After a few minutes, Dune finally caught up to Atlas and Lace.
"I knew you would make it!" Lace shouted. Dune joined them, matching their pace.
"I can't believe yo—" Lace's words were abruptly cut off as an arrow struck his shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Wha—?" Dune and Atlas skidded to a halt, turning to look behind them. A hundred meters away was the army of creatures, somehow catching up with terrifying speed.
At the forefront stood a tall, three-meter black humanoid creature, wielding a bow and arrows that came out from its body, firing at them with unnerving accuracy.
Dune and Atlas deflected the arrows with their swords, the clanging of metal echoing through the narrow mountain path.
"How did this happen? Now they've got humans?" Atlas panted.
"No, it's different," Dune said, eyes narrowing. "I think this creature can mimic others. Remember, it bit you, Lace, and now it can use a bow just like you."
