Continuing my journey toward the lake, the idyllic countryside stretched out before me, a stark juxtaposition to the aftermath of the rapture. Towering forest trees extended for miles, standing resolute and dignified despite the chaos that had unfolded.
A glimmer of hope endured in the presence of surviving wildlife that graced the landscape. Witnessing a doe and her fawn emerge from the treeline was a rare and heartening spectacle. The fawn's innocent gaze briefly met mine, and it paused to delicately groom its hooves before reuniting with its mother.
Immersed in the tranquility of my surroundings, I chose not to carry any weapons on this brief excursion. The area remained relatively secure for exploration, thanks to the indigenous people of Maguindanao who had crafted the meticulously constructed holy gravel road leading to the lake. With every step I took upon the path, a soft crunch harmonized with the rustling leaves stirred by the gentle breeze.
As I approached the edge of the treeline demarcating the lake from the dense forest, an abrupt and bone-chilling scream shattered the otherwise serene ambiance. The unexpected sound sent an involuntary shiver down my spine, instantly catapulting me into a state of heightened vigilance. Instinctively, I honed my senses, endeavoring to discern the origin of the distressing cry.
Racing toward the treeline's edge, my heart thundered within my chest. The unfolding scene played out in rapid succession—a cryptid pinning down a figure cloaked in sacrificial robes, while Sandra and Hannah waged a valiant struggle against five other menacing cryptids. Among them lurked a particularly perilous variant of Aswang, notorious for its ambushes from beneath the earth.
Time seemed to stretch as I closed the gap, my movements a blur. The Aswang's snapping jaws loomed perilously close to the vulnerable woman. Acting swiftly, I sprang into action, delivering a resounding roundhouse kick to the cryptid's chin. The creature reeled back, its salivating maw thwarted from claiming its intended meal.
In an instant, the air fractured with a gunshot, and a well-aimed bullet found its mark on the Aswang's forehead. With a final tremor, the creature crumpled toward us, its life extinguished. Shifting my attention, I beheld Sandra and Hannah, who had adeptly dispatched their own adversaries.
The tense tableau gave way to a surge of relief, an exhalation of gratitude for quelling the immediate menace. My veins still pulsed with adrenaline, each breath arriving in ragged gasps as the echoes of our confrontation reverberated in the aftermath.
"Big bro!" Sam's urgent cry echoed from behind me, prompting me to swiftly turn and meet her gaze. She clutched the Glock, a familiar and reliable firearm I had wielded in numerous missions.
"What's going on?" I inquired, my voice steady and comforting.
"We were training by the riverbank," Sam explained, her voice resolute despite the concern shimmering in her eyes. "Out of nowhere, we heard screams, and we hurried over to see what was going on."
I observed the scene in front of me, taking in the charged atmosphere. Hannah, visibly shaken, enveloped Sam in a tight embrace, her assault rifle forgotten on the ground.
"Oh God! Sam, I'm so, so sorry," Hannah interjected, her voice choked with tears. The torment etched on her face was palpable, revealing her struggle with the aftermath of the unexpected turmoil.
"Damn it, I thought this place was safe," Sandra muttered, her breaths coming in strained bursts, evidence of her exhaustion.
Sam's voice quivered as she spoke, her emotions barely held in check. "I was at the riverbank, but when I heard Big Sis scream, I knew I had to come after her."
"Russ and Abigail got separated from us." Sam added, eyes teary, "They tried to fight something."
Her courage and quick thinking in the face of danger impressed me. I placed a firm hand on Sam's shoulder, conveying my support and determination. "You did the right thing, Sam," I said, my voice unwavering. "That's what matters. For now, we should get enough equipment. Russ, could hold off but he might get overwhelmed."
"Please... Help... Us." A weak voice pleaded, drawing my attention.
I turned around to see a robed woman stretching her arms out towards us. Her condition was alarming, and her voice trembled with desperation as she spoke, "The... Village... Was... Attacked," she managed to say, struggling to utter each word.
Without hesitation, I rushed to the woman's side, lifting her carefully into my arms. "Hang on," I reassured her, my tone firm and determined. "We'll get you back to safety