The hum of the overhead projector filled the dimly lit briefing room as a map of the Vietnam-China border flickered onto the screen. Captain Ying Wei stood at the head of the room, his hands resting firmly on the table. His sharp gaze swept across the seated members of Team 1, each one waiting in silence for him to speak.
“This is our next assignment,” Ying began, his voice steady and authoritative. He gestured to the map, which displayed a stretch of dense jungle interspersed with small, remote villages. Red circles marked several points along the border.
“These villages,” he continued, “have reported a string of disappearances over the past month. Locals are terrified, claiming it’s the work of a Ma Trành—a spirit tied to local folklore—and possibly its master, a Demon Tiger.”
At the mention of the names, Anna Keen leaned forward slightly, her gray eyes narrowing in thought. Azril, sitting to Ying’s left, smirked and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.
“A tiger spirit?” Azril quipped, his Malaysian accent adding a melodic lilt to his words. “Maybe it just got hungry. We bring some steaks, and we’ll have this thing sorted by lunchtime.”
Ying’s gaze snapped to Azril, his expression hardening. “This isn’t a joke,” he said sharply. “We’ve already lost three people in this area—Division contractors sent to investigate. Whatever’s out there, it’s dangerous.”
The room fell silent. Azril straightened slightly, his smirk fading.
Anna cleared her throat, drawing the room’s attention. “Ma Trành folklore varies depending on the region,” she said, her tone measured and professional. “But in Vietnam, they’re generally described as shape-shifting spirits, often tied to death or malevolence. They’re said to work under a master—a Demon Tiger, in this case—which makes bargains with humans in exchange for power or protection.”
Cassidy Yen, sitting in her usual corner with a laptop balanced on her knees, snorted. “So, what’s the plan? We negotiate with a tiger?”
Anna shot her a sharp look. “The lore says Demon Tigers are intelligent and can be reasoned with under the right circumstances. If this really is a Ma Trành and its master, we need to tread carefully.”
“Reasoned with,” Cassidy repeated, her voice dripping with skepticism. “Right. Because that worked out so well for the last team that went in.”
“That’s enough,” Ying said, his tone brooking no argument.
Cassidy fell silent, though her expression remained skeptical.
Ying turned back to the team. “Our objective is to investigate the disappearances and neutralize any threats we encounter. We’re treating this as a standard reconnaissance and elimination mission.”
Azril raised a hand, his expression more serious now. “Do we have any solid intel on what the previous team found before they disappeared?”
Ying shook his head. “Their last transmission was garbled—static, mostly. But they managed to send an image before we lost contact.”
He pressed a button on the console, and a grainy black-and-white photograph appeared on the screen. It showed the entrance to a cave, partially obscured by jungle foliage. Deep gouges were visible in the stone, as though something with massive claws had scratched at it.
Cassidy frowned. “That doesn’t look like the work of a spirit.”
“No,” Ying agreed. “Which is why we’re proceeding with caution. Anna, you’ll take point on assessing any lore-related elements. Cassidy, you’re in charge of tech and recon. Azril, you’ll lead the team into the field and secure the perimeter.”
Azril gave a sharp nod. “Understood.”
Ying’s gaze swept over the team one final time. “Any questions?”
Anna raised a hand. “Are we engaging the locals before heading into the field?”
“Yes,” Ying said. “We’ll gather as much information as we can from the villagers before proceeding. But remember, their stories will be colored by superstition. Take everything with a grain of salt.”
The team nodded in unison.
As the briefing wrapped up, Azril leaned over to Anna, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “You think we’re really dealing with a Demon Tiger?”
Anna hesitated before replying. “I think we’re dealing with something dangerous. Whether it’s folklore or not doesn’t matter if it can kill us.”
Azril grinned faintly. “Good point.”
Cassidy, packing up her laptop, glanced at them. “Let’s just hope whatever it is, likes negotiations more than it likes eating people.”\
The team dispersed to prepare for the mission, each member retreating to their designated areas. Azril double-checked his gear, ensuring his rifle and sidearm were clean and functional. Anna reviewed her research, cross-referencing local legends with documented supernatural phenomena. Cassidy worked tirelessly on her drones, calibrating sensors and updating software to handle the dense jungle terrain.
