As the others argued in hushed tones, Timmon stretched his senses as he scoured the mysterious forest with his eyes; the light flickered across the bowl-shaped crater, painting fleeting shadows on the towering trees. Each illumination unveiled glimpses of the damp surroundings, hinting at concealed mysteries within the dense foliage.

As the soft forest drizzle persisted and the distant splashing echoed like a distant melody, Timmon furrowed his brows, striving to comprehend the nature of the glowing lights. While the others devised their plan of action, he began to discern a pattern. The answers were right there on the tip of his mind, tongue and figures; he had all the clues, but yet, he found himself trapped in a cycle of overthinking. The earthy scent of the drizzle, the rhythmic splashing preceding each downpour, and the subsequent soft glow—all intertwined in a mysterious dance. A swift creature darted around the bowl with uncanny speed, adding to the enigma. The gentle glow on the plants, when touched, hinted at a deeper connection.

Yet, amidst the puzzle, one thought echoed relentlessly in Timmon's mind: danger, danger, Danger! He could hardly hold on to a thought.

Back home, he was a simple welder who worked for vacation. In his following life, he was a simple father to a newborn at a time when the world wanted him dead. He was no survivalist, yet here he was, thrust into an impossible life. He was responsible for the lives of people he didn't know, people he didn't love, all while trying his best to survive on an alien planet to see a clear blue sky or dark twinkling night sky.

Touching the plants around him, Timmon was amazed at their reaction to his touch. Those little soft illumination from his sweaty fingers for just a moment, brought him back to his childhood, but once again the ever present danger pulled his mind back. He had to focus on the connection, the team safety depended on it.

Just as he was about to spit, he heard a faint rustle that pierced the silence, sending a shiver down his spine as he peered into the surrounding darkness, where a mysterious green blur darted somewhere ahead. Something had been lurking, listening to them from among the tall grass and towards what could probably be the centre of the bowl. Was it a mere trick of the light or a harbinger of darker forces at play? With the sound of rushing water whispering through the almost quiet forest. Timmons's mind was still fixed on the glowing lights, and the moment the glow began to fade, the sound of falling droplets began again.

With each passing moment, uncertainty hung heavy in the air, fueling his determination to uncover the truth hidden within the forest's depths. As the drizzle fell closer to where Timmon was, he noticed something strange. Periodically, after the rustling, splashing and drizzle, the glow area was a pulsing clockwise light show. It was as if a sprinkler was trying to spray all the grass and plants in the bowl. Or was it searching for something? The connections were here! But his mind just couldn't hold on to it for nothing. Was this strange phenomenon a natural occurrence or a portent of something more sinister lurking in the shadows? Only time would unveil the forest's secrets, and Timmon was determined to unveil them all, but he needed to focus on the plan at hand. As his attention was brought back to the team conversation, a chill fell upon his bones, which made Timmon want to run away from within the bowl and straight to the water source in the distance. Why did he agree for the team to do this? Was this yet another mistake? Maybe this was how Tobi felt when they first encountered the Spunnies."

Clinging to the slim hope that their fears were unfounded, he nonetheless embraced prudence as their steadfast companion. With a discreet nod, he signalled Scott to advance with his plan, choosing to believe in his team and their capabilities.

Crouched behind a bush, the team remained hidden as Scott, displaying a stealth so profound that not a leaf dared to rustle or glitter at his touch in his wake. His actions revealed a scene so cool it momentarily stole Timmon's attention away for a few seconds. Why wasn't the plants reacting? Is something different with those plants, or was there something about the drizzle? As different areas of the bowl lit up. Something was different. The sound of the splashing sounded rough and barbaric. The range of the glow was shortened. The drizzling stopped, but the sound of splashing increased in intervals.

As different areas of the bowl lit up with a glow, the atmosphere grew increasingly ominous. The once gentle splashing sounds took on a rough, barbaric tone, echoing through the forest with a menacing intensity. The glow's range seemed to shrink, casting long shadows that danced eerily among the trees. With the drizzle now ceased, the sound of splashing filled the air at irregular intervals, heightening the tension.

Despite the unsettling changes in their surroundings, Scott remained focused on his task, his determination overriding any sense of apprehension. Slowly and deliberately, he manoeuvred through the dense foliage, his eyes scanning for a path to higher ground. Among the swaying blades of grass, a concealed shallow pond materialized before him, and its surface was shimmering with green light.

