(V1)

The ancient chamber was quiet—too quiet. Your torch cast flickering shadows across the carved stone walls, their cryptic patterns hinting at a civilization long forgotten. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, cradling a strange artifact that pulsed faintly with an inner glow. Its allure was undeniable, promising untold power or knowledge. Against your better judgment, you reached out and touched it.

The artifact hummed beneath your fingers, and the air around you shifted. A low, resonating vibration filled the chamber, rippling through the stone. You stepped back, heart racing, as the pedestal began to descend into the floor, revealing a hidden mechanism beneath. You barely had time to process this before the vibrations grew louder, almost like a distant drumbeat.

Then came the sound. A sharp, guttural clicking echoed through the darkness. You froze, your pulse hammering in your ears. It wasn’t human.

You extinguished your torch, plunging the chamber into darkness, and pressed yourself against the wall. From somewhere above, a faint shimmer of light distorted, moving like a mirage. Your breath hitched as you realized the truth: something—or someone—was hunting you.

As you strained to listen, the clicking multiplied, echoing from multiple directions. Whatever was coming, it wasn’t alone. The predators weren’t human, but they were coordinated, their movements deliberate and precise.

The first figure emerged, its massive silhouette breaking through the shadows. It stood taller than any human, clad in intricate armor, its mask glowing faintly with eerie red markings. Another shimmer appeared to your left, then another to your right. The room was filling with them—silent, methodical, and deadly.

You clutched the artifact tightly, realizing too late that it had marked you as prey. You weren’t just being hunted—you were the centerpiece of their trial. The clicking grew louder, and a low growl rumbled through the chamber.

The hunt had begun.