Story 837: Rebirth of the Alpha

The streets were silent. Steam still rose from the collapsed water tower, the scent of scorched flesh lingering in the air. Mia, Reaper, and Evelyn stood over the flooded wreckage, weapons raised, breath coming in sharp gasps.

“It’s dead,” Mia said, though she didn’t sound convinced.

Reaper wiped blood from his mouth. “We’ve thought that before.”

Evelyn stepped closer, her fingers tightening around the crowbar. The water was still—no sign of movement. The charred remains of the Alpha were submerged beneath the debris. Had the water finally done it?

Then—a ripple.

Evelyn’s stomach turned ice cold. “Move.”

The water erupted.

A massive clawed arm burst from the flood, flesh regrown, sinew twisting, muscles bulging.

The Alpha was reborn.

It had evolved again.

Golden flesh turned dark obsidian, its massive limbs grotesquely swollen with power. The claws were longer, jagged, dripping with venom.

But worst of all—its brain had expanded.