As Scott's gaze swept across the clearing, he was taking advantage of the constant light, and then a deep furrow creased his brow, betraying his growing concern. The creature, larger than life yet possessing an otherworldly grace, seemed to fixate on the spot where the team had been hiding behind the bush, its gaze unwavering amidst the constant flickering of light caused by the irregular splashing. Sensing Scott's unease, a few meters over, the team exchanged worried glances, their expressions mirroring his apprehension. "What in the work is he seeing? Should we go over?" Asked Ben.

But before anyone could move, Scott's eyes widened in realization, his gaze locked on something beyond their line of sight. With a silent gesture, he signalled for the team to remain still, his expression a mix of fear and awe. It was only then that they noticed the annoyance mixed in with fear. Without uttering a single word, the grave look etched across Scott's features conveyed a message clear as day. The air hung heavy with an emotion they all recognized — a tight, visceral understanding without the need for speech. That expression was one they had all worn, a silent siren of impending turmoil and annoyance. Slowly and carefully parting an opening through the bush in which they hid behind in hopes that they too could maybe glimpse at what Scott saw, hoping to God that they would be wrong about what they saw; their eyes caught the tail of a creature that darted to the right. In that short instance, the image was stitched into the team's mind. Glistening scales and spines slipped out of sight among the tall grass; the green glow against the red void-like eyes was like priceless jewellery that was littered along the base of the appendage. The way the trail end of the creature slivered among the tall grass seemed to pulse with an intelligence of its own.

As the creature continued its silent patrol within the tall grass, its eyes fixed on the bush where the team was. Each step leaves behind a pattern of its ball-pointed blade-like legs. It was constantly on the move, keeping its distance and waiting for its opportunity to rush towards the team's location, and only Scott knew of the danger they were in. The gravity of the situation sank in, as Scott's mind raced for a solution he knew he couldn't find. They were in the presence of something dangerous, something that lurked within the depths of the forest, waiting to unleash its fury upon unsuspecting prey. And with each passing moment, Scott's sense of dread grew, overshadowing any hope of escape from the looming threat that surrounded them. A threat kept echoing in his mind, and the team wasn't aware of the danger he saw. He could see it. Their deaths. And then there was the matter of the irregular splashing where the water gathered in the bowl. As his focus lingered on where the splashing was coming from among the tall grass, two objects flicked liquid up into the air as the grass and bushes burst with the dark green light. Scott knew what it was, and from the surprise body language he noticed from the team, they knew too.

It was Tobi! He was caught in the thrall of his latest caper.

Swept up in the intoxicating effects of the once dried-up slime from the Spunny eggs, which were now hydrated again due to the surrounding drizzle. Now, Tobi was fully losing his shit with the effect water had on him.

For some reason, when Tobi makes contact with water, a rash, bold-ish instinct replaces his cautious self-preservation instinct, causing him to seek out things he would usually avoid. The odd symphony of splashes that broke the forest's serenity announced his presence. All this irregular splashing took place within the span of a minute, and yet the creature was too focused to pay Tobi any mind. Better yet, the scaly creature could also be aware of the contamination of his body. If the wolves could tell, why couldn't this thing? It was also an alien, right?

The team watched in horror as Tobi, oblivious to the peril surrounding him, danced among the creatures hidden within the tall grass. His carefree movements seemed to draw him closer to the edge of danger with each step, while the rest of the team could only catch glimpses of the looming threat within his vicinity.

Scott, the only one to have seen the full extent of the danger, stood frozen in shock. His gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him; he felt a surge of fear grip his heart as he realized the magnitude of the peril facing his friend.

The creatures, or creature their forms obscured by the tall grass and shadows, moved with a sinister grace and confusion about their numbers. Their intentions were unclear but undoubtedly malevolent. Scott's mind raced as he tried to formulate a plan to rescue Tobi from the danger that lurked just out of his sight while finding a way to save his team from the creature who was aware of them.

With each passing moment, the sense of urgency grew, driving the team to action. But as they prepared to intervene, a sudden green flash darted in the tall grass and shadows that caught their attention, and they knew that time was running out. They had to act fast to save Tobi from the unseen danger that threatened to engulf him in its grasp.

