The Shadow Man

NineTeen

"Are these the new contenders?"
Asks a Voice.
"Make sure they do not survive. You keep sending in everything we have until they have been slaughtered.
Once they fall, give to me their corpses, their world must see what has become of their champions."
My blood runs cold.
I struggle against the straps that hold my arms to my sides, but nothing happens.
They must hear my struggling because the moment I do, all falls silent.
It's as if they wanted me to hear them speak.
In a flash the door is ripped from its hinges, and clawed fingers grip my throat.
The man from the bunker holds me by the throat.
His claws burn against my bare skin as he tightens his grip.
"Ready yourself, your fate awaits you."
He snarls with the anger of a thousand men.
I'm cast aside, the restraints are pulled off me. My body rolls across the paneled ground.
I roll onto my back and get to my feet.
The two of them stand there.
One of them is Reptilian, obviously not human, and the other is the Shadow that took Donnie. He's the one I charge at.
I throw a fist at him.
My knuckles glide strait through him.
"Don't you run away from me!"
He chuckles as he vanishes into a cloud of black.
His cackles echo through my ears like laughter in a cave.
I turn to the creature, who grabs me with a giant hand, and throws me back into the box. Straps strap around me like tendrils, and hold me back from movement.
It looks at me, and begins humming as it works.
"I see, the bad moon rising."
The song has lost its cheerful upbeat tune. His deep distorted voice makes it into a song of malice.
"I see, trouble on the way."
The floor drops beneath me.
I watch as I pass light after light until the walls around me vanish.
After another 60 feet of falling, I hit the ground.
"Rone."
Says a Voice.
Kree offers me a hand.
I take it and get to my feet.
"Where's everyone else?"
I ask.
"I was hoping you knew."
He says.
"Where are we?"
I ask.
"The G'hunawae homeworld. We're in some deep-"
I cut him off.
"Do you hear that?"
The two of us fall silent.
He pulls a knife from his sheath.
I raise my pistol to eye level, readying myself to light up anything that moves.
Lights flick on above us, and I hear cheers and whistles.
"Behold, The champions of Earth!"
Calls a voice that booms all around us.
Crowds scream in excitement as rock music begins blaring all around us.
"Wave One, Round One. Combatants, Prepare."
I look to Kree.
"Prepare for what?"
I ask.
A G'hunawae emerges out of nowhere, and lunges at Kree.
With a slice to the throat and a stab in the head it falls to the ground.
"Just one?"
I ask.
The ground begins glowing and moving beneath our feet.
Veins of what must be Nolite energy ignite beneath our boots.
I hear a moaning growl as countless G'hunawae charge towards us all around.
I drop six of them before they reach arms length.
Kree slashes them down one by one as they approach him.
I reach behind me and extend my baton.
We stand back to back keeping them at bay.
"We won't last long out in the open like this."
He says.
"Agreed, but I don't really see a way out."
I look around for a way out, but see only the open field, with black shiny floors and glowing veins.
"Add variables."
I hear a voice call.
I look up to a tower that overlooks the arena.
Through the glass I see the man who sent us here.
He smirks at me through pale eyes. 
The floor drops beneath me.
I drop my baton and my pistol and reach for the edge.
A few of the beasts actually fall in all around me.
"Jack!"
Shouts Kree.
I look up to see an extended hand.
I take it.
He pulls me up, than the ground drops once more.
Other parts of the floor rise up, taking the G'hunawae with it.
I catch Kree just before he falls into an endless abyss.
He pulls another knife and hurls it over my shoulder.
I see a lifeless corpse fall into the crevice in which he dangles.
I pull him up just as the ground slides shut around him.
"What is this?"
I ask.
"The ground is moving."
He observes.
"Yes, Kree. I noticed."
I growl.
One of the G'hunawae tackles me.
My body hits the ground, which instantly flies up.
I roll out of the way, leaving the monster to be crushed against the ceiling.
I hit the ground, and begin running along the only clear path I see.
The ground drops off just as my heels lift from the floor.
Up ahead, I see a gap.
With no options left, I jump.