The aura appeared to be engaged in a struggle against an unseen adversary, a standoff that I sensed. However, my realization was swift as two additional red auras emerged, heading toward the ongoing clash.
"Abigail and Russ," I murmured, the pieces falling into place as I identified the source.
"What's happening?" Venidith questioned, firing off two more of those illuminating bursts.
"Stay here!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise of the APC's gunfire.
Urgently, I dashed towards the scene where the white aura was encircled by six other auras. The fog's moisture clung to my skin as I ventured further in. The white aura was gaining definition as I approached. Just as I was about to gain visual contact, a ghoul leaped into action.
Anticipating its move, I delivered a swift front kick to its chin, sending it hurtling through the air in a chaotic tumble akin to a rag doll. The creature's shriek echoed, suggesting a potential neck injury as it plummeted. Reacting instantly, I executed a hook that connected with its neck, resulting in a muffled, broken scream, perhaps due to its damaged vocal cords.
The ghoul tumbled away from me, and in one seamless motion, I fired a shot that struck its head. Its final cry was a muffled, fading sound, marking its demise.
I shifted my focus to the auras. The white aura was approaching me, seemingly having dispatched the other auras earlier.
Taking a chance, I ventured, "Russ?"
A robotic bark resonated through the air, causing my heart to leap into my throat as Russ came into view. He had lost much of his fur, revealing his true mechanical composition that resembled something out of Terminator. Both of his mechanical ears bore visible damage.
"Master?" A voice, oddly familiar yet devoid of emotion, greeted me, "You have finally arrived."
A slimy black substance began to ooze from Russ, defying the laws of physics as it rose and gradually took on the form of a humanoid figure. The transformation started with muscles, followed by skin, until the entire body had taken shape, forming the vest I recognized as Abigail.
"Russ and I have engaged in unending battles against cryptids," Abigail stated in a monotone voice, "We endeavored to find an escape, but our efforts were in vain."
"Alright, but now we need to return," I responded, my gaze shifting between the damaged robotic dog and the seemingly unharmed humanoid vest.
"Affirmative," Abigail responded, instantly transforming into a liquid state that splashed onto me.
"What in the world?" I exclaimed, taken aback, as Abigail assimilated into the temporary body armor I was wearing.
Upon completion, the body armor underwent a futuristic makeover, adorned with orange tubes, pockets, and various additions. "I am now fully integrated as your armor. Please proceed with the task at hand," Abigail's voice remained emotionless.
With no time to waste, I turned to Russ and nodded. Despite his evident damage, the robotic dog appeared ready. "Abigail, could you create a compartment behind me for Russ to hold on to?"
I felt a sensation akin to something moving across my skin, and a slightly heavier structure formed on my back. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted the emergence of a hollow rectangle. Russ leapt, fitting neatly into the space, and the added weight didn't hinder my movement. "Let's move!"
I sprinted as swiftly as I could, making my way back to the APC. Gunfire continued to echo, although the number of auras in sight was diminishing. Stepping out of the tree line, the barrage of bullets ceased, and I found Venidith leaning against the APC, her expression one of exhaustion.
Venidith turned her head to look at me and managed a tired smile. "You found them!" she exclaimed, her voice marked by fatigue as she caught her breath.
"Hey!" a voice called out, its source a woman. "Are you from Gustav's group?"
I turned my gaze towards the direction of the voice, and a radiant golden aura gradually drew nearer and nearer.
"Who's that?" Hannah questioned, her voice coming through the comms.
"I'm not sure, perhaps a villager," I responded as the aura and its bearer came into clear view.
She was dressed in jeans and a black shirt. "My name is Aisha."
"What brings you here? And where are the others?" I inquired, my tone tinged with both concern and confusion.
"I don't have time to explain," Aisha urgently replied. "Follow me, quickly!"
I exchanged glances with Venidith, who nodded in agreement. "I sense sincerity in her aura, no deception."
"Follow you to where?" I asked skeptically. "This road seems to stretch on endlessly."
"No need to worry," Aisha assured. "Just trust me and come along."
After ten minutes of maintaining a brisk pace, it was clear that Venidith showed no signs of exhaustion, just like Aisha who was running even faster about two meters ahead of us.
"How much farther?" I inquired.
"We're almost there," Aisha responded, as we approached a crossroad ahead. "Take the right path."
Following her lead, we veered right, and as we did, the fog gradually began to dissipate. Before us, an unexpected sight unfolded - a mountain. However, there were no mountains in the immediate vicinity. What was this anomaly?
"What in the world?" I muttered, perplexed and scanning my surroundings.
"We'll provide an explanation later," Aisha stated, directing our attention towards a house.