And in that moment, events began to unfolded before them. Each splash from Tobi's wild antics sent ripples that made the air itself flicker with a ghostly luminescence, sending waves of otherworldly light through the woods. This transient brilliance, a beacon in the gloom, soon faded, and the veil of darkness reclaimed its dominion as the forest, setting the scene for what was to come.

Emerging from the shadows of the concealing bushes and into the small clearing of spass-growing grass surrounding the pond, the team's focus remained laser-sharp, their determination unwavering as they prepared to face the lurking danger that was advancing toward Tobi. Reacting swiftly, both Mr Major and Ben moved in tandem, their synchronized movements aiming to close the gap between them and Tobi's location with cautious but quick resolve, their minds swirling with strategies aimed at intercepting the glowing trail of light zigzagging towards him, safeguarding him and securing their own retreat.

With deliberate steps, they edged closer to Tobi's frantic position, their senses heightened to the faint, steady flickering of streaming lights converging towards him through the tall grass. Reacting swiftly, all three of them hurled stones in its direction, hoping to startle the approaching creature responsible for the glowing trail. However, their hearts sank as another creature emerged from behind them, its presence betrayed only by the green trail of light it left in its wake.

Scott, positioned slightly further away, holding his hammer over his back and a stone in the other hand. As he ran with the intention of getting to Tobi first, Scott observed the scene with growing apprehension. As he watched the glowing trail of light twist and turn towards Tobi, a chilling realization washed over him. His mind racing with fear and uncertainty, his heart pounding with each stride. He could feel the weight of the impending danger bearing down on him as he raced to reach his teammate before it was too late.

But as all three stones flew through the air, it became clear that the team was not the hunter but the hunted. The team were being assaulted for sport by these creatures. They were always aware of the team and just hid and waited in the quiet grass, using one of their own kind as bait. Scott and the team still had no idea how many creatures there were. Maybe they weren't fast, but numerous, or vice versa, But one thing was certain—they needed to save Tobi, no matter the cost.

In a seamless display of reflexes, Scott twisted his hips and braced himself, his vine hammer singing through the air with precision and force. The hammer swiftly met its mark, connecting with the creature in a resounding impact just as it closed in with menacing speed, but not before the creature slammed into his leg.

Scott: AH! Fuck! I think its tail got me. Go get Tobi, and then come and back me up when you're done. With that kind of speed and force from it's size and weight, we need to leave now! I don't think this is an enemy we can fight, especially in this low light. The tail is a big problem. I can't even see it now, but I know I've injured it. It's damn tail feels like it has a mind of its own the way it hit and started searching my body for the weapon in one go!

Ben: We can't run. We don't have the energy. They are clearly too fast for us and running would make it easier for them. If we grab Tobi now, the lights will stop, and escape becomes one hundred times harder.

Wasting no time on debates as usual, Mr Major surged towards the shallow pond's edge, propelled by a primal instinct to confront the creature that was rushing to Tobi. The new battle had begun a clash between human resilience and the perils of the alien forest.

As Mr Major neared the pond's edge, he found himself abruptly realizing that walking into the shallow waters was not a viable option. Amid the chaotic scene, a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins while he stood within the tall, wild grass surrounding the pond. His keen gaze caught a fleeting, verdant blur in his peripheral vision, quickly turning his body, hoping that his feet would be planted to the ground for support, just moments before he could brace himself, a sudden bone-jarring impact rocked his ribs and leg, propelling him into the water.

The force of his entry into the pond generated a brilliant splash of water, an incandescent spectacle that bathed the leaves in its radiance. His teammates, valiantly battling one of the creatures, were cast in green glow. Their skin in that moment was looking more brown than before. Crimson blood splashed and oozed from the creature as they desperately waled on it with whatever energy they could muster. The creature's blood that ran along the forest floor created a trail tracing a winding path toward the water's edge, contrasting starkly with Tobi's ongoing splashes in the pond.

Ben and Scott with every ounce of strength in their muscles, they relentlessly pummelled the lifeless corpse of the creature's, each strike of their weapons sending sprays of blood that landed on the nearby leaves which gave off a bright spastic glow, a warm yellow hue was generated by the surrounding plants as if the very forest itself wept in a glorious response to their effort.

In the midst of this chaos, Tobi's voice cut through the tension, exclaiming, "Snakehead Gators!” His words reverberated through the atmosphere, leaving the entire team in bewildered silence, as their breaths began to slow down.

