Ethan was lost in his grief, staring blankly at the monster that stepped from the shadows. He only wanted to go back and confirm that his mother was safe. She couldn't die… He planned to bring Dad here to save her.
These thoughts spurred him to struggle harder against Julian's grip. He was almost dashing toward the monster's gaping maw, clearly seeking his own death.
Julian didn't know how to console him. He clutched tightly and stepped back as he eyed the monster wearily.
The monster was the same size as the hydra, resembling an enormous rat covered in skeletal protrusions, its fangs jutting unevenly from its gums. It reeked of blood and the pungent stench of decay.
"We need to leave. I promised her I'd take you out of here," Julian muttered like a broken record, backing away from the monster as it watched them like a starving hunter.
Then it lunged. Julian reacted instantly, dodging to the side as a blast of rocks erupted from where they had stood moments earlier.
