Beneath the surface.

Chapter 4: Beneath the surface.

"Ding!" The bell rang, and all the students rushed outside. Marble looked exhausted as she turned. She saw Evelyn and Anna. As usual, Anna's black hair was pulled up in a ponytail.

As they walked, Anna fell into step beside Evelyn, her eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Marble trailed behind, her eyes fixed on the floor as she navigated through the throng of students. The attention didn't seem to faze Anna and Evelyn, but Marble's exhaustion and distraction made her more vulnerable to the whispers and stares.

As they were walking to the cafeteria, they met Pristin. His cold look was as usual. He was wearing a T-shirt that revealed a glimpse of his tattoo on his left arm. He was also wearing jeans, giving him a dark aura, but he still looked handsome and dangerous. He and Mikel were talking. Mikel gave the three girls a smile and continued his conversation with Pristin.

"Are we going to the Franxx? I just heard that there is a monster. We have to leave," Antosia said, her blue eyes serious.

"Let's go," Evelyn replied, glancing at her friends.

"I'll inform Andrew on the way," Anna said, her green eyes firm. She turned and left, while the rest of the group headed in the opposite direction.

As Pristin watched Evelyn walk away, his gaze lingered on her for a moment. His eyes seemed to narrow slightly, as if he was deep in thought. Mikel noticed the look and raised an eyebrow.

"I'll take care of it," Pristin said, his voice low and even. "You focus on the Franxx."

Mikel nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Pristin walk away. The atmosphere around them seemed to grow heavier, as if the shadows themselves were deepening.

As they approached the Franxx, the air grew thick with an eerie, pungent scent. Marble covered her nose, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. "What's that smell?" she whispered.

Anna's gaze swept the horizon. "I don't know, but we need to be careful. We don't know what we're up against."

Evelyn nodded, her hand on the knife sheathed at her belt. "Stay alert. We'll scout ahead and see what we can find."

As they ventured deeper into the Franxx, the silence grew heavier, punctuated only by the rustling of unknown creatures in the underbrush.

The Franxx loomed before them, a twisted labyrinth of ancient, rusting machinery and overgrown vegetation. Vines as thick as ship ropes snaked around crumbling pillars, their emerald green leaves glistening with dew. Jagged metal spires pierced the sky like shattered bones, their rusted surfaces glowing with a deep, fiery orange. The air reeked of decay, ozone, and something sweetly acrid, as purple wildflowers bloomed amidst the wreckage, their delicate petals swaying in the breeze.

Anna and Andrew arrived just on time. Andrew's blue hair was packed back, and his yellow eyes gave him a cute and unique look. He looked very handsome and had a lot of charm. He walked closer to the Franxx and then said, "So we meet again." A small smile appeared and disappeared quickly, without the others noticing. Then Pristin came closer to him and tapped his back in a friendly way.

Andrew turned around, his yellow eyes locking onto Pristin's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, a hint of a challenge in their gazes. Then, Andrew's expression softened, and he smiled, his charm radiating outward. "Pristin. Always a pleasure."

Pristin's expression remained neutral, but a faint glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes. "Andrew. You're as charming as ever." He paused, his gaze sweeping the group. "Shall we get down to business? We have a monster to find."

Evelyn stepped forward, her hand still resting on the knife at her belt. "Let's move out. We don't know what we're up against."

As they ventured deeper into the Franxx, the air grew thick with tension. The group moved cautiously, their senses on high alert. Suddenly, a loud, piercing screech echoed through the labyrinth, making everyone's heart skip a beat.

"Is that, is that the monster from last summer I thought you killed it Pristin," Antosia said as she looked at Pristin.

"What is it holding is that not a human," Evelyn said as she looked at Marble.

"It is," Pristin said. He looked at Mikel, then at Andrew. Mikel and Andrew knowing the look, said, "We will handle it together."

"Okay, so the three of you should check on the human," Pristin said as he looked at the ladies.

"Yes, sir," they said.

"I'll activate my scanner to check if she's alive," Evelyn said as she looked at Marble, "while I'll activate my healing," Marble said.

"Okay, then it's a plan," the girls said. They went in the direction of where the monster had thrown the human body.

The guys entered the Franxx and followed the monster's direction.

Antosia bent, looking at the human. "It's a female," she said, turning to Marble and Evelyn.

"Is she alive?" Marble said.

"Let me check," Antosia said. Then she used her hand to touch the female's forehead. "She is okay," Evelyn said, "but she is losing a lot of blood."

Anna looked at them. "Come closer," she said in a low voice. Then they held their hands. She said a few words, and then they disappeared into thin air.

When they arrived Antosia left them and went to the battle field.

As they descended into the abandoned city, the Franxx squad encountered the monstrous Klaxosaur. Its massive body undulated like a living shadow, sending tendrils of darkness snaking towards the Franxx.

"Mikel , take point!" Pristin yelled, his voice echoing through the comms.

The Franxx units charged forward, their blades flashing in the dim light. The battle was intense, with the Klaxosaur's tendrils whipping wildly, threatening to crush the Franxx.

Zero Two and Pristin worked in perfect sync, their movements a testament to their growing trust. They dodged and weaved, striking at the Klaxosaur's weak points.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Klaxosaur let out a deafening screech and dissipated into nothingness.

The Franxx units stood victorious, their pilots panting with exhaustion. And that's when they saw her – the girl, cowering in the corner, her eyes wide with fear...