Story 561: The Mansion of Malice

The decrepit mansion stood silent as the ZETU team gathered near its heavy wooden doors, catching their breath from the chaos outside. The golden glow of the evening had given way to an ominous twilight, and the eerie stillness of the mansion was suffocating. Marcus 'Iron Will' Kane motioned for silence as the team prepared to breach the entrance.

“Riley, cover the rear,” Marcus ordered in a hushed tone. “Lila, you’re on point. Everyone else, stick together. We’re walking into the unknown.”

Lila ‘Huntress’ Navarro nodded and pressed her back against the splintered wood of the door. She tested the handle—it was unlocked. With a quiet nod to Marcus, she pushed the door open, revealing a grand yet decayed foyer. The smell of mildew and rot hit them immediately, and their boots echoed against the cracked marble floor.