The Shadow Man

TwentyFive

We walk through the cave system, lit by neon energy.
The lights grow more and more crimson as we walk.
By the time we get to the mouth of the cave, they are a hot angry shade of red.
We emerge and I am horrified.
I see skeletons and ruins of an ancient people.
"This is what the darkness does, Shift."
I look out at the red settling dust that floats across the expansion.
Unable to move, I search for words to say, but I come up speechless.
"What happened here?"
Rone finally asks.
"A Battle was lost. That is why we dwell in caves, and why we hide in the shadows."
Answers the man behind us.
"Do you see now, young one? Do you see why we must push back the darkness? This will continue to happen, until it is stopped."
I feel like a weight has been dropped on my shoulders.
This could be earth right now.
"What will you have me do?"

I punch another creature, throwing it back.
Two more pounce behind me.
An axe slashes into the throat of the first.
I throw a kick to the chest of the second, crushing it's body.
I see the axe float from the creatures body, and float back to the sender.
Judger catches the weapon, and slides it across his back.
I smile at him.
He stands there, wearing Armor that he doesn't need.
"Let's get out of here."
Says a voice behind me.
I turn.
Xander walks towards me.
"All Of their security is dealing with some escapees, so we can leave through the hole they made."
I smile.
"Let's go."

I fall to my knees, gasping for air.
I feel my lungs collapsing as I try to breath.
The others around me feel the same effects.
Grey offers the man beside me a hand.
He and JayVett seem unaffected.
It must be their enhancements.
Their bodies are my resilient and adaptable to different atmospheres.
They were literally built for this.
After taking a few more deep breaths, I stand up, and grab my rifle.
"We should move, it's likely whoever lives here monitors whatever comes through here."
Says Finley, who has already caught her breath.
"Agreed. I'll scout ahead."
Says JayVett.
She floats up, and soars off into the distance.
The plant life all around us glows and shimmers in the low light. The sky is a brilliant purple, with a few splashes of blue.
Cosmic lights flash all around us.
"Let's move."
Says Finley.
"Keep your eyes peeled, we don't know what to expect here. Whatever it is, you can bet it'll be hostile."
Grey announces.
The ground flashes with every bootstep.
Something pulses in my head.
Once more I fall to the ground.
"Alice, what's wrong?"
I look up.
"I can feel him. I think he's in danger."