Ying, as always, kept a close eye on everything, ensuring that the team was ready for whatever awaited them.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Team 1 was assembled at the base’s helipad. The rhythmic thrum of a helicopter’s blades filled the air as they boarded, each member focused and silent.
As the helicopter lifted off, the jungle stretched out beneath them, an endless sea of green. Ying sat near the cockpit, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Azril leaned back in his seat, a faint smile on his lips.
“First time I’ve been excited for a mission in a while,” he said, his voice carrying over the hum of the engines.
Anna glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “Let’s hope your enthusiasm doesn’t get us killed.”
Cassidy, seated near the back, snorted. “We’ll be fine. Just don’t trip over anything, Azril.”
Azril laughed, but Ying’s sharp tone cut through the banter. “Focus. This isn’t a field trip.”
The mood shifted instantly, the weight of the mission settling over them.
As the helicopter descended toward the border village, the dense jungle loomed closer, its shadows deepening in the fading light. The team disembarked quickly, their boots crunching against the dirt as the villagers approached cautiously.
The air was thick with tension and the unmistakable scent of earth and foliage. The faint murmur of villagers whispering about spirits and monsters reached their ears as they gathered their gear.
“Let’s move,” Ying ordered, his voice steady.
The mission had begun.
The village was small and quiet, nestled in the shadow of towering jungle trees. Wooden houses with thatched roofs lined a narrow dirt path, their doors and windows shut tight as if to keep out the horrors lurking in the wilderness. A group of villagers had gathered near the center of the settlement, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty as they whispered among themselves.
Azril took in the scene with an easy smile, his rifle slung casually over his shoulder. “Cozy place,” he remarked, his tone light.
“Focus, Azril,” Ying said sharply, his gaze sweeping the area for anything unusual.
“I am focused,” Azril replied, his grin widening. “Focused on how depressing this place is. Let’s hope their stories are more interesting than their décor.”
Cassidy smirked from her position near the rear of the group, her portable drone buzzing softly in her hand. “Leave it to you to critique the aesthetics in the middle of a mission.”
Azril gave a mock bow. “I aim to entertain.”
As the team approached the gathered villagers, the murmuring stopped. An older man stepped forward, his back slightly stooped and his eyes wary. Ying held up a hand in a gesture of peace.
“We’re here to help,” he said firmly. “We need information about what’s been happening here.”
The elder hesitated, glancing back at the others before replying in halting English. “Spirits... bad spirits... take people.”
Anna stepped forward, her tone calm and measured. “We’ve heard about Ma Trành. Can you tell us more about what you’ve seen?”
The elder hesitated again, clearly struggling to find the words. The villagers behind him whispered anxiously, their fear palpable.
Azril stepped past Ying, his grin replaced by a look of uncharacteristic seriousness. “Để tôi nói chuyện với họ,” he said fluently, his Vietnamese startling the team.
Anna blinked in surprise, while Cassidy raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you speak Vietnamese?” she asked.
Azril shrugged, glancing back at her with a sheepish grin. “Picked it up during downtime at the base. Vietnamese staff are cute.”
Ying pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath about priorities.
Turning back to the villagers, Azril softened his tone. “Chúng tôi không muốn làm hại bất kỳ ai. Chúng tôi ở đây để giúp đỡ,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring.
The elder’s face relaxed slightly, and he nodded. “Cảm ơn. Chúng tôi sợ lắm. Những người mất tích, họ không trở về.”
Azril continued, asking about the disappearances and any details the villagers could provide. As he spoke, the group visibly calmed, their trust in him growing.
“They say it happens at night,” Azril translated for the team. “People hear whispers in the jungle, and then someone goes missing. They’ve seen pale figures moving between the trees, and they’ve found claw marks on the ground and trees near the village.”
Anna nodded, jotting down notes on her tablet. “Classic Ma Trành behavior. The pale figures could be the spirits, and the claw marks might belong to their master.”
The elder spoke again, his voice trembling. Azril’s expression grew more serious as he listened.
“He says the last person who went missing was a young man,” Azril explained. “His wife said she heard him calling her name from the jungle, but when she went to look, there was no one there.”
Cassidy frowned. “Creepy.”
“Definitely,” Azril agreed, switching back to Vietnamese to thank the villagers for their help. He exchanged a few more words with the elder before turning back to the team.
“They’re too scared to stay outside after dark,” he said. “They’ll be locking up as soon as the sun sets.”
