Meanwhile, at the stone village, Major Grayson wiped blood from his brow with the back of his glove and tried to steady his breathing, the ruined village square around him echoing with shouted commands and gunfire.
They had arrived confident, almost relaxed, weapons ready but minds already halfway to the main base and movie night. It was supposed to be easy, the mission brief replayed in his head, one hostile animal reported, likely oversized, possibly mutated, clear it and secure the area.
The moment they crossed the broken archway at the village entrance, something had felt off, the forest too quiet, birds gone, even the wind seeming to hold its breath.
"Spread out," Grayson had ordered, hand raised, eyes scanning the stone buildings. "Check corners, don't rush it. And no showing off or competition on who kills the target first."
The soldiers had spread out, professional but laughing.
