Chapter 9 - The Anatomy of Time
Old Noah pulled out a modified flare gun and fired it directly at the ceiling.
A burst of blinding magnesium light filled the chapel, causing the motionless townspeople to shriek in unison.
"Go to the floorboards!" Old Noah roared, drawing a heavy iron blade. "I'll hold off the shadows!"
Noah rushed to the altar, ripping away the velvet cloth to expose the hidden trapdoor beneath.
He jammed his crowbar into the seam, leaning his entire weight into it until the ancient iron rusted lock snapped.
Beneath the altar lay a spiraling stone staircase leading into absolute darkness.
From the depths of the pit came a wet, rhythmic pulsing sound, like a massive heart beating underground.
Noah looked back and saw Old Noah engaged in a brutal fight against three featureless collectors.
The old man was bleeding heavily from his shoulder, but he forced a bitter smile.
"Don't look back kid!" Old Noah screamed, throwing an incendiary grenade into the pews.
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"Find the original corpse! Destroy the heart!"
Noah plunged down the stone steps as the chapel above exploded into flames and gunfire.
