The creature was gone. Vanished. But the sound continued.
Clink-clink-scrape.
Joel froze, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. Slowly, he turned, gripping the hammer tighter in his hand. His pulse thundered in his ears, and his breath came shallow and quick. The sound was coming from behind him, again, faint at first but growing louder with every passing second.
Clink-clink-scrape.
It was rhythmic, deliberate—metal on metal, then a drag, like something heavy being pulled along the floor. The dim light of the vats barely penetrated the shadows in the vast space, leaving everything beyond the glow an unsettling void.
Joel adjusted his grip on the hammer, his knuckles white. The creature he’d just killed had been twisted, and horrifying, but it had at least resembled something living. Even if it reminded him of his brother. Whatever was making that sound felt... worse.
“Who’s there?” Joel called out, his voice echoing down the corridor.
No response.
Clink-clink-scrape.
The noise grew louder and closer. Joel’s heart raced as he backed up a step, his boots crunching against debris on the floor. His eyes darted to the walls, the ceiling, searching for anything—a shadow, a glimmer of movement, anything to tell him what was coming.
Then it emerged from the darkness.
At first, Joel thought it was a machine. Its body was angular and jagged, a patchwork of rusted metal fused with unnaturally blackened bone. But as the light from the vats fell upon it, the truth revealed itself, and his stomach churned. The thing wasn’t a machine. It was a woman—or what was left of one.
Her body was grotesquely distorted, naked save for the patches of hardened, metallic scales fused to her flesh. They caught the light with a sickly sheen, their sharp edges jutting out at unnatural angles. Black, ichorous veins pulsed beneath her skin, and her fingers had elongated into razor-sharp claws that raked against the floor as she moved.
Her head was the worst. The face that might have once been human was gone, replaced by a warped, featureless mask of void-black metal. No eyes, no mouth—just a single slit where dim green light flickered, as though something alive and malevolent peered out from within.
The lizard-like features of her body only made her more unnerving. Her shoulders and thighs were covered in thick, armoured scales, each plate edged with blackened ridges that oozed a dark fluid. A long, whip-like tail trailed behind her, dragging across the floor with each step.
Joel’s stomach twisted as she tilted her head in his direction, the sickly green light sweeping over him like a searchlight. Her movements were a horrific blend of fluidity and jerking starts, as though she struggled against her own body with every step.
“What... what are you?” Joel breathed, barely above a whisper.
She didn’t answer, but her claws twitched, and the tail behind her cracked against the floor with a sharp, whip-like snap.
Then she laughed.
Low, rasping, and metallic, the sound grated against his nerves like grinding gears. It wasn’t human—it couldn’t be. But there was something almost gleeful in the sound, as though she enjoyed his fear.
The creature's shadow danced across the walls, a grotesque puppet show in the flickering LED light. Each scrape of its claws against the floor sent a jolt of icy fear through Joel, a primal instinct screaming at him to flee. But flight was not an option. He steadied his breath, the rhythmic pounding in his ears drowning out the creature's guttural growls. He could almost taste the metallic tang of the activation sequence, the familiar burn of adrenaline igniting in his veins.
His gaze flickered to the heart card embedded beneath his ribs, a cold, metallic weight against his skin. With a grunt, he clenched his fist over his sternum, willing the system to respond. Heat erupted from his chest, radiating outward in waves that buckled the air. Fractured gears, sparking cogs, and crystalline shards that shimmered with an inner light materialized around him, coalescing into a shimmering exoskeleton; his bio-armour.
The armour settled over him like a second skin, cold and unforgiving. He felt the familiar strength and security wash over him, the slight hum of energy coursing through his veins. It was a burden, a necessity. But it was also a shield, a weapon, a testament to his resolve. The creature watched him with an unsettling calm, its slitted eyes reflecting the flickering light from Joel’s helmet.
“Let's see what you've got,” Joel growled, his voice a low, metallic rasp. He raised his hammer, its reinforced head gleaming ominously in the dim light. The creature let out a low, guttural growl, a sound that resonated deep within Joel's bones. He braced himself for the onslaught, his heart pounding like a war drum against his armoured ribs.
The woman lunged, faster than he’d anticipated. Her claws raked through the air, aiming for his head. Joel barely had time to duck, the claws whistling past his ear as he stumbled backward. He swung the hammer in a wide arc, aiming for her torso, but she twisted unnaturally, the blow glancing off her armoured scales with a dull clang.
Her tail whipped out next, striking him across the side. The impact sent him sprawling to the ground, his hammer slipping from his grasp and skittering out of reach.
“Damn it,” Joel hissed, scrambling to his feet as she advanced. The dim green light in her face slit pulsed brighter, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Joel’s mind raced. Her armoured scales were tough, but not impenetrable. He’d have to find a weak spot—and fast.
She lunged again, her claws striking where he’d been a moment ago as he dove to the side. His hand found the hammer, and he rolled to his feet just in time to block another swipe. Sparks flew as steel met claws, the impact jolting up his arms.
