Chapter 20

The morning was crisp, the chill of late autumn settling into the air. Alex stood beside his car, arms crossed, as he exchanged a glance with Caleb and John. The past two months had been a relentless chase, uncovering the horrifying truth behind the missing hunters. But now, the case was closed. The ritual had been stopped, the danger neutralized.

John nodded, adjusting the strap of his duffel bag. "You sure you're good on your own?"

Alex smirked. "Yeah."

Caleb exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "Well, if you ever need backup, you know where to find me."

Alex gave a small nod. They weren't the kind of guys to dwell on goodbyes. The hunt would always come first, and sooner or later, their paths would cross again.

John turned, walking towards his truck. "Stay sharp, Alex."

With that, they parted ways. A week passed, the silence of solo travel settling in once again. Then, a new case came across his radar.

Alex arrived in the small, isolated mountain town of pike creek under the guise of an FBI agent. He'd learned long ago that showing up unannounced and flashing a badge got him answers much faster than playing the role of a concerned outsider.

The local sheriff, a grizzled man in his late fifties named Harris, leaned back in his chair, eyeing Alex skeptically. "FBI, huh? Didn't think disappearances out in the sticks warranted federal attention."

Alex pulled out his notepad, keeping his expression neutral. "We're looking into a pattern of cases that span across several states. Your town just happens to be the latest."

Harris sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. "Damn shame. Three people gone without a trace. No bodies were found It's like they just vanished into thin air."

Alex leaned forward. "Who was the last person to go missing?"

"Guy named Trevor Lane. Worked as a park ranger up in the northern woods. Went out on patrol and never came back. We found his truck, engine still running, but no sign of him."

Alex frowned. "Mind if I take a look at the site?"

Harris studied him for a moment before nodding. "I'll have my deputy take you up there. But I'll warn you people around here are scared. Some are talking about shutting down the whole damn town until we figure out what's happening."

Alex closed his notebook. "Let's hope I can give them an answer before that happens."

The patrol site was deep in the woods, the kind of place where the trees pressed in close, swallowing sound. Deputy Mason, a young man with an uneasy expression, led Alex to the abandoned truck. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, but there was something else—something faint, almost metallic.

Alex circled the vehicle, his instincts prickling. "Did you find anything else?"

Mason shook his head. "Just this. No signs of a struggle, no tracks. Like I said, it's weird."

Alex crouched near the driver's side door, brushing his fingers over the dirt. His psychometry kicked in—flashes of movement, a shadow in the trees, a rush of heat and then—nothing. Whatever took him was fast.

He stood, dusting off his hands. "I'll take a look around. You head back."

Mason hesitated. "You sure? If there's something dangerous out here—"

Alex gave him a reassuring nod. "I'll be fine."

Once the deputy was gone, Alex moved deeper into the woods, senses on high alert. The unnatural stillness in the air confirmed his suspicions—something was watching him.

Then he saw it. A flash of movement between the trees.

He turned sharply, drawing his blade. "Come on out. I know you're there."

A low, guttural growl echoed through the forest.

Then it charged.

The creature burst from the shadows—a monstrous fusion of multiple animals. Lion-like in build, but with reptilian scales along its spine. A second head, a goat's, twisted unnaturally from its shoulder, and its tail was a serpent, writhing with a mind of its own.

' A Chimera.'

Alex barely had time to react before it swiped at him with massive claws. He dodged, rolling to the side, but the beast was relentless. Its snake-like tail struck out, aiming for his throat.

He twisted, catching the tail mid-strike, and slammed his blade down. The creature shrieked, rearing back. 'What the hell is a chimera doing here'.

But it wasn't done yet.

It lunged again, forcing Alex to go on the defensive. His blade met its claws, sparks flying. The thing was strong, but Alex was faster. He ducked under its next strike and drove his blade deep into its side.

The chimera howled, thrashing wildly. Alex was thrown to the side colliding with tree, but he got up quickly dodging to the side as the injured chimera rushed forward hitting the tree almost breaking it.

The beast was disoriented.

'This is my chance' he thought.

Alex sprinted towards the side of the chimera and jumped bringing down the blade on the neck of the chimera barely managing to sever its head, but in that moment he was hit by it's paw sending him crashing to the ground.

'Shit i think i broke a bone or two'.

He got up his hand clutching his side but thankfully the beast had collapsed to the ground lifeless.

"hah...that was quite the fight"

he walked near the collapsed chimera before sitting besides it.

A surge of energy rushed through him, his skin tingling as the chimera's essence seeped into him. He gasped as new sensations flooded his mind.

When he finally regained his balance, he glanced at his panel.

New Abilities Acquired:

- Enhanced Strength

- Heightened Reflexes (Mainly Instinct)

- Minor Regeneration

Alex exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. 'Well… that's new.' he thought looking at the last line.

P.S : What i mean by mainly instinct is just as it sounds as he already has heightened reflexs those were further enhanced but mainly his instinct or sixth sense was enhanced.