Amidst the swirling chaos of battle, I found myself paralyzed, a mere observer trapped in the conflict's fury. Nan's relentless assault shattered the shadows encircling us, but they reassembled their fallen forms into a mist of darkness. The dragon, an imposing behemoth, appeared more amused than angered by her efforts. Its malevolent gaze, filled with gnashing teeth, accompanied each deadly swipe of its claws. Nan had drawn the dragon's attention, pulling it toward her, but our situation remained dire, and the odds were heavily against us.

Uncertainty gripped me, my heart pounding in my chest. If this were a video game, now was the moment for me to shine. Countless hours in virtual worlds had honed my instincts, and I relied on strategy and resourcefulness, refusing to succumb to easy mode or use potions to heal. If I wanted to live, I had to treat this like a game. Failure was not an option, not here, not now.

"Okay, first things first. I need to assess my surroundings," I whispered to myself amid the din of battle.

Nan's eyes flicked toward me, a smirk playing on her lips. "Talking to yourself? New strategy?"

I grinned despite the tension. "When you've logged countless hours in virtual worlds, strange habits creep in. Trust me, it helps."

She let out a soft snicker. "Fair enough," she replied, her attention immediately back on providing cover fire.

Closed gates surrounded us, a classic video game trope, leaving us trapped by the shadows and the menacing dragon taking over the place.

The shadow creatures possessed an otherworldly nature. Nan's bullets affected them, causing momentary disintegration, but they always rose again. Resembling a horde of zombies without the headshot exploit.

Like chained rabid dogs, the shadow creatures lurked, eagerly awaiting the flicker and shatter of lights—an ominous signal to advance. Each six-foot interval between the lights became a marker of impending doom—a death zone. Even hiding was irrelevant, as their phantasmal bodies could phase through solid objects in pursuit, making escape a daunting challenge.

And then there was the dragon—a fusion of myth and metal—standing as the ominous conduit for the nightmare of this dream. Ill-suited for maneuvering within the terminal, its size and bulk prevented a straightforward path. Its wings remained rigid against the walls, unable to spread or flap. Instead, it dragged itself laboriously, its plated scales scraping against the floor, creating an eerie cacophony of metal on concrete.

A single swipe from the dragon spelled instant death—slow but formidable. The memory of its devastating claws tearing through adversaries lingered, amplifying the urgency of our situation.

Yet, I found solace because Nan had captured its attention. Her rifle now shot red lasers, the beams grazing against the beast's metallic form, causing the plates to hiss as they singed. The dragon's roars filled the terminal—a deafening mix of fury and arrogance—reverberating through the air, threatening to shatter our resolve.

Nan was a force to be reckoned with—her courage and skill were truly remarkable. I had to resist being lost in admiration. I tore my gaze away from her, refocusing on the dire situation at hand. With few options available, I knew I had to stay determined and focused, blocking out the chaos and distractions that could easily derail me.

Escaping through the window the dragon had entered seemed tempting, but I knew the risk it posed. The creature could follow me without obstacles, leaving me vulnerable to its attack. Outside offered no sanctuary either; scarce lighting would attract the relentless pursuit of the shadow creatures. My survival depended on staying within the illuminated areas, using the lights as my shield against the encroaching darkness.

The shadow creatures were like clockwork—the lights would flicker and shatter in a new area, and they would swarm to the next area, their pursuit seemingly unyielding. Although I had a few moments before they reached my position, the more people they converted, the faster they would move.

Trapped without an escape route, I had no choice but to press forward. My plan was daring and precarious: run swiftly along the edges of the lights, ensuring a path remained before the shadows closed in. Then, I would have to take a leap of faith, diving past the massive body of the dragon, knowing any of the shadow creatures could kill me with a single strike. It was a spark of brilliance, but my life hung in the balance.

In times of impending doom and apocalyptic scenarios—be it in video games or within the pages of books—a resounding theme emerged: keep moving, never stop, and avoid idle waiting. Every second wasted here brought me closer to the collapse of my plan.

With unwavering resolve, I bolted forward, racing toward the south side wall where the defiant glow of lights guided my way. I resisted the urge to fire, knowing drawing the dragon's gaze would be a grave mistake.

Meanwhile, Nan intensified her attack, her weapon transforming into a crackling sword of light. Each strike left a dent in the dragon's metallic body, but it proved insufficient to shatter the metal. Regardless, it kept the dragon's attention focused on her as I daringly approached its hind leg.

As I weaved through the chaos, adrenaline surged through my veins, my heart pounding like a thundering drumbeat. The relentless hisses and cries of the shadow creatures echoed in the air, propelling me forward. The flickering lights above us cast an eerie glow, creating a disorienting atmosphere. Yet I remained steadfast, my determination unwavering.

The dragon's unwavering attention fixated on Nan, its massive form lurching forward with each deadly swipe of its claw. Sparks flew as her sword of light clashed against the creature's metallic leg, leaving a trail of defiant dents. The terminal echoed with the dragon's furious roars, its immense power shaking the very ground beneath us.

Drawing nearer to the dragon's hind leg, a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins. The colossal beast's overwhelming presence could not deter me—I had to seize this fleeting opportunity.

