A couple of hours had passed since the training session began. The sounds of frantic preparation had tapered off into a focused hum of energy—each survivor refining their strategy, everyone pushing their abilities to their limits.
Xander, arms crossed and brow furrowed, surveyed the progress. The maps of the lower levels now spread out across the table in front of him, marking key areas, monster activity zones, and potential hiding spots. They were learning more about the landscape every minute, and every piece of information mattered. With each moment, their odds of survival had shifted, becoming a calculated risk instead of a hopeless scramble.
Laura and Greg had spent the last hour working on a diversion strategy. Laura's sharp mind was focused on the timing and the placement of their traps, while Greg was... well, testing just how much destruction he could cause. In their training session, he'd learned to manipulate his power with more precision, but it was clear that his strength was still a double-edged sword.
Jared, on the other hand, had taken a more passive role in the training. His abilities were impressive, but there wasn't much to train, it became more apparent that the strain on him was more severe than they first thought. Xander had learned to keep an eye on Jared, making sure he didn't overdo it.
Mike was the worst off. The crashes, the uncontrolled motions, the occasional near misses as he zipped past his teammates—it was clear that he needed more time to master this power. Xander just hoped they wouldn't have to depend on Mike's speed until he figured out how to avoid wrecking everything in his path.
As the hours ticked away, the tension in the room mounted. Everyone was doing their best to hone themselves, but time was running out. There was a silent consensus that, no matter how ready they were, nothing could fully prepare them for the battle to come.
Xander's thoughts were interrupted by Laura's voice, her words cutting through the quiet murmur of the group.
"Xander, we need to talk."
She sounded more serious than usual, and her tone caught his attention. She pointed to the detailed map of the lower levels in front of them, tracing a route with her finger.
"We've seen that the monsters tend to group up in certain areas," she said, glancing up at Xander as he stepped closer. "Based on what Greg's demonstrated and what we've seen, we might be able to use their aggression to our advantage. If we can bait them into one of these choke points..."
Xander nodded slowly. "That could work. We create a kill zone. Funnel them into a small area and hit them all at once. But we'll need to make sure that we don't get overwhelmed ourselves. How many do you think will show up?"
Laura's expression hardened as she studied the map. "Based on their movements and the patterns we've seen, at least twenty or thirty. They travel in groups, but there's always a chance of reinforcements."
The number sent a chill through Xander's spine. Twenty to thirty monsters? The last time he faced that many monsters he almost died. But it was better than the alternative—being ambushed in the open. They had to make it work.
Before he could respond, Greg interrupted, his voice low but sharp. "We've been dancing around this long enough. We know what we're up against. We don't have time to keep preparing forever."
Xander turned to face him. Greg's words were blunt, but there was truth to them. They couldn't keep pushing off the inevitable , their supplies wouldn't last even one more day.
"We'll move out in thirty," Xander said, his voice steady despite the rising tension in his chest. "Everyone knows their roles?"
A chorus of grunts and affirmations answered him, but even so, Xander could sense the uncertainty hanging in the air. No one had a clear answer for how this would go—no one could truly predict what would happen when they stepped out of the safety of their hideout and into the battlefield.
The air was thick with anticipation as the group filed into position. Xander could feel the weight of their collective fear, but it wasn't the kind of fear that paralyzed them. It was the kind that sharpened your senses, made you hyper-aware of every step you took, every breath you drew.
Jared was at the front, his body tense, but ready. Xander knew better than to let him take too much on , but Jared had put himself up for vanguard and with his abilities this should be where he shines.
Greg stood just to the side, energy crackling through his hands. His earlier hesitations were gone now; there was only raw intensity in his eyes. The charge he'd built up hummed in the air, but it was controlled this time—more deliberate.
Behind him, Mike kept low, blending into the shadows, opting for a more hit and run style.
Laura stood off to the side, her sharp eyes scanning the area ahead. She was calm, focused, waiting for the first sign of movement. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.
The sound of distant footsteps reverberated through the walls, a rhythmic thumping that made Xander's pulse race.
"Get ready," Xander murmured to the group, his voice barely above a whisper.
Knowing they were only facing the weakest of the abominations left in the building, the survivors felt a surge of confidence for this fight...
...And then, the first fiend emerged—shambling from the darkness, its grotesque shape a twisted mockery of humanity. Its eyes glinted with an insatiable hunger. Another followed, then another, until the group stood surrounded by a small horde of horrors.
The battle had begun.