Ying nodded. “That’s fine. We’ll set up camp near the edge of the jungle. Let’s move.”
As the team walked back to their gear, Anna glanced at Azril, her expression unreadable. “So, Vietnamese, huh?”
Azril grinned, his usual swagger returning. “What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.”
“Sure you are,” Cassidy said, rolling her eyes.
Ying shot Azril a warning look. “Keep your focus. This isn’t a social call.”
Azril gave a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”
The team reached the edge of the village and began setting up camp. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the jungle in deep shadows, the air grew heavy with tension.
Azril’s earlier lightheartedness faded as he double-checked his gear, his expression unusually serious. “You know,” he said quietly, “I know I joke around a lot, but this place... it feels wrong. Like the air’s heavier than it should be.”
Anna nodded, her gaze fixed on the dark line of trees. “You’re not wrong. There’s something here. We just don’t know what yet.”
Cassidy activated a drone, sending it buzzing into the jungle. “Well, we’re about to find out.”
Ying finished setting up the perimeter, his voice cutting through the quiet. “Get some rest while you can. We move at first light.”
The team settled into their positions, the sounds of the jungle filling the air as the night deepened.
In the shadows, something watched.
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns across the forest floor. Team 1 stood at the edge of the jungle, their gear secured and their expressions grim. The villagers’ stories had set the tone for the day—a mixture of dread and determination hung in the air.
Captain Ying Wei took point, his rifle held at the ready as he motioned for the others to follow. “Stay alert,” he said, his voice low but commanding. “We don’t know what we’re walking into.”
Azril, as usual, brought up the rear, his mood light despite the oppressive atmosphere. “All right, folks,” he said, a faint grin on his lips. “Let’s go meet some scary tigers and creepy spirits.”
“Or whatever else is out there,” Cassidy muttered, her portable console tucked securely under her arm as she monitored the drone flying ahead of them.
Anna walked near the center of the group, her sniper rifle strapped across her back and her tablet in hand. She scanned the area carefully, cross-referencing their surroundings with local lore. “These claw marks we’re following—they don’t match the usual descriptions of Ma Trành,” she said, gesturing to a nearby tree where deep gouges marred the bark. “They’re too wide. Too deep.”
Ying stopped, inspecting the marks closely. “Could it be the Demon Tiger?”
“Possibly,” Anna replied. “But if it is, it’s bigger and deeper than what the legends describe.”
Azril whistled softly, peering at the claw marks. “That’s a whole lot of nope.”
“Focus,” Ying snapped, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees.
The jungle grew denser as they pressed on, the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves gradually fading into an eerie silence. The air felt thicker here, as though the forest itself were holding its breath.
“Anyone else feel like we’re being watched?” Cassidy asked, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Azril smirked. “You’ve been watching too many horror movies, Yen.”
Cassidy rolled her eyes but didn’t respond, her fingers tapping nervously on the edge of her console.
An hour into their trek, the team reached a small clearing. Ying raised a fist, signaling for the group to stop. “Perimeter check,” he ordered.
While Cassidy launched a drone to scout the area, Anna examined the ground. Her fingers traced over disturbed soil and patches of grass stained dark red.
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“This is fresh,” she said, her tone serious. “Something—or someone—was here recently.”
Azril crouched beside her, inspecting the marks. “Looks like drag marks,” he said. “Something heavy was pulled through here.”
“Any idea what?” Ying asked.
Azril shrugged. “Too vague to say, but judging by the direction, it’s heading toward that ridge.”
Cassidy’s drone returned moments later, its feed displaying the path ahead. The camera panned across thick vegetation before stopping on the entrance to a cave partially obscured by hanging vines.
“Well, that’s not ominous,” Cassidy said, tilting the screen toward Ying.
Ying studied the image for a moment before nodding. “That’s our next stop. Stay close and watch your surroundings.”
The journey to the cave was tense. The jungle seemed to close in around them, the trees towering higher and the light growing dimmer with each step. Every rustle of leaves and snap of a branch sent adrenaline coursing through Ethan’s veins.
When they finally reached the cave, the air was unnaturally cold, and the faint scent of decay lingered around its entrance. Deep gouges marked the stone, and the ground was littered with broken branches and small animal bones.
