As the World Change

Chapter 2 - Echoes of the Deep

Note: This is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real events or people is purely coincidental.

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Echoes of the Deep

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Keyos stirred, his eyelids fluttering open to a world of absolute blackness. He was used to darkness, the kind that cloaked the city streets after midnight, but this felt different—denser, heavier, like a physical weight pressing down on him. His body ached, every bruise and wound pulsing with a dull throb, a constant reminder of the brutal beating he'd endured. For a moment, he thought he was still lying in the alley, his broken body abandoned to the cold, unforgiving concrete, waiting for the end.

But he wasn't.

The ground beneath him wasn’t the familiar, hard surface of the city streets. It was rough, jagged, like the uneven surface of a forgotten mountain path. The air was thick, damp, and heavy with an earthy scent of moss and ancient stone, like the forgotten corners of the city where shadows lingered, and secrets were whispered.
His fingers curled, brushing against the rough texture of the rock, the cold, damp stone sending a shiver down his spine, a shiver that was both physical and emotional, a reminder of the chilling reality of his situation.  His heartbeat pounded in his ears, each breath coming faster than the last. He clenched his fists, forcing air into his lungs, but his chest felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. Where am I?

He closed his eyes again, trying to regain his composure. His last memory came rushing back—the beating, the streets, his final breath, and then... hope. A fleeting thought, a desperate plea whispered into the darkness. Just give me another chance.

Had someone heard him?

Keyos forced himself up, his limbs trembling as he pushed against the stone floor. His muscles protested with a dull ache, stiff and slow, but they responded. Slowly. Carefully. A small victory. He breathed in, the cold air sharp in his lungs, a stark contrast to the suffocating thickness of the alley. His eyes began to adjust to the faint, distant glow that barely illuminated the cavern around him. Shadows flickered, dancing like ghosts, mocking his frailty, reminding him of his vulnerability.

A sharp twist in his stomach pulled him back to the present, the gnawing emptiness in his belly punctuated by the echoing drip of water from a hidden source somewhere above.  Hunger. The sensation hit him hard, a primal urge gnawing at his insides, reminding him that whatever this place was, he was alive. He was still fighting.

But the second realization came with a chilling wave of dread. I'm alone.

His throat tightened as he swallowed down the lump forming there. No more people. He didn’t need anyone—not now. Not after what happened. He had to survive on his own.

The faint glow revealed more of his surroundings—a cavern of immense size, the walls jagged and ominous like the teeth of a sleeping beast. They led into tunnels that stretched deeper into the abyss, disappearing into the darkness, their secrets hidden from view.  His mind drifted back to the orphanage, the cold stone walls, the echoing silence.  He had always felt like a ghost, a shadow, unseen and unheard.  But here, in this desolate place, he was more than a ghost.  He was a survivor.  A flicker of hope, a faint ember, remained within him.  He had survived so much, endured so much.  Maybe, just maybe, he could survive this too.

Then came a noise. Faint. A low growl echoed from one of the tunnels, a sound that sent a cold shiver racing down his spine. It was deep, rumbling, reverberating through the cave walls, shaking the very ground beneath him.

His heartbeat stumbled. I'm not alone.

Keyos scrambled to his feet, every nerve on edge, his senses heightened. The growl came again, closer this time, a low, guttural sound that seemed to vibrate through his bones, a sound that spoke of ancient power and primal rage.  His mind raced, replaying the mocking faces of the thugs. He had always been alone, but this was a different kind of isolation—a terrifying, primal kind.
His eyes darted to the darkness ahead. Something moved. Slowly. Methodically. A monstrous shape slithered into view, its massive form barely discernible in the dim light. He could make out dark scales reflecting the faint glow, scales that shimmered like obsidian in the dim light, and sharp claws scraping against the stone, a chilling sound that sent waves of terror coursing through him.  The creature slithered forward with unnerving grace. Its massive silhouette barely shifted the shadows, yet its every move echoed like a predator's promise, its presence a palpable threat.

Run.

The word echoed in his mind, instinct driving him forward, but his legs felt like lead, stiff and useless after so long spent lying still. He staggered, barely keeping his balance as he stumbled toward an opening in the cave wall—a tunnel just wide enough to squeeze through.  His heart pounded in his chest, his lungs burning from the cold, sharp air.  He scrambled, his hands clawing at the rough stone, his body a blur of motion as he pushed himself forward, driven by a primal instinct to survive.  Behind him, the creature's growl deepened, the sound of scraping claws louder now, a relentless pursuit that filled him with a primal fear.

His chest heaved. His mind screamed: move faster! But his legs lagged, leaden, slow.
Keyos pushed his way into the tunnel, his heart pounding in his ears, his lungs burning from the cold, sharp air. He didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t care. He just needed to survive. For now.  The fear, a cold, constricting grip around his heart, pushed him forward, a desperate plea for life echoing in his mind.

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I made a few minor changes.
Thank you for reading! I hope it was an enjoyable experience, as that’s what I was aiming for.
Any support would be greatly appreciated—whether it’s through reads, votes, comments, or kind feedback. Thank you!

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©Mari√
lazyscorpii