LURKING THREAT

Kiel's back was slick with sweat, darkening a large spot on his sleeveless top. The forest was alive with the buzz of insects and the distant call of birds. The air was thick and humid, clinging to his skin like a second layer. After gathering supplies for charcoals and firewood, he paused, scanning the forest nervously. Suddenly, he froze, sensing someone's gaze. He strained to catch any movement, eyes darting from shadow to shadow. But the forest remained eerily still, mocking his heightened senses. He quickly checked the forest but saw nothing and resumed his task.

"Uh, why are we doing this again?" Kiki complained, lounging against a tree with his legs stretched out.

"For our survival," Astra replied, her voice sharp as a knife cutting through the heavy air.

"Yeah, but why us?" Kiki smirked at his sister but stopped when he saw the warning in her eyes.

Astra winced. "Listen, we've been the ones working, not you," she said, gesturing between herself and Kiel. "You've been lazing around all day, so might as well get busy!" She tossed a sack at him, sweat glistening on her skin as she wiped her forehead with her arm. Kiel saw the weariness in her eyes, a mirror of his own.

The heat and humidity were oppressive, and Kiki found the occasional breeze more irritating than refreshing. "There's been talk of a phase 4 danger alert. A monster in the city," he mentioned casually.

Kiel stiffened at the words, and Astra noticed.

"Have you heard anything about that?" Kiki asked, looking at his sister, who gave no response. "How about you, Kiel? You know something?"

Astra gazed up at Kiel, who quickly responded with a nervous laugh, using hand signs. "No. I'm just a Kaiju. Why would I know anything?"

"Hmm," Kiki raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "You are acting kinda sus."

Kiel turned away, catching Astra's concerned look. Emotion choked him as he hastily resumed his work. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and his mind raced with thoughts of the last time he had faced such danger. The memories were still fresh, the wounds still raw.

"Fine," Kiki said, standing up. "If you need me, I'll be somewhere else. You people bore me."

Kiel saw no softness in Astra's expression, just her usual energy. She returned to her tasks, avoiding his gaze. Finally, she broke the silence. "Okay, look, I didn't want to say anything, but let's talk about how you're really doing."

Kiel's hands trembled slightly as he signed, "I don't want to talk about it."

Astra's eyes softened momentarily before hardening again. "You need to. We need to understand what's going on with you."

Kiel shook his head. He had been through so much, faced so many horrors, and he wasn't ready to relive them, not now, not ever.

"Kiel, please," Astra pleaded. "I know you've been through a lot. But keeping it all bottled inside is only going to make things worse."

Kiel looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and pain. He signed slowly, "I...

Before Kiel could respond, a scream echoed from the forest. It was Kiki's scream—desperate and terrified.

"Kiki!" Astra shouted, her voice filled with urgency.

Kiki, pale and frantic, burst through the trees, cradling his injured arm. "Back there! Something's in there!" He cried.

Kiel glanced toward the rustling bushes and signed with a grave sense of urgency, "Astra, Kiki, get behind me now!"

Astra obeyed, pulling Kiki behind her. They watched in terror as the rustling grew louder, only to reveal a harmless rabbit. Astra sighed with relief, scooping up the creature.

"See? It's just a bunny!" She said.

Suddenly, a tree crashed down behind her, the impact shaking the forest. Dust filled the air as Astra stood rigid, holding the rabbit.

Out of the swirling dust stepped a monstrous figure. El'goth was massive, his blue skin glistening like polished stone. His red-tinted mohawk stood upright, and his eyes glowed with malevolence. His orcish grin revealed rows of sharp teeth as he reached out with clawed hands, grabbing Astra by the neck. The ground trembled beneath his weight, and the forest seemed to hold its breath. The creature lifted Astra off the ground as she kicked and screamed.

"I am El'goth," it growled, "sent to stop the Kaiju who time-traveled to the present."

"The present?" Kiel signed, confused.

"Time-traveled?" Kiki echoed.

"You," the creature growled, its eyes locking onto Kiel with a predatory intensity. "Griffith will be most pleased when I bring back your remains."

Kiki's laughter came out strained, tinged with a desperate edge. "Oh, you're serious."

The monster's grin widened as it prepared for the fight ahead.