“Well,” Azril said, peering into the darkness, “this looks like a welcoming place.”
“Stay sharp,” Ying warned, his tone brooking no argument.
Anna activated a flashlight attached to her rifle, the beam of light cutting through the inky blackness of the cave. The walls were jagged, and the floor was uneven, forcing the team to tread carefully.
As they moved deeper, the smell of decay grew stronger, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed around them.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Cassidy muttered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their footsteps.
“You’re not the only one,” Anna replied, her eyes scanning every shadow.
About fifty meters in, they stumbled upon something that made everyone stop in their tracks. Arranged in a rough circle on the cave floor were several bones, bleached white and stacked in intricate patterns. In the center of the circle was a dark stain that shimmered faintly under their flashlights.
Anna knelt to examine the scene. “Ritualistic,” she said, her voice tight. “Whatever did this wasn’t just feeding. This is deliberate.”
“Great,” Azril muttered. “Creepy spirits and arts and crafts. My favorite combination.”
Ying ignored the comment, his eyes narrowing as he studied the markings on the cave walls. “What do you make of this?” he asked, motioning for Anna to take a closer look.
The walls were covered in deep scratches, forming shapes that resembled crude symbols. Anna traced her fingers over one of them, her expression thoughtful. “I don’t recognize these,” she admitted. “But they’re old—maybe older than the cave itself.”
Cassidy snapped a few photos with her console. “Whatever they are, they’re not friendly.”
As the team prepared to move deeper into the cave, a faint sound reached their ears. It was a low, guttural growl, barely audible but unmistakable.
Ying raised a hand, signaling for silence. The team froze, their weapons at the ready.
The growl came again, louder this time, followed by the sound of shuffling footsteps.
Azril’s grin faded as he tightened his grip on his rifle. “I hate it when I’m right.”
The shadows ahead shifted, and a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness.
The glowing eyes in the darkness seemed to pierce through the shadows, unblinking and eerily still. Captain Ying Wei’s grip on his rifle tightened, his voice a sharp whisper as he signaled the team to hold their positions.
“Anna, keep your light on it,” he ordered.
Anna shifted her flashlight, the beam slicing through the blackness and illuminating the shape behind the eyes. It was humanoid but grotesquely distorted—its limbs were elongated, its skin pale and mottled, and its mouth hung open to reveal jagged teeth stained with dark ichor.
“What the hell is that?” Cassidy whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
“Not a Ma Trành,” Anna replied, her tone grim. “And definitely not a tiger.”
The creature let out a guttural hiss, its eyes flicking between the team members.
Azril took a cautious step forward, his rifle raised. “It doesn’t look that tough,” he muttered. “Maybe it’s just a scout.”
“Stay back,” Ying snapped. “We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”
The creature suddenly lunged, its movements unnaturally fast. Azril fired first, his shot landing squarely in the creature’s chest. It staggered but didn’t fall, its guttural growl turning into a shriek as it charged toward him.
Ying’s voice cut through the chaos. “Fire at will!”
Anna and Ying opened fire, their rounds slamming into the creature and finally dropping it to the ground. It writhed for a moment before falling still, its twisted form pooling in dark fluid.
Cassidy approached cautiously, her flashlight sweeping over the body. “That’s not normal,” she muttered, crouching to take a closer look. “No way this thing is local.”
“It’s a ghoul,” Anna said, her tone steady but laced with unease. “Arabic folklore. These things feed on flesh and can turn their victims into one of them. But they’re not supposed to be here—this isn’t their territory.”
Ying frowned. “Then why are they?”
Before anyone could answer, the sound of shuffling footsteps echoed from deeper within the cave.
More glowing eyes appeared, dozens of them, accompanied by guttural growls and the wet sound of movement. The air grew colder, and the team instinctively moved closer together, forming a defensive circle.
“We’ve got company,” Azril said, his voice tight.
“Too many,” Anna added, her rifle aimed at the advancing figures.
Cassidy’s fingers flew over her console, activating a small drone that hovered above them, its camera transmitting a live feed. The screen showed a mass of humanoid shapes moving through the darkness, their pale bodies blending with the shadows.
“We can’t take them all,” she said, her voice rising. “There’s too many!”
“Fall back,” Ying ordered. “Slow and steady. Watch your corners.”
