The forest around them was silent — too silent. Artemis's heartbeat echoed in her ears as she scanned the twisted trees, their blackened branches clawing at the dim sky. The faint glow of the Beacon in her hand pulsed steadily, guiding their path deeper into the unknown.
Elara moved beside her, eyes sharp, fingers never far from the controls on her wrist device. "The signal is getting stronger," she murmured. "We're close."
Nova grunted in agreement, crouching low, sensing the air like a predator hunting its prey. Kira's blade shimmered faintly in the low light, her face set with grim determination.
Suddenly, a ripple in the air sent a shiver down Artemis's spine. The rift was near — its energy crackling like static.
"Stay alert," Artemis whispered. "We don't know what's waiting for us."
Ahead, the trees suddenly gave way to a clearing. At its center stood a monolithic stone archway, ancient and covered in glowing runes. The Beacon's light flared as they approached.
"This must be it," Elara said, awe in her voice.
Artemis stepped forward, hand outstretched, and the air around the archway shimmered. A sudden pulse of energy shot through the ground, and the runes flared brighter.
Then—without warning—the archway erupted in a surge of light and shadow, and monstrous shapes poured through.
The creatures were different — grotesque blends of flesh and machine, twisted by the rift's corrupting influence. They charged, snarling and screeching.
"Fight!" Artemis shouted, claws extending as she leapt forward.
Steel met claw and flesh, the forest alive with the sounds of battle. Elara fired precise shots from her rifle, while Nova tore through the enemies with brutal efficiency. Kira's blade danced in deadly arcs.
Amidst the chaos, Artemis's eyes caught a figure standing at the edge of the fray — a lone bonded survivor, cloaked in tattered armor, watching silently.
"Who's that?" she called out, but before she could react, the figure vanished into the shadows.
Breathing heavily, Artemis glanced back at her friends. "We can't stop here. The Beacon's pulling us further."
Elara nodded. "Agreed. Whatever lies beyond, we need to be ready."
The rift's roar grew louder as they pressed on, stepping through the archway into the unknown.