[ Inside the Walls of Eden - Inner Gate Hall ]
The giant steel gate slammed shut—THUD!—cutting off the screams of the demons outside.
An oppressive silence instantly blanketed the hall.
Murphy, having pushed his body to the absolute limit, slid down the cold concrete wall. The Tactical Ninjato slipped from his grip and clattered to the floor.
His right arm hung limp at his side, trembling uncontrollably like he had a fever. The veins bulged dangerously from the overload of kinetic energy.
"Hah... Hah... Feels like my arm's gonna explode..." Murphy gritted his teeth, clenching his jaw to suppress the agony.
"Murphy! Stay still!" Philip rushed over to support him. "Your muscle fibers are torn... You overloaded way past your limit. We need to ice this now!"
The vast hall was filled with groans of pain and quiet sobs.
About 30 survivors were scattered around the area. They wore no uniforms, no ranks. Just mismatched armor scavenged from scraps and matching scarves that signified their bond. They were a militia of kin and community.
Axel fell to his knees in the middle of the hall, clutching his head. His broad shoulders shook.
"Two hundred..." Axel whispered hoarsely. "We came out with 200... Friends... Family..."
Murphy, regaining some of his senses, looked at the group.
"Only about 30 made it inside..." he murmured. "The rest..."
Axel looked up, his bloodshot eyes staring at the sealed gate.
"When the shadows swarmed... the convoy scattered. Some might have made it into the forest... Some might have reached the 'Freight Elevator' in time to get back home..."
His voice cracked.
"But us 30... we were pushed into this hellhole."
He slammed his fist onto the ground.
"We just wanted to find food... To see if there was a place for us on the surface... I led them into this."
The air was heavy. These weren't hardened soldiers; they were townspeople fighting for their lives. The separation from the main group left them terrified.
Murphy sighed deeply.
"Hey... stop beating yourself up," Murphy spoke up.
"If they made it to the elevator, they're safe. As for you 30 trapped in here... at least you're still breathing."
Murphy nodded toward the dark metropolis ahead.
"This is Eden. If you came for food or hope... maybe it's hidden in this ghost town. But if you just sit there blaming yourself, who's going to help the ones waiting for you back home?"
Murphy's words snapped Axel back to reality.
Axel froze, then took a deep breath. He wiped his tears and forced himself to stand. The look of the "Big Brother" of the group returned to his eyes.
"You're right..." Axel turned to his people.
"Everyone! Listen up! It's okay to be scared, but don't lose hope! Our friends outside might be safe, or finding help. Our job now is to survive and get back to them!"
"Ren! Check the wounded! Jace! Count the food and ammo we have left! The rest of you who can stand, help secure the door and keep watch! We hold our ground here!"
The 30 survivors began to move. Despite their injuries and fear, their familial bond helped them cooperate quickly.
Philip approached Axel with his Seeker Orb.
"Axel, the scan shows this hall is structurally sound. There's a control room to the side we can use as a shelter. We should split up to secure the area."
Axel nodded. "Thanks, Philip... Let's do that."
He turned to his friends, trusting them implicitly.
"Alright guys! Split into three groups!"
Gate Watch: "I need 10 strong ones to watch that door. Don't let anything follow us in."
Perimeter Check: "Another 10, check the immediate area. Look for exits or water, but stay within sight."
Rest & Recovery: "The rest, help the wounded and get some sleep. We move out tomorrow."
"And you..." Axel walked over and sat down next to Murphy.
"Thanks for saving us... I don't know who you are, but as far as I'm concerned, you're family now."
Murphy smirked slightly. "Family, huh? Sounds cheesy, but I'll take it."
He looked out into the darkness of Eden.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow we go inside... Let's see what this 'Paradise' is hiding."