The rumbling sound grew closer, causing the ground around them to tremble. Pan signaled the team to take cover behind the nearest ruins.
"Ready your weapons. Don't move until I give the order," Pan whispered.
From the north, a large shadow began to appear under the moonlight. A giant mutated zombie emerged, its body covered in wounds that looked like surgical scars. Its glowing red eyes scanned the surroundings slowly but threateningly.
"Heavyweight zombie," whispered Cong. "We won't be able to fight this easily."
Pan watched the creature carefully. "We don't have to fight, unless it attacks. Everyone stay still."
However, the creature let out a loud roar, as if aware of their presence. It began to move quickly toward the team, forcing Pan to give the command. "Prepare for combat! Aim for its joints!"
An intense action ensued as the team tried to hold off the creature's attacks while looking for an opening to escape.
After a while of intense fighting, they managed to escape from the creature.
November 11, 2058 – Afternoon
The sky began to turn orange as Aegis Team moved away from the ruins of the central base. They walked along a path overgrown with wild grass, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense. Elis, usually silent, clutched Dail's hand tighter than before.
"Major, what do you think is really in Omega Zone?" Cong asked while keeping a lookout ahead.
Pan answered without turning. "If there are researchers there, like the signal said, maybe we'll get some answers. About this pathogen, about zombies evolving, and about how to stop it."
Rico, walking behind with a rifle over his shoulder, sighed. "I just hope this journey doesn't end up like the central base."
"We all hope so," Pan replied flatly. "But we can't stop now. If there are no answers in Omega Zone, then we're really lost."
Artificial Rain Again
After several hours of walking, the wind began to pick up, carrying a strange scent. Cong looked up, noticing dark clouds moving quickly overhead.
"Rain again," he muttered.
Pan paused for a moment, looking at the sky. "Quick, find shelter. We don't know if this is just rain or... something else."
The team quickly found an old building by the side of the road. They entered and discovered that it used to be a small station. The walls were covered with warning scribbles like "Don't trust the rain!" and "They come after the rain."
"This... doesn't make me feel any better," Rico said while reading the writings.
Pan signaled them to stay alert. "We'll wait until the rain stops. Don't let your guard down."
Dail sat with Elis in a corner of the room, trying to distract her from the growing fear. "Have you ever seen a rainbow, Elis?" he asked with a small smile.
Elis nodded slowly. "Yes. But... there hasn't been a rainbow since this all started."
Dail fell silent, unsure of how to respond. He could only hope that their journey would bring hope, not just terror.
Creatures in the Midnight
Night came quickly. The rain finally stopped, but the outside remained eerily quiet. Cong, who was standing guard by the door, suddenly saw something move in the darkness.
"Major, there's something outside," he whispered.
Pan immediately joined him, holding his rifle tightly. "What is it?"
Cong shook his head. "I don't know. But it's not an ordinary zombie. Its movements... are too organized."
Before Pan could give an order, a loud banging sound came from the back door of the building. Rico immediately aimed his rifle at the noise.
"They're here," Rico said in a tense tone.
The door finally crashed open, and the creature that entered made the whole team freeze for a moment. An evolved zombie, but with a much larger body and much faster movements. Its skin looked like steel, and its eyes glowed red in the darkness.
"Aim for their heads!" Pan shouted, shooting at one of the creatures.
The bullet hit the zombie's head, but it wasn't enough to stop it. Rico threw a grenade, creating an explosion that took down two zombies at once. But their numbers were growing.
"We need to get out of here!" Dail shouted, protecting Elis.
Pan spotted a large window on the side of the building. "To the window! Quick!"
The team quickly moved, shooting to clear the path. Dail held Elis tightly while Cong and Rico provided cover fire. After successfully exiting, they ran toward the nearest forest, leaving the building and the horrifying creatures behind them.
Faint Hope
After feeling they were far enough from danger, the team stopped to catch their breath. Elis cried softly in Dail's arms, while the others checked their supplies.
"Our ammo is running low," Rico said anxiously.
Cong nodded. "And they're getting stronger. If we keep going like this, I'm not sure we'll last."
Pan, though looking tired, spoke firmly. "We have no choice. Omega Zone is our last hope. Whatever happens, we have to make it there."
Night arrived quickly, and the team rested in an old building to shelter from the rain. Outside, strange noises began to emerge, like heavy footsteps and the rustling of broken branches.
"Major, there's something outside," whispered Cong, who was standing guard near the window.
Pan immediately joined him, gripping his rifle tightly. "What is it?"
Cong pointed toward a large shadow that passed quickly between the trees. "I don't know. But it's too big to be an ordinary zombie."
Suddenly, a loud thud came from the direction of the back door of the building. Rico immediately shouted, "They're trying to get in!"