In the distance, a girl no older than fourteen advanced with confidence, followed by another female figure. Her bluish-black hair captured the weak artificial light filtering into the alley, creating iridescent reflections that seemed to dance with each subtle movement of her head. She wore her hair tied up in a high, elegant ponytail, secured with a dark ribbon that contrasted magnificently with her pale, almost translucent skin, reminiscent of the finest alabaster. A few rebellious strands framed her oval face with delicate features, accentuating the hypnotic intensity of her almond-shaped, crystalline green eyes, which seemed almost supernatural.
Her attire struck a perfect balance between practical functionality and bold aesthetic: a white blouse with wide sleeves adorned with whimsical ruffles that fluttered with the slightest night breeze, leaving one shoulder exposed in an asymmetrical cut that defied the oppressive severity of the environment. Over this seemingly fragile garment, she wore black armor with articulated plates that strategically protected her vital points without restricting her freedom of movement.
A dark corset embellished with metallic rivets cinched her slender waist, and several precisely placed straps descended along her toned thighs, creating an intricate design that alternated protection and deliberate vulnerability with mastery. Her hands were encased in reinforced black gauntlets with metallic plates, and a finely crafted dark leather quiver hung from her stylized back, the exotic feathers of the arrows swaying gently with each rhythmic breath.
At her right hip, a black leather holster held a long, ornate revolver, its silver finish gleaming like a beacon of hope in the suffocating gloom. Transparent black stockings and high combat boots completed her gear, while a light gray skirt flowed majestically from her waist, adding fluidity and elegance to her warrior silhouette.
The man, now cornered by two female figures surrounding him relentlessly, began to undergo a terrifying transformation. His body emitted ragged gasps, guttural sounds blending into a disturbing chorus of suffering. The children watching in terror from the shadows visibly shuddered, and I myself felt a chilling shiver run down my spine, as if a malevolent whisper infiltrated the deepest recesses of my mind.
In a matter of seconds, the man's body had completely changed. There was nothing human left in him. He stood upright as a humanoid creature over two meters tall, his joints twisted at impossible angles that defied all known anatomy, as if a cruel and whimsical god had deliberately broken them and reassembled them with sadistic precision. Bleached bones protruded obscenely from his brown, grayish, and putrid skin, marked by deep wrinkles that evoked the crumpled surface of a brain exposed to the elements.
A dark crimson, viscous liquid with an unbearable putrid stench covered him entirely, dripping to the ground with a repulsive sound that triggered gagging. His head, though vaguely retaining a humanoid shape, was a grotesque mask of pale, wrinkled skin hanging in tatters. When he opened his mouth excessively wide, he revealed a yellowish porcelain false tooth on the verge of falling out, strands of bloodied saliva hanging like cobwebs, and fragments of chewed flesh trapped between his blackened gums.
A choked scream escaped involuntarily from my parched throat as my heart pounded wildly against my chest, threatening to burst.
With a pulse as steady as steel, the mysterious young woman fired again. I watched, paralyzed, as the bullet pierced the creature's forehead with precision, opening a perfectly circular hole. From the wound gushed a red, viscous liquid so thick it seemed like oil. Before my incredulous eyes, the fluid writhed in the air, transforming into fat, creamy worms that slithered to the ground with undulating movements, leaving a wet trail that turned my stomach.
But the abomination remained impassive. With an almost ceremonial slowness, it lunged at the nearest figure, its twisted limbs moving with a disturbing grace that contradicted its monstrous nature. Before it could reach him, a thunderous punch resonated like a storm, knocking the monster to the ground with an impact that made the earth beneath my feet tremble.
—It's a Ghoul! —shouted a soft but authoritative voice—. Tanya, prepare the magic arrows!
I turned my head toward the woman who spoke, and my breath caught in my throat. She was a dazzling beauty. She appeared to be just over twenty years old, but her amber eyes shone with a supernatural intensity, as if they held ancient secrets. Her gray hair, slightly disheveled from the battle, was parted into natural sections, with some strands falling over her face and others flowing freely down the sides in soft, wavy locks over her shoulders and chest like a cascade of ash, catching the scarce reflections of light filtering into the gloomy alley.
Her skin, white and smooth as alabaster, contrasted with the brutality of the scene, and her figure, with a notably generous bust, exuded an intoxicating mix of elegance and deadly danger. Her face, though serene, displayed a delicate expression; her eyelashes were long and dark, and her lips, a pale shade, were slightly parted.
She wore a hood attached to a dark cape, jet black with deep blue undertones, that partially covered her head and fell backward, leaving her face and part of her hair visible. The hood had a white trim and was designed with a precise cut that highlighted her elegance. Beneath the cape, she wore a black priestess robe, fitted to her body like a second skin, accentuating a stylized silhouette with defined curves, extending downward in an asymmetrical layer that danced with each of her movements.
It included a bodice with a prominent cross in the center of her chest, made of a metallic material that seemed silver, with intricate details suggesting a handcrafted design. A bold cut in the fabric exposed one of her legs, revealing the strength and agility hidden beneath that ethereal appearance. Her hands were covered by long, dark gloves with a glossy finish, reaching up to her forearms.
The gloves featured stitching details and small buttons at the wrist, adding a touch of sophistication. Black thigh-high stockings, held up by straps connected to a tight belt, covered her legs with somber elegance, culminating in high black boots that completed her attire. The boots, reinforced with straps and gleaming buckles, seemed designed for both battle and to command respect, blending functionality and aesthetics in perfect balance.
—Understood, Mica! —replied Tanya without a hint of doubt.
I watched in fascination as she holstered the silver revolver with an almost hypnotic movement and adopted an archer's stance that radiated confidence. Her body turned elegantly to the left, one leg bent and the other extended backward to anchor her firmly to the ground. In her hands appeared, as if by magic, an indescribably beautiful bow, its black structure with sharp curves and metallic details at the tips gleaming like polished obsidian under the dim light.
I couldn't look away as I observed Tanya's shoulders trembling slightly as she drew the string with absolute concentration. She released three arrows simultaneously, and an instant later, the air tore apart with a deafening explosion, as if a cannon had fired at point-blank range. The shockwave violently shook the alley, making my eardrums vibrate until they felt numb and painful. Instinctively, I covered my ears with both hands, but my eyes remained fixed on the devastating spectacle unfolding before me.
The ground erupted in a brutal sequence, as if landmines detonated one after another exactly where the arrows had struck, raising clouds of dust and debris that danced in the alley's stale air. The creature, with an agility impossible for its grotesque structure, threw itself to the ground to evade them, moving with a speed that defied its massive size. It didn't react after seeing the arrows but before, as if a primal instinct rooted in its corrupt existence had warned it of the imminent danger.
Its speed belied its over-two-meter-tall body, a twisted mass of putrid brown skin and exposed bones protruding like white stakes through the decaying flesh. However, it wasn't fast enough: one arrow struck its shoulder with a devastating impact, tearing off a considerable chunk of flesh and bone that flew through the air. Blood gushed like a macabre geyser, while a rain of debris and dust covered the scene with a grayish veil, barely concealing the monster's abominable silhouette.