The raft groaned under the strain of the current, swirling and shaking as the rough waters threatened to pull them off course. Zhang and Carter rowed furiously, their muscles aching as they fought to keep the boat from smashing into the jagged stones that lined the riverbank. Every time they neared the edge, Zhang would dig his oar deep into the water, gritting his teeth and steering them back to safety. The raft wobbled with each violent turn, making their stomachs churn from the constant motion.Jason, sitting in the middle of the raft, had already lost his battle with the rolling waves. He leaned over the side, vomiting into the rushing water, his face pale. "I can't... I can't take this anymore," he gasped between heaves, clutching his stomach.Carter shot him a quick, sympathetic glance but kept his focus on the task at hand, his knuckles white as he gripped the oar. "Just hold on, Jason! Once the water calms down, you'll feel better!" he shouted over the roar of the river, though his own face looked a little green.Finally, the current began to settle. The raft stopped spinning wildly, though it still rocked gently with the flow. Zhang took a deep breath and leaned back, wiping the rain from his brow. He reached for a piece of jerky from the supply pack, chewing slowly as he surveyed the path ahead.Carter, his hands still on the oar, glanced down at his compass, the needle spinning wildly in every direction. His face grew pale as he turned to Zhang, holding the compass up for him to see."Something's wrong," Carter murmured, his voice tense.Zhang's gaze narrowed. He muttered under his breath, "They're coming." His voice barely carried over the sound of the river, but Carter heard it. His heart raced as he stared at Zhang, searching for any hint of reassurance."How close?" Carter asked quietly, gripping his oar tighter.Zhang's eyes flicked toward the horizon. "A hundred yards, maybe less."Suddenly, the river itself seemed to tremble. The water rippled in massive waves, and a low, rumbling growl echoed through the air. Out of the corner of his eye, Zhang saw it—something massive, rising from the water. A shadow first, then a shape that made everyone freeze in place.A giant figure emerged from the depths, towering over them. It was like nothing any of them had ever seen before—a grotesque fusion of biological and mechanical parts. Its skin was a patchwork of alien scales, glistening with moisture, while its arms and legs gleamed with metallic plating, covered in wires and tubes that pulsed like veins. Its eyes were like torches, burning bright and scanning the riverbank, casting an eerie glow over the land.Each step it took sent shockwaves through the ground, triggering landslides on the nearby cliffs. The earth beneath them trembled as if the entire world was quaking in fear of the creature. Its legs, thick and powerful, crushed rocks and trees with ease as it moved forward, its massive bulk sending waves crashing over the sides of the raft.Carter, stunned, stared in awe at the colossal creature. "What the hell... is that thing?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.Zhang didn't answer. He was too focused, his eyes tracking every movement of the beast. He could feel the danger radiating from it, a cold, primal instinct telling him to stay still, to move quietly, to avoid drawing attention.Maria crouched low on the raft, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge. "We need to move... we need to move now!" she muttered, her eyes wide with fear. Her voice shook, barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might attract the monster's attention.Jason, still pale from sickness, stared up at the creature, his mouth agape. "Is that... is that thing looking for us?"The creature's glowing eyes scanned the river, its gaze sweeping over the land. For a terrifying moment, it paused, its head turning slightly in their direction. The bright, torch-like eyes flickered across the surface of the water, searching. Zhang held his breath, motioning silently for everyone to keep still. Not a sound escaped them as the creature continued its methodical search.Another tremor shook the ground as the beast took a step closer, its massive foot crashing into the water, sending ripples toward the raft. The group huddled together, silent and terrified, their eyes locked on the monstrous figure.Zhang clenched his jaw, gripping his oar tightly. "It's not just a beast..." he whispered, barely audible over the sound of the river and the storm. "It's... hunting."Carter's hands shook as he stared at Zhang. "What do we do? We can't fight that thing.""We don't," Zhang replied quickly, his voice firm despite the fear crawling up his spine. "We stay quiet. We wait for it to pass. If it doesn't see us, we might have a chance."The group held their breath as the creature continued its slow march along the riverbank, its massive frame casting an ominous shadow over everything it passed. Every movement it made was deliberate, calculated, like a predator stalking its prey.Minutes passed like hours, the tension thick in the air. The creature's footsteps finally began to fade as it moved further down the river, its glowing eyes disappearing into the distance.Zhang exhaled slowly, his body finally relaxing, though his heart still raced. "It's gone... for now," he muttered, glancing at the others. "But we need to move. Fast."Without a word, the group resumed rowing, their eyes constantly flicking back to where the creature had disappeared. The rain continued to pour, the river still rushing beneath them, but their minds were focused on the journey ahead.Whatever that thing was, they had to get as far away from it as possible. The underground city was their only hope.