Chapter 682 A Trap In The Portal
As Allison and the others stumbled out of the portal into what they expected to be the safety of the sub-plane known as the City of Milk and Honey, they were met with a horrifying reality. Instead of the sanctuary they anticipated, they found themselves in Imperilment, a sub-plane notorious for its danger and hostile inhabitants.
The same place that Lenny and Victor had once fought for Victor's right to become Alpha.
The landscape around them was bleak and terrifying, a stark contrast to the haven they sought. The ground was rugged and uneven, with sparse vegetation that did little to soften the harshness of the environment. The sky was a dull, oppressive grey, casting everything in a somber light.
But it was the creatures of Imperilment that truly struck fear into the hearts of the refugees. These malevolent beings were like nothing they had ever seen, a nightmare come to life. Some resembled giant alligators, their massive bodies covered in thick, scaly armor, mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth ready to snap at anything that moved. Others bore a terrifying resemblance to dinosaurs, towering creatures with powerful limbs and a predatory gaze that scanned the area for prey.
As the refugees realized their grave mistake, panic set in. Some tried to rush back through the portal, only to find that it was a one-way passage, a cruel trick of security that left them trapped in this deadly place.
The flying creatures of Imperilment, resembling grotesque, oversized birds with sharp talons and beaks, dove down from the sky. Their screeches filled the air as they descended upon the hapless people, snatching them up and tearing them apart in a gruesome spectacle. The ground soon became a chaotic battleground, where the refugees tried desperately to fend off the relentless attacks.
In one corner, Allison clung to Victor, who was still groggy from the powder Elder Zod had used to subdue him. His usual strength and combat prowess were of no use in his current state, leaving Allison to fend for both of them. She was terrified, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan to survive this nightmare. The sight of the terrible creatures attacking the people around her was overwhelming, the sounds of panic and pain etching themselves into her memory.
The alligator-like creatures snapped at anyone within reach, their powerful jaws crushing bones and flesh with terrifying ease. The dinosaur-like beings stomped through the crowd, their sheer size and strength causing devastation with every step. The flying creatures continued their deadly assault from above, swooping down to pick off those who tried to run or hide.
Amidst the chaos, Allison did her best to keep Victor and herself out of sight, hoping to avoid the attention of the hungry beasts. But as she watched the horror unfold around her, she knew that their chances of survival were slim. Imperilment was a sub-plane of danger and death, and they were its latest victims, caught in a situation with no apparent escape.
The tragedy of their failed escape from Glenn's territory was compounded by the terror of this new, hostile world. The refugees, who had sought safety from the undead threat, now faced a different but equally deadly peril. And as Allison held Victor close, trying to shield him from the horror around them, she realized that their fight for survival was far from over. It had merely shifted from one nightmarish landscape to another.
Allison's scream pierced the air as the creature with a frog-like tongue snatched Victor away from her. The bond between them, deeper and more profound than any ordinary love, made the sight of him being pulled into the beast's stomach unbearable. Tears streamed down her face as she watched, helpless and devastated, her mate and protector being taken from her.
In her moment of despair, another monstrous beast, resembling a gigantic tiger, pounced towards her. Its mighty frame cast a shadow over her, its intent clear and deadly.
Allison, overwhelmed by fear and grief, curled up into a ball, bracing for the end. She closed her eyes, unable to watch as the beast prepared to devour her.
But then, something unexpected happened. The sound of slashing and fighting filled the air, and the imminent danger that loomed over her suddenly ceased. Cautiously, Allison opened her eyes and found herself staring at three figures standing protectively in front of her. One of them, to her shock and relief, was a familiar face. "Uncle Ulric!?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of happiness and disbelief.
Uncle Ulric, a member of the Ironback werewolves that Lenny had once sent into this dreadful place, nodded at her with a grim determination.
He signaled the other two beside him, and one of them sprang into action, attacking the giant frog-like creature that had swallowed Victor. These three werewolves, survivors of Imperilment's horrors, had somehow managed to endure and adapt in this hostile environment.
Allison could see the terrible scars marring Ulric's body, each one a testament to the battles and challenges he had faced in this unforgiving sub-plane. Imperilment was indeed no place for the weak, and it was evident that Uncle Ulric and his companions had become much stronger, tempered by the constant threat of death and danger.
As the werewolf fought the frog-like creature, there was a moment of tense anticipation. Then, with a final, decisive move, the beast was defeated, and Victor was pulled from its stomach. He was weak and disoriented, but he was alive, much to Allison's immense relief.
The reunion was brief, however, as the dangers of Imperilment were ever-present. Uncle Ulric quickly explained that they needed to move to a safer location, that staying out in the open was inviting more attacks.
Allison, Victor, and the Ironback werewolves hastily retreated, making their way through the perilous landscape.
As they moved, Ulric and his companions shared their knowledge of surviving in Imperilment, their understanding of the creatures and the terrain proving invaluable. They had become warriors of this sub-plane, their strength and resilience a beacon of hope in a world of darkness.
Allison, holding onto Victor, felt a surge of gratitude and hope. The arrival of Ulric and the Ironback werewolves was a miracle she hadn't dared to hope for. And as they navigated the treacherous sub-plane together, she knew that their fight for survival was far from over....
(Author's note: STILL accept gifts, please. After all, its the festive season we are talking about here!)
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m