The street reeked of burnt ichor and oil.
Flames licked from the broken windows and collapsed husks of buildings, set alight by the stray grenades, burning what remained inside. The cheers faded into the groans of men scurrying around to find traces of survivors or information about the gigantic Hive ahead.
I tightened my grip on the sword still buried in the Alpha's hollowed skull. The edge steamed faintly as I pulled it free, black gore dripping in thick strings. Finally, the battle was over, but something tickled the back of my mind.
The sense that something might go wrong.
As if this were just an opening act.
"John!" A member of the forces jogged over, helmet tucked under his arm. His eyes darted between the massive corpse and me. "Losses confirmed: one jeep, seven men injured, one KIA… that's it." His throat bobbed. "Against that? Sir, that's—"
