As the large shadow entered the range of my suit's sensors, I finally managed to lock onto the target. What appeared on the display made me blink several times, convinced my visor was malfunctioning.
The readings were outrageous—utterly impossible for anything living on Earth.
According to my knowledge, the African bush elephant, which weighed six tons and stood around four meters tall, was the largest terrestrial animal on Earth. According to scientists, anything bigger would need a completely different environment to support its enormous weight.
Nevertheless, I found myself gazing at an organism that disregarded all established biological principles.
Standing erect on hideously swollen legs that appeared to support the weight of a small mountain, it towered over seven meters in height. Its body was a rudimentary fusion of innumerable human torsos and limbs. Its every step sent vibrations through my suit and shook the ground. Its legs were grotesquely massive, thicker than any tree trunk I had ever seen, but its arms were lanky and absurdly long, extending down to its knees.
The creature's head was even more terrifying than its body. It was a hideous jumble of mingled human faces rather than a single head. Numerous mouths and eyeballs jutted out at strange angles, some of them frozen in horrified and agonized faces.
At the center of this abomination was a smaller, eerily intact human head, its lifeless eyes locked forward.
With one huge hand it held a telephone pole in a club-like grip. If the scene hadn't been so horrifying, its utter ridiculousness may have been amusing.
Nor was the beast alone itself. Hundreds of tiny undead surrounded it, moving like obedient henchmen.
"These readings… they're unreal," I mumbled uneasily.
Ariella said, "Agreed," in a tone that was remarkably quiet. "This is unlike anything I've ever seen. Its enormous body is probably supported by the dozens of working hearts that have been merged into its torso, according to scans. This zombie's metabolism is active, thus it has warm blood in contrast to the smaller ones. Take caution. This threat is not typical.
Fantastic. Any suggestions? Can I simply shoot it in the head like everyone else?
"I advise against it. Its key points may be in unexpected places given its anatomy. First, you should concentrate on disarming it. Heat data indicate that the chest is where its primary activities are concentrated, therefore target its legs to render it immobile before aiming for it.
I tightened my jaw. "You're implying that I must now play Monster Hunter? Wonderful.
The thing released a loud roar, a bone-rattling, guttural sound that made my stomach turn, before I could come up with a suitable plan.
Then the actual nightmare started.
Out of nowhere, a dozen tiny zombies rushed from the darkness toward me at a horrifying pace. The remainder of the throng started to stir behind them, perhaps under the influence of a group decision.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Raising my weapon and letting out short bursts, I screamed.
Immediately, the first four zombies collapsed, their heads exploding in gore-filled sprays. The others, however, were unrelenting and surrounded me like a pack of ferocious creatures. Before the rest of the things threw me to the ground, I was able to repel a couple more.
They were terrifyingly strong. With rotten hands, one seized my arm and attempted to pry the gun away from me. Another gnashed its teeth at my garment as it clung to my leg. With their jaws snapping just inches from my visor, two more lunged for my face.
The suit's cutting-edge alloy was the only thing keeping me safe from their bites. I was aware that it wouldn't continue forever, though.
"Ariella!" With panic growing, I yelled. "I could use some help here!"
In my ear, her voice cracked. "You must concentrate! Break free by using your increased strength. Recall your training.
Not as easy as it seems. As I fought against the zombies' weight, my heart raced. I kicked one off my thigh, and it crunched sickeningly as it flew into a nearby wall. Then I struck someone else in the chest, causing its ribs to give way beneath the force of the blow.
"Motherfuckers, get off me!" When I finally got my gun in my hands, I yelled.
Without thinking, I turned the power up to full and fired. The last zombies were reduced to smoldering heaps of flesh by a blinding bolt of plasma.
I stumbled to my feet, panting, my body shaking from the adrenaline.
Ariella responded, "Good job," in a composed yet forceful tone. However, you're still in danger. The big one is not far off yet.
I looked back at the giant, which had gotten closer while I was preoccupied. The shadow it cast over me felt like the hand of death itself as it raised its enormous club far above its head.
The weapon's descent caused the air to vibrate with its sheer weight, making time seem to slow down.
"Move!" Ariella let out a scream.
Just before the club crashed into the ground where I had been standing, I leaped to the side. Asphalt fragments flew in all directions as the collision formed a huge crater.
"Jesus Christ!" I scurried to my feet and yelled.
"Focus, Theo!" Ariella let out a bark. "Go for its legs! You will have a greater chance if you can knock it over."
I aimed at its left leg while steadying my weapon. A piece of flesh was blown off its enormous thigh when the plasma shot struck true. To my dismay, however, the creature hardly responded, as though the wound were merely a mosquito bite.
"It's not enough!" I shouted.
Ariella gave the order to "increase power by twenty percent and aim for the knee joint,"
After adjusting the rifle, I fired once more. The bullet struck its target this time, causing the monster's left leg to tremble a little. Encouraged, I continued to fire, concentrating all of my might on that one vulnerable area.
At last, the creature's leg failed and it fell to one knee with a thunderous roar.
"Yes!" I gave a victorious shout.
However, my celebration didn't last long. Once more, the creature raised its club and swung it horizontally. The huge weapon whooshed over my head, so near that it ruffled my hair through the suit, and I barely ducked.
"This thing is insane!" I snarled.
"You're doing fine," replied Ariella. "Just aim for its torso and maintain your distance. Its core is there; if you destroy that, it ought to fall.
I nodded, steeling myself for the next phase of the fight. The adrenaline coursing through my veins gave me a strange sense of clarity. Despite the overwhelming odds, I knew I couldn't afford to lose. Not here. Not now.
Taking a deep breath, I raised my rifle and prepared for the final showdown.