Cats and Dwarves were only the beginning. Other dangers stalked these pathways—familiar leftovers from the dying Earth.

If a lone human could slip through the cracks, so could other beasts. What did it matter to the aliens? The first layer was a mad scramble to survive where each drop of blood spilled was an upvote on the alien's cosmic youtube video.

Their eyes devoured me even as I fought for my life.

Dodging the massive paw, I caressed my sword along the thick black and white hide. A line of red drenched the matted fur as the beast roared in primal fury.

The bear's partner didn't like what I was doing, so it took a swipe at me. I dropped low and cut the creature across its chest; backing up, I twirled and sliced into the face of the first panda. It stood on its hind legs rearing its paws wildly. I let its momentum carry it forward into the second. They crashed together like rumbling boulders.

My shortsword carved into them as they untangled themselves, making them bleed from over a dozen wounds.

After several minutes, they had no more blood to give.

Breathing hard, I took a few steps backward and watched the life leave their sad black eyes.

It was too hilarious. I couldn't help myself but laugh out loud. Looking over my shoulder, feeling the eyes of both aliens and humans on me, I asked a breathy question.

"Hey. What's black and white and red all over?"

=

"Mei. Mei!"

Lucas shout-whispered and pulled me over by the arm. We lagged behind the group as Zeke led the way ahead like a solitary predator. When we lagged behind far enough to speak privately, Lucas began with a curse.

"Fuck, Mei. What are you thinking? We have no idea who this lunatic is. Even if he were ex-navy or some backwater elite, he just fought toe-to-toe with two adult bears and danced around them like they were children."

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"I know."

"He didn't just kill them; he slaughtered them."

"I know. I saw."

The strong man had a good heart and strong morals, but he, unfortunately, couldn't see past the obvious. Lucas wasn't like the group's first leaders, Clive or Hector. My first impression of them was that they were decisive, if devious. They died too early for me to understand who they were or if they were worth following.

Probably not, considering.

"Mei. We haven't known each other long, but we've known Zeke for even less, and what we do know is that he is a murdering psychopath who could probably slit our throats as easily as he bleeds those bears. If he isn't leading us to our deaths, then he will be using us as fodder for whatever plans his insanity cooks up."

"You think I don't know all that?"

"Then tell me why. No bullshit. Every instinct in my body is telling me that this guy is more dangerous than even that thing that dissolved Samir."

Zeke was defending himself against a few stray cats while the rest of my group watched either in horror or morbid fascination. It pained me slightly that no one helped him. Even after the threat was gone, the only one who would dare to move near Zeke was poor Alice.

Prying my attention away, I addressed Lucas face to face and spoke as sincerely as I could manage.

"I believe you, and I agree. However, at least for the moment, we need to take this opportunity and learn from him. What did you learn from watching him fight those bears?"

"That he's a killing machine."

"Besides that."

Lucas thought back a moment. I timed my words with what I thought to be recognition.

"The pandas would have flattened any one of us, including him. So, what did he do? He bled them. He slowed them with a hundred cuts, and he didn't stop until they did."

"So you're saying we should learn from him? Become savages?"

I thumped his chest.

"Survivors."

Zeke could have killed them faster with assistance from us. Yet, he was still taking the lead and killing everything he could. Sure, he was getting points for it, but he was taking unnecessary risks when he could have used us. At this rate, why bring us along?

"I guarantee you that man is smarter than he is strong."

"I've never heard more terrifying words."

"I'm exaggerating. Just follow my lead. You trust me, don't you?"

I waited for his answer. He was watching a cat sneaking up on Zeke. No one mentioned it and no one needed to. Alice caught it by its coiled tail mid-lunge, causing the cat to elongate before springing backward into her face.

It was about to rip her face off when Zeke snatched it away and snapped its spine in one motion.

"Next time, grab its neck instead."

"Mhm."

I'm sure Lucas and I had similar thoughts on the matter, recognizing the interaction just now. While Lucas struggled to peer past his testosterone, I was seeing my point proven. We were learning after each encounter. Seeing Alice grow faster than the rest of us made my heart swell.

"Lucas."

"What?"

I captured his attention and pointed forward.

"You better not fall behind."