New Allies..?

The aftermath of the fight was painted in blood and ash. The air was thick with the stench of burnt flesh, the ground was littered with the infected corpses, some still smoldering from Devon's eerie ability.

Alexia wiped a streak of grime from her cheek, her body humming with exhaustion but still primed for danger.

Devon leaned against a nearby wall, watching them with an unreadable expression. "You all held your own," he admitted, his tone almost impressed. "Not bad."

Quinn looked at Devon like he was stupid, then scoffed, crossing his arms. "And you? What was that back there? Some kind of bioelectric manipulation?"

Devon shrugged, a smug tilt to his lips. "Something like that."

Alexia looked at him, before looking away, if one paid attention to her, you'd be able to see her trying to hold back a smile or a laugh.

Meanwhile, Damien who had been quiet up until now, stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "We don't trust you yet."

Devon's smirk didn't waver. "Didn't ask you to."

Tension crackled in the air between them, it was thick and suffocating that Alexia had to move back. She let out a sigh, sheathing her katana. "Look we're all tired, and we just survived a massive horde, an evolved one at that. We'll figure out what comes next after we get some rest."

She turned to Alex. "How are the defenses holding?"

Alex wiped sweat from his brow, eyes scanning the drone still hovering in the air. "Turrets are low on ammo, but they held up. The automated traps took out at least thirty percent of the horde before they got close. Not bad for a rush job."

Alexia nodded. "Then let's regroup inside. We need to plan our next move."

The group gathered inside the warehouse, meanwhile Devon went towards a different location.

Alexia sat on a crate, stretching out her sore muscle. "Alright," she started. "We're in City Z because the system says it's critical. But we still don't know why."

Damien ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "And we just burned through a chunk of resources holding back that horde."

Quinn leaned against the wall, his shadows curling around his fingers absentmindedly. "The system's directives have been spot-on so far. But we need more than 'just trust it'.

Alexia's system pinged again.

[Hidden Objectives Unlocked: Secure the City Z Research Facility. Objective Required for Next System Upgrade.]

Her gaze sharpened. A research facility?

Alexia looked up. "The system just gave me a location. A research facility."

Devon walked in interrupting them. "System? and why are you looking for a research facility." His expression was a mixture of confusion and anger.

The group froze before Alexia spoke up.

"The system is a guide I have; that's my ability and it told us to look for City Z research facility, we didn't even know they had one."

Devon visibly relaxed, his expression changing from anger and confusion to understanding and recognition.

"The facility," he said slowly, "was where they were running experiments on infected before the outbreak spiraled out of control."

The room went still.

Alexia narrowed her eyes. "And how exactly do you know that?"

Devon met her gaze, unapologetic. "Because I was one of their test subjects." 

Silence.

Quinn's fingers twitched at his side, his stance shifting as if ready to attack at any moment.

Damien's expression turned unreadable. "You're saying the people in that facility gave you those powers?"

Devon let out a slow exhale, rubbing the back of his neck. "Something like that."

Alexia and Alex looked at each other before they studied him carefully. There was more to his story, but now wasn't the time to pry.

"The facility might have information on the infected," she said, shifting the conversation forward. "If the system wants us there, it means there's something valuable inside."

Damien nodded. "Then we move at first light."

Despite their uneasy alliance, they needed rest. They took shifts keeping watch, the warehouse offering some protection but far from safety.

Quinn stood near the entrance, his shadows coiling like restless snakes around his feet. Devon was nearby, his arms crossed as he gazed out into the darkened city.

"You don't sleep?" Quinn asked, his voice low.

Devon chuckled. "Haven't had the luxury in a while, besides I don't feel sleepy."

Quinn said nothing for a long moment before finally speaking. "You're dangerous."

Devon smirked. "So are you."

Neither denied it.

As the sun crept over the ruins of City Z, the team gathered their supplies and prepared to move.

The research facility was shown on the map provided by the system, Alexia made it visible for them all to see.

Alexia's system pinged again.

[Danger Level: Extreme. Proceed with Caution.]

Her grip on her weapon tightened. She felt that whatever was in there... they were not ready for it.

But they had no choice.

"Let's move," she said.

And with that, they walked in the direction of the facility