Mr Major, exhausted, wasted no time in rebuking Tobi; his voice was laced with frustration as he said, Tobi! Please shut the fuck up and get out of the water! With urgency, he rushed Tobi to vacate the water with all haste, cautioning himself against making physical contact due to the mixture of murky water and the rejuvenated slime residue clinging to him. Escaping from the lurking creatures, now damp and vulnerable, loomed as an ominous and formidable challenge.

Unfazed by the dire circumstances, Tobi's utterances continued to take on a perplexing quality, leaving his companions bewildered in the midst of the battle. Amidst the uncertainty and chaos, Tobi's disjointed speech now carried phrases like "happy belated" and "let's get naked," further heightening the overall sense of confusion that gripped the team.

A sickening sensation surged through Ben as blood trickled down his arm, a grim reminder of their perilous situation. He turned to Timmon, urgency and annoyance etched across his face. But he was nowhere to be seen or heard from. His voice, a blend of alarm and desperation, shattered the tension as he shouted. "Timmon! Where are you?! We need help! The need for immediate action was now and they all were tired and knew that this was only the beginning. As he waited for a quick reply that felt like forever, Ben frustration was starting to show in his face while bleeding into his words: "Fucking help us, man! Why are you just hiding? We have to flee this area, and we need help! Lingering here will only draw more of those alien creatures. It started with one, then two—soon, more will arrive and discover us, and they will pose a real threat. My eyes are adapting a little better than before, but it's still hard to see them without the glow. Show yourself, and let's regroup!

In the dim light filtering through the dense canopy, Mr. Major's voice cut through the thick tension like a beacon in the night. "We first have to find a pattern. There's always a pattern," he asserted, his tone firm and resolute despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on them all.

But Ben, his frustration bubbling to the surface, pushed back vehemently. "No! He should show himself and help us! There is strength in numbers. Our group is only as strong as its weakest link, and right now, we have Tobi fulfilling that role; we can't afford another.”

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Scott, his voice strained with weariness, interjected, his words heavy with concern. "With or without him, we're vulnerable. The plants seem to react to moisture, and our exertion will worsen the situation. We're already dehydrated, and pushing ourselves will only release the water our bodies need, triggering the surrounding leaves to glow.”

Ben's frustration morphed into urgency as he pressed on, his mind racing with possibilities. “We need to act swiftly, whether our path is bathed in green or yellow light. These bushes and grass won't go on forever; they might just be confined to this area. We just need to get out of this area. I know this is a baseless assumption, but this could be a territory or something, and maybe these things might not leave it. Any other direction could lead us deeper into their territory or whatever. We just need to keep moving towards the water sounds. Can any of you still hear them? Get Tobi, and let's start pivoting.”

During this time, Ben found himself thinking back on Tobi's unconventional suggestion to disrobe, which initially puzzled the group. It was apparent that the toxic slime had clouded his thoughts, hindering clear communication, but Tobi wasn't foolish, just a selfish runner. He was trying to tell us something in that chaotic head of his. However, despite his well-meaning intentions, shedding clothing would further compromise their defences. Yet, in a stroke of insight, Ben realized that wearing their birthday suits could have helped them navigate the bushes. Their fabric-free bodies would allow them to glide through more efficiently, leaving less of a light trail among the foliage.

Mr Major: Remember, there's still one of these creatures out here, and Tobi does not have the strength or mind to keep splashing water.

Ben: Why don't you help him then? The light is the only reason we were able to put up some level of resistance.

Scott: You want us to put our best combatant on splash duty? Just keep looking among the tall grass for movement, and let's move toward the sound of rushing water in the distance. It feels like it's fading, or maybe this is what dying is like. Fading senses.

The forest air crackled with tension, a prelude to the onslaught they knew was coming. With the creature's last position on the side of the bowl where Tobi was, the group moved closer to each other, their weapons at the ready, eyes darting between the dense thickets.

In the eerie silence, Scott's ears picked up the subtlest rustle – a whisper against the chorus of the forest's breath. Without a word, he pivoted, vine hammer poised. "It's here," he mouthed, and as if on cue, the creature burst forth like a phantom, its scales a cascade of emerald and obsidian in the fractured light.

Mr. Major, already braced for impact, absorbed the collision with a grunt; this time, he was certain that his ribs were broken as the sound traveled through his body with a sharp stab of pain. Yet, he used the momentum, rolling with the creature, attempting to use its own force against it. His hands searched for a grip, finding purchase on a slick, chitinous limb.

