Call of the monster

The flying carpet glided smoothly through the sky, approaching the city on the horizon. Ethan could see the outlines of ruined buildings, made of cracked concrete and corroded metal. The desolate expanse promised nothing but mystery and danger.

As the group advanced, Ethan couldn't tear his eyes away from the worn-out structures below. There was something disturbingly familiar about them. The shape of the buildings, the layout of the streets… Everything felt displaced, like a warped memory.

"This can't be…" he thought, a chill running down his spine. "This place… it looks too much like my world. What happened here? Could this be… a distant future?"

The idea hit him like a punch to the gut. A future where everything he knew had been swallowed by this relentless corruption? He shivered, trying to push the thought away. "No, that's impossible," he muttered to himself, but the unease wouldn't leave him.

Zeta 4 hovered beside the group, projecting a blue hologram into the air. "My drones have completed their scan of the city," he announced, his metallic voice cold and mechanical. "Nothing significant. Only abandoned structures and static readings."

The hologram adjusted, displaying an aerial view of the city. At its center, an irregularly shaped crater stood out, pulsing with an eerie glow.

"The crater," Zeta 4 continued, "is the only point of interest. A significant amount of corrupted energy is emanating from it. Something powerful is likely waiting inside."

Before Ethan could fully process the information, the Bizarre Sorcerer did something even more… bizarre. His mask, which constantly shifted, now bore an elongated beak, and feathers began sprouting all over his body. In a completely unexpected move, he spread his arms, let out a loud cackle, and, flapping his arms like a grotesque bird, soared toward the crater, vanishing into the horizon.

Ethan stood there, mouth agape, blinking several times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. "Did he just… turn into a giant chicken?! What is even happening?!"

The rest of the group remained silent, as if this were just another ordinary Tuesday. Seryne, seated calmly on the carpet beside him, placed a hand on his shoulder, her gestures filled with an almost supernatural tranquility.

"We'll be fine," she said, her voice carrying a serenity that seemed to cut through the surrounding chaos. "I've seen it."

Ethan looked at her, uncertain. He wanted to believe her, but how could he? Before he could respond, a violent gust of wind swept through the group, nearly knocking him off the carpet. He clung tightly as a massive shadow passed overhead.

A deafening impact echoed in the distance, like a muffled thunderclap. Far ahead, Ethan saw the silhouette of a colossal toad, its tongue lashing out toward the Sorcerer. Both figures disappeared into the horizon, leaving behind an unsettling silence.

The monster—the one carrying the little girl on his shoulder—was the first to break the silence. His deep voice reverberated, carrying a gravity that seemed to resonate from the earth itself.

"He has drawn the creature's attention," he said, pointing toward where the Sorcerer had vanished. "We should explore the crater while we have the chance."

Ethan froze, his breath caught in his throat. That was a shock.

"He… he can talk?! And… how is he so rational?!"

Curiosity quickly overtook his surprise. Ethan ran up to the monster, struggling to keep pace with his long strides. The fine sand made movement difficult, causing him to stumble once or twice, but he didn't give up.

"Hey! Wait!" he panted, his voice filled with hesitation and fascination. "What's your name?"

The monster slowed, tilting his head slightly to look at him. His deep eyes were like an abyss of wisdom and strength, reflecting something fierce yet not hostile.

"Korrak," he answered simply, his tone carrying an invisible weight. Then, without further comment, he turned forward and resumed his steady pace.

Ethan paused, breathless but surprised. "Korrak, huh?" He murmured to himself, a tired yet genuine smile forming on his lips. "That's… a good name."

The group continued toward the crater, with Ethan now walking in the middle. He noticed something curious: everyone naturally positioned themselves around him, forming a protective barrier without ever discussing it. It was both comforting and strange.

Zeta 4 sent his drones ahead, projecting holograms displaying the crater's interior. "Data confirms," he announced. "Only eggs. Many eggs."

Lian Xuan nodded, his gaze fixed on the crater. "Hatchlings," he said calmly, as if he already knew.

Ethan shot him a curious glance. "How does he know that? Some kind of… divine sense? I've read about this in cultivation stories…" he mused, intrigued.

With confirmation that the crater held no immediate threats, the group began to move away. The silence was suddenly shattered by a distant sound—starting as a faint whistle and rapidly growing in intensity.

Then, something fell from the sky with the force of a meteor. The impact was devastating, sending a shockwave that rippled through the ground and displaced the air in all directions.

"Brace yourselves!" Zeta 4 shouted.

Four metallic rods emerged from his forearms, connecting to form an energy shield around the group. The shockwave slammed into the barrier with tremendous force, but the shield held, protecting everyone from the deadly blast.

As the tremors subsided, Zeta 4 deactivated the shield and lowered his arms. Ethan barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief before he heard it—a wet, sickening snap.

A massive, barbed tongue lashed through the air at incredible speed. Before anyone could react, it wrapped around Zeta 4, crushing him with a horrifying metallic crunch.