…

Ishmael wouldn't dare to move a muscle.

The metallic carcass scrapped the corroded floor, terrifyingly announcing its eminent approach. He was backed against a corner, and if he didn’t figure out a solution quick enough, confrontation was soon to take place. Of course, that seemed like an one way trip to doom, so a safer plan had to be improvised. His heart raced, as the creature’s terrorizing heavy breathing drew nearer.

The window for opportunity grew thinner by the second, each step of the steel beast deleting options one by one. Crimson bright light loomed over his head, an omen of impeding tragedy. Ishmael looked all over the place, but every attempt to seek escape routes proved fruitless. If he wanted to make it out alive, and have any chance of finding Athan and reuniting with the others, a decision had to be made, fast. With no other path to take, his only way out was through the door that stood behind the creature. Just then, his entire being was bathed in red, as the metallic monster stared right into his soul from above. Ishmael slowly turned to look at it, meeting its gaze in the process.

For a few moments, neither of them made a single move, like time itself had come to a halt.

Eventually, the creature raised its right hand without warning, aiming its large cylindrical mechanical contraption right at his face. It didn’t take a genius to realize that this was clearly a weapon. Ishmael let out a scream, before jumping over the counter, dodging a barrage of blazing bullets that would otherwise roast him. Seizing the chance that emerged, the young man hastily sprinted for the exit, however, the creature was not done just yet. Instantaneously, it changed its trajectory to follow his movements, firing again with cold ruthlessness, the flaming hot calibers grazed Ishmael’s skin, as he barely made it out the door with his body in one piece.

Entering the hallway, he tripped for a moment, but with danger kissing him on the neck, he stood up immediately and kept running away. He didn’t know where to go really, though anywhere would be better than sharing a room with this thing. Rushing desperately through the hall, he returned back to the main area where the tree resided, as loud noises echoed with terror from the corridor’s depths. Ishmael looked back for a second. He could do nothing but dread.

Ishmael: “(nervous) This is really… really… not to my liking.” 

The young man put one hand on his knee, trying to catch his breath. Sounds of motion could be heard treading closer… it was on the hunt. Ishmael gazed into the shadowy abyss, only to witness the ghastly vermillion light emanating from within the gloom.

Ishmael: “You gotta be kidding me…”

The menacing machine responded from afar.

<.<.<.ALL-THE-BLASPHEMOUS-WILL-BE-PURGED.>.>.>

Without notice, the core in the middle of its body began pulsating, almost as if it was charging up something. Ishmael’s intuition drove him out of there. Whatever was about to happen, was not going to be pleasant. Hiding behind the tree, he bore witness to a large flaming beam pass right by him, corroding everything in its path. The creature screeched in anguish, unleashing this continuous attack that burned through its nerves. After a few seconds, its power was depleted, making it lean forward in exhaustion.

Right then, Ishmael decided to try and fight back, firing a couple of shots from behind the tree’s cover. Much to his dismay, the creature stepped into the light, largely unharmed, and even on the few places that it was impacted, it looked too unbothered to give it any attention. That thing was a damn citadel with legs. If he really wanted to put it down, a dissimilar method had to be used. Just then, an idea popped in his mind.

Ishmael: “That scientist guy… spoke of security forces that used to survey the facility. Surely… they must be holding better weaponry somewhere. If I can reach that place… perhaps I’ll find a way to defeat this thing for good.”

Hearing the mechanical hairbringer of death nearing closer, he made a swift escape, heading straight down the same hall he had come through originally. This time however, he went towards the direction he had avoided during his entrance. If that thing had originated from there, there was a good chance to discover more marvels that this absurd place possessed.

Ishmael: “Father says that hope always dies last… well, I’ll hold you to it, pops.”

And off he went.