Zarek mentioned I needed to keep my route unpredictable, and I intended to stick to the plan. As expected, the wraith gave chase, ignoring Zarek. Yeah! Maintain your eyes on me, you bastard! Only until Zarek figures out what to do. But I hope he hurries. The thought flowed inside me, soothing my fears and pacifying my trembling body.

My heart pounded hard, squeezing hard against my chest. The beating inflicted a painful stinging as I struggled to breathe. My starving lungs demanded air, but the molten lava's dominance refused to allow me a pause. But I pushed forward even if each inhale proved difficult.

The searing, thick air made it hard to see, but I managed through the chaos. The lava's glow created an ominous atmosphere. Shadows danced across jagged walls, creating a macabre dance in the shadows.

As I ventured deeper into the cavern, the piercing shrieks of the wraith grew louder and eerie. Driven by the haunting wail, it continued its relentless pursuit to capture me. The apparition sounded hungry and excited, its desire putting renewed energy into my dash.

You motherfucker will have to work hard to catch me. I will give you hell before you sink your filthy teeth into me. The thought crossed my mind as I ran one way, then changed direction, hoping to confuse the specter chasing me. 

I darted through cramped, twisting passages, allowing my instinct to determine my moves. Every twist and turn became a dangerous gamble—a narrow escape. To overthink a strategy meant to put myself in harm's way. The light tap of my steps echoed against the monotonous cadence of the cavern's sounds as I avoided my foe.

I scanned my surroundings for any advantage the environment afforded me, but nothing so far. The shriek sounded closer this time as I continued my baiting. 

I dashed and came face to face with the scorching river of molten rock. Then, my enemy made its appearance. The specter's form flickered into existence in the far corner of the cavern. 

Lucky for me, it faced away.

Shit! Estas jodia... My mind screamed as my ears drowned in the frantic drumming of my heart. The specter swung its head from one side to the other, seeking me out. I stood frozen in place for a few seconds. My body refused to proceed as I searched for an escape. 

A drop of fear-laden sweat traveled down my face, meeting its demise on my collar. My feet seemed glued to the ground, leaving me unmoving as my brain pondered my next move. Move! Fucking do something, pendeja. My inwards screamed with panic as I tried to make a move.

Just as my predator emitted a high-pitched screech, something inside me snapped.

My body wished to flee, but I refused to let it indulge in its desire. I stood my ground, even though my body shuddered. Any unexpected movement could draw the creature's attention—a plan shaped in my terror-stricken, foggy mind.

I staggered backward, my eyes trained on the ghost's back. The heaviness of each step vibrated through my body, jarring my bones. I made my way behind a column as the wraith drifted away. My enticed understanding joined the hunt a bit late—after putting myself in harm's way.

"I need to be careful..." The silent whisper escaped my lips as I looked around for a weapon. "Damn it! I didn't grab the sword Zarek offered me. Stupid of me to react and not think this through."

I regretted my decision too late. Now, I needed to make do with what I had. I considered and debated doubling back to where I started, but that plan came with risks.

"Getting back to Zarek is my top priority." 

I feared he left me to fend off the wraith alone. The reassuring presence of the borrowed ring draws my interest. I paid little attention to the piece of jewelry until now. The band was obsidian, like its owner, with patterns resembling Zarek's markings. Although faint, the design glowed green, blue, and red—twittering with a decision.

I force my legs to move back to where I started. But I only managed a few steps before a series of wails weakened my knees as I buckled to the ground.

"You bitch! I'll take my time ripping you apart while you still breathe. You will suffer for making me hunt you in this forsaken pit heat. I hate the life it brings. It weakens me..."

The raspy voice grated on my ears, like nails slowly dragging down a blackboard. An involuntary shudder rippled through my body, giggling my titties. My brain buzzed with anticipation, sending shockwaves of numbing fear.

But I ignored my tense emotions and ran.

I weaved back to where I started until a glint caught my eye. Another wail echoed through the chamber as I reached the subject of my attention—the plain sword Zarek gave me.

"What the fuck are you doing here? I'm not ready."

Looking around, I noted the demon switched places. "I need a weapon, right?! So far, I've been just running. I ought to go on defense, don't you think?!" I whispered my concerns as I tried to go undetected.

"Fine, but you'll have better luck using the lava rivers and the steam vents. Those will hurt it."

"I figured as much from its complaining." I looked around as yet another shriek reverberated against the walls. "Do you know how to beat this monster?"

His forehead borrowed, Zarek flipped through his pocket-sized book. "Not a fucking clue. This book belonged to my boyfriend and is one of the few things I have left of him..." His voice trailed as another annoying wail filled the air.

We both looked around in worry. "I better distract it while you keep looking for a way out of this."

