Chapter 2 The Pulse Rising

Chapter 2: The Pulse Rising

The wasteland stretched out before them, an endless sea of jagged rocks and scorched earth. The wind howled, carrying with it the bitter sting of ash. Kael's boots crunched over the gravel as he sprinted beside Rhea, his rifle slung across his back, his senses on high alert. The sound of the approaching horde grew louder, a constant growl that reverberated through the ground beneath them.

He glanced at Rhea. She moved with the grace of someone accustomed to battle, her steps sure and steady, even in the midst of chaos. Her black armor gleamed in the dim light, sleek and intimidating. The plasma rifle in her hands was an extension of her body, its barrel glowing faintly as she surveyed their surroundings with cold precision.

"You're awfully calm for someone who's about to face a horde of Degenerates," Kael remarked, trying to keep the tension in his voice from betraying him.

Rhea didn't look at him. "I've faced worse."

Kael raised an eyebrow, but he didn't press the matter further. He had no desire to hear more about her past—especially not from someone who was likely responsible for the deaths of countless innocents. The Ascendants were the military elite of the New Dawn, humanity's last bastion. But they were also the ones who had twisted the world into what it was today.

The horde was still a good distance away, but they were closing in fast. Kael could see them now—grotesque figures stumbling over the jagged terrain, their limbs unnaturally long and twisted. Their glowing eyes reflected the crimson sky like malevolent stars. He could hear their guttural growls and the sound of their feet dragging across the earth as they advanced.

Rhea didn't slow down. Her pace remained steady, her focus unwavering. "We need to find cover," she said without looking back. "There's a ridge up ahead. We'll make our stand there."

Kael gritted his teeth. He wasn't particularly fond of the idea of "making a stand." He'd learned long ago that staying and fighting in a hopeless situation was a surefire way to die. But there was something in Rhea's tone, a certain certainty that made him second-guess his instincts.

They reached the ridge in less than five minutes. Kael wasn't sure if he was impressed by Rhea's speed or terrified that the horde was closing in that quickly. They scrambled up the steep incline, reaching the top just as the first of the Degenerates crested the horizon.

Kael surveyed the area. The ridge was narrow, barely wide enough for the two of them to stand side by side. To their left, the horde spilled across the landscape like a wave of nightmare, their number impossible to count. To their right, a small cluster of crumbled buildings—old bunkers, perhaps—provided the only real cover.

Rhea took a knee, her rifle coming to her shoulder with practiced ease. She aimed, fired, and a Degenerate's head exploded in a burst of sparks and bone. The body crumpled to the ground, but the horde kept coming.

"Pick your targets," she said coldly. "Don't waste ammo."

Kael didn't need to be told twice. He dropped to one knee beside her, raising his rifle. His eyes darted over the mass of writhing bodies, searching for the most dangerous threats.

A group of hunters surged forward, their long limbs propelling them toward the ridge with terrifying speed. Kael's breath caught in his throat as they neared. He squeezed the trigger, his shot hitting its mark and sending one of the hunters crashing to the ground. The others didn't slow down, their eyes locked on the two humans at the top of the ridge.

Rhea was already moving, her plasma rifle singing as she fired again. One by one, the Degenerates fell, but there were too many of them. The horde continued to advance, relentless in its pursuit.

Kael gritted his teeth. He had enough ammo for only a few more shots, and he knew that wouldn't be enough to stop them. His mind raced, searching for a way out.

"Rhea!" he shouted over the noise of the battle. "We can't keep this up! We need to fall back!"

"No," Rhea snapped, not even looking at him. "We stand our ground."

A sharp cry from behind them cut through the air. Kael whipped around, eyes wide.

A massive brute had joined the horde, its hulking form crashing through the broken buildings in its path. It was unlike anything Kael had ever seen—its skin was a mottled gray, its muscles bulging under the strain of its monstrous frame. It let out a deafening roar as it charged toward the ridge, knocking over everything in its way.

"Fall back!" Kael shouted, his voice hoarse with urgency. "We can't win this!"

But Rhea didn't respond. She fired another shot, her focus unbroken. "We hold the line."

Kael's stomach churned. He'd known death was inevitable in this world, but he wasn't ready to face it yet. Not like this.

The brute reached the base of the ridge and started to climb, its massive claws digging into the rocky surface. Kael fired at it, his shots doing little more than sparking off its thick hide.

"Damn it!" he cursed. "It's too tough!"

Rhea fired another shot, but the brute kept coming. "Kael, cover me."

Before he could protest, she pushed herself to her feet, her plasma rifle glowing brightly. She sprinted toward the brute, moving with deadly precision.

Kael's heart raced. He didn't have time to think, only to react. He quickly reloaded his rifle and aimed at the approaching hunters, taking down two with clean shots to the head.

But even as he did, his gaze shifted back to Rhea. She was getting closer to the brute, weaving through the other Degenerates with grace. Kael had seen Ascendants fight before, but Rhea… she was different. She moved like a force of nature, unstoppable and relentless.

She reached the brute and leaped into the air, her plasma rifle aimed straight at its head. The brute roared, swiping at her with a claw the size of a small tree. Rhea's rifle discharged with a violent pulse, the energy beam hitting the brute squarely between the eyes.

The creature howled in pain, its massive form shuddering. It stumbled back, disoriented, and Kael seized the opportunity. He aimed and fired, his bullet finding its mark just below the brute's skull. It collapsed to the ground, dead.

For a moment, everything was still. The horde paused, as if considering the fallen beast, before continuing its relentless assault.

Rhea dropped to one knee, breathing heavily. Her armor was scratched and dented, but she showed no sign of slowing down.

"You were right," Kael said, his voice still shaking. "We can't keep up."

Rhea didn't reply immediately. She glanced at him, her electric blue eyes filled with something unreadable.

"Then we need a plan," she said, her voice steady.

End of Chapter 2