The sun was setting as they wandered deeper into the forest, the sky painted in a stratus-orange canvas.
"Are we there yet?!" Jasmine asked anxiously, brushing leaves from her arms.
"We're still far from the zone," Jenny replied.
"I'm getting tired. My age isn't kind to these long, arduous walks," Madam Jezebel groaned, leaning on her staff.
The team glanced at each other and nodded silently. They had no choice but to stop and rest. As night fell, the cold wrapped around them.
"I didn't expect it to get this cold," Jenny muttered, rubbing her arms.
"If we're camping, we need energy-giving food. Let's split up. Madam Jezebel, is there a nearby river?" she asked.
"Yes, head east and you'll find one," Jezebel replied.
"Perfect. Three of us should go fishing. The rest will stay and make fires around the meadow for warmth and protection," Jenny instructed.
William, John, and Lama volunteered and headed to the river, crouching low and moving silently to avoid detection.
"Hurry," William whispered, unsheathing his sword. "I'll keep watch."
John and Lama quickly caught several fish and stuffed them into their backpacks.
"Wait—I hear rustling!" William hissed, eyes scanning the trees.
They froze, then bolted back to the meadow.
"What happened?" the others asked, alarmed.
"We thought something was following us. Maybe a hybrid," William said, panting.
"I didn't see anything. You guys are just paranoid," Jenny replied, shaking her head.
They huddled near the fires, roasting the fish they'd caught. The heat provided some comfort, but Jenny kept her eyes scanning the treeline.
"We can't all sleep," she said. "These creatures are nocturnal. Only Madam Jezebel is excused."
Everyone reluctantly agreed, but the fatigue was overwhelming. One by one, they drifted off.
Suddenly, Jenny's instincts kicked in. She heard distant growls. Her eyes snapped open.
"Bug alert! Bug alert!" she shouted, waking everyone.
The werewolves attacked in small numbers, but the group fought fiercely with swords and daggers. Eventually, they overcame the hybrids and held their ground until dawn. After another round of fishing and roasting, they pressed forward.
"Five days to the deadline!" Jasmine announced.
"Why the constant countdowns?" Jenny asked.
"I've learned to be time-conscious," Jasmine replied. "A stitch in time saves nine, you know."
"Well, let's hope your countdown keeps us alive," Jenny said, half-smiling.
They trekked for hours before finally reaching the monsoon basements.
"We're in the zonal region!" Madam Jezebel exclaimed.
"Let's pause here," Jenny said. "We need to survey the area and move strategically."
The team crept forward, weapons ready, until they spotted guards up ahead.
"Bug alert! Bug alert!" Jenny yelled.
A fierce battle broke out. The hybrids attacked from all sides. Jenny noticed their numbers multiplying.
"Retreat! We're outnumbered!" she commanded.
They ran through the dense forest, the hybrids in hot pursuit.
"We need to reach sunlight! Move!" Jenny shouted.
At a dead end, Jasmine yanked a grenade from her bag and hurled it at their attackers. The explosion shook the forest, sending bodies flying.
The others stared at her in awe.
"Where did you get that grenade?!" several voices asked.
"I always carry backup weapons," Jasmine said, catching her breath. "My dad taught me. It's a free country—everyone's armed if you know where to look."
"That was incredible," Jenny said. "But we need more. Those hybrids were too many."
"Wait—are we backing down now?" Lama asked. "We came this far!"
"I agree, but we need better weapons," Jenny said. "Let's vote."
Hands were raised. The decision passed 4–3 in favor of restocking.
"Don't worry," Jenny said. "My dad's company gives me easy access to loans."
They returned to Madam Jezebel the next morning. Jenny and William left to get supplies, returning that afternoon with backpacks full of grenades and UV-treated ammo.
"These are for everyone," Jenny said. "Tomorrow, we go for the rescue. Jasmine, how much time do we have left?"
"Three days starting tomorrow," she replied.
"What about you, Madam Jezebel? Will you manage?"
"I'll be fine. Thanks for thinking of me," Jezebel said gratefully.
They packed their supplies and prepared for the mission. That evening, they camped near the forest edge.
As night fell, Jenny asked, "Should we go in now?"
"It's too dark," William said. "We could get ambushed."
Everyone agreed to wait until dawn.
But that night, the hybrids found them. Vampires lurked in trees, eyes glowing in the dark.
"Guys… we're surrounded," Jenny whispered, waking the others. "Weapons ready. On my signal."
She counted down on her fingers—then fire erupted.
The battle lasted an hour. When it ended, they were exhausted but victorious.
"We've been exposed," Jenny said. "They know we're here now."
Sleep was nearly impossible. They stayed half-awake, guarding the perimeter.
At dawn, they ate roasted fish and marched on.
"Some of you don't know how to eat fish," Jenny joked as they walked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jasmine asked.
"Fish is meant to be eaten for its flesh, not the bones."
"Okay, dietitian Jenny," Jasmine laughed.
"My parents are surgeons. I learned a lot about food and science from them," Jenny said.
"Are you the firstborn?" Jasmine asked.
"Yes. I believe in fifty-fifty chances. Everything has an equal opportunity—unless divine intervention says otherwise," Jenny replied.
"Enough debates," Madam Jezebel cut in. "Let's focus."
"Two days to go!" Jasmine announced.
"Jasmine!" the group groaned in unison.
At a fork in the path, they paused.
"Which way?" Jenny asked. "This way or the highway?"
"The highway looks safer," Jezebel said.
"But doesn't the wide path lead to trouble?" Jasmine questioned.
"Maybe. Let's take our chances," Jezebel said.
They followed the wider path, meeting no resistance. Rain soon poured, forcing them to shelter under trees. Lightning flashed across the sky as they shared meals and waited out the storm. Ironically, the rain kept hybrids away.
By morning, the rain stopped, and they pressed forward. Hours passed with no sign of enemies.
"Are we even on the right track?" Lama asked.
"I've been thinking the same," Jenny said. "Let's turn back."
They used torches to retrace their steps and by midnight reached the narrow paths again.
As they advanced, Jezebel suddenly stopped.
"Wait. I hear rats," she whispered. "This path is trapped."
They disarmed the traps and fought more hybrids before reaching the main parade zone. It was eerily empty.
"Where do you think the dungeon is?" Jasmine asked.
"Let me check," Jezebel said, summoning her magical locusts.
"You had those all along?" Jenny asked.
"I didn't want to alert the full army. Timing is everything," Jezebel explained.
The locusts returned, guiding them toward the dungeon. They fought guards and eventually found Luca chained inside.
With a loud chainsaw, they cut him free—but the noise attracted enemies.
"They're coming!" John warned as howls echoed.
"We're almost there!" Lama shouted.
The final chain snapped. Luca, now free, joined the fight, helping to fend off the incoming wave. The group climbed on his back and escaped under cover of night.
As vampires gave chase, Jenny tossed midair grenades that slowed them down. Eventually, they were safe.
Nick guided Luca toward his nearby apartment. They dismounted, except for Jezebel, who stayed behind with Luca.
Nick knocked at the door.
"Honey, I'm home."
Tiffy opened it. "Nick?! Why so late?"
"My friend just got discharged from the hospital. And I couldn't miss our honeymoon."
"Come in. Rest. We'll talk tomorrow," she said, smiling.