It had only taken ten minutes for Tony to find himself
completely enveloped in the demon world. The creatures
that had met him at the gate were clearly some kind of
lesser demons, easily disposed of. But the beasts that
attacked him now were completely different. They were
stronger and cleverer, employing weapons and strategy
that kept Tony battling for his life.
The assaults constantly caught him off guard.
Blade randomly ejected from the walls and floors.
Flaming cyclones chased friend and foe alike. Even the
demons themselves were armed, taking swipes with long
scythes.
Tony dodged and parried, yet still suffered a
number of direct hits. But finally he annihilated his
attackers and paused for breath. The dizziness and nausea
dissipated, replaced by exhaustion. Tony found it difficult
to lift his sword. His spent pistols were little more than
dead weights. He realized with a start that if he sat down,
he probably wouldn't have the energy to stand back up.
Tony figured he was becoming more and more
ensnared in the demons' encroaching reality.
He abandoned his guns and used his sword as a
crutch, hobbling toward a flight of stairs.