POV: Rick
The final wave hit like a storm, the mutants barreling forward with a ferocity that shook the ground. Rick slashed at the nearest berserker, his knife glinting in the dim light, but the creature barely flinched.
"They're too strong!" Sarah yelled, narrowly avoiding a swipe from a mutant's claw. "We're getting overwhelmed!"
Rick's jaw tightened as he fought to keep the group together. They were holding the line, but just barely. He could see the fear in everyone's eyes—the growing realization that this might be the end.
"Stay focused!" Rick shouted, his voice raw. "We've made it this far. We're not giving up now!"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna ducked as a mutant's massive claw swung overhead, the force of it nearly knocking her off her feet. Her zombie gang leaped to her defense, snarling as they attacked the creature with surprising ferocity.
"Good job, guys!" Jenna called, her voice shaky as she swung her crowbar at another attacker. "Keep it up, and I'll upgrade your snacks to… whatever zombies eat."
Carl appeared beside her, his sword cutting down a berserker with practiced ease. "Stop talking and fight."
"I am fighting!" Jenna snapped, her crowbar colliding with another mutant. "I just multitask!"
Carl didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle. Jenna glanced at him, her heart pounding. "You know, for someone so stoic, you're not half bad to have around."
Carl gave her a brief, almost imperceptible nod. "Same to you."
---
POV: Kane
Kane watched the battle from his vantage point, his controlled zombies moving with precision as they pressed the attack. The group was holding, but Kane could see the strain in their movements, the cracks in their defense.
"They're done," Theo said, his tone smug. "They can't last much longer."
Kane's smile was faint but cold. "Patience. They'll break soon enough."
---
POV: Rick
Rick's muscles burned as he fought, his knife sinking into yet another mutant. He could feel the group faltering, their movements slower, their attacks less coordinated.
"Sarah, on your left!" he shouted, slashing at a berserker that had gotten too close. "Jenna, we need that portal again!"
Jenna groaned, her hands glowing faintly as she activated her portal. Several mutants disappeared into the void, their snarls abruptly silenced. But the effort left her swaying, her knees threatening to give out.
"I can't keep doing this!" Jenna yelled, her voice trembling. "I'm running on empty here!"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna felt her vision blur as she stumbled back, her crowbar slipping from her grasp. "This is bad," she muttered, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "This is really, really bad."
Carl caught her arm, steadying her. "Stay with me," he said, his voice calm but firm.
Jenna blinked, surprised by his tone. "You know, if we survive this, you're buying me dinner."
Carl's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Focus, Jenna."
"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, grabbing her crowbar again. "Back to saving the world."
---
POV: Kane
Kane's sharp eyes followed Jenna's movements, noting the way her portal ability disrupted his forces. She was a problem, but one that was quickly reaching her limit.
"She's almost done," Theo said, his tone laced with satisfaction. "Another push, and she's finished."
Kane nodded slowly. "Then let's end this."
---
POV: Rick
The next wave of mutants hit harder than the last, their snarls echoing across the ridge. Rick slashed at the nearest attacker, his knife sinking deep into its glowing chest. But for every mutant he took down, another seemed to take its place.
"We're losing ground!" Sarah shouted, her voice tinged with panic. "What do we do?"
Rick clenched his jaw, his mind racing. They were outnumbered, outarmed, and out of options. But giving up wasn't an option.
"Jenna!" Rick shouted, glancing at her. "Any bright ideas?"
---
POV: Jenna
Jenna blinked, her brain struggling to process Rick's words. "Bright ideas?" she muttered, her breath ragged. "I've got… uh… nothing."
Her zombie gang snarled, their glowing eyes darting between the approaching mutants. Jenna clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her. "Come on, guys," she muttered. "We can't lose now."
Her portal flickered faintly, a sign of her exhaustion. Jenna glanced at Carl, who was fighting beside her with unyielding focus. "You got any ideas, Mr. Stoic?"
"Survive," Carl replied, his sword cutting through another mutant. "That's all that matters."
Jenna groaned. "Great. Super helpful. Thanks."
---
POV: Kane
Kane stepped closer to the battlefield, his controlled zombies parting to let him pass. The group was faltering, their defenses crumbling under the weight of his forces.
"Finish them," Kane ordered, his voice cold. "Leave no one standing."