Varia

Looking closer the creature was unlike anything he’d seen before, a grotesque blend of nightmare fuel that seemed barely contained within its own skin. Its too-many eyes flicked back and forth, each one darting in a different direction, some locking onto the woman as she tried to edge away. It reeked of decay, its breath visible even in the cold morning air, as if the very act of existing was a strain on its monstrous body.

“Shit,” Kain muttered, a thrill of excitement buzzing under his skin. “That thing’s got some serious ugly points.” He could smell the rot rolling off it, thick and pungent, filling the air with a sickly sweetness that made his stomach turn.

Kain didn’t hesitate, his steps measured but purposeful. His eyes stayed on the creature, studying its movements, watching for any sign that it would attack. He knew he needed to be smart about this—whatever it was, it wasn’t the kind of thing you took down with brute force alone.

Doc’s voice slithered through Kain’s mind, an insidious whisper laced with dark amusement. “Now that, Kain, is no ordinary beast. Looks like it crawled out of someone’s deepest nightmares. You know,” he continued, his tone almost purring, “you’ve been holding back lately, haven’t you? Just a little bit. Go on, let loose a bit. Have some fun with it. You’ve got the strength to spare. Hell, you could afford to be reckless and stupid for once. This thing wouldn’t stand a chance if you really put your back into it.”

Kain’s lips curved into a smirk, a flicker of dark humor threading through him. “Yeah, to hell with caution it's never really been my style anyways.”

He took another step forward, letting out a sharp whistle to catch the creature’s attention. It paused, its many eyes swiveling in his direction, and for a moment, he felt the weight of its gaze, cold and unblinking. A low growl rumbled from its chest, and it turned to face him fully, its lips pulling back to reveal a row of jagged, mismatched teeth. Kain could see the hesitation flicker across its face, the faint trace of doubt that told him it wasn’t used to being challenged.

Kain’s voice slipped into the night, low and edged with a cocky calm that barely concealed the thrill of the challenge. “You picked the wrong night to hunt,” he drawled, his smirk widening as he watched the creature bristle. He took a step forward, rolling his shoulders like he was warming up for a casual stroll. “Honestly, I was hoping for a quiet evening. Grab a beer, maybe catch a fight on TV. But then you showed up, and well, here we are.”

The creature snarled, its eyes narrowing, but Kain held up a hand, feigning a look an adult would to a child. “Oh, don’t give me that. You’re the one lurking in the shadows like a low-budget horror flick villain. Gotta say, though,” he added, looking the creature up and down, “you could use a wardrobe upgrade. That whole ‘shadow-dweller chic’ look? Little played out.”

He advanced, his entire demeanor radiating a relaxed confidence that somehow made him seem all the more dangerous. “Here’s how this goes. You get one chance to crawl back to whatever hole you came from, and maybe I get back to my night. Or,” he shrugged, “you can stick around, and I’ll show you what happens when you mess with a guy who’s not just passing through.”

The creature hissed, baring its teeth, and Kain chuckled, tilting his head with a glint in his eye. “Look at you, all riled up. I gotta admit, it’s almost cute. But listen, I’ve got a hot date, and we’re going Salsa dancing!”

With a grin, he clicked his heels together, raising one arm high in a sweeping, fluid motion, as if inviting an unseen partner into his embrace. He shifted his weight onto one foot, rolling his shoulders and dropping into a classic Salsa stance, one hand extended, palm open, while the other rested at his side, fingers lightly curled, ready to lead. His hips swayed subtly, a faint rhythm moving through him as he gave a teasing little twist, a playful mockery of a dance move but with a lethal, agile precision behind it.

The creature snarled, clearly unimpressed, and without warning, it lunged forward, grabbing a massive trash can from the shadows—a can Kain could have sworn hadn’t been there just a second ago. With a grunt, it hurled the heavy metal cylinder straight at him, the air rippling from its speed as it hurtled through the alley.