The team began their retreat, firing controlled bursts at the creatures as they moved. Each shot dropped another ghoul, but for every one that fell, two more seemed to emerge from the shadows.
“Azril, cover the rear!” Ying commanded.
“You got it,” Azril replied, his voice steady despite the chaos. He moved to the back of the formation, his rifle barking as he kept the advancing horde at bay.
Cassidy deployed a flashbang from her drone, the explosion lighting up the cave and temporarily disorienting the creatures. “That’ll buy us a few seconds,” she said.
“Keep moving!” Ying barked.
As the team neared the cave entrance, a loud shriek echoed through the chamber, freezing them in their tracks. One of the ghouls, larger and more grotesque than the others, emerged from the shadows, its movements faster and more fluid than its kin.
“Alpha ghoul,” Anna muttered, her voice tense. “It’s controlling the others.”
The alpha lunged toward the team, its claws gleaming in the dim light. Ying fired a series of precise shots, but the creature dodged with unnatural agility.
“Azril!” Ying shouted. “Take it down!”
Azril stepped forward, his rifle aimed squarely at the alpha. “I’ve got this,” he said, his tone confident.
Azril’s shots hit the creature, staggering it but failing to bring it down. The other ghouls surged forward, their shrieks filling the air. Azril turned to the team, his expression grim.
“Go!” he shouted. “I’ll hold them off!”
Ying’s eyes narrowed. “That’s an order, Azril. Fall back with the team!”
Azril shook his head, firing another burst at the advancing horde. “No time, Captain. Get them out of here. I’ll catch up!”
Cassidy hesitated, her fingers hovering over her console. “Azril—”
“Go!” he shouted again, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Reluctantly, the team retreated, their hearts heavy as they left Azril behind. He stood his ground, his rifle blazing as the ghouls swarmed around him.
When the team finally reached the jungle outside, the sounds of gunfire and shrieking had faded into silence.
Ying turned to Anna and Cassidy, his expression grim. “Seal the entrance.”
Cassidy nodded, deploying a small explosive device from her drone. The charge detonated, collapsing the cave entrance in a shower of dirt and stone.
The team stood in silence, the weight of Azril’s sacrifice settling over them.
“We’ll come back for him,” Ying said, though his tone lacked conviction.
Anna looked away, her jaw tightening. Cassidy said nothing, her hands trembling slightly as she packed up her gear.
As the jungle grew quiet around them, the reality of their loss began to sink in. Azril was gone, and the team had barely escaped with their lives.
The dense jungle pressed in on all sides, the only sounds now the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional call of distant birds. Team 1 moved quickly but cautiously, their breaths heavy with the weight of what had just transpired. The loss of Azril hung over them like a dark cloud, unspoken but palpable in every step.
Captain Ying Wei led the way, his rifle held at the ready. His sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, his mind racing to assess their next move. Behind him, Anna Keen walked in silence, her sniper rifle slung over her back. Her expression was unreadable, but the tension in her jaw betrayed the emotions she was holding at bay.
Cassidy Yen brought up the rear, her portable console clutched tightly in her hands. Her usual sarcasm was gone, replaced by a grim determination as she monitored the drone feed on her screen. The live footage showed nothing unusual—no signs of pursuit, no glowing eyes in the shadows.
But the jungle felt wrong.
“We need to regroup and reassess,” Ying said, his voice low but firm. “Cassidy, any signs of movement?”
Cassidy shook her head. “Nothing so far. Either they’re staying in the cave, or they’re better at hiding than I’d like to think.”
“Let’s hope it’s the former,” Anna muttered.
Ying glanced over his shoulder. “Stay alert. We don’t know if they’ll follow us, but I’m not taking any chances.”
The team continued in tense silence, their boots crunching softly against the jungle floor.
After an hour of trekking, they reached a small clearing. Ying raised a hand, signaling the team to stop.
“We’ll rest here for five minutes,” he said. “Stay sharp.”
Anna and Cassidy nodded, their movements automatic as they set down their gear. Cassidy knelt by a tree, her fingers flying over her console as she adjusted the drone’s trajectory.
“Anything?” Ying asked, his voice tight.
Cassidy frowned at the screen. “Still clear. If they’re coming, they’re taking their sweet time.”
“Good,” Ying said. “But don’t let your guard down.”