With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Mr. Major's voice sliced through the chaos, raw and urgent. "HERE IT COMES!"

Scott, favoring one leg, gripped his vine hammer tightly, his knuckles white with tension. The weapon had served them well throughout their journey, but the toll of their relentless battles was evident as the stone cracked upon contact with the creature's leg. Not even a sound escaped the creature's mouth to indicate the pain that was dealt to it.

With a grim determination etched into his features, Scott gritted his teeth against the wave of frustration and exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him. Every swing of his cracked hammer was fueled by a fierce resolve to protect his teammates, to carve a path to safety through the darkness that threatened to consume them all.

As the shattered remnants of his weapon fell to the forest floor, Scott's gaze remained fixed on the creature before him, his mind racing with strategies and calculations. In the face of such overwhelming odds, he knew that they could ill afford to falter, that every blow must count if they were to have any hope of emerging victorious.

Then, in the midst of the chaos, a sudden splash of water illuminated the area with a vibrant green glow. It was as if a beacon had been lit in the darkness, casting frantic shadows and revealing the green scaly eyed filled form of the creature before them. Just in time, Ben caught sight of its tail hurtling towards his face, a lethal strike that would have killed him.

With a surge of panic coursing through his veins, Ben stumbled backward, his heart pounding in his chest as he narrowly avoided the deadly blow. But before the creature's attack could find its mark, Mr. Major's quick thinking saved the day. With a decisive motion, he released his grip on the creature, sacrificing his own advantage to ensure Ben's survival.

As the creature recoiled, its movements jerky and erratic, the forest once again fell silent, the only sounds the ragged rhythm of their breathing and the distant echo of gallons of water cascading through the darkness. In that moment of stillness, the gravity of their situation hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked within the depths of the forest.

The creature, cunning and elusive, employed hit-and-run tactics that kept the group on edge, disappearing into the dense foliage only to reappear moments later from a different angle. Yet, despite its agility and ferocity, the strength of its attacks had noticeably waned, a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

Clutching his side in pain, Mr. Major turned to Scott with a sense of urgency in his voice. "Give me the vine and buy me some time," he instructed, his words laced with determination. "You and Ben use this opportunity to feel that thing out. Maybe the blow to the leg is affecting its strength, or it's part of its tactic to get us to drop our guard; whatever it is, I need to rebuild the vine hammer."

With a nod of understanding, Scott handed over the vine hammer, his expression set in a grim mask of resolve. As he and Ben prepared to engage the creature once more, their minds raced with possibilities, searching for any weakness they could exploit in their relentless adversary.

"Here it comes again!" Scott's warning cut through the tense air, his voice barely above a whisper due to the strain, but sharp with urgency.

With a sudden burst of light, courtesy of Tobi's quick thinking, the forest was illuminated once more, casting a harsh glow on the scene unfolding before them. While the others fought for their lives, Tobi had slipped away unnoticed, returning just in time to splash water into the air, providing them with much-needed illumination from the glowing plants.

Seizing the opportunity presented by the creature's momentary distraction, Scott sprang into action, his carbon blade gleaming in the faint light. With a swift motion, he lashed out, the sound of the weapon against the creature's scales echoing through the forest as their colliding forces sent Scott flying backward.

The creature recoiled from the blow, its movements momentarily halted by the force of Scott's attack. But even as it stumbled, it remained relentless in its pursuit of the team, its focus shifting seamlessly to Ben the moment distance was created with Scott.

Caught off guard by the sudden change in tactics, Ben found himself facing the full brunt of the creature's ferocious assault. With every strike, he fought to hold his ground, his heart pounding in his chest as he braced himself against the relentless onslaught.

Ben's heart pounded in his chest as he narrowly dodged the creature's deadly swipe, feeling the rush of air as its blade-like leg sliced through the space where his head had been just moments before. "What is up with this creature?" he thought, his mind racing with a mixture of fear and frustration as he shouted for help. Once again, in the dimly lit forest among the tall grass that filled the bowl, Tobi’s and his splashing in the pond came at the right time, provided that much needed light in Ben’s battle. As he struggled to maintain his footing in the dim light, a pang of concern gnawed at his heart. Despite the darkness and the chaos, Tobi continued to push himself to the brink, defying the limitations imposed by his injuries and the debilitating effects of the slime. And thanks to the new body Ben got after arriving to the planet, his movement were starting to catch up to his awareness.

