Orea ran stealthily amidst the bushes. Sliding beneath an arched stretch of foliage, she narrowly dodged a fiery blast from the monster hovering above her. Rising into a crouch, her brown eyes shifted to grey as the winds around her began to roar. Stretching out an arm toward the creature, the gust surged forward, hindering its next attack and slamming it to the ground with a thunderous crash.
It landed with a thud, letting out a piercing screech. Before Orea could act, a purple blast followed, crushing the creature instantly.
Orea glanced ahead to find Zara, arms still stretched out in front of her. The wavy-haired girl sent a playful salute before walking off. Orea smiled faintly as she stood, ready for a new opponent.
Far away, hidden from sight, a four-legged, scale-covered beast hissed as it circled restlessly. Its needle-like teeth gnashed in frustration—its prey had vanished mid-attack once again.
Successfully escaping the attack, Kymani crouched behind a tree, his body shimmering with invisibility as he studied the creature from afar, waiting for an opening. Finally ready to strike, he pulled out a dagger tucked inside his boot. The steel blade glowed under the calm rays of the sun. Glancing at the weapon, a brief memory surfaced...
Lieutenant Ross had handed him the blade after class one day. "A gift from a friend of mine," he'd said. "He was a blacksmith from Nexis. This blade was forged from a special ore found only in Nexist soil. Since that's your homeland, I thought you should have it—for extra defense."
The memory faded. Back in the present, Kymani tightened his grip and crept closer, his weapon low at his side. From behind, he struck the beast's hind leg, dark blood spilling as it writhed in pain.
Sensing its balance falter, Kymani flipped back just as the creature stumbled, favoring its injured leg. Without hesitation, he dashed toward its front. Lunging the blade forward, he slashed both forelegs, rendering the monster completely immobile. It roared as it fell onto its side, thrashing helplessly against the dirt.
"Kymani, duck!" a familiar voice suddenly yelled.
Kymani swiftly dropped to his knees just as a greenish blast of energy shot across him, slamming into a tree. The impact left a molten scar that quickly turned to ash.
He glanced toward the voice and found their captain levitating on a bed of fire. Yellow flames rippled around Valtor's body as two winged aliens circled him, ready to strike. With a sharp motion of both arms, Valtor created a fiery ring midair. A moment later, he stretched his arms outward—sending the flames surging forward. The inferno engulfed both creatures before they could launch another attack, and they crashed to the ground, carcasses blackened and smoking.
While watching the whole scene, a faint cry rose beside Kymani, pulling his attention back to his own opponent.
The creature writhed on the ground, struggling to regain its footing. Kymani stepped closer, raising his blade. With one clean thrust to the chest, the alien went still, affirming his victory.
He withdrew the weapon, exhaled, and turned toward his teammate as his body shimmered back into view.
"That was impressive," he called out.
Valtor—now fully visible—turned to him, the yellow glow fading from his skin as the blue returned to his eyes.
"Thanks," he replied.
"Where are the girls, by the way?" Kymani asked, glancing around.
Almost immediately, a surge of energy rippled through the air as the forest glowed purple. Moments later, Zara and Orea began to emerge from the bushes.
A sudden, ragged screech sounded from behind, stopping them in their tracks. The girls turned to see a badly injured, one-eyed alien dragging itself through the dirt, leaving a bloody trail in its wake.
Ugh!, Zara let out a frustrated huff. "That thing's too stubborn."
"Allow me," Orea said, her pupils flashing grey. The clouds above rumbled faintly, followed by a blinding streak of lightning. With one strike, the creature froze mid-motion, fusing with the bushes in a hiss of smoke.
Zara turned to her friend in awe. "You're getting much better at that."
"I know," Orea replied with a proud smile.
"Hey, showoffs!" Kymani called out from a distance, interrupting their exchange. His arms rested over Valtor's shoulders. "Are you guys ready to leave yet?"
Scoffing at his antics, the girls joined them.
They chatted lightly as they made their way back to base. Once there, Valtor, Orea, and Zara dropped to the ground, exhausted, taking off their gear while Kymani disappeared into one of the tents.
Moments later, he stepped out, heading into another—then another. His friends exchanged puzzled looks.
"Okay, what are you doing?" Zara finally asked.
Kymani paused, his usual calm shifting to unease.
"It's Lynx and Rowynn," he said quietly. "They're gone."