Kain reacted instantly, shifting his stance with the ease of a practiced dancer. He spun to the side, his feet gliding over the pavement in a graceful pivot, and the trash can sailed past him, crashing into the wall with a deafening clang that sent a shower of debris scattering. He straightened, flashing the creature a cocky grin, eyes glinting with amusement.

“Looks like you’re not a fan of Salsa,” he quipped, rolling his neck with a sigh. “Well, I’m warmed up and ready to tango, so bring it on. I’ll lead.”

Just as he took a confident step forward, his boot landed squarely on an old banana peel, which must have fallen out of the upturned trash can. For a split second, he flailed, arms windmilling as he fought to keep his balance, a startled look flashing across his face.

He managed to catch himself, quickly straightening up and brushing it off with a smirk, as if nothing had happened, but not before shooting a sheepish glance back at the creature. “Alright, maybe you got one point for style there,” he muttered, half to himself, before resetting his stance, grin undiminished.

The creature eyed him with a mix of confusion and annoyance, and Kain gave a small shrug, his confidence back in place. “Let’s not waste any more time. I’ve got the moves, but I’m done slipping around.”

The creature thundered toward Kain, a hulking mass that seemed to devour the ground with each step. He stood his ground, his gaze locked on it, his breathing steady, almost calm. The distance between them vanished in seconds, and the creature lashed out with a clawed hand, faster than expected for something so large. Kain’s body shifted, almost reflexively, a subtle turn of his shoulders letting the blow graze past him, mere inches away.

He pivoted with the movement, bringing his fist forward in a tight arc, aiming for the creature’s ribs. The impact was solid, sending a dull vibration up his arm as he connected, but it was like striking stone. The creature’s skin, thick and unyielding, barely registered the hit. It roared, a low, guttural sound, and swung back with a vicious swipe. Kain ducked, feeling the rush of air just over his head, catching a faint, feral scent.

In the dim light, Kain’s eyes tracked its movements, the shadows dancing across its furred body, revealing sinewy muscle beneath. He stayed low, his feet light, ready to move. The creature came at him again, a relentless assault of claws and sheer force. Kain twisted, sidestepped, each evasion deliberate, almost like a dance. He countered with a rapid flurry of punches, aiming for softer spots, testing its defenses.

For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the thrill of it—a primal clash, raw and unforgiving. His breath came in quiet, measured bursts, his mind racing with calculations. This creature was strong, built to tear through anything in its path. But Kain, with his eyes narrowing and a hint of a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth, knew he had more than brute strength on his side. There was an edge, something in him that thrived on this grit, this pulse of danger.

Kain and the creature pulled back, each taking a breath, assessing the other with a guarded stillness. Kain’s stance was low and loose, his shoulders relaxed, but his eyes sharp, calculating. He could feel the pulse of adrenaline settling, his mind running through the last few exchanges, cataloging the creature’s speed, the reach of its claws, the density of its hide.

The creature paced a few feet away, its breath steaming in the cool night air. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, narrowing with a mix of curiosity and caution, as if realizing that its initial attack hadn’t shaken Kain. It let out a low growl, lips peeling back to reveal rows of jagged teeth, yet it didn’t charge. Instead, it mirrored Kain’s stillness, muscles coiled tight, waiting.

Kain allowed himself a small, satisfied smile, wiping a trickle of sweat from his brow. He took a moment to examine the creature—its hulking frame, the way its limbs moved with a brutal efficiency. He could tell it was strong, a powerhouse meant to overwhelm. But strength alone wouldn’t cut it here, and he knew it. His fingers flexed at his sides, readying himself for the next move, his body attuned to every detail, every shift in the dim light.

Their silence stretched, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Each knew that the next clash would demand something more. For Kain, it wasn’t just a fight—it was a test, a chance to prove, yet again, that he wasn’t just another prey. He met the creature’s gaze, holding it steady, the faintest edge of a grin on his lips. In this brief pause, they were both predators, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.