BXBX NOVEL Chapter 182 River Monster (2)
The sound of something emerging from the water, followed by the low, eerie creak of the ship's old wooden planks, made my eyes wide open.
The fatigue and longing for more sleep were quickly replaced by a surge of adrenaline.
What was that...
Pressing myself against the cold metal wall of the cabin, I took in a deep breath and strained to listen for any more sounds.
Tap... Splash... Tap...
My heightened body picked up the rhythmic sound of something walking on the deck of the ship, each tap followed by a small splash.
'It seems that another creature has decided to join me on this lonely voyage...'
I thought sarcastically, while slowly approaching the edge of the cabin and using my hand to carefully wash the fog from the small window.
"..."
Glancing through the glass I saw a dark figure moving across the foggy deck with an eerie grace.
Its silhouette almost was blending into the mist that enveloped the ship, giving it an eerie and mysterious presence.
It was the second Shadow that decided to show up this night.
Swish...
A gentle gust of wind swayed the forest of reeds surrounding the ship, making the Shadow seem to dance with their movements.
For a second it lifted its almost humanoid head and opened its mouth to emit a quiet, haunting cry into the night.
Rows of sharp obsidian teeth glistened in the pale moonlight, making me wriggle uncomfortably.
'Come on disappear...'
Grumbling under my breath, I observed as the Shadow explored the ship, its obsidian black eyes scanning every nook and cranny.
Tap... Splash... Tap...
The rhythmic sound continued, echoing through the silent night.
The Shadow even began to approach the cabin where I was hiding, its slow footsteps growing louder and more menacing.
The unsettling sounds continued, each one driving my heart to race faster. The ship's creaking seemed to intertwine with my own breath, creating a symphony of tension in the cabin.
Tap... Splash... Tap...
The rhythmic pattern of footsteps on the deck echoed like a countdown to an unknown event. I strained to stay as still as possible, peering through the misty window to catch another glimpse of the enigmatic figure outside.
I silently begged for the nightmare to end, but it seemed that fate had a different plan. The shadowy figure continued to explore the ship, inching closer to my hiding place with every step.
Tap... Splash... Tap...
The sound inched closer, like a slow march toward the inevitable. Panic clawed at my chest, and my hand instinctively tightened around the handle of the cabin's door, summoning the authority in my hand.
As the shadow moved behind the cabin, I used the opportunity to grip the door handle even tighter, ready to fight off whatever was about to emerge. The door had barely closed before I heard it - a subtle, chilling sound that made my heart skip a beat - the handle of the door began to turn.
Locked though it was, the repeated attempts to open it only added to my growing anxiety. I hoped that it would soon give up and leave me be.
But suddenly, a violent force struck the door.
Thud...
Splinters of wood exploded into the room as a hole was punched through. My body tensed, but I refused to let out a cry. I pressed myself deeper into the corner of the cabin, my breath shallow, my heart thundering in my ears.
An obsidian eye peered through the hole, its gaze sweeping the room. Relief washed over me as I realized it couldn't spot me from that angle. A dangerous hope sparked that maybe it would retreat, but hope turned to dread as it started to squeeze its shadowy form through the hole.
My grip on the door handle tightened, and with a swift strike, I cut through its form, severing it in half. The shadow emitted a soundless, distorted cry, its form flickering like a dying flame.
And then, with a hiss, it disappeared.
The shadow's disappearance left me breathless, my heart still racing from the encounter. I couldn't help but wonder what those creatures were and why they had chosen this ship as their haunt. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, a mix of fear and curiosity warring within me.
As I continued to crouch in the cabin, a shiver ran down my spine as the moon, which had been casting a pale glow on the scene, was suddenly engulfed by a curtain of shadows. The world outside grew darker, the mist swirling and thickening as if the very air itself was suffused with malevolence.
Roar...
In the midst of this eerie darkness, a chorus of howls erupted from the island.
