Page 15 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

The monster – for what else could it be? – is close enough now that I can hear its breathing. It's surprisingly soft, almost gentle, a stark contrast to its terrifying appearance. A tentacle reaches out and hovers inches from my face.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for pain, for the end. But nothing happens. After a moment, I dare to peek. The creature has paused, its head cocked to one side. Is it... confused?

For a heartbeat, our eyes lock. In that instant, I see something unexpected in its gaze. Not just hunger or violence, but... loneliness? Curiosity? It's gone in a flash, replaced by that predatory gleam, but it's enough to make me wonder.

The creature's eyes rake over me, those eerie green orbs drinking in every detail. My skin crawls under its scrutiny. I feel exposed, vulnerable.

Its tentacles continue to writhe. Each movement is hypnotic and nauseating. The smaller ones on its arms twitch, as if eager to reach out and grab me at any second. I press myself harder against the cave wall.

My heart pounds so hard I'm sure it can hear it. Can it smell fear? Because right now, terror courses through every fiber of my being. I've never felt so small, so utterly helpless.

The monster takes another step closer. Its massive frame blocks out what tiny light there is. Seven feet of pure nightmare looms over me. A sound escapes its throat – a low rumble that might be a growl or... is it purring?

Something in me snaps. Fight or flight kicks in, and flight isn't an option. With a strangled cry, I lunge forward, my hands balled into fists. I swing wildly, aiming for anything I can reach.

My knuckles graze its chest – like hitting solid rock. Pain shoots up my arm, but adrenaline dulls it. I kick out, my bare foot connecting with its leg. It doesn't even flinch.

Suddenly, tentacles wrap around my wrists, yanking my arms apart. I struggle, twisting and pulling, but it's like fightingagainst steel cables. The creature holds me at arm's length, its head tilted. Is it... amused?

Those piercing green eyes dance with something that looks disturbingly like enjoyment. Its lips curl back, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. My blood runs cold. Is this how I die? Torn apart by this abomination while it laughs?

I thrash harder, driven by pure desperation. "Let me go!" I scream, my voice echoing off the cave walls. But the monster's grip only tightens. It pulls me closer, and I can feel its hot breath on my face.

My mind races. Why isn't it killing me? Why did the village offer me to this thing? What does it want?

The creature's long tongue flicks out, tasting the air inches from my cheek. I recoil as a whimper escapes my lips. Its tentacles shift, wrapping around my waist now, lifting me off the ground. I dangle there like a helpless caught fish.

Tears stream down my face, but I refuse to look away. If this is my end, I'll face it with what little courage I have left. But as I stare into those otherworldly eyes again, I see something unexpected. Concern? Fascination? It's studying me as intently as I'm studying it.

For a moment, we're locked in this bizarre standoff. Me, shaking uncontrollably and horrified, held aloft by its impossible strength. And it, this monster from nightmares, regarding me with an intensity that's almost... human.

My heart pounds wildly, each beat a desperate plea for survival. I try to steady my breathing, but it comes in ragged gasps.

"P-please," I stammer, my voice but a whisper. "What do you want from me?"

The creature's head tilts slightly. Its tentacles shift, adjusting their grip. I flinch, expecting pain, but instead, they seemalmost... gentle? The thought is so absurd that I almost laugh, hysteria bubbling up inside me.

Suddenly, the monster's mouth opens. I brace myself for a roar, a growl, anything but what actually comes out.

"You," it says, its voice a rumble that seems to vibrate through my entire body. "You are... different."

I blink, stunned. It can speak? The shock momentarily overrides my fear. "I... I’m what?"

The creature's eyes narrow, its gaze raking over me once more. "The others leave things. Food. Trinkets. But I can’t understand why they left you for me."

My mind reels, trying to process this information. The village's offerings, the sacrifices... they were real? And now I'm face-to-face with the recipient?

"I-I don't understand any of this either," I manage to say, my voice shaking. "Why am I here…in this place?"

The monster's tentacles tighten again slightly, not painfully, but enough to remind me of my precarious position. The creature doesn't respond. It just continues to stare me up and down with a strange curiosity in its eyes.

Time stretches on, an eternity compressed into moments. I hang there, suspended by his tentacles, trembling and terrified. He remains motionless save for the slow rise and fall of his chest. The silence is deafening, broken only by the steady drip of water echoing through the cave and my own ragged breathing.

8

JYTOS

Ifinally loosen my grip on her. My tentacles soon unwind from her soft, warm body. She slides to the cave floor, her eyes still wide with terror. The scent of her fear is intoxicating, making my mouth water instinctively. But I resist the primal urge to devour her. There's something... special about this human.

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