As the splashes of water provided brief illumination amidst the darkness, Timmon, who had been missing in action, appeared at the nick of time, seizing the opportunity to turn the environment to his advantage. With a swift motion, he scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it into the creature's many eyes, aiming to blind it and gain the upper hand in their desperate struggle for survival.

The creature thrashed wildly in response, its movements erratic and unpredictable as it struggled to regain its bearings. In the chaos that ensued, its tail swept across the tall grass, knocking Timmon off his feet with a forceful blow. But even as he tumbled to the ground, he refused to yield, his determination unwavering in the face of adversity.

In a swift exchange at the exact moment in which the plants around them bloomed with that green glow, Timmon passed a stone to Mr. Major, their unspoken communication a testament to the trust that bound them together as a team. With a firm grip on the makeshift weapon, Mr. Major prepared to strike, his eyes narrowed in fierce determination as he braced himself for the decisive blow.

Meanwhile, as Timmon's rolling created some distance between himself and the creature, he couldn't shake the gnawing sense of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. Something felt off with his body, a subtle but unmistakable sensation that lingered in the aftermath of the creature's ferocious attack. Though it didn't seem like a serious injury, he knew he couldn't afford to dwell on it now; there was simply no time to spare amidst the chaos of battle. With a grim resolve, Timmon pushed the discomfort aside, focusing all his energy on the task at hand as they fought tooth and nail to overcome the relentless onslaught of their otherworldly foe.

With the fading glow on the leaves, the creature rose up, its silhouette growing darker against the dim light of the forest. Leaning back on its tail, it loomed over them with an ominous presence, its movements calculated and deliberate.

Then, without warning, a fist-sized stone struck the creature's side, drawing a pained hiss from the beast. Tobi, his determination unyielding despite the odds stacked against him, had hurled the stone, with both hands, with all his might, targeting one of the eyes on the creature's tail with pinpoint accuracy.

Enraged and wounded, the creature became even more dangerous, its movements erratic and unpredictable as it lashed out with renewed ferocity. It feinted towards Scott, who braced himself for the impact, only to whirl around in a blur of motion towards Ben.

Reacting with lightning speed, Scott shouted a warning and surged forward, his body moving on instinct as he stepped between Ben and the creature. With a resounding crash, they collided, the force of the impact sending shockwaves reverberating through the forest.

Despite the creature's weight bearing down on him, Scott refused to yield, his determination unwavering as he pushed back with all his might. With fists hammering at the creature's underbelly, he fought tooth and nail to protect his companions, every blow fueled by a fierce resolve to ensure their survival against all odds.

Mr. Major, gritting his teeth against the searing pain from his injured ribs, surged forward with a primal roar, his heavy boots landing a solid kick that sent the creature reeling back onto Ben and Scott. "We have to end this!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the quiet of the night with fierce determination.

Somewhere amidst the chaotic struggle, the creature suddenly leaped off Scott and Ben with surprising agility, its movements swift and elusive. In the heat of battle, one of their fists had struck something soft and wet along its side, eliciting a momentary pause of uncertainty. Was it a testicle, Ben wondered, or perhaps an eyeball?

With the creature's weight lifted off his body, Ben seized the opportunity to recover, his survival instincts kicking into overdrive in the face of imminent danger. Frantically and blindly searching his surroundings with his hands, all while being hyperaware, and sure to keep his eyes on the enemy before them, every muscle tensed and ready to react at a moment's notice.

After a few tense seconds of frantic searching, Ben's hand finally came in contact with a large, straight enough branch. Without hesitation, he seized it with all his remaining strength, his muscles screaming in protest as he prepared to unleash his final gambit. With the creature's attention still focused on Scott, Ben saw his opening and lunged forward with a primal roar.

As he stepped into the swing, it was as if the very ground beneath him responded to his determination, granting him an unexpected surge of strength and stability. His footing locked into place as if anchored by unseen forces, empowering him to deliver a devastating blow with unwavering resolve.

With splinters bursting through his palm, Ben swung the branch with all the force he could muster, his voice ringing out in defiance as he unleashed his ultimate attack. "Dynamic Strike!" he bellowed, the words echoing through the forest as the makeshift weapon connected squarely with the creature's head.

