POV: Rick
The battle raged on, each swing of Rick's knife carving through yet another controlled zombie. Despite their exhaustion, the group held their ground, fighting with a desperation born of survival instinct.
"They're pushing harder!" Sarah shouted, her voice hoarse as she swung her crowbar at an advancing zombie. "We can't keep this up!"
Rick clenched his jaw, his eyes scanning the battlefield. Kane's controlled zombies were relentless, their movements too coordinated for comfort. The group was fighting valiantly, but cracks were forming in their defenses.
"Hold the line!" Rick barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We don't retreat!"
But deep down, he knew they were at their limit.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna was in the thick of it, her crowbar swinging wildly as she fended off another zombie. "Why is it always us?" she shouted, dodging a swipe from an attacker. "Do we have a giant neon sign that says 'free meal' or something?"
Carl, fighting beside her, didn't bother responding. His sword moved in fluid, deadly arcs, cutting down zombies with practiced ease. Jenna glanced at him, a hint of envy flickering in her expression.
"How do you make this look so easy?" she asked, gritting her teeth as she swung her crowbar again.
"Practice," Carl replied curtly, his eyes never leaving the fight.
"Well, good for you," Jenna muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Some of us aren't zombie-fighting prodigies."
---
POV: Kane
Kane stood at the edge of the battlefield, his arms crossed as he observed the carnage. His controlled zombies moved like a well-oiled machine, their glowing veins casting an eerie light across the ridge.
"They're struggling," Theo said, his tone tinged with satisfaction. "Another push, and they'll break."
Kane's smile was faint but cold. "Not yet. Let them feel the weight of their failure first. Fear will do the rest."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's muscles screamed in protest as he parried another attack. The group was holding, but just barely. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the blood splattered on his skin.
"We're losing ground!" Sarah shouted, her voice cracking. "They're everywhere!"
Rick didn't respond, his focus entirely on the fight. He knew she was right. They couldn't hold out much longer.
"Jenna!" Rick shouted, his voice sharp. "Use your portal!"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna froze, her crowbar raised mid-swing. "Uh… I don't know if I can handle that many at once!"
"You don't have a choice!" Rick snapped. "Do it now!"
Jenna groaned but focused, her hands glowing faintly as she activated her spatial ability. Several controlled zombies disappeared into the portal, their snarls abruptly silenced.
"Ha!" Jenna shouted, grinning despite herself. "Take that, you undead jerks!"
Her victory was short-lived as another wave of zombies surged forward. Jenna's grin faltered. "Oh, come on! Give me a break!"
---
POV: Carl
Carl fought with a quiet intensity, his sword slicing through the attackers with precision. But even he could feel the tide turning against them.
"We're getting overwhelmed," he said, glancing at Rick. "We need to fall back."
"There's nowhere to fall back to," Rick replied, his tone grim. "This is it."
Carl's jaw tightened. He hated being cornered, but he knew Rick was right. They had no choice but to fight to the bitter end.
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched as the group's defenses began to crumble. His smile widened, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.
"Now," he said quietly, signaling to his zombies. "Finish it."
The controlled zombies surged forward with renewed intensity, their glowing veins pulsing ominously. Kane's calculated push was designed to break the group once and for all.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna's arms felt like lead, her swings growing slower and less coordinated. Her zombie gang was doing their best to protect her, but even they were starting to falter.
"This is bad," she muttered, ducking a swipe from an attacker. "This is really, really bad."
Carl appeared beside her, his sword cutting through a zombie that had gotten too close. "Stay behind me," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jenna hesitated, then nodded. "Don't have to tell me twice."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's breath came in ragged gasps as he fought, his vision blurring from exhaustion. He could feel the end approaching, the weight of inevitability pressing down on him.
"We're out of options," Sarah said, her voice trembling. "This is it, Rick."
Rick gritted his teeth, refusing to give in to despair. "Not yet. We're not done yet."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna's heart pounded as she watched the battle unfold. The group was falling apart, their defenses crumbling under Kane's relentless assault. She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her.
"No," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "We're not losing like this."
Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, Jenna raised her hands and activated her portal again. This time, the pull was stronger, more focused. Several zombies were sucked into the glowing void, giving the group a brief reprieve.
"Take that!" Jenna shouted, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. "You want some more?"
---
POV: Kane
Kane's eyes narrowed as he watched Jenna's display of power. Her spatial ability was more dangerous than he'd anticipated, but it was also reckless. She was pushing herself too hard, and Kane knew it.
"She's overextending," Theo said, his tone laced with disdain. "She'll burn out soon."
Kane nodded slowly. "And when she does, we'll be ready."