With a burst of agility, I dove past the dragon's bulk, narrowly evading its massive frame. The gust of wind from its movements buffeted me, but I held steady, my shotgun ready to defend against any incoming threats.

Behind me, the shadows swarmed, their relentless hissing growing louder and more frenzied. Their ethereal forms twisted and shifted, a dark wave threatening to engulf us, and I knew I had to keep moving, staying ahead of their insidious reach.

Nan's valiant efforts continued, drawing the dragon's wrath upon herself. For a moment, the creature's attention shifted from her to me, and I felt its malevolent gaze bore into my very soul, filled with an insatiable hunger for destruction.

But fear would not subdue me. I had conquered daunting foes and seemingly insurmountable challenges before. Nothing less than a Souls game would throw at me. This was just another trial, another battle to overcome. My mind raced, seeking weaknesses in even the mightiest of adversaries, adapting and thinking quickly.

The ground trembled beneath me as I sprinted with all my might, the dragon's deafening roar spurring me on. Amidst the chaos, a small restaurant caught my eye, nestled to the side, its dimly lit interior beckoning like a beacon of hope. Without hesitation, I altered my course and lunged toward the entrance, seeking refuge.

The door swung open, and I stumbled into the restaurant, gasping for breath. Startled, the weary-looking family huddled inside, their eyes wide with surprise and fear. Urgently, I reassured them, my voice strained, "Sorry for the intrusion. I need a place to hide, just for a moment."

Uncertainty filled the air as the family exchanged glances, fear mingling with compassion in their eyes. The father gestured for me to join them at their table, and I sank into a chair with a grateful nod. Adrenaline still coursed through my veins, making my body tremble.

Outside, the dragon's thunderous roar reverberated, its fiery breath illuminating the darkness. The family huddled closer, seeking comfort in each other's embrace, their eyes glued to the windows, witnessing the terrifying spectacle of destruction.

With caution, the father approached the window after the dragon's attention shifted and the flames subsided. His eyes widened with a mixture of relief and concern as he turned back to us. "The fire seems to have subsided, but...," his voice trailed off with trepidation, "the lights are going out." Shrieks punctuated his words.

Haste became our ally as we raced to escape the relentless, dark creatures closing in on us.

Back in the terminal, we carefully navigated the remnants of chaos—the broken glass and scattered debris crunching underfoot. The eerie silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the echoing shrieks of the shadow creatures, urging us onward toward another gate—the path to our escape, our last hope for survival.

Amidst the chaos and dread, the family's hurried footsteps echoed through the desolate terminal. Each beat of their hearts matched the frantic rhythm, a symphony of fear and determination. The father, leading the way with unwavering resolve, suddenly stumbled, colliding with an unseen force. A grotesque shadow creature materialized before him, its sinewy form poised for an attack.

The mother's terrified scream pierced the tense atmosphere, her hand instinctively reaching out to protect her husband. "No! John!" she cried, her voice laced with fear and desperation.

As I watched the scene unfold before me, it felt like being in a manga rather than a video game. The chaos and terror were so vivid, and I couldn't help but sympathize with the family facing this unimaginable nightmare.

John's widened eyes filled with alarm as the creature's claws extended like daggers, seeking its next victim. He glanced back at his wife, a mixture of love and sorrow in his gaze. "Get out of here, Emily! Take Jack and run!" he urged, trying to mask the pain in his voice.

A terrified scream escaped Emily's lips as the creature's claws extended like daggers, seeking its next victim. The father's widened eyes filled with alarm as the creature's claws passed through him, his body dispersing like mist.

Shock and grief washed over us like torrential rain, yet there was no time to mourn. The shadow creature, now infused with the essence of the father, turned its malevolent gaze toward the family, undeterred by its intent. An ominous figure emerged from the mist, casting a pall of darkness that sent shivers down our spines.

A collective gasp escaped our lips as we stumbled back, hearts heavy with sorrow and disbelief. We faced a nightmare beyond imagination—a monstrous apparition born from the shattered remains of the brave soul who had led us moments ago.

Time seemed to slow as the mother's scream echoed through the tense atmosphere, her voice trembling with terror. The creature, fueled by the essence of the father, lunged toward her with its claws extended, hungering for another victim. In that perilous moment, the child held the flashlight from his phone steady, aiming it directly at the creature's malevolent eyes.

A burst of radiant light exploded from the device, catching the creature off guard. It recoiled, shielding its eyes from the sudden brilliance. The mother seized the opportunity, yanking the child away from the creature's reach, their terrified gazes locked on each other. It was a nightmare beyond imagination, and the weight of the tragedy weighed heavily upon us all.

But even amid this terrifying reality, there was no time to falter. We had to keep moving, to survive, to escape this nightmarish world. As I forced myself to look away from the haunting scene, I knew we couldn't afford to dwell on the sadness or the surreal nature of our circumstances.

"Keep moving! Don't look back!" Nan's urgent voice pierced the chaotic air, urging us forward. The family, hands tightly grasping each other, refused to let fear paralyze them. With newfound determination, we ran, footsteps pounding in sync... The boy continued shining his phone's light at the creature that once was his dad as we raced toward the next terminal—our only chance for freedom.