Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 9: The Virus

The Chosen One's instincts heightened. Lace's warning echoed in his mind; don't trust anyone–not even a single soul. The Second Coming hesitated, watching the dark green stick figure as they approached, but Valhalla tried to block his view, urging that it might be one of the eidolons Lace had been warning about. The Chosen One grabbed onto The Second Coming's arm and pulled him as Valhalla tried to remind him about the warning.

But the cries of the hurt figure, they were despaired, pained, and The Second Coming couldn't take any more of it. It was always in his heart that he needed to help anyone that was in trouble. What if this was really a stick figure that was hurt? The Chosen One and Valhalla felt a wave of panic rush over them, urging him not to give in to the monster's tactics.

But The Second Coming ignored them and broke free from The Chosen One's grip, slowly stepping toward the dark green stick figure. His movements were cautious yet resolute as he reached a hand towards the figure. The Chosen One pulled The Second Coming back once more, but just when they were close enough to the figure, it was already too late.

Suddenly, the dark green stick figure froze mid-step. Their head pivoted to the group and they leaned forward as their grasp on their wound let go, their stare suddenly expressionless. The three looked at the dark green stick figure, terrified, when they heard a sudden crack of bone from the figure. Their head unnaturally jerked to the side, and as more cracks were heard, a guttural growl released.

The figure's form began to twist, morphing into a bigger, bloodthirsty creature. Their form enlarged that even it shortened Queen of Hearts' height by just an inch; razor sharp spikes jutted out from their arms, legs, and back, tearing through their body like ruptured glass; a wide maw cut on their face, consistently open with fangs bared; from their back, a long tail of flickering red binary code uncoiled, ribboning through the air; and large claws materialized, replacing their hands into sharp talons.

The Second Coming staggered back in horror. What he thought was a stick figure in need of help, was not the same anymore. It was a mimicry monster, waiting to attack its prey with a murderous and savage intent. That was the monster—the eidolon.exe.

When the creature unleashed a feral roar that shook the town, The Chosen One reacted instantly. He grabbed The Second Coming and Valhalla by the wrists and prepared to take off, but the eidolon acted faster. It lashed its binary tail on The Chosen One with the force of a collapsing building, slamming the group onto the ground that almost seemed like it would break the floor.

The Chosen One and The Second Coming were stunned, paralyzed, but Valhalla's courage didn't falter. He pushed himself up as he stared at the eidolon. His gaze locked, a feeling of something that still felt new to him ever since escaping—defiance. He took slow steps towards it, a rush of valorous heat overcoming him. The monster crouched low, on all fours, growling and pacing as if reverberating a warning for him to take a step closer. Valhalla's measured steps turned quickly into a sprint, and the creature roared once more at him as it rose up its claws.

The eidolon lunged at him, but Valhalla was quicker than its ruthless attacks. He ducked and twisted away from its swings with precision. Its claws dug into the pavement, and every charge was avoided easily by the ever agile Valhalla.

The Chosen One got up to his feet, snapping out of his daze as he finally realized Valhalla's true intent. What he was doing wasn't a blind act charging at the monster. Instead, he was distracting it.

The Chosen One clenched his fists, and he stomped towards the fight before he leaped into the air. He soared low, but just high enough to miss the eidolon.exe's reach. Flying above, he shot a volley of ice blasts towards it, striking at its claws and feet. The frost spread rapidly across its body, leaving the eidolon bewildered as it growled, but it pulled its whole weight until it broke itself free from the ice's grip.