But she was relentless. The woman came at him again and again, her movements a terrifying blend of animal instinct and mechanical precision. Joel was forced back step by step, each swing of his hammer barely keeping her at bay. Panic clawed at the edges of his mind, but then a flicker of Gideon's voice echoed in his head – “Focus, Joel. Think. Analyze. React.” He forced himself to slow his breathing, to observe her patterns, to find an opening. Gideon's gruelling training sessions, the hours spent sparring against invisible foes, suddenly felt less like a burden and more like a lifeline. He channelled his fear into a surge of adrenaline, his movements becoming more fluid, more decisive.
He felt the familiar tingle of his Blade Dancer card activate, his senses sharpening, his movements becoming a blur of calculated aggression. Each swing of his hammer now had a purpose, a rhythm, a deadly flow. He parried a vicious blow with practiced ease, the counterattack landing with a satisfying thud against her armoured chest. He was dancing now, a deadly waltz of steel against steel, his fear replaced by a cold, calculating fury. The woman was a formidable opponent, but Joel, honed by his training and empowered by his card, slowly fought back.
However, it was far from one-sided, a moment later, her claws raked against his armour, sending sparks flying as he ducked under a wild strike. The glowing green slit in her helmet flared ominously as if mocking his every effort to hold her off. Joel's grip on the hammer tightened, but the weight of the fight—and the realization that she wasn’t slowing down—pressed on him like a vice.
"Not enough," he muttered under his breath, frustration boiling over. She was faster, stronger, and seemingly impervious to his usual tactics. If he didn’t change the game, he’d lose.
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Joel felt the pulse of his heart card in his chest, steady and waiting. It wasn’t just the armour; he still had the Gator. He hesitated for only a moment before slamming his palm against his chest. The card burned hot beneath his hand, and with a thought, he willed it into action.
HUD Notification:
Steam Gator’s Fury (Rare)
Details:
Active Ability: Scalding Burst
Release a concentrated burst of steam, scalding all enemies in a 10-meter radius. Damage is moderate but increases significantly against exposed flesh. The burst creates a dense mist, obscuring vision for 15 seconds and providing temporary cover. Allies are unaffected by the heat but benefit from the mist.
A rush of energy coursed through him, starting in his chest and surging outward like liquid fire. Joel gritted his teeth as his armour began to transform. The plates shifted and expanded, mechanisms clicking into place as thick, gator-like scales of reinforced metal and steam vents formed along his arms and shoulders. His gauntlets elongated into claw-like grips, and his boots bulked up, stabilizing him against the ground.
He smirked to himself, more than one thing had been levelling up these past few days.
Steam hissed from his back, filling the air with a sharp, metallic tang as the transformation completed. A low rumble of mechanical growls emanated from the vents, mirroring his resolve. Joel rolled his shoulders, feeling the raw power coursing through the augmented armour.
System Notification.
Armour has used its absorption ability and using void energy, has adapted Steam Gator’s Fury for this battle. The energy drain has doubled.
[Steam-Powered Gator Card Absorbed into Core Armor]
Effects Gained:
- Enhanced Physical Strength: +30% boost to melee attacks.
- Steam Propulsion: Improved mobility, allowing short, high-speed bursts.
- Reinforced Armor Plating: Scaled protection against physical and elemental attacks.
- Energy Drain: Power consumption doubled. The duration of armour is reduced significantly unless energy sources are replenished.
Energy is currently at 80 percent.
Joel feels the immediate surge of power as the Gator's abilities enhance his armour, but the steady pulse of his heart card reminds him of the cost. Every second counts now.
The woman froze for a moment, her slit of green light tilting to study him. Joel didn’t give her time to adjust. He lunged forward, claws snapping out as he grabbed one of her metal-skeletal arms mid-swing. With a powerful twist, he slammed her into the ground, her metallic body crashing against the floor with a resounding clang. She screeched and lashed out with her tail, but Joel anticipated the move.
Steam burst from his vents, propelling him backward just as the tail struck, narrowly avoiding another direct hit. He landed with a skid, his boots hissing against the slick floor, and shot forward again faster this time.
A notification at the bottom of his HUD reads: Energy currently at 75 percent.
The Gator’s strength was undeniable. Joel ducked under her claws and swung his hammer in a wide arc, the head enhanced with his new enchanted force. The impact shattered a section of her armoured scales, sending shards of metal scattering across the room.
The creature shrieked, staggering as black void tendrils leaked from the cracks in her body. She retaliated, her movements growing even more chaotic as she whipped her tail around in a frenzy.
Joel didn’t flinch. Another burst of steam-propelled him to her side, where he clawed at her exposed midsection. His claws tore through the warped metal and void-streaked flesh like paper, leaving deep gouges that oozed with inky darkness.
But the fight was far from over. The woman reared back, her tail smashing into another vat. Red fluid exploded outward, drenching them both in a thick, corrosive spray. Joel’s visor flickered as the substance hissed against his armour, but the Gator’s enhancements held firm.
