that roar would not find me before I reached the base camp. Alas, it seemed that today was lady luck’s day to shit on John a lot from a great height.

The gate was just hidden by the fog when the sound of ripping metal reached my ears. The gate screamed as it was torn apart. My knees almost gave way here from sheer fear but I kept moving. Every instinct was in full flight mode but I did not turn to run but held my ground as whatever was coming for me was fast. My anger began building again as I fought back the fear.

The Ghoul came out of the fog like a missile right at me. It was larger and heavier than the other two. A blur of motion. I knew this as it ploughed into me, I was knocked from my feet and went flying backwards. I hit the ground hard and the air was knocked out of me. My whole body was shaken from the impact. I was still holding on to my gladius thankfully.

The creature was on me before I could recover. The Ghoul grabbed my shield and I was hauled along with it almost pulling my shoulder out of its socket. I found myself in the air again as I was thrown by the Ghoul. As expected, the ground and I had an unpleasant meeting. I bounced along as I came to a stop. My body was screaming from the abuse. This was getting old fast.

“Ooooffhh” was all I could say.

I quickly tried to get up and position myself to defend against another attack. I realised that I had dropped my gladius during the impact. I began looking around for it. The Ghoul did not give me the time. The assault continued.

Its clawed hand was striking at me and I just got my shield up to meet it. The impact knocked me down again. On my back now I kept my shield up as the attacks continued. Weapon less I was in trouble. In desperation, I went for my flare gun with my free hand as it was all I had left. My body was being rocked from the impact shocks of the blows.

I drew the gun with some difficulty as the holster was partially under me. The top third of my shield at that point was ripped from the rest as it began to give way. The Ghoul was now clear to see. It was a male and like the females was filthy with grey skin and sickly yellow eyes with black irises. The Ghoul had no facial hair but long matted black hair.

We locked gazes for a few seconds and its hate was an undeniable thing. It had paused its attacks and I used the time to point the flare gun and pulled the trigger. In my head, I was screaming PLEASE FIRE! PLEASE FIRE! PLEASE FIRE! I was firing from the “hip” flat on my back as I was on the ground. The flare hit the Ghoul in the face. The red glare was blinding this close.

“AAAARRGGHHH” The Ghoul screamed and fell backwards.

I scrambled to my feet in the precarious seconds I had been given. My eyes are trying to recover from the flare. Said flare was thrown from the Ghoul’s face. It was clearly hurt. Its face burnt. It stood there recovering its sight. Then it attacked again. The bright red glare makes details hard to see. I couldn’t get my ruined shield up in time and the claw raked across my head. My faceplate was ripped from my helmet as I was spun from the impact.

Another impact hit my left leg knocking me to the ground as hot intense pain flared from my thigh.

“Ffffuuccckk” I screamed from the pain.

I was on all fours facing the ground when an impact to my left ribs sent me through the air again. There was a sickly crack and more pain now from my ribs. I hit the ground again hard but this time my head bounced off something and I saw stars. Breathing was hard and painful.

My head was ringing from the impact. Focusing was hard.

Had to get up.

Everything was spinning.

Can’t focus.

Want to sleep. Pain, lots of pain.

No focus danger still here.

Can’t get up and keep falling down.

Voices?

Got to get up!

Am I hearing voices? No got to get up. Still falling back down.

Give in.

Something grabbed me I tried to fight it.

“I need help here!” A voice came.

“Engage the threat” Another.

“Surround it don’t let it get near you!” Someone was ordering.

A roar sounds. Echoes of fighting.

“What the fuck is that!” Fear in the voice

“Shit! It’s a Ghoul.”

The world was still spinning feeling sick. Got to get up. Voices again.

Give in.

“No!”

“I think he’s concussed, Medic!” More voices.

“Got to get up” My voice. I think.

Blackness growing in my head. Getting harder to see.

“John, stay down you are injured” A blurry figure said.

“AAAARRGGHHH” Close by.

No! got to get up. Danger!

“Shit he’s all ripped up. Where’s the medic!” More voices and blurred figures.

“HOLD IT! WE CAN WIN THIS” Someone was yelling.

“FUCK! MAN DOWN” Came another.

“PIKES FORWARD!”

“AAAARRGGHHH” Still close by.

The blackness was building from the back of my mind.

Give in

The call was seductive and would ease all my worries and pain.

“No!” Got to keep moving the figures were holding me down.

“Knock him out we need to finish that!” Some said.

A nip of pain in my neck and the blackness with warmth sought to claim me.

Voices. Sounds. Movement.

Focusing too hard.

Dreaming? Awake?

Everting blurry can’t focus.

Blackness.

Blackness.