PROJECT: WONDERLAND

80. SUNNY TWISTS

M3, the leader of the squad, raised a hand.
"Slow down your pace, everyone."

His gaze remained fixed on the hybrids as he issued an inquiry over the radio.
"Any updates, guys? Aside from our main objective of reaching that building in the northwest?"

Alan's voice crackled through the comms.
"Yes, sir, but it's only regarding some creatures. It seems the King Vipers have been struggling. Their nests in the abandoned forest aren't warm enough, so they've been trying to burrow underground. Unfortunately for them, they're not built for that. They're likely dying off since they're not the type to live beneath the soil."

M3 sighed, shaking his head in mild frustration.

"Okay. So they're like, a group of beach boys, huh? Is that all you got, doc?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Very helpful. Lets hope they were not here." His sarcasm hung heavy in the air as he signaled the troops to keep moving.

The hybrid camels passed by, their massive forms plodding forward while the Avalon birds behind the squad resumed their feast, tearing into the remnants of the camel carcass they had claimed earlier.

As the journey continued, the sun began to descend, painting the desert in hues of gold and amber. The squad lowered their hoods, pulling down their veils and removing their vision goggles as the day's heat eased. Suddenly, Sundown, one of the soldiers, froze in his tracks, captivated by something in the sand.

"A flower?" he whispered, bewildered.
"In the middle of the desert?"

M3 narrowed his eyes and approached cautiously.

Blastmaster, another soldier, chuckled from the back of the group.
"It's just a flower, man. Happens all the time."

Sundown shook his head.
"No, you don't get it. This flower... I've never seen anything like it. It's beautiful."

Sundown crept closer to the delicate bloom, its petals shimmering faintly in the fading light. But just as he reached out to touch it, the sand beneath him exploded.

Out from the dune sprang Toxiflora—a deadly scorpion... twice the size of any Heterometrus species, with a flower growing from its back as a deceptive lure. Its venomous tail, ten times deadlier than that of a southern yellow scorpion, lashed out, narrowly missing Sundown's leg.

"Whoa!" Sundown dodged just in time, his reflexes kicking in as he unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the creature. His bullets tore through the scorpion's body, and green blood sprayed across the sand as Toxiflora collapsed, dead.

Blastmaster stared wide-eyed.
"Jeez, man! That was close!"

Panic rippled through the squad as they realized the danger. M3 barked orders, his voice sharp.
"See? Just like I said when we first flew to this godforsaken island... the desert has a thousand ways to kill you! Watch your step and keep your eyes open!"

The soldiers shifted into a defensive circle, abandoning their previous formation. However, Sundown, still shaken, had drifted slightly from the group, separated by a small dune.

Suddenly, without warning, from behind, the sand erupted again. This time, a massive maw, split into four squid-like tentacles, emerged, wrapping around Sundown and pulling him toward its gaping mouth.

The squad froze in terror. M3's voice broke the silence.
"Sundown!"

Alan gasped, recognizing the threat immediately.
"It's a King Viper!"

From beneath the sands, the monstrous hybrid of Titanoboa, rattlesnake, and King Cobra fully emerged, its titanic form uncoiling and towering over the squad. Its scales shimmered in the desert twilight, and its massive jaws snapped open, ready to devour.

The battle had begun.

To be continued...