Story 535: The Crimson Flood

The skyline glowed faintly under a sickly yellow haze as the team moved across the fractured rooftops. The remnants of the swarm below stretched for miles, their glowing eyes cutting through the shadows like dim lanterns. Captain Marcus Kane led the group, his shotgun slung over his shoulder, his focus razor-sharp.

“Stay quiet,” he ordered, his voice barely a whisper. “One noise, and they’ll be climbing these walls in seconds.”

The team advanced cautiously. Riley “Quick Shot” Bennett scanned the streets with her rifle, her sharp gaze never resting. Lila “Huntress” Navarro moved just behind, her twin pistols at the ready. Derek “Shield” Coleman brought up the rear, his shield strapped to his back as Jenna “Blaze” Hart checked their supply of explosives.

As they reached the edge of the rooftop, a sharp metallic groan echoed through the air. The corroded bridge ahead—half-collapsed and hanging precariously between two buildings—seemed to sway under an unseen force.