A thick, suffocating silence settled over the camp. The only sound was the crackling of the fire and the shallow, panicked breaths of the survivors.
The glowing eyes beyond the trees did not move immediately, only watching, studying. Athena tightened her grip on her spear, every muscle in her body coiled like a spring.
Then, without warning, they attacked. The creatures moved in a blur, faster than anything human.
They burst from the tree line like specters of death, their pale, emaciated bodies twisting unnaturally as they leaped toward the camp.
The first one lunged straight at Marco, its gaping mouth revealing rows of jagged teeth. Marco barely had time to react, stumbling back as he swung his spear wildly.
The sharpened tip sliced through the creature's shoulder, but it barely flinched.
Athena didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, driving her spear into the creature's side. It let out a guttural snarl, black ichor spilling from the wound.
