We'll call that a win.

The air was thick with tension as the three evolved infected stalked forward, their grotesque forms illuminated by the dim glow of the Command Field. Each step they took sent tremors through the ground, a reminder of their raw, inhuman power. 

Quinn's shadows flickered uneasily around him, almost as if they could sense the danger. Alexia shifted her grip on the katana, her mind racing. The Command Field enhanced their coordination and abilities, but the evolved were faster, stronger, and smart than the regular infected. This wasn't going to be a straightforward fight.

"They're splitting up," Damien's voice crackled through the comms. He was perched on a rooftop, his gaze fixed on the battlefield. "Quinn, Alexia---right flank. Alex, with me on the left. Keep them contained, no matter what."

"Copy that," Alexia replied, her heart pounding. she shot a glance at Quinn. "You ready?"

"Always." His smirk was faint, but the determination in his eyes was unmistakable. The shadows around him surged forward, reaching for the nearest evolved infected like living tendrils.

The creature let out a guttural roar and lunged toward them, its elongated claws slicing through the air. Alexia dodged to the side, the katana humming as it met the infected's claw in a shower of sparks. The force of the clash sent vibrations up her arms, but she gritted her teeth and held her ground.

Quinn darted in from the side, his shadows wrapping around the creature's legs to trip it up. The infected thrashed, it grotesque body twisting in unnatural ways as it fought against the restraints. Alexia seized the opportunity, her blade flashing as she aimed for its neck.

The strike landed, but instead of severing its head, the katana bit into dense, armor-like flesh. The creature howled, its glowing eyes locking onto Alexia with a newfound rage.

"Great. It's pissed," she muttered, backing away as the creature tore free from Quinn's shadows.

"Just keep it distracted," Quinn called out, his voice steady. "I'll pin it down."

The creature charged again, its movement faster than Alexia anticipated. She barely had time to block its attack, the force of the impact driving her back several steps. Quinn's shadows lashed out again, binding the creature's arms and legs with renewed ferocity. 

"Now!" Quinn shouted.

Alexia didn't hesitate. She channeled all her strength into a powerful upward slash, the katana cutting deep into the creature's throat. This time, the blade found a weak point, and the creature collapsed in a heap, its body convulsing before finally going still.

"One down," Alexia panted, glancing at Quinn. He nodded, already turning his attention to the next threat.

On the left flank, Damien and Alex were facing their own challenges. The second evolved infected was larger than the first, its hulking frame bulldozing through the regular infected like they were nothing. Damien's energy manipulation kept the smaller creature at bay, but the evolved was relentless.

"Alex," now would be a good time to work your magic," Damien said, his tone calm despite the chaos around them.

"Working on it!" Alex replied, his hands flying over the controls of his drone. The device zipped through the air, dropping a series of explosives in the creature's path. The resulting blasts sent chunks of earth and infected flesh flying, but the evolved emerged from the smoke, barely fazed.

Damien narrowed his eyes, his mind reaching out towards the creature. His telepathic manipulation was subtle, a whisper against the creature's primitive thoughts. It wasn't enough to control it, but it distracted the infected just long enough for Alex to line up his next shot.

"Gotcha," Alex muttered, pressing a button. The drone released a concentrated burst of energy directly at the creature's head. This time, the impact was enough to stagger it, giving Damien an opening.

With a surge of energy, Damien unleashed a blast that sent the creature crashing to the ground. He didn't wait for it to recover, leaping down from the rooftop and delivering a decisive blow with a blast of raw energy. The creature let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing.

Back on the right flank, Alexia and Quinn were facing the last of the evolved. This one was different, faster and more cunning than the others. It seemed to anticipate their moves, dodging Quinn's shadows and countering Alexia's strikes with unnerving precision.

"This one's a problem," Quinn muttered, his shadows retreating as the creature lunged at him.

"No kidding," Alexia replied, her breathing labored. The Command Field was still active, but it was dimming meaning it would soon be time for cool down, maintaining it while fighting was also draining her mentally.

The creature suddenly shifted its focus, its glowing eyes locking onto Alexia. it moved with blinding speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. Alexia barely managed to raise her katana in time, the force of the impact sending her sprawling.

"Alexia!" Quinn's voice was sharp with concern. His shadows surged forward, wrapping around the creature and yanking it away from her.

Alexia scrambled to her feet, her vision swimming. She could feel the Command Field wavering, her focus slipping as her mental energy drained. But she couldn't afford to falter now.

"Quinn, keep it still!" She shouted, gripping her katana tightly.

He didn't respond, but his shadows obeyed, tightening around the creature like a vice. The infected roared, its movements becoming more frantic as it fought against the restraints.

Alexia took a deep breath, steadying herself, then activated all the skills that the system had given her. Then, with a burst of speed, she closed the distance and plunged her katana into the creature's chest. The blade sank deep, piercing whatever passed for a heart in the infected's twisted anatomy.

The creature let out a final, ear-splitting scream before collapsing. Alexia staggered back, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. 

"Three down," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Quinn approached her, his shadows retreating back into the ground. "You good?"

She nodded, though her body ached with every movement. "Barely."

He smirked, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Guess we'll call that a win."

'For now, it was she' thought. "Let's just get out of here," she said as Quinn came to assist her before she dropped to the ground.