The trio emerged from the treeline, the last vestiges of daylight clinging to their forms. The tense atmosphere around the camp immediately shifted as the others rushed to meet them.
"What happened out there? We heard some noises!" Clarissa asked, her voice full of concern.
"Did you find the monster?" Emma chimed in, buzzing with curiosity.
Julian held up a hand, silencing the questions. "A nest of mutated monsters. They're evolving, becoming more aggressive and capable. They're even cannibalizing each other's cores to accelerate the process."
Before the others could process this disturbing news, Aya and Beatrix approached, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and breakthrough. Beatrix held up the dormant area nullifier device.
