POV: Rick
The ground trembled beneath their feet as Kane's second wave emerged from the shadows. Rick's heart sank at the sight—larger, more grotesque mutants with glowing veins surged forward, their snarls reverberating through the air.
"Here they come!" Rick shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Hold your positions!"
The group tightened their formation, weapons raised. The first wave had been brutal, but this… this was a nightmare.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna's jaw dropped as she stared at the approaching horde. "Is it just me, or do they keep getting bigger?" she asked, gripping her crowbar tightly.
Carl stepped beside her, his sword gleaming in the dim light. "Stay focused."
"I am focused," Jenna shot back. "Focused on not becoming mutant chow."
Her zombie gang growled, shuffling into a defensive position around her. Jenna took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Alright, team. Let's show these guys what we're made of."
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched from a distance, his expression calm but calculating. The second wave moved with terrifying precision, their glowing veins pulsing ominously as they closed in on the group.
"They're cornered," Theo said, his tone smug. "This will end it."
Kane nodded slowly. "They've fought well. But this is where they break."
---
POV: Rick
The first mutant charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground. Rick met it head-on, his knife slashing across its glowing chest. The creature roared in pain but didn't fall.
"Hit them hard!" Rick shouted, his voice hoarse. "Don't let them through!"
Sarah was beside him, her crowbar smashing into another mutant's head. "These things are stronger," she said, gritting her teeth. "I don't know how long we can hold!"
"We don't have a choice," Rick replied, his focus entirely on the fight.
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna swung her crowbar with all her strength, the impact sending a mutant stumbling back. "Okay, this is officially the worst day ever," she muttered, dodging another swipe.
Carl was beside her, his sword cutting through the attackers with precision. "Keep moving," he said, his tone sharp.
"I'm trying!" Jenna retorted, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "But these guys are relentless!"
Her zombie gang lunged at the mutants, their growls turning into feral snarls as they tore into the attackers. Jenna felt a surge of pride but knew it wouldn't last. The second wave was too strong, too coordinated.
---
POV: Kane
Kane's sharp eyes followed Jenna's movements, noting the way her portal ability and zombie gang disrupted his forces. She was reckless, but there was a method to her chaos.
"She's a problem," Theo said, his tone grudgingly respectful. "If she keeps this up, she could turn the tide."
"Not for long," Kane replied, his smile faint but cold. "She's burning herself out. And when she falls, the rest will crumble."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's muscles screamed in protest as he fought, his knife sinking into yet another mutant. The group was holding, but barely. Every attack felt like it could be their last.
"Jenna!" Rick shouted, his voice desperate. "We need that portal again!"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna groaned, sweat dripping down her face as she activated her portal. Several mutants disappeared into the glowing void, their snarls abruptly silenced. Jenna staggered, her legs threatening to give out.
"That's all I've got," she muttered, leaning heavily on her crowbar. "I'm running on fumes here."
Carl moved in front of her, his sword slicing through an approaching mutant. "Stay behind me," he said curtly.
Jenna blinked, surprised by his protectiveness. "You're really starting to make this whole brooding hero thing work for you."
"Focus," Carl replied, his tone clipped.
---
POV: Kane
Kane's eyes narrowed as Jenna's portal once again disrupted his forces. Her ability was impressive, but it was also a liability. She was pushing herself to the brink, and Kane intended to exploit that.
"Send in the berserkers," Kane ordered, his voice calm. "Let's see how they handle true chaos."
---
POV: Rick
The ground shook as a new wave of mutants emerged—larger, faster, and more aggressive than anything they'd faced before. Their snarls were deafening, their glowing veins pulsing like molten lava.
"Berserkers," Rick muttered, his grip tightening on his knife. "Of course."
The group braced themselves, their weapons raised. Rick glanced at Jenna, who was visibly struggling to stay upright. "Jenna, can you—?"
"Nope," Jenna interrupted, shaking her head. "I'm tapped out. It's all you, fearless leader."
Rick nodded grimly, his focus shifting back to the fight. "Then we do this the hard way."
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna's heart pounded as the berserkers charged, their massive forms tearing through the battlefield. She swung her crowbar desperately, the impact barely slowing one of the creatures.
"This is bad," she muttered, dodging another swipe. "This is really, really bad."
Carl was a blur of motion beside her, his sword cutting through the berserkers with precision. Jenna couldn't help but marvel at his skill, even as her own movements grew slower.
"Stay with me," Carl said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We can't afford to lose you."
"Aw, Carl," Jenna said, grinning weakly. "You really do care."
Carl didn't respond, but the faint flicker of a smile told Jenna enough.
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched the berserkers tear through the battlefield, his expression calm but satisfied. The group was holding, but only just. They were nearing their limit, and Kane knew it.
"Prepare the final wave," he said quietly, his eyes fixed on Jenna. "It's time to end this."