As the mist swirled around them, Malakai's keen eyes struggled to penetrate the veil of fog.
Despite their ability to see in low light conditions, the dense mist rendered their strong vision useless.
But Malakai's continuous eye squinting allowed him to make out the faint outline of the figure.
With narrowed eyes, he concentrated on the figure's movements, noting its slow steps.
The figure's shoulders slumped, giving it a peculiar, very slightly hunched appearance.
As it took another step closer, Malakai's gaze locked onto its skin, and he was startled to see that it was a deep shade of blue, almost indistinguishable from the mist itself.
A low, rumbling growl came from the figure, sending a shiver down Malakai's spine.
Instinctively, he moved closer to his mother, Akira, and sister, Amari, his body forming a protective barrier around them.
The figure halted its approach, its gaze fixed on the trio. Then, in a sudden, jerky motion, the figure's arms rose from its sides.
The movement was stiff and unnatural, like a puppet on strings.
As its arms lifted, the large fissure on the ground began to widen, its edges cracking and splintering.
Malakai's eyes widened in shock as more hands emerged from the ground, followed by arms, shoulders, and finally, torsos.
The figures were identical to the first, with the same blue skin and hunched posture.
But unlike the first figure, they did not stand upright, instead, they arched their bodies, as if preparing to drop onto all fours.
Akira's low growl boomed through the mist, a warning to the figures to stay back.
Malakai's eyes never left the figures, ahe. Amari's small voice whispered in his ear, "Malakai, what's happening?"
With a deep breath, he prepared himself for the upcoming battle.
The first figure's sudden roar echoed through the misty forest.
The other figures dropped to all fours, their bodies arched as they began to run towards the trio with an unnatural, robotic gait.
The first figure remained standing, its face hidden from view, watching the scene play out.
Malakai's instincts kicked in, and he knew they couldn't wait for the creatures to close in.
With a swift glance at his mother and sister, he charged forward, targeting the lead creature.
The blue creature didn't flinch or slow down, its eyes fixed on Malakai with an unblinking stare.
Malakai's jaws snapped shut on its shoulder, but to his surprise, the creature didn't react. No growl, no whimper, no sign of pain.
It simply kept running, its legs pumping furiously as it tried to shake Malakai off.
With a swift adjustment, he clamped his jaws onto the creature's neck, his teeth biting deep into its blue skin.
This time, the creature's legs lagged, and it collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Malakai's worries dissipated, now confident they could win this.
If one creature was this easy to take down, the others would be just as vulnerable.
But as he looked up, he saw the other creatures closing in.
The first figure still stood watching, didn't react to the fallen creature.
Akira watched as her son effortlessly took down the first creature.
She noticed the ease with which he overpowered it, and her instincts told her that these creatures were not a match for their strength and speed.
With that thought, she joined the battle, her powerful legs propelling her forward with grace and agility.
As Malakai pounced on the next creature, Akira followed suit, her jaws closing around its neck with precision and force.
The creature fell limp, its body crashing to the ground.
Malakai and Akira worked in team, their movements swift and deadly as they took down creature after creature.
But as they fought, Malakai's gaze never strayed far from the first blue figure, the one that seemed like the leader.
As they neared the last creature, Malakai was already sure he was taking it down.
But just as they pounced, the creature suddenly veered off course, its eyes fixed on Amari.
Malakai reacted without thinking, using his paws to claw at the neck of the creature he was fighting, trying to take it down faster.
But the creature was too strong, its body too resilient. Malakai's claws barely left a mark, and the creature continued its advances towards Amari.
He couldn't fight with his mouth alone, not when the creature was so close to his sister.
So, he changed tactics, using his paws to swipe at the creature's face, trying to distract it long enough for Akira to intervene.
But the creature was too fast, its body too agile.
It dodged Akira's attack with ease, its eyes still on its target, Amari.
Akira's powerful jaws closed around the creature's neck, her teeth sinking deep into its blue skin.
Malakai joined in, their double-team attack too much for the creature to handle.
With a final, mighty bite, they severed the creature's head from its body, the momentum sending it flying through the air.
As the head hit the ground, it began to dissolve into a pile of glittering blue sand.
Malakai's eyes widened in shock.
He looked at the other creatures they had defeated, their bodies still and lifeless on the ground.
'Why didn't they turn to glittering sand like this one?'
The question would be answered very soon.
Suddenly, a cold, mocking laugh echoed through the misty landscape, sending shivers down Malakai's spine.
He turned towards the sound, his eyes fixed on the first blue figure.
The laugh grew louder, more menacing, Malakai not felt like something was wrong.
A small cracking sound, like the earth itself was splitting apart.
His eyes snapped back to the creatures they had defeated, and his heart sank.
They were moving. Rising from the ground, their bodies twitching and jerking as they regained their footing.
Except for the one next to Malakai, the one without a head. It remained still, its body motionless on the ground.
These creatures weren't dead. They were coming back, and they were coming for them.