Anna sat on a fallen log, her hands resting on her knees. She stared at the ground, her mind replaying the events in the cave. Azril’s last stand, his confident voice as he ordered them to leave—it all felt surreal.
“He’s gone,” she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.
Cassidy glanced up, her expression softening. “Anna...”
“I know,” Anna interrupted, her voice sharper now. “I know he made his choice. But it doesn’t make it easier.”
Ying’s gaze flicked to Anna, but he said nothing. He understood all too well the burden of command, the weight of decisions that could never be undone.
The quiet was shattered by a low growl.
The team froze, their weapons snapping into position as their eyes scanned the jungle.
“Cassidy?” Ying barked.
“Nothing on the drone,” Cassidy replied, her voice trembling slightly.
The growl came again, closer this time, followed by the faint sound of rustling leaves.
Anna’s grip tightened on her rifle. “They’re here.”
The first ghoul lunged from the shadows, its pale and emaciated form moving with unnatural speed. Ying fired a controlled burst, dropping the creature before it could reach them.
“Contact!” he shouted.
More figures emerged from the jungle, their guttural growls filling the air. Anna took position behind the log, her rifle barking as she picked off the creatures with precise, methodical shots.
Cassidy scrambled to deploy her drone, sending it buzzing into the air. “We’ve got at least a dozen!” she called out. “They’re flanking from the north and west!”
“Hold the line!” Ying ordered, his voice steady despite the chaos.
The team fought with everything they had, their training and discipline keeping them alive as the ghouls swarmed. Ying moved like a machine, his shots precise and unrelenting. Anna’s sniper rifle provided deadly cover, each round finding its mark with cold efficiency.
Cassidy’s drone hovered above the battlefield, its onboard weapons firing bursts of energy that stunned the advancing creatures. She tossed a flashbang into the densest part of the horde, the blinding light and sound scattering the ghouls momentarily.
“Fall back to the tree line!” Ying commanded.
The team moved as one, retreating toward the edge of the clearing while maintaining their defensive fire.
Just as it seemed they might hold their ground, a new figure emerged—a larger, more grotesque ghoul with elongated limbs and a twisted, almost humanoid face. Its glowing eyes locked onto the team, and it let out a bone-chilling shriek.
“Another alpha,” Anna muttered, her voice tight.
“Take it down!” Ying ordered.
Anna aimed for the creature’s head, but it moved too quickly, darting between trees with unsettling agility.
Cassidy’s drone fired at it, the energy bursts slowing it down but failing to bring it down. “This one’s tougher,” she said, her voice filled with tension.
The alpha ghoul lunged at Ying, its claws slashing through the air. He dodged narrowly, firing a burst that staggered it but didn’t stop its advance.
“Anna, now!” he shouted.
Anna fired, her round piercing the creature’s chest. It shrieked, falling to the ground in a writhing heap before going still.
The remaining ghouls hesitated, their glowing eyes flickering as though unsure whether to continue the attack.
“They’re regrouping,” Cassidy warned.
“We’re done here,” Ying said. “Move out!”
The team broke into a sprint, leaving the clearing behind as they pushed deeper into the jungle. The sounds of pursuit gradually faded, but none of them slowed until they reached a ridge overlooking the village below.
They stopped, their breaths ragged as they scanned the area for signs of pursuit.
“Clear,” Cassidy said finally, collapsing onto the ground and clutching her console.
Ying looked at his team, his expression grim. “We need to get back to base and report this. Whatever we’re dealing with, it’s worse than we thought.”
Anna nodded, her face pale but determined. “Azril’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. We need to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Ying’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He turned toward the village, leading the team back toward safety.
The jungle behind them grew quiet once more, but the shadows seemed deeper, and the air colder. The ghouls were still out there, and the team knew this was only the beginning.
The hike back to the village felt endless. Each step carried the weight of exhaustion, grief, and lingering fear. The team moved in silence, their expressions grim as the dense jungle began to thin. The faint glow of the village’s oil lamps in the distance provided little comfort.
Captain Ying Wei led the way, his movements as sharp and deliberate as ever, but even he couldn’t hide the tension in his shoulders. Anna Keen walked just behind him, her sniper rifle slung across her back. Her face was pale, her usual calm demeanor now tinged with visible strain.