"Sure!" Zarek said as he buried his nose in the book once more.

On cue, I ran back to where I came from, looking for the lava river. From a distance, I spotted a shadow phasing in and out of existence, going through a rock formation. I doubled my efforts to make it back to the volcanic stream.

As expected, the specter noticed my presence and started laughing. "Oh, little girlie! There you are. I'll take my time with you. Your scent is mouthwatering and gives life-altering chills. I haven't felt this way in centuries. I'm certain I'll gain immense powers from your flesh alone. Now, as for your spirit, I hope to gain vast knowledge from it." 

The jarring shrill of its voice pissed me off to no end. Unable to contain myself, I brought my unskillful sword forward, ready to strike. "Huge mistake to only focus on me, cabron! I have nothing to offer, yet here you are. I'll give you hell."

And without thinking, I ran down a narrow headland, flanked by hot liquid rock, until I reached a promontory with enough space to move around. I sweated profusely, but for some strange reason, the heat didn't bother me. 

Good! Maybe my adrenaline pumping through my veins is giving me some weird superpower. This thing hates this place. The idea of having an advantage sent ripples of ecstasy through my body. 

My erect nipples rubbed against the soft fabric of my shirt, sending electrifying waves straight to my core. The jolt ran hotter than the lava that surrounded it. "Come here, you nasty little bastard. I should have ignored you in the desert." 

"You naïve little girl. I wouldn't ignore such a tasty meal." The wraith raised its clawed hand, and a black orb formed in its hand. 

Seconds later, a cold whoosh of air passed close to my head as I easily dodged the attack. Even though the wraith's face was indescribable, its beady, glowing eyes shone with irritation. A barrage of easy-to-miss dark orbs followed as it roared its frustration, moving forward but stopping as it came too near the edge of the lava flow.

"This place weakens me. Come here so I can finish you faster." The wraith extended its hand as if offering me the world and its riches.

"Come get me, you whiney bitch. I'm ready and waiting." I provoked while a bead of sweat clouded my vision.

The shriek that followed turned my blood cold. I watched in terror as it hesitated forward but lunged at me at full speed.

I quickly snapped from my brash-infused haze and ran with all my might across the land mass. The menacing presence of the wraith loomed over me as it drew closer. My mortal legs were no match for its immaterial body.

Left with no other choice, I swing around to face it. 

I dodged its outreached hand once as it got close to me. It recoiled in pain when my weapon made contact. Its painful shriek echoed through the cavern, leaving a ringing in my ear. 

I continued sprinting, putting some distance, but it caught up with me minutes later. "Damn it! You recover quick, you piece of shit," I said before it hit me and sent me flying across the room. 

The unforgiving wall that greeted me on the other side of the room jarred my senses. I saw stars as I banged my head on the smooth surface. The ringing in my ear drowned out all the noise as I pushed up to stand, but my limbs failed me. Everything appeared hazy and chaotic, leaving me disoriented while I tried to support my body. 

I slumped on the ground as pressure built into my head. My vision darkened around the edges, and I saw the wraith moving towards me. The muffled sound of laughter invaded my consciousness.

The bastard cackles at my predicament. I thought as the specter inched closer.

The monster extended its putrid-clawed hands toward me as I tried to move away. My legs were barely functioning. I raised my arms in a last-ditch, lame attempt to defend myself as it almost grabbed me. "NO, GET AWAY!" The shout ripped from my chest with a force that left my lungs starving for precious air.

Then, something unexpected happened to me. A wave of electricity surged through my body, leaving behind a mixture of burning and chilling sensations. 

As the evil specter reached for my arm, scratching me, a burst of light shot from my hand, hitting it square in the chest. It stumbled backward as its cries engulfed the room.

To my luck, rescue arrived in the shape of a light burst, making the creature recoil in pain. Zarek came to my rescue and attacked the wraith from behind. As the specter flickered in and out of existence, it moaned in anguish. Its eyes gave off a faint glow as it faded away.

"Kayla! Are you ok?" Zarek's shout flew across over me, plowing through my foggy mind.

My chest burned with a debilitating ache as I tried to answer. At first, words refused to move past my lips, but as each inhale provided relief, I found my voice once again. "No! I need your help. I can't stand."

"Kaya, I'm coming. We need to hide while you recover. The creature is weak but... will not stay hidden for long. It will regain its strength by tomorrow night." 

"Fuck! I can't recover that fast," I complained as I reached for his extended arm.

"Don't worry. We can do this. I have a spell that can help you heal," Zarek said as he supported my weight, wrapping his arm around my waist.

My tired body refused to cooperate, but I forced myself to move and find a hiding spot. "We need to come up with a better plan. I can't just run and hope for the best."

"Agreed!" Zarek's simple response gave me the reassurance and strength to move forward.