A flash at the bottom of his HUD: Energy is currently at 60 percent. “Shit,” Joel swore under his breath. He needed to end this fight fast. His energy reserves were dwindling, and with them, his armour. He couldn't afford to let this drag on. He had to find an opening, a decisive blow that would bring this monstrous creature down.
The mutated woman wasn’t as lucky. The fluid hissed and bubbled where it clung to her body, smoke rising as it ate away at her armoured scales and mechanical parts. She screeched again, thrashing wildly as she tried to shake the substance off.
Joel seized the moment. With a steam-fueled burst, he launched himself forward, his hammer raised high. The weapon came down with devastating force, driving through her chest and shattering the warped helmet in one blow.
The creature buckled, her legs crumpling beneath her, the force of the blow sending her skidding across the ground. Joel stood still, steam hissing from his armour as he panted for breath. The red fluid pooled around them, acrid smoke curling into the air, stinging his eyes and filling his lungs with its sharp tang.
Then he saw it.
Amidst the sparking wreckage of her body and the void tendrils leaking from her exposed midsection, there was an opening—a jagged, vulnerable gap where his hammer had cracked through her armour. The HUD alarm blared, a harsh, insistent sound that pierced through the din of battle. His energy levels flashed dangerously low at just below half. Every second drained precious reserves, the added power of the Gator's heart card bleeding his system dry.
Panic clawed at him. If he didn’t finish this now, his armour would power down, leaving him exposed. Summoning the last of his strength, Joel gripped his hammer tightly, the weight of it suddenly feeling unbearable. He pushed forward, steam venting from his shoulders in a desperate burst, determined to end this fight before it ended him.
Joel didn’t hesitate. He feinted left, drawing her claws in that direction, then pivoted sharply and swung the hammer with all his might. The head of the hammer connected with the exposed spot, and the impact was devastating. The woman let out a shriek that was more machine than human, her body convulsing violently as black ichor sprayed from the wound.
Joel didn’t stop. He swung again and again, hammering at the weak spot until her movements slowed, then ceased entirely.
She collapsed to the ground in a twisted heap, her claws twitching once before going still.
Joel stepped back, panting heavily, his hands trembling around the hammer’s grip. His eyes stayed locked on the creature’s broken form, half-expecting her to rise again.
But she didn’t.
Instead, the sickly green light in her head slit flickered once, then faded into darkness. The creature slumped, her jagged, clawed arms falling lifelessly to her sides. Joel exhaled shakily, his chest heaving as he took a cautious step forward, his hammer still raised. Steam vented softly from his armour, dissipating into the acrid air.
System Notification:
[Void-Infused Snake Construct Defeated]
Experience Gained: 650 XP
Energy Recovery Bonus: +10% (Delayed absorption pending void dissipation).
Joel ignored the notification for a moment, his attention fixed on the twisted figure before him. Something gnawed at him—an unease that wouldn’t let him leave it at this. He set his hammer down, its head thunking softly against the floor, and stepped closer.
With a shaking hand, he reached for the jagged, helmet-like mask that encased her head. The steel felt unnaturally cold, and his fingers hesitated for a moment. Then, with a sharp tug, the mask came loose, scraping against her fused flesh as it fell away with a clang.
Joel’s breath caught in his throat. Beneath the warped metal, there was a face—a human face. Though lined with scars and marred by patches of scaled void corruption, it was unmistakably human. And not just any face.
“Sarah?” he whispered, the name slipping out before he could stop himself.
The resemblance was haunting. Her high cheekbones, the shape of her jaw, and the faint curve of her lips—it was her. Or what was left of her? The mother to his child, but it couldn’t be her. She was back in Fort Saint John, with Oliver. He hoped they were all still safe together.
“No,” he whispered.
Joel staggered back, nearly tripping over the mask he’d discarded. His mind raced, every thought crashing into the next. No. It couldn’t be. Sarah was gone—long gone. This was just another trick, another monster wearing something familiar to break him. But the way her face twisted, frozen in a silent scream, felt too real to dismiss.
The system chimed again, breaking his spiralling thoughts.
HUD System Notification:
Warning: Void corruption detected in close proximity. Prolonged exposure may result in contamination. Recommend immediate action.
Joel clenched his fists, staring at her lifeless face, his reflection faintly visible in the crimson pool spreading between them. His armour hissed again, and he realized his reserves were running critically low.
“20 percent,” he said to himself. As be backed out of the pool.
“What the hell is happening here?” he muttered, his voice trembling as much as his hands.
That’s when he saw it.
In the back of the room, partially hidden by shadows and the acrid smoke curling through the air, a faint glow pulsed steadily. Joel squinted, his heart still pounding as he stepped closer, steam hissing softly from his armour.
A computer station—still functional. The monitor’s greenish hue reflected faintly off the nearby machinery, its interface flickering with data that looked far too intact for the chaos around him.
Joel's heart froze, every nerve on edge, walking towards the computer he dismissed his armour before he completely ran out of power.
Still shaking his head over and over, whispering, “What the hell...?”