The once-active metropolis sprawled out before Reeve and his team—an eerie silence echoing through the rusted, forgotten streets. Towering structures loomed over the landscape, their angular, alien architecture casting long shadows beneath a pale sky. The air felt heavy, charged with the remnants of ancient technology.

“Fan out,” Reeve commanded, his voice a low growl. Vek and Lira obeyed without question, their weapons drawn, eyes scanning for threats. Though the city appeared lifeless, something about it felt off. “We need to find an advantageous position before Kara’s team catches up.”

Vek moved swiftly, his sniper rifle raised as he stalked through the narrow alleys, his keen eyes watching for any sign of movement. The faint hum of dormant machines buzzed beneath their feet, creating a strange rhythm in the otherwise dead city. Lira moved with practiced precision, staying close to the shadows, her agile form disappearing into the gloom.

“There’s something off about this place,” Lira muttered into her comm. “It feels... alive, but somehow hollow.”

Reeve ignored the remark, focused entirely on the mission. They had a short window to locate a stronghold before Kara and her team arrived. His mind raced with the possibilities the city offered. If the technology of the Soomites still existed here, there was no telling what power it held—power he was determined to claim.

Suddenly, Vek’s voice crackled over the comm, sharp and urgent. “Contact. Something’s moving, but it’s... enormous.”

Reeve’s heart quickened. He raised his weapon, signaling for Lira to fall back. “Hold your position. We’re on our way.”

The team moved swiftly, navigating the maze of streets and alleys until they reached Vek’s location. Reeve knelt beside him, peering through the sniper’s scope. At first, he saw nothing—just the strange, desolate city before them.

Then, in the distance, a colossal shape emerged from the mist.

It moved slowly, but every step sent vibrations through the ground. Towering above the ruins, the creature resembled something from a nightmare—its silhouette akin to that of a hulking reptilian beast, its jagged back lined with massive spines that glowed faintly in the pale light. Its skin, dark and scaled, shimmered with an unnatural sheen, and its long, muscular tail waivered above the ground. The head was monstrous, with glowing, predatory eyes that seemed to lock onto the team from across the expanse.

Reeve narrowed his eyes. “What... is that?”

The creature’s form became clearer as it drew closer, its massive limbs moving with a strange combination of grace and menace. The beast was nearly as tall as the surrounding buildings, each of its slow movements calculated, almost purposeful.

“Stay sharp,” Reeve ordered. “It’s watching us.”

Lira gritted her teeth, her fingers tightening around her blade. “Are we supposed to fight that?”

Vek said coldly. “We need to stand our ground together.”

The creature’s massive, clawed feet slammed into the ground as it continued its slow advance. The air around it seemed to crackle with energy, and with a sudden burst of speed, it let out a deep, earth-shaking roar, charging straight for them.

Reeve reacted instantly. “Open fire!”

 

Gunfire erupted in the narrow streets, the sharp cracks of weapons echoing off the stone walls. The creature barely flinched as bullets struck its armored scales, failing to penetrate its tough hide. It charged at Vek, its claws scraping against the ground with a metallic screech. Vek fired again, the blast knocking the creature back slightly, but it only slowed its relentless advance.

"It's not going down!" Lira shouted, her voice tinged with panic as she fired at the creature, bullets barely slowing its charge toward Vek.

Reeve’s mind raced. Whatever it is, it had one clear goal to keep the intruders from venturing deeper into the city.

“Fall back to the portal!” Reeve ordered. “Regroup and fortify!”

As the team retreated, the creature pressed closer, it attackes becoming more vicious. Reeve knew they were running out of time. Kara and her team were likely nearby, and if this creature didn’t stop them, his old rival surely would.

As they retreated toward the portal station, Reeve and his team stumbled upon a massive structure, glowing faintly with blue light. Its imposing presence loomed ahead, contrasting sharply with the cold, quiet city. Upon closer inspection, Reeve noticed large gates built into the structure, creating a vast, enclosed space. The sheer size and design made him wonder if the Soomites had once dealt with such creatures. Could this have been a containment facility, designed to trap and control these beasts? The thought lingered in his mind as the structure’s purpose became clearer. It seemed like the perfect place to lure the creature.

“That’s it,” Reeve whispered to himself. “That’s where we trap it.”

He turned to Vek and Lira, his eyes burning with determination. “We’re not running. We are going to capture it. If Kara wants this city, she’ll have to take it from us.”

 

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