[ Twilight - Highway to the City Wall ]
The matte-black Rover burst out of the tunnel beneath the Giant King's arm, leaving the darkness and stench of blood behind.
But ahead, the sky was already turning a bruised purple and red. The sun was sinking fast behind the horizon.
Murphy peered through the windshield, which was smeared with streaks of green monster blood.
"Ah... damn it. It's going to be dark soon," Murphy grumbled, tapping the steering wheel impatiently.
"Light intensity is dropping rapidly, Murphy," Philip checked his readings. "In less than 20 minutes, the 'Shadows' will be swarming this entire area."
"We need to speed up, then," Murphy slammed his foot on the gas, making the V8 engine roar. The exhaust backfired loudly, sounding like a beast. "At least today we have to reach the city near the wall. Maybe find a sturdy ruin to hole up in."
The armored vehicle sped forward, kicking up a trail of dust.
The closer they got to the towering city walls, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
Suddenly, Philip's Seeker Orb chirped an urgent warning.
"Murphy... strange signals," Philip frowned. "The scanner is picking up 'Vibrations' and 'Thermal Spikes' at the main gate... 2 kilometers out."
"What? Building collapse?" Murphy asked tensely.
"No... the sound wave pattern is rhythmic," Philip's eyes widened. "Gunfire... and explosions? There are people fighting over there!"
Murphy squinted into the distance.
At the end of the road, in the vast clearing before the giant wall... he saw flashes of light cutting through the gloom.
As the Rover drew closer, the scene became terrifyingly clear, forcing Murphy to slam on the brakes in shock.
Before the 50-meter-high city wall... lay not just a battlefield, but a "Slaughterhouse."
The last light of day was fading. Under the colossal shadow of the wall, the white snow was stained deep crimson.
Corpses of armored soldiers lay scattered across the ground by the dozens. Some bodies were torn apart beyond recognition; broken weapons and shattered shields were strewn everywhere.
"Oh my god..." Philip gasped, covering his mouth. "Are those... humans?"
"They're not all dead yet..." Murphy stared intensely at the center of the carnage.
Amidst the pile of bodies, a small group of survivors stood back-to-back. They were huddled under a golden energy dome that was flickering and cracking.
Surrounding them were hundreds of "Shadow Aberrations," swarming the barrier like ants on sugar. Their hissing growls filled the air.
And worst of all... from the top of the wall, thousands more were pouring down like a black waterfall to join the feast below.
SHATTER!!
A sound like breaking glass echoed. The survivors' energy dome collapsed.
Screams erupted instantly as a Shadow lunged in, dragging a soldier out and tearing him apart in front of his comrades.
"Murphy! They can't hold it!" Philip shouted. "If we leave them, there won't be anything left!"
Murphy watched the death unfold before him.
He just wanted a quiet place to hide and sleep... but it looked like the floor tonight was going to be soaked in blood.
"Can't get a good night's sleep with all these rats running around..." Murphy smirked, but his eyes burned with fury. "Looks like we need to 'Sweep the Floor' before we claim our spot."
He shifted into low gear and redlined the engine.
"Philip! Hold on tight! We're crashing right into the middle!"
"Are you serious?!"
"Damn right! High beams on! Lean on the horn! Let 'em know the Grim Reaper has arrived!!"
The black Rover launched off the ridge like a cannonball. Its high-beam headlights blazed to life, cutting a swath through the darkness, aiming straight for the swarm of demons about to devour the last victims