The buggy rattled across the desolate wasteland, its wheels kicking up clouds of dust. The group sat in silence, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them.
Kael and Sakura sat together at the back. Kael reached out, gently holding Sakura's hand.
Kael: "Sakura... this might be the last time we're together."
Sakura offered him a faint smile, masking her own unease.
Sakura: "Yeah... it might be."
At the front, Taro's voice broke the quiet.
Taro: "We fight Zha Thik today. We'll free ourselves or die trying."
Liu Ming, leaning against the buggy's side, cast him a skeptical glance.
Liu Ming: "Why didn't you try fighting them earlier?"
Jian Chen sighed, his expression a mix of shame and determination.
Jian Chen: "We were scared. And not strong enough. But when I saw you fight, I realized we had a chance."
Watami nodded, his voice heavy.
Watami: "It wasn't just fear. We didn't have food or time to survive. We were desperate."
Kael rummaged through his bag and offered Liu Ming a small piece of bread.
Kael: "You've done so much for us. Take this."
Liu Ming (coldly): "I'm not hungry."
Kael hesitated, then smiled weakly.
Kael: "If we escape this, I'll spend the rest of my life with Sakura. I'll make it up to her for all of this."
Liu Ming turned to him, his eyes piercing.
Liu Ming: "Not all that you see is true, nor all you hear is real. Illusion thrives where certainty sleeps."
Kael stared at him, confusion flashing across his face.
---
The Laboratory
The buggy stopped in front of a massive, decayed structure. The laboratory loomed over them, its walls covered in vines and cracks. The stench of rot filled the air as they stepped inside.
Flickering lights illuminated grotesque forms—Zha Thik—their twisted bodies blending human and animal parts. Their glowing eyes followed the group.
Suddenly, Watami screamed. The black dot on his hand pulsed and spread, consuming his arm. His body twisted unnaturally, and with a bone-crunching sound, he transformed into a hulking monster.
Jian Chen: "Watami! What's happening?!"
Watami roared, his voice a grotesque mix of pain and madness. He lunged at Taro, grabbing him with monstrous hands.
Taro: "Run! Save yourselves!"
Before anyone could react, Watami devoured Taro in one bite, the sickening sound of crunching bones echoing through the lab.
Kael: "We need to move! Now!"
Liu Ming conjured two blazing fireballs in his hands.
Liu Ming: "Keep running."
He hurled the flames at the Zha Thik, incinerating dozens of them. Smoke and ash filled the air as they pushed deeper into the lab.
Ahead, they reached a fork in the path.
Sakura: "We don't have much time—they'll find us soon. We need to split up."
Kael and Sakura took the left path, while Jian Chen and Liu Ming moved to the right.
---
Kael and Sakura
Kael ran desperately, his voice trembling.
Kael: "Please... God, just let us survive this."
They burst into a room, and at its center stood a portal, its energy swirling like liquid light.
Kael: "Sakura! Look! We should call the others—they need to see this!"
But before he could move, Sakura slammed the door shut. The sound echoed ominously.
Kael turned to her, confused.
Kael: "What are you doing?!"
Sakura's lips curled into a cruel smile, her voice dripping with malice.
Sakura: "There's no need. Liu Ming won't survive—not with Jian Chen."
Kael's heart dropped.
Kael: "What are you talking about?
To Be Continued