The creature hissed and buckled under the force of the blow, stunned by the concerted assault. Sensing an opportunity, Scott nodded in approval, a fierce determination burning in his eyes as he whistled sharply. "Now we finish this! Attack!" he commanded, his voice ringing out with unwavering resolve as they prepared to unleash their final assault.

The three men converged on the creature, their movements a blur of desperation and uncontrollable primal violence. Blow after blow rained down upon the creature, their fists striking with ferocious intensity amidst the chaotic flurry of battle.

But amidst the cacophony of their assault, Timmon's voice suddenly broke through the din, cutting through the chaos with a sense of urgency. "You guys! Get back now!" he shouted, his tone commanding and authoritative.

Without hesitation, they all obeyed, jumping back in unison as the creature recoiled in response to Timmon's warning. Ben, his voice hoarse but steady, couldn't help but voice his frustration. "What the fuck, man! We almost had it!" he exclaimed, the words echoing through the silent forest.

But to his surprise, there was no response, no acknowledgment of his outburst. The forest remained eerily quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. And in that moment, Ben realized the grave mistake he had made. His impulsive rebuttal to fakery had given away his location, betraying his presence to whatever other dangers lurked in the darkness beyond. With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, he cursed himself for his momentary lapse in judgment, knowing that their survival now hung in the balance as they stood poised on the precipice of the unknown.

In the darkness, as Ben tried to make sense of Timmon's abrupt warning, his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to Tobi's cryptic allusion to "wet light" and the ominous mention of a "snake head." The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, forming a chilling realization in his mind.

Urgency laced Ben's inner voice as he underscored the gravity of their situation. These creatures always held the advantage; with their speed, strength, intelligence, and adaptability, coupled with their intimate knowledge of the environment, they were formidable adversaries indeed. They had long adapted to environments like these before humans ever set foot in their domain. And now, they might have to face off against an injured beast. Correction: he alone might have to face off against this cornered beast.

As the weight of responsibility settled heavily upon his shoulders, Ben knew that he could not afford to falter in the face of such overwhelming odds.

Taking a calculated risk, Ben swiftly gathered some stones from the forest floor, his mind racing with the urgency of their situation. With a sense of determination coursing through his veins, he shouted to everyone to treat Tobi's cryptic words with the utmost seriousness, emphasizing the need to unravel their hidden meaning if they were to stand any chance of survival.

Without hesitation, he followed up by throwing the stones into the air, their trajectory creating a brief distraction as they arced through the darkness. As they fell back to the ground, Ben seized the opportunity to relocate, his movements swift and deliberate as he sought to mask his presence amidst the chaos.

In the stillness of the forest, the team's survival teetered on a razor's edge, the weight of uncertainty bearing down upon them with relentless force. With each passing moment, time slipped away like grains of sand through an hourglass, their window of opportunity narrowing with each heartbeat.

With hearts pounding in their chests, the team scrambled to unravel Tobi's puzzling words, their minds racing to piece together the elusive puzzle that held the key to their salvation. Every second counted, every moment fraught with tension as they strained to formulate a strategy to sway the odds in their favour.

Their senses were razor-sharp, every nerve on edge as they stood poised for action, dagger blades drawn and eyes scanning the dense undergrowth for any hint of the lurking creatures that threatened to engulf them in darkness.

Crouched in silence, Ben wrestled with the weight of his thoughts, the notion of abandoning their weakest link - himself - lingering ominously in his mind. If he could locate Tobi, perhaps he could ensure the survival of the others. But before the thought could fully formulate, Timmon's commanding voice sliced through his inner turmoil, bringing him back to the present moment.

"Everyone! On the signal, go and find Tobi!" Timmon's directive rang out with unwavering authority, jolting them into action.

Just as Tobi's name was called, a burst of green light illuminated the darkness, guiding their path with an eerie glow. Without hesitation, they ran towards it, their hearts pounding with anticipation. If it was an enemy, they would face it head-on, ready to fight to the bitter end. And if it wasn't, then the prospect of a successful regroup beckoned, a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them.

After successfully regrouping around Tobi as planned, a sense of unease settled over the team like a shroud. Mr. Major's voice, tinged with worry, cut through the silence. "So every step we take, every move through these bushes, could be giving us away, right?" he questioned, his words echoing the concerns that gnawed at their collective consciousness.

