Chapter 4: The Monster Within

Kael turned his sights toward the source of the monstrous roar, his breath steady despite the overwhelming tension. From the crumbling alleyways emerged a hulking abomination, its flesh grotesquely mutated, eyes glowing with an unnatural red hue. This was no ordinary undead—it was something far worse.

His grip on the Morph-Gear tightened. "Great. Just what I needed."

The creature was massive, at least twice the size of the shambling corpses he had been cutting down moments ago. Its bloated muscles bulged unnaturally, covered in grotesque, pulsating veins. Unlike the slow-moving zombies, this one moved with purpose, its steps heavy enough to crack the stone beneath it.

Kael switched his Morph-Gear to heavy rifle mode, adjusting his stance. A quick glance at his HUD—power levels at 58%. He had to make every shot count.

The beast let out another earth-shaking roar before charging. Kael reacted instantly, his training taking over. He fired a precise burst at its kneecaps, but the bullets barely slowed it down. The creature lunged, swinging an oversized arm. Kael barely dodged in time, rolling across the rooftop as debris exploded around him.

"This thing's faster than it looks," he muttered.

The mysterious woman on the opposite rooftop watched in silence, her cloak billowing in the wind. Kael didn't have time to question who she was or what she wanted—he had to survive first.

He recalibrated his Morph-Gear, shifting it into plasma mode. The weapon hummed as energy built up. He aimed for the beast's chest and fired. A blue bolt of plasma struck the creature, scorching flesh and sending it staggering back. But it didn't fall.

Instead, it howled in fury, its body beginning to regenerate.

Kael's eyes narrowed. "Regeneration. Of course."

He needed a new strategy. His mind raced through options. His power levels were depleting, and he didn't have the luxury of a prolonged fight. He quickly scanned his surroundings. A broken tower loomed over the battlefield, its foundation cracked and barely holding.

An idea sparked.

Kael sprinted toward the tower, using his exo-suit's limited thrusters to gain speed. The creature roared and gave chase, its movements shaking the ground. Just as he reached the tower's base, he fired his plasma rifle at the weakened supports.

A deep rumble followed.

The structure groaned, then collapsed in an avalanche of stone and wood—right on top of the monstrous undead.

A massive cloud of dust erupted into the night.

Kael coughed, waving away the debris as he climbed onto a safer vantage point. His visor scanned the rubble. No movement. No sound. He exhaled.

"That better have done it."

A soft voice interrupted his moment of relief.

"You fight well for someone who does not belong here."

Kael turned to face the woman, his weapon still at the ready. The flickering torchlight revealed more of her features—piercing violet eyes, a sharp but elegant face, and a strange, rune-etched blade at her side.

"Yeah? And who exactly are you?" Kael asked.

She studied him for a moment before responding.

"A survivor. Just like you."

Before Kael could press further, another distant roar echoed through the ruined city.

The dead weren't the only threat in this world.