Vesper stepped through the shimmering portal, his small paws landing softly on the damp, decaying forest floor. His golden eyes scanned the dying trees and the overgrown, twisted roots that snaked through the ground like dead veins. Behind him, his team emerged one by one: Skyler, the once-proud guardian of the galaxy, his bounty hunter armor gleaming dully in the eerie twilight; Rogue Wolf, ever the silent sniper, whose targeting system flickered to life within his visor as he took in the lifeless jungle; and Jake, the anthro fox with a glint of spiritual magic in his hands, his fiery gaze reflecting off the dying leaves.
In front of them, the earth was scattered with skeletal remains, twisted in unnatural positions. These were the bones of those who had tried to fight back-survivors who had fallen under the onslaught of creatures no one had yet named. The Host stood there, motionless, his eyes cold and calculating as he took in the sight. His presence alone felt like a disruption in the fabric of reality, his power radiating even in stillness. Next to him, Kratos and Doom Guy stood with a shared understanding of the carnage they witnessed, their weapons at the ready, always prepared for battle.
Further back, Jack and Fernando remained close to Vesper, the young leader of the group. Jack's multiversal tech hummed quietly, and Fernando's katana gleamed, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. Vesper, despite his small stature, felt the weight of responsibility as the group's leader. Though young, he was not afraid, his mind already racing with plans and possible threats. His love for exploration and his keen instincts for danger had brought them all here.
Nearby, Necroclaw-the misunderstood kitten brought back from the dead-and Tux, the black and white feline with energy-blasting arm guards, whispered quietly to each other, their conversation drowned out by the oppressive silence of the jungle. Necroclaw's glowing eyes flickered with traces of corrupted magic, but his heart was still firmly on the side of good, despite the brutal reputation he had earned. Tux, always calm and collected, listened intently, a soft purr of energy resonating from his gauntlets.
Ahead of the group, Ghost and Soap moved silently through the shadows, their elite training from a world of warfare evident in every step. They led a small team of extra reinforcements, scanning the area for threats. Even in a world torn apart by unknown creatures, their discipline never wavered. They motioned for the group to hold as they inspected the remains of an old camp-makeshift barricades and weapons long abandoned, half-buried beneath thick, rotting foliage.
"Clear so far," Ghost's voice crackled through the comms, though his tone held a sharp edge of caution. Soap knelt beside one of the skeletal remains, inspecting the faded scratches on the armor. "These people fought something... something relentless." His voice trailed off as he looked at Ghost, both of them silently aware that whatever had killed these survivors could still be lurking nearby.
Vesper's ears twitched as he turned to Skyler. "Any signs of cosmic disturbance?"
Skyler scanned the area once more, his cosmic powers faintly resonating with the dying energy of the land. "There's something here," he muttered, "but it's distant. Faint. Almost like a ripple, but... wrong."
Rogue Wolf adjusted his targeting system, scanning the treeline as the jungle seemed to close in around them. "We're not alone," he whispered, his finger hovering near the trigger of his sniper rifle. "Whatever it is, it's watching us."
The wind rustled through the dead leaves, and the silence grew thicker, almost suffocating. Vesper's small form tensed, feeling the weight of countless eyes on them from the shadows. His instincts screamed at him to be alert. He wasn't sure if it was the spirit realm or something more immediate, but something wasn't right.
Jack took a step forward, his voice breaking the quiet. "Whatever we're facing, it's waiting for us to make the first move."
Vesper nodded. "Then we make it." He turned to Ghost and Soap. "Stay ahead but keep a close watch. If you see anything unusual, fall back immediately."
Ghost gave a firm nod, and the team resumed their march through the jungle. As they moved deeper into the twisted landscape, the air grew heavier, the trees looming like skeletal giants overhead. The ground beneath their feet was soft, almost spongy, with every step sinking into the earth just a little too much.
Suddenly, there was a faint sound-like the chittering of creatures from deep within the undergrowth. Necroclaw's fur stood on end, his corrupted magic flickering around him. "We're close," he hissed softly, his claws flexing.
Tux raised his arms, the energy in his gauntlets sparking to life. "Ready when you are, kid," he said, nodding toward Vesper, a smirk on his face.
Vesper narrowed his eyes. "Everyone, stay sharp. Whatever's coming... it's not friendly."
As the group pressed forward, the jungle seemed to close in on them, the shadows growing longer, darker. Something-no, many things-were lurking in the depths of the forest, waiting for the right moment to strike.
And then, the first pair of glowing eyes appeared in the underbrush, followed by dozens more.
The unknown creatures had found them.
-------------------
AND that is chapter one, hope you guys enjoyed.