Ben's theory, born from Tobi's cryptic ramblings, now hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their once-solid resolve. They needed to rethink their strategy, to adapt to an enemy that was not only physically formidable but cunningly perceptive, capable of exploiting even the slightest misstep to their advantage.

As they mulled over this new understanding, the forest around them seemed to whisper secrets of its own, a haunting reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

Suddenly, several streaks of green light converged on the location of the dead snakehead gator they had managed to put down earlier, their presence confirming Ben's fears and Timmon's observation. From the direction they came, it became clear that these new creatures were different from the one that had been attacking them; that one was still out there, watching and waiting.

This revelation only served to deepen the team's predicament. With their newfound knowledge of the creatures' tracking abilities, their hunting prowess seemed even more daunting.

At this moment, Team Uno's realization of their precarious situation was palpable. The necessity for careful planning was starkly evident, as any misstep could lead them directly into danger. The haunting sounds of the snakehead gators' cannibalistic feast served as a grim reminder of the omnipresent threat of death.

As more and more new snakehead gators descended upon their deceased counterpart, the grotesque sight of their cannibalism juxtaposed with instances of them turning against one another. This scene, marked by scales and foliage stained with blood, created a grim visual amidst the foliage, underlining the brutality of their environment.

In the tense silence that enveloped Team Uno, the weight of their precarious situation hung heavy in the air like a suffocating fog. The necessity for careful planning loomed large, each decision carrying the potential to lead them either towards safety or directly into the jaws of danger. Every footstep, every movement through the dense undergrowth, was fraught with the possibility of discovery, of drawing the attention of their relentless pursuers.

As the haunting sounds of the snakehead gators’ cannibalistic feast echoed through the forest, the grim reality of their predicament became painfully clear. The omnipresent threat of death lurked around every corner, a constant reminder of the harsh and unforgiving nature of their environment.

With each passing moment, more and more of the new snakehead gators descended upon their deceased counterpart, their grotesque feasting a macabre spectacle that sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers. The sight of their cannibalistic frenzy, interspersed with moments of brutal conflict as they turned against one another, painted a grim picture of the brutality of this world.

Amidst the twisted landscape of scales and foliage stained with blood, warm glowing light from the plants, the scene unfolded like a nightmare brought to life, a stark reminder of the harsh realities they faced in their battle for survival.

In a moment of instinctive solidarity, the team members grasped each other's elbows, seeking a brief respite in human connection before making a desperate dash towards the sound of water, no matter how much sweat they generated and how much light they created.

The goal was clear: to distance themselves as much as possible from the relentless predators. For Tobi, recently cleansed and freed from the clinging residue of the egg slime, the simple act of touching and being touched by his teammates brought an unexpected sense of relief and a brief respite from his isolation. Despite the danger, this fleeting connection offered a moment of joy amidst the chaos.

Led by Scott, whose determination was tinged with uncertainty, the team, holding tight to each other, made a dashed, pushing through the bushes, trying their best to navigate through the dark forest, using the burst of glowing light around them as best as they could.

Scott's occasional glances upwards at the canopy as he ran went unnoticed by the others as he chased the faint silver glow of the leaves. In his gut, he felt like nature was hinting at him, telling him that this could be a possible way to navigate through the treacherous environment. The connection between the distant sound of water and their surroundings lingered in his thoughts. However, their escape was marked by a trail of green and yellow light – a visible reminder of their presence in the forest due to the remnants of blood, sweat, tears, and water on their clothing. The increasingly frantic sounds of the pursuing gators echoed around them, intensifying the urgency of their flight.

Pushing themselves to the limits of their endurance, they ran with an energy driven by the need to survive against formidable creatures. Their determination to survive, despite the overwhelming odds, propelled them through the forest. But as the immediate danger subsided, their adrenaline-fueled flight continued unabated, pushing them further until they finally collapsed, exhausted, onto the forest floor. The forest itself seemed to share in their release from tension.

As they lay on the ground with the weight of their narrow escape and the thought of the ongoing threats in the forest around them, they huddled together, all with the same collective worry. Are the alien creatures still pursuing them? Along with the wolves, are these creatures also the hunting type?

Whatever was about to happen next didn't matter because they were so weak and sore.

They were manually thinking of how they should be breathing in order to breathe so they could stay alive at that moment in time. Despite their escape, fear remained a constant companion. On this alien planet, the importance of their mission – their only hope for finding a way back home – was ever-present in their minds, right at the brink of death.