The next day, we climbed up the hill, shadows lengthening as we moved. Demon Hounds lunged at us sporadically, their attacks fierce but few in number, and we dispatched them swiftly. The one leading us, the captain, took the front as always.
We were heading toward the nearly demolished mansion, its presence radiating an intense demonic essence. It wasn't just a faint hint of malevolence; the dark aura was so potent it swirled around us like a churning storm cloud, suffocating in its intensity. Whatever lay inside was clearly something to dread.
"Alright, we're almost there," the commander said, her voice steady despite the oppressive atmosphere.
We pushed on, the demonic essence thickening with every step. Strangely, apart from the captain and me, none of the others seemed to sense the dense, suffocating aura that clung to us like a second skin.
Finally, we reached the mansion. It stood in a grotesque state of disrepair, its walls ensnared by thick, pulsating vines that seemed almost alive. The surface was smeared with eerie graffiti, the desperate markings of those who had survived the Ruination and made their way here.
"Something is inside there," the captain said, her voice strained. The oppressive demonic essence clinging to the mansion was clearly affecting her. "Let's investigate and find out what's going on."
We advanced cautiously. The entrance was choked with grotesque, veiny vines that coiled around the gate and fences like monstrous tendrils. Inside, the ground was a disturbing shade of red, completely devoid of grass or any signs of life. The place felt unnervingly alien, as if we had crossed into a nightmarish dimension.
"Let's burn these vines," the captain said decisively, her voice cutting through the thick, suffocating air.
One of the women unleashed a torrent of fire from the flamethrower, the flames roaring as they licked across the gate. The vines reacted violently, writhing and thrashing as if in agony, and I could swear there was a faint, otherworldly scream woven into the crackling flames.
After what felt like an eternity, the vines finally gave way, collapsing into a heap of blackened, smoldering remains. We forced the gate open and stepped inside. The captain shot me a look, her eyes searching mine, almost as if she was silently asking if I sensed it too.
I could feel it. Beneath us, something alive was lurking in the depths. It wasn't breathing, but I could almost hear a heartbeat—deep, slow, and powerful—reverberating through the ground, shaking our boots with each pulse. We were standing on it.
Despite the unsettling sensation, we pressed on towards the mansion. Inside, it was a complete disaster. The room was stripped bare, with not a single piece of furniture left. Shattered pictures were strewn across the floor, their frames splintered and glass shattered. Beyond that, the space was desolate.
The stairs were crumbling halfway up, barely holding together, while the walls were festooned with the same sinister red, veiny vines that had gripped the exterior.
"This place... is unnervingly eerie," the captain said.
The other women murmured their agreement. This mansion felt like a grotesque slice of the demon realm had bled into our world, blending the two realities in a nightmarish fusion.
We pressed deeper into the mansion, encountering an array of bizarre and unexpected items scattered among the debris. A rusty motorcycle, choked with vines, lay abandoned in a corner, its metal frame corroded and entwined with the creeping, pulsating growths.
We finally reached what appeared to be the mansion's lobby, a grand and eerie space. The massive, curving staircase dominated the room, its wooden railings worn but still standing. A faded red carpet lay in the center, stretching upward along the stairs. Above us, a chandelier hung ominously, strangely intact but tilted as if it had seen too much.
We sprinted across the uneven terrain, the monster's tentacles relentlessly pursuing us. The ground shook with every crash, sending debris flying into the air. We zigzagged through the wreckage, trying to avoid the lethal swings of the monster's limbs. The creature seemed to grow more enraged, altering its attack patterns unpredictably.
One moment, the tentacles swept in wide arcs, smashing down with incredible force, while the next, they struck in rapid, erratic movements. It was as if the monster was adapting to our attempts to dodge, forcing us to stay constantly on the move.
"Split up!" the captain yelled, trying to direct our chaotic escape. "Keep it guessing!"
We scattered, each of us weaving through the debris-strewn battlefield. The monster's roars echoed around us, blending with the relentless thunder of its tentacles slamming into the ground. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of burning wreckage.
The creature's attacks became more sporadic, as if it was struggling to keep track of all our movements. But this also made it more dangerous; the swings were less predictable, and the ground became a maze of craters and jagged debris.
As I darted between the fallen remains of the mansion's facade, I saw one of the women get trapped by a particularly vicious tentacle. She was hurled into the air, her scream abruptly cut off as she was flung into the remains of a shattered column.
We regrouped momentarily, catching our breath. The captain, panting heavily, looked at us with determined eyes. "We need to get to the carrier, now! The tanks are our only hope!"
With the monster's relentless assault on our heels, we pushed forward, weaving through the tentacles' deadly swings. The creature seemed to sense our destination, and its attacks grew more frantic, trying to block our path.
Finally, the outline of the carrier came into view. It was so close now; we were almost there.
But before we could fully escape, a blinding pinprick of light suddenly streaked down from the sky. It struck the carrier with explosive force, and a brilliant white light burst outward, spreading like a nuclear detonation.
As the white light faded, all that remained was the massive mushroom cloud rising into the sky, a chilling testament to the destruction that had just occurred.
"My, my," a voice echoed from above. "I was curious why my dear Bruno is so vexed today. It appears there are some insignificant ants beneath us."
A woman descended from the sky, her scant clothing barely concealing her figure. Horns protruded from her forehead, and a tail swished behind her, while bat-like wings unfurled from her back. She regarded us with a mischievous glint, as though we were mere playthings.
"That's...!" The captain's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh? Do you recognize me?" she purred, her grin widening. "Naturally, I am your conqueror. It seems the other two are unfamiliar with me, but no matter. I shall introduce myself."
She twirled gracefully in the air and declared:
"I am Satania of Wrath, one of the Seven Princesses of Hell!"