The sound was haunting, an otherworldly symphony that seemed to echo from the depths of the unknown. My mind raced, imagining the kind of creatures that could produce such mournful cries.
And then, as suddenly as the howls had begun, an eerie stillness settled over the island. The forest of reeds ceased its swaying, the wind seemed to hold its breath, and an uncanny quiet descended upon the scene.
My attention was drawn to the reeds as I saw the trails of vegetation shaking, a clear sign that something was approaching the ship. The anticipation was almost unbearable as my eyes strained to catch any movement, any sign of what was coming. Fear and curiosity battled within me, each emotion feeding off the other.
And then, like a nightmare unfolding, a multitude of shadows suddenly leaped onto the ship. My frown deepened, and my breath caught in my throat as I watched their forms materialize from the darkness. They seemed to emerge from thin air, their bodies contorted and indistinct, like malevolent spirits seeking to manifest in our world.
The deck was now littered with these shadowy figures, their movements unsettlingly synchronized as they glided and slithered across the wooden planks. Their presence cast an aura of dread, and I found myself frozen, unsure of how to react to this new onslaught.
It was as if they were performing some macabre ritual, a dance of shadows that held a sinister purpose beyond my comprehension.
My hand instinctively went to the handle of the cabin door, my knuckles turning white from the tension. I debated whether to stay hidden and hope they would leave, or to fight them. The metallic taste of fear lingered on my tongue, but so did my survival instincts that refused to be suppressed.
As the shadows continued their unsettling dance, the moon began to peek out from behind the shroud of darkness, casting an intermittent light on the surreal tableau before me.
Huff..
Taking in a deep breath, I steeled myself for what was to come. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat reverberating like a war drum. The cabin's air felt thick and suffocating, yet I knew that staying hidden would not be a viable option for long.
My grip on the door handle tightened as I mustered my resolve.
There was no telling how many more of these shadowy creatures would appear.
Creak...
With cautious determination, I slowly turned the handle and pushed the cabin door open, allowing me to step out onto the deck. Moonlight spilled over the scene, revealing the multitude of shadows that had now gathered on the ship.
My fingers twitched slightly, and I channeled the Mana within me into my longsword. A faint golden glow enveloped the blade, illuminating the area around me.
Splash...
Taking a fighting stance, I observed as countless shadows emerged from the waters, their forms climbing onto the ship's deck. They moved with an eerie fluidity, their silhouettes writhing and twisting as if they were made of liquid darkness. The moonlight seemed to cling to their outlines, emphasizing their unnatural shapes.
I could feel the tension in the air, a palpable energy that crackled with unsettling anticipation. The shadows showed no sign of aggression, yet their presence alone was enough to set my nerves on edge. I narrowed my eyes, focusing on their movements, searching for any hint of their intentions.
Swish...
The reeds surrounding the ship continued to rustle, a testament to the relentless advance of these shadowy beings. Their numbers seemed almost endless, and the thought of being overwhelmed by their sheer quantity sent a shiver down my spine.
I knew that I had to be prepared for whatever might happen next.
My grip on the longsword remained firm, and I felt the thrum of its power coursing through me. The Mana within me seemed to resonate with the darkness that surrounded these creatures as if there was a connection waiting to be unraveled. I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency, a need to uncover the truth behind these shadows and put an end to their eerie dance.
Huff...
With a deep breath, I took a step forward, my boots making a soft thud on the wooden deck.
The shadows shifted as I moved, their obsidian forms undulating like living ink. I could sense their attention turning towards me, their dark eyes fixated on my every move. It was as if they were waiting for something, a cue or a signal that would determine their next course of action.
The moon emerged from behind a cloud, casting a beam of silvery light that illuminated the area around me.
At that moment, I caught a glimpse of their faces - twisted and contorted, with eyes that seemed to hold an abyss of secrets. They emitted an eerie silence, a stillness that was both unsettling and mesmerizing.
Grrr...
One of the let out a growl and I knew I was in for a fight.