18 welcome to the jungle

The team trudged deeper into the forest, each step feeling heavier. The ominous growls in the distance were growing louder.

"How many more of these things are there?" Anji asked, wiping sweat from her brow.

Zane checked his device. "If this is accurate—which it isn't—uh, all of them?"

Ken groaned. "Fantastic. Let's get this over with."

The ground shook again, and this time, a massive shadow loomed overhead. A gargantuan, bird-like creature descended, its wings spanning the entire clearing. Its eyes glowed with an eerie green light, and its talons sparked with electricity.

"Great, a thunderbird," Elena muttered. "Who wants to take bets on how many more types it has?"

Before anyone could answer, the bird screeched, releasing a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet.

"That's cheating!" Ken shouted, scrambling to his feet.

Simon growled, fully shifting into his reptilian form. "Keep it distracted; I'll take it down!"

"With what?" Anji quipped. "Your charming personality?"

As chaos erupted once again, Zane muttered under his breath. "I'm going to need more coffee dispensers."