Zeb stood amidst the smoldering ruins of the city, his mind struggling to grasp the reality before him. Streets that once bustled with life were now deserted, littered with debris and illuminated by the eerie glow of fires consuming distant buildings. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of destruction.
"This can't be happening," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the distant sirens and sporadic explosions. The world he knew had transformed into a nightmare overnight.
"We can't just stand here," Zax's voice echoed urgently in his mind. "We need to find somewhere safe to plan our next move."
Zeb glanced around, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on his shoulders. "Safe? Is there even such a place anymore?"
"Not if we remain out in the open," Zax replied. "And remember, just because I'm a Void Mite and you're my host doesn't mean others of my kind will be friendly. The Void Mite race cares only for power. If we encounter them, they won't hesitate to attack."
"Why would they attack us?" Zeb asked, a hint of frustration in his tone.
"Because by defeating and devouring another's Flux Core, they can increase their own strength," Zax explained.
"Flux Core?" Zeb repeated, confusion evident in his voice.
"Yes," Zax continued. "Every creature in the universe is born with a Flux Core inside them. It's the source of their power and essence. To become stronger, one must absorb the Flux Cores of others."
Wait so do humans have these Flux cores as well?
After a while, Zax broke the silence, his tone contemplative. "Interesting," he mused within Zeb's mind. "I've just completed a scan of your physiology. You lack a Flux Core—or any kind of energy core, for that matter. No wonder your species is so... limited."
Zeb glanced upward, rolling his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," he muttered sarcastically, but chose not to engage further. Time was of the essence.
He quickened his pace, urgency driving his every step. "If I stick to the main roads, it'll take me about thirty minutes to get home," he calculated silently. "But if I cut through the park, I can make it in fifteen." The thought of his mother and sister, Sera, waiting—or worse, in danger—gnawed at him. Every minute counted.
"You're considering the park route," Zax observed. "Statistically, it's a sound decision if speed is your priority."
Zeb hesitated at the intersection where the road diverged. The park was a shortcut, yes, but it also posed significant risks. "The park will probably have more people," he thought, weighing his options. "Which means a higher chance of running into those mutated creatures."
"Your logic is valid," Zax agreed. "Higher population density increases the likelihood of encountering hostiles."
A sudden, earth-shaking explosion erupted in the direction of Zeb's home. The sky lit up with a fiery glow as a massive plume of smoke and debris rose into the air. The shockwave hit moments later, a gust of hot wind that rattled nearby windows and sent loose papers swirling.
Zeb's heart plummeted. "That came from my neighborhood!" he exclaimed, fear gripping his chest like a vise.
"Confirming coordinates," Zax said quickly. "The explosion originated approximately two miles from your current location—in the vicinity of your residence."
Taking a deep breath, Zeb sprinted toward the park's entrance. The wrought-iron gates stood ominously ajar, creaking softly as the wind whispered through them. The path ahead was swallowed by darkness, the canopy of trees blocking out the moonlight.
As he ventured deeper, the city's noises dulled, replaced by an oppressive silence. His footsteps crunched loudly on the gravel path, each step echoing as if announcing his presence. Shadows danced at the edges of his vision, twisting into sinister shapes.
"Keep your senses sharp," Zax advised. "We're not alone."
Zeb scanned his surroundings, his eyes straining to pierce the gloom. A rustling sound came from the bushes to his left. He froze, muscles tensing.
"Did you hear that?" he whispered.
"Yes," Zax confirmed. "Possible hostile at nine o'clock."
A low growl emanated from the darkness, followed by another from behind.
"They're surrounding us," Zeb realized, his pulse quickening.
"Running is our best option," Zax suggested.
"Agreed."
Zeb bolted down the path, adrenaline surging through his veins. The growls intensified as the creatures gave chase. He could hear the patter of their distorted limbs hitting the ground, gaining on him.
"Take the next right!" Zax directed.
He veered onto a narrower trail, branches whipping at his face and arms. The path was uneven, riddled with roots and stones. Behind him, the creatures crashed through the underbrush, unfazed by the obstacles.
A fallen tree blocked the way ahead. Without slowing, Zeb vaulted over it, his enhanced agility propelling him higher than he expected. He landed smoothly on the other side, but the creatures simply smashed through the barrier.
"They're not slowing down!" Zeb gasped.
"Your physical capabilities are improving," Zax noted. "But we need a plan."
"Working on it!"
He spotted a glimmer of light off to the side—a lamppost flickering near a pond. Changing course, he headed toward it, hoping the open space might offer an advantage.
Bursting into the clearing, he skidded to a halt near the water's edge. The pond reflected the distorted silhouettes of the creatures emerging from the trees. Their forms were grotesque—elongated limbs, spines protruding from hunched backs, eyes glowing with a malevolent light.
"There's too many," Zeb whispered, backing up until his heels touched the water.
"Fighting them head-on isn't advisable," Zax warned.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Utilize the environment."
An idea sparked. "Can they swim?"
"Unlikely," Zax replied. "Their mutations may have compromised basic motor functions like swimming."
"Time to test that theory."
As the first creature lunged, Zeb sidestepped and delivered a powerful kick to its side, sending it sprawling into the shallow water. It thrashed violently, screeching as it struggled to regain footing.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Zeb sprinted around the pond's edge. The creatures hesitated, momentarily fixated on their flailing companion.
"Now's our chance!" Zax urged.
He raced toward a cluster of boathouse structures, hoping to lose them amidst the maze of wooden buildings. The creatures recovered quickly, resuming the chase with renewed ferocity.
"Your stamina is depleting," Zax observed.
"Tell me something I don't know," Zeb retorted, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
As he darted between the boathouses, a creature leaped from the shadows, claws outstretched. Zeb barely ducked in time, feeling the rush of air as the claws sliced above his head.
"Too close!" he thought.
"Left!" Zax commanded.
He pivoted sharply, entering a narrow alley between two sheds. Dead end. He skidded to a stop, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut.
"Zax!"
"Hold on," Zax responded. "I'm accessing an ability that may help, but it's risky."
"No choice!"
The creatures closed in, their guttural growls echoing off the wooden walls. Zeb felt a sudden surge of energy emanating from the back of his neck, spreading through his body like wildfire.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"I've unlocked a defensive mechanism—an energy shield," Zax explained. "But it will drain our reserves significantly."
A translucent barrier shimmered into existence around Zeb just as the creatures lunged. They collided with the shield, recoiling with snarls of frustration.
"Whoa," Zeb breathed, momentarily awed.
"Move now!" Zax insisted. "The shield won't hold for long."
Zeb dashed forward, pushing past the staggered creatures. The shield flickered but held as claws scraped against it. Exiting the alley, he headed toward a wooden footbridge arching over a narrow canal.
As he crossed, the shield began to waver. A sharp pain stabbed through his temples.
"Zax, what's going on?"
"Energy levels are critical," Zax warned. "The shield is failing."
On the far side of the bridge, the landscape shifted to a denser part of the park—tangled thickets and towering oaks. Pushing through the underbrush, Zeb felt the shield dissipate entirely.
"We're exposed," Zax said.
"Thanks for the heads up," Zeb replied sarcastically.
A creature burst through the foliage ahead, blocking his path. It was larger than the others, its muscular frame rippling under mottled skin that seemed too tight for its bulging muscles. Bony spikes protruded from its back, and its elongated arms ended in razor-sharp claws that scraped the ground as it moved. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, fixed intently on Zeb. It let out a deafening roar that echoed through the park, shaking the very leaves on the trees.
"An alpha," Zax identified. "Extremely dangerous."