Cassidy Yen, trailing slightly, kept her head down, her fingers gripping her portable console as if it were a lifeline. She occasionally glanced over her shoulder, the unease in her eyes betraying the thoughts she hadn’t voiced: that the ghouls might still be following them.
They reached the village as the first hints of dawn began to streak the sky. The sight of the wooden huts and thatched roofs, once eerie and unwelcoming, now felt like a reprieve.
The villagers were already awake, their frightened whispers growing louder as they spotted the battered team emerging from the jungle. The elder who had spoken with Azril the previous day stepped forward, his face etched with concern.
“Bạn của các người đâu?” he asked, his voice trembling.
Cassidy translated softly. “He’s asking about Azril.”
Ying’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he didn’t respond. Finally, he said, “He didn’t make it.”
The elder’s expression fell, and he murmured something to the villagers. A ripple of sorrow passed through the crowd, and several people lowered their heads, whispering prayers.
Anna turned away, unable to meet their eyes.
The team quickly regrouped at the edge of the village. Ying spoke with Cassidy, his tone strained. “Secure a connection with the base. We need an extraction ASAP.”
Cassidy nodded, her fingers already flying across her console. “Give me five minutes.”
Ying turned to Anna. “I want a full perimeter check. Make sure we’re not being followed.”
“On it,” Anna replied, her voice hollow but steady.
As Anna moved off, Ying allowed himself a rare moment of stillness. He stood at the edge of the jungle, his eyes scanning the treetops. The loss of Azril gnawed at him, a weight he knew he’d carry for a long time.
Minutes later, Cassidy returned, her console beeping softly. “Extraction’s confirmed,” she said. “Helicopter will be here in fifteen.”
Ying nodded. “Good. Pack up your gear.”
The three of them waited in silence, the faint hum of the approaching helicopter eventually cutting through the stillness.
When the chopper landed, kicking up a cloud of dust and leaves, Ying motioned for the team to board. They climbed in, their movements slow and heavy. As the helicopter lifted off, the jungle receded into the distance, its shadowy expanse disappearing beneath the horizon.
Back at the island base, the atmosphere was somber. The team disembarked in silence, their exhaustion evident in every step. They were met by Colonel Marcus Hale, who stood waiting on the tarmac, his sharp gaze assessing them.
“Report,” Hale said curtly.
Ying saluted, his voice steady despite the tension. “Mission partially completed. We encountered Arabic ghouls operating outside their usual territory. Azril...” He paused, his voice catching for just a moment before he continued. “Azril was lost in the field.”
Hale’s expression hardened. “Ghouls in Southeast Asia?”
“Yes, sir,” Ying confirmed. “And they were coordinated. The presence of an alpha suggests a larger infestation.”
Hale nodded grimly. “Debrief in one hour.”
In the debriefing room, the team recounted their experience in meticulous detail. Anna described the ritualistic arrangements in the cave, Cassidy provided drone footage of the ghouls, and Ying outlined the tactical elements of their encounter.
When the debrief was over, Hale leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “This is unprecedented,” he said finally. “Ghouls don’t migrate like this. Something is driving them out of their usual territories.”
Ying frowned. “What do you think it is?”
Hale didn’t answer immediately. He stood, pacing slowly as he spoke. “It’s too early to say, but this isn’t an isolated incident. We’ve been seeing similar reports—creatures appearing in regions where they don’t belong. Something is disrupting the natural order.”
Cassidy’s brow furrowed. “You think it’s connected?”
Hale nodded. “I do. And if I’m right, this is just the beginning.”
After the debriefing, the team retreated to their quarters. The silence between them was heavier now, the absence of Azril a tangible void.
Anna sat on her bunk, staring at the wall. Her rifle leaned against the edge of the bed, its presence both comforting and mocking.
Cassidy worked quietly at her desk, her console glowing softly. She wasn’t typing—just staring at the screen, her thoughts a million miles away.
Ying stood near the window, his hands clasped behind his back. He didn’t speak, but his posture betrayed the weight he carried.
The loss of Azril wasn’t just the loss of a teammate; it was a fracture in the foundation of Team 1. The grief would linger, the questions about what could have been done differently haunting them for weeks to come. But there was also resolve—a determination to ensure his sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
The ghouls in the jungle were only a symptom of a larger problem. Team 1 didn’t know it yet, but their mission had set them on a path toward uncovering something far greater—and far more dangerous—than they could have imagined.