Last Man Standing

Somewhere in the emptiness of northern Canada, a fortress rises from the forest. A castle of steel and concrete, towering over a blood-red lake, whose waters move as if something huge and unseen lurks just below the surface. The sound of helicopter rotors shakes the night as the final few members of Special Task Force-354 evacuate the Area, leaving behind an empty shell.

No. Not empty. A single figure stands atop the wall, watching the fading glow of the Blackhawk's engines in the distance. The wind whips the snow around him, but he pays it no mind. His attention is focused on the bloody lake, its surface now roiling as the unseen leviathan rises. A gargantuan hand breaks the surface, Pool blood pouring off its squamous hide. The man turns to face it, the rifle in his hands woefully inadequate for the task facing him.

As the creature's massive form rises in the moonlight, blocking out the stars, the man lowers his rifle to the ground. One hand withdraws a small, electronic device from his pocket, little more than a keypad with an antenna. The other goes to his neck, finding a chain with a small locket on it. He flips it open, looking at the contents for a moment, then releases it and pulls the radio off his belt. Keying it to broadcast over all available channels, he sets it to continuous transmit.

The sound of a horror beyond imagining shatters the silence, heard over every radio receiving his message. It tapers off, and a single voice cuts through the echoes, speaking in a crisp military cadence, though a familiar accent still filters through.

"This is Agent Jack Taggart, Special Task Force-354 Actual, broadcasting on all frequencies. All personnel at Area-354 have been evacuated and should be reaching minimum safe distance within thirty seconds. Emergence event still in progress, nearest strike package at least forty minutes away. Preparing to take necessary measures to seal the breach. Protocol 354-Alpha-Black/Ragnarok is now in effect. Repeat, Protocol 354-Alpha-Black/Ragnarok is now in effect. Will transmit to final. Staff Sergeant Jack Taggart signing off, over and out."

The man places the radio on the ground with his rifle, making sure to leave the channel open. The device in his hand emits a quiet beep, and a ready light flashes. He lifts the locket around his neck to his lips and kisses it. The great beast bends itself down, and the man stares it in the eye. A distant voice crackles out over the radio.

"To the last I grapple with thee! From hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee!"

For a brief moment, the sun rises in the west.