As Calvin’s makeshift cart hurtled toward the edge of the ravine, Lizzie’s eyes widened in panic as she took in the sight ahead. The Han Xin operatives were already descending into the abyss, their ropes and harnesses glinting in the sunlight. The whirring of the helicopter still hummed in the air, and tension crackled in every breath. Lizzie turned to Calvin, desperation seeping into her voice.“Calvin, what now? What are we supposed to do after this?”Calvin clenched his teeth, his mind racing as fast as the cart they were riding. His original plan had only gotten them this far—he hadn’t thought beyond reaching the ravine. Now, faced with the reality of the Han Xin team making their descent, the weight of their situation pressed down on him.He was a doctor, not a killer. There was no way he could let anyone die, even if they were enemies. But the gap between morality and survival was closing quickly. The wind roared in his ears, a reminder of the immense power he had at his fingert
Calvin wiped the sweat from his brow, the moisture mixing with the mist that hung heavy in the air. The terrain before him was treacherous—damp, uneven, and cloaked in a deep darkness that their meager lights could barely penetrate. The rocky walls of the ravine loomed above them like ancient sentinels, their surfaces slick with moss and vines. The earthy scent of decay, wet foliage, and mossy stone filled the air, making every breath feel thick and humid.He paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadowy abyss below. The soft, persistent murmur of water echoed faintly from the unseen depths, a constant reminder of the life-giving spring that could be hidden somewhere in the darkness. His gut told him they were close—closer than they had ever been.“The Fountain of Health should be down there," Calvin muttered, almost as if the words were for himself rather than the others. His voice, steady yet laced with tension, was barely above a whisper. "Right at the base of this cliff."L
The Han Xin explorers moved silently through the ravine, their footsteps barely audible over the damp, spongy earth. The air was thick with moisture, and the sound of trickling water teased them from somewhere deep within the surrounding wilderness. But no matter how they strained their ears or followed the faint gurgling sounds, the water always seemed to slip away, just out of reach.The leader of the group, a stern man with sharp, calculating eyes and a deep scowl etched into his face, stopped abruptly. His frustration was palpable as he clenched his fists by his sides. The other Han Xin members, four in total, looked to him for guidance, their expressions tense and uncertain."Damn it," the leader muttered under his breath, glaring at the ground as if it had betrayed them. His voice echoed faintly in the stillness of the ravine. "We’ve been going in circles. The sound of the water... it keeps shifting, disappearing. This isn't right." He spat into the dirt, his frustration boiling
As the Han Xin group held their breath, eyes darting through the shadows, the eerie breathing grew louder, reverberating through the damp air of the ravine. The leader squinted into the darkness, trying to make sense of the unnatural sounds. Then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing, amber eyes flickered into view—hovering just above the ground, low and predatory.It wasn’t human.From the darkness emerged a creature unlike anything they had ever seen. Its massive, muscular body was covered in thick, matted fur that dripped with moisture from the humid air. Long, sinewy limbs ended in clawed hands, sharp as blades, and its elongated snout, filled with rows of jagged teeth, quivered as it sniffed the air. Its eyes locked onto the group, hungry and filled with primal rage. More pairs of glowing eyes began to appear, as if the first beast had called its pack.The leader’s pulse quickened as the realization hit him. They weren’t alone in the ravine—they had walked straight into the den of
As the beasts circled outside the cave, their guttural growls filled the air, reverberating off the stone walls and sending chills down the spines of the remaining Han Xin explorers. The cave offered little shelter, and the group, crammed into the farthest corner, could barely see through the dark as their makeshift torches flickered weakly. The creatures, with their glowing eyes and massive forms, stalked just outside, their claws scraping against the rock, searching for any way inside.“Hold steady,” the leader hissed through clenched teeth, his pistol shaking slightly in his grip. His heart pounded in his chest, knowing the thin stone walls wouldn’t protect them for long.Suddenly, one of the creatures shoved its massive claw into the cave’s entrance. The sharp talons scratched the ground, sending rocks skittering across the floor. The men recoiled, pressing themselves further into the corner as the beast’s claws scraped closer, tearing at the stone.“They're trying to get in!” one
As Calvin, Lizzie, and the rest of the team cautiously approached the darker section of the ravine, a sense of dread settled over them. The mist hung heavier here, clinging to their skin and filling the air with an almost suffocating humidity. The sound of their footsteps seemed unnaturally loud, each crunch of the wet forest floor magnified in the unsettling silence.Calvin’s steps slowed, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the gloom. There was something wrong here—he could feel it. And then, as they rounded a bend, the scene unfolded before them.Lizzie gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes went wide in horror. Before them lay a blood-soaked clearing, the ground slick with dark, congealed pools of blood. Pieces of what had once been human bodies were scattered across the ground, limbs torn apart, entrails strewn across the rocks. The metallic scent of blood hung thick in the air, mingling with the dampness of the ravine.It was a massacre.“Oh my God…” Lizzie whispered,
As the massive creature lunged toward Calvin, time seemed to slow for a brief, heart-stopping moment. Its glowing eyes bore into him with deadly intent, its razor-sharp claws outstretched, ready to tear through flesh. But Calvin’s instincts kicked in. He raised his hand and concentrated, summoning the power that had saved him countless times before.The air around him thickened instantly, swirling and compressing with a force that rippled through the ravine. With a sharp gesture, Calvin slammed his hand forward, and the air condensed into a solid wall, meeting the creature’s charge with bone-shattering impact. The beast let out a furious roar as it was thrown backward, its body skidding across the blood-soaked ground.“Everyone, fall back!” Calvin shouted over the chaos. He could hear Lizzie’s panicked breathing behind him, the fear in her voice unmistakable. “Get behind me! Now!”The creature recovered quickly, snarling in rage as it shook off the blow. But Calvin wasn’t about to giv
The ravine’s oppressive silence wrapped around them like a shroud, thick and suffocating. The chill in the air wasn’t just from the damp walls of the gorge, but from the unshakable feeling that something terrible was lurking just beyond the shadows. Each step echoed softly against the cold stone floor, swallowed by the blackness that stretched endlessly ahead.Lizzie’s sudden halt was like a ripple of fear shooting through the group. Her sharp intake of breath made Calvin’s stomach drop, and he turned to her, dread already forming in his chest. The ravine seemed to darken further as if the shadows themselves sensed the tension.“Lizzie, what is it?” Calvin’s voice cut through the silence, low but urgent. His eyes darted between her and the pitch-black surroundings, muscles tense, preparing for whatever threat she sensed.Lizzie stood still, her figure outlined by the faint glow of their lanterns. Her wide, alert eyes stared into the abyss ahead, and she was breathing shallowly, like a