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"This used to be the Indian Ocean," Zack muttered. "Now it's a dead zone."
"No ocean. No life," Lily added, scanning the horizon. "These shapes… something clawed this place apart."
"So either this is the future," Alex said, "or Earth 2 sucks more than advertised."
"Maybe it's a simulation?" Mia offered.
"Smell that?" Liana said, pausing mid-step. "Blood. Rot. Real."
That sobered everyone.
"Mission first," Lily snapped. Her flame-gauntlets hissed to life.
Then the ground shuddered.
A low groan rolled beneath them—deep, ancient, and full of intent.
"RUN!" Zack shouted.
Alex dropped and transformed. Claws tore through stone as he surged forward, Mia and Lily clinging to his back. Liana sprinted beside them, whip trailing embers. Zack called directions, flashing visions guiding their escape.
Behind them, the earth erupted. Hundreds of spindly, armored creatures poured out—mandibles clicking, eyes glinting like black oil.
"Hold them back!" Alex roared.
Lily spun, launching fireballs that screeched through the swarm. Creatures burned, but they kept coming.
Liana's whip cracked, slicing through limbs and torsos. "Too many! They're herding us!"
"To what?!" Mia yelled, dodging a snapping jaw.
Ahead, the swarm had thinned, but one massive shadow remained. It barely moved, yet its presence made the ground quake.
Alex crouched low, claws scraping cracked earth. "That thing… it's huge."
Liana twirled her whip. Sparks hissed as it cut the air. "Bigger than your ego?" she smirked.
Alex growled. "Shut up." A small grin broke through anyway.
Mia slowed. "Look at the ground. These footprints… they change shape. It's not normal."
Zack squinted. "My visions… flickering. Danger everywhere, but I can't tell where it will strike first."
Lily ignited her gauntlets. "Then we make it strike first."
The ruined forest ahead was a jagged nightmare. Blackened trees twisted skyward. Shadows moved too fast to track. Something was watching.
Ciara appeared quietly at their side. "Stay alert. Keep your distance. That thing won't play fair."
Alex gritted his teeth. "We'll play fair."
Liana rolled her eyes. "You're small compared to it."
Zack's fingers twitched. "It's learning. Adapting."
The ground shook again. Trees splintered. Dust billowed. Then the beast moved.
It didn't run. It glided. Limbs massive, head turning slowly, empty black eyes glaring. Jagged teeth shone like broken glass. Its armored body gleamed, metal-hard.
Alex leapt forward. "Move!"
They split into positions: Alex in front, Liana circling, Lily flanking with fire, Mia darting to distract, Zack guiding with foresight.
The beast lunged. Dirt sprayed. Trees cracked. The force pushed them back.
"Not today!" Lily shouted, hurling fireballs. Sparks ricocheted off its armor. It barely flinched.
Alex landed on its back. Claws sank into the hard shell. Sparks flew. He growled.
Liana's whip slashed across a limb. A screech tore through the air, shaking the ground.
"Keep moving!" Ciara shouted from the distance. "Don't stop!"
Zack's eyes flickered. "It's baiting us. Heading toward the cliffs."
Mia dodged falling debris. "So… smart and huge? Great."
Alex bared his teeth. "Fun!"
The beast paused, shadow stretching across the shattered landscape. Every second felt heavier, slower, as if the world itself was watching. Hearts pounded. Breaths came in ragged bursts. One mistake… and they'd all die.
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