Axel, Josh, and Loki walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the soft hum of the facility behind them as they approached the towering door. This door, one of several designated exits from the underground complex, loomed ahead like a portal to another world.
Commander Asher had instructed their team to take this path, while the others were sent through separate doors on different sides of the facility.
As they neared it, the door slid open without a sound, as if it had been expecting them. It revealed a world beyond, a stark contrast to the sterile metal walls they had just left behind. The moment they stepped outside, they were greeted by the vibrant and untamed wilderness.
The sight before them was awe-inspiring. Towering trees with thick, sprawling branches reached toward the sky, their leaves a deep, healthy green. The air smelled fresher, richer, with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers. Bushes grew in clusters, their leaves rustling as small creatures darted through them.
Butterflies and fireflies flitted about, their delicate wings catching the light, while birds of all sizes filled the air with their songs.
Josh and Loki stopped in their tracks, mouths slightly agape. It was as if they had been dropped into paradise. Josh inhaled deeply, savoring the clean, fragrant air. "So, this is another planet," he said, his voice laced with wonder. "It's unbelievable."
Loki nodded, his eyes scanning the expanse of vibrant colors and sounds. "This place is really something else."
Axel, however, remained unfazed. He had seen this contrast before—the chaotic beauty of nature against the clinical backdrop of human technology. While the lush landscape was a feast for the senses, he couldn't allow himself to be distracted. "It may look like paradise, but remember," Axel said, his voice firm, "there are monsters here too. We can't let our guard down."
His words brought Josh and Loki back to the reality of their mission. They were here to hunt, not to admire the scenery. Josh chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Man, I almost forgot we were here to kill beasts."
Axel gave a small smile but kept his hand near the hilt of his sword. "Let's move. We won't find any beasts lingering near the facility."
The trio ventured deeper into the forest, their senses sharp as they navigated the undergrowth. Each step was calculated, careful not to make too much noise or draw unwanted attention. The further they went, the denser the forest became. The thick canopy overhead allowed only patches of sunlight to break through, casting the forest floor in an eerie, shifting light.
Axel's heart pounded in his chest. He had to act fast. Drawing his sword, he darted forward, his movements fluid and precise. With a powerful slash, he severed the panther's paw mid-swipe, blood spraying as the beast recoiled in pain, letting out a bone-chilling shriek.
The Panther Beast staggered back, momentarily stunned, but Axel knew better than to give it a chance to recover. He pressed the advantage, rushing in and slamming his shoulder into the beast's nose with all his strength. The blow sent it reeling, its massive form stumbling as it struggled to regain its balance.
"Loki, get up!" Axel yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Loki shook off his disorientation, pushing himself to his feet as quickly as he could. Meanwhile, the Panther Beast had recovered, its furious gaze locking onto Axel. With a feral snarl, it charged again, this time faster than before. Axel barely had time to react as the beast's jaws opened wide, ready to tear into him.
But before the panther could strike, a dagger whizzed through the air, embedding itself deep in the creature's eye socket. The blade sank in with a sickening crunch, piercing straight through to its brain.
The panther let out one last strangled cry before collapsing, its enormous body hitting the ground with a thunderous crash.
Axel blinked in surprise, glancing over at Josh, who stood a few feet away, breathing heavily. Beneath Josh's shadow lay another panther, its body limp and lifeless, a pool of blood forming beneath it.
"You... you took down two of them," Axel said, his voice filled with awe.
Josh grinned, though his exhaustion was evident. "Took a few hits, but yeah..."
Axel nodded in respect, then turned to the fallen beasts. "Let's extract the gems. We'll need them for the next grade soon."
The mission wasn't over yet—not by a long shot.