The storm roared around them, the air humming with tension. The city shuddered beneath the weight of the Brachalisk, its massive form looming like a harbinger of doom. Lightning struck from above, illuminating the ruined city in brutal flashes, casting long shadows over the broken streets. Every droplet of rain seemed to scream as it tore through the air, joining the chorus of chaos.

The Brachalisk, an untamed behemoth of destruction, unfurled its wings. The remnants of the city groaned, metal and concrete protesting the monstrous weight of its presence. It moved—slowly at first—its eyes gleaming like twin lanterns in the dark, searching for its prey. With each sweep of its tail, buildings crumbled in its wake, steel beams snapping like dry branches.

The air pulsed with energy. A silent, simmering power vibrated through the ground beneath their feet. The moment was tense—alive, vibrating with purpose.

"Man, why do we always get the tough ones?" Carter muttered through gritted teeth, the hum of his gauntlet barely audible over the storm’s fury. Energy crackled around his fingers, pulling at the edges of the space around him. "This one’s gonna be a pain in the ass."

Caleb’s voice was sharp, a contrast to the storm’s thrumming. He squared his stance, feeling the weight of his shield anchor him. "Don't jinx us," he shot back, his tone icy but confident. "We’ve got this. Hit it hard, hit it fast. We have the advantage of surprise. Let’s use it."

Around them, the world bent beneath the force of the Brachalisk’s looming presence. Every ripple of the air, every crack of thunder seemed to shake their very souls. As the creature’s tendrils lashed out, the ground cracked, and debris scattered like leaves in a tempest.

Jian emerged from the shadows, his movements eerily quiet, as if he wasn’t entirely a part of the madness unfolding around him. His eyes—dark, deep brown—narrowed at the beast, observing its every twitch. A slight rustle accompanied each adjustment of his posture. His body moved almost with an unnatural calm.

"I’ll keep it distracted," Jian said, his voice deceptively casual, though it held an underlying sharpness. His fingers flexed as if tracing patterns in the air. "You and Carter take the opening. Precision’s key."

Caleb raised an eyebrow, eyeing Jian with a careful skepticism. "You sure? That thing’s got tough skin. Won’t go down easy."

Jian’s smirk was barely a ghost on his lips. "If you need me to remind you, we’re all in this together. But if you want a faster solution, stay in position and be ready for the opening."

Before Caleb could respond, the Brachalisk released an earth-shattering roar, echoing through the broken city like a funeral dirge. The beast’s wings snapped, sending waves of air crashing through the remnants of nearby structures. Concrete rained down. The battlefield trembled as though the earth itself had been pierced by some ancient, ungodly force.

“Move!” Caleb shouted. His legs surged into action, his shield at the ready. His feet slid across rain-slick streets as the Brachalisk’s landing shattered the city’s infrastructure beneath its powerful limbs. Tremors spiraled outward from the point of impact, throwing debris high into the air. Caleb adjusted mid-stride, rolling out of the path of flying concrete with a low grunt.

Jian was already on the move, darting like a shadow through the chaos. His sword glittered through the storm, a flash of silver against the deluge of rain. The air smelled of wet stone, ozone, and bloodlust. His blade sang as he carved through the air, each strike swift and sure. The Brachalisk’s monstrous claws came down just inches from him, but Jian's body swirled under and between the tendrils with a grace that defied the vicious storm.

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Its tail crashed toward him, crashing through the air with the sound of a thousand bolts. Jian’s body flicked to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike with a sound like a whisper on the wind. His muscles coiled, the force of his counterstrike reverberating through the battlefield as his heel landed against the Brachalisk's tail.

"Now!" Jian called out, a streak of exhilaration piercing through the chaos.

The words barely left his mouth before Carter’s gauntlet flared to life. A portal—raw energy swirling like a mini vortex—ripped open before him. Electricity crackled around his fingers as he focused. The familiar thrill of controlling the portals surged through him as he shot his focus to the Brachalisk’s center.

Above, Iris adjusted the sniper rifle’s scope, her every motion slow and deliberate against the backdrop of storm and battle. Her breath matched the storm’s tempo, calm, measured. The rain slid from her sleeve, landing like whispers onto the soaked ground. Through her enhanced vision, the world shifted and slowed, each second stretching as she zoomed in on her target. Her finger tightened around the trigger.

*Crack.*

The shot rang through the air—a piercing, precise note that, for a moment, turned the storm silent. The bullet cut through the air—but the Brachalisk’s massive form twisted mid-flight, its wing sending gusts of wind that knocked the shot aside. The miss was almost as painful as a blow.

"Damn it," Carter swore beneath his breath, frustration lacing his voice.

Jian was already a blur again. His sword hummed through the air as he closed the gap between himself and the Brachalisk. Each strike was masterful, clean—but the creature’s tough scales kept him from delivering a final blow.

The battle’s intensity escalated with each passing second. The storm, as if alive, mirrored the growing chaos. Dark clouds churned, heavier now, and lightning began to dance, twisting above their heads like a harbinger of what was to come.

"I’ve got one," Caleb’s voice rang clear above the din, suddenly steady and resolute. He raised his shield. The metal hummed with a vibration that filled the air, and he slammed it into the ground with purpose. The earth groaned, and the very air pulsed as raw energy seeped from the shield’s seams. Slowly, a massive warhammer emerged, formed from the core of his shield—a weight of steel and destiny.

"Get me close!" Caleb ordered, his eyes locking onto Jian. "I’ll break its defenses. You clean up."

Jian’s gaze was sharp, a moment’s hesitation before he nodded. His voice was steady, carrying the unspoken weight of the moment. "Stay alive for it."

With that, Caleb moved. Carter’s gauntlet flared again, and Caleb shot into the air in a storm of violence, the Brachalisk’s form now looming larger above him.

With a cry of pure power, Caleb slammed *Atlas*—his massive warhammer—into the Brachalisk’s side. The earth split beneath the blow, a thunderclap loud enough to drown out the storm itself. The beast recoiled, its thick armor cracking under the force, a visible wound opening like a scar across its monstrous form.

But it wasn’t over. The creature snarled—a vicious, shrill scream that ruptured the air. Violent energy crackled from its core, sending a final surge through its body. Red veins pulsed along its frame, each breath a quiet, primal roar. The heavens rumbled in a furious crescendo, a blinding flash of lightning blanketing the entire battlefield.

"One more hit," Caleb panted, still clutching *Atlas* with desperation. "Then it’s done."

Through the chaos, the Brachalisk staggered, its body shaking as the dark energy flared within it. With a howl of unrestrained fury, the monster crumbled under its own volatile force.

"I think it’s down," Carter breathed, eyeing the crumpled remains.

Iris lowered her rifle with a long exhale, her expression tight with controlled relief. "Finally."

Jian, ever watchful, stood apart from the group, the battle's toll weighing on him—but his gaze never left the fallen beast. "Next time... let’s finish it faster," he muttered.

A sudden crash shattered their momentary relief—a building crumbling in the distance, sending dust and debris flying. A low rumble followed the crash, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Carter scowled. "What the hell is happening with the captain’s group?"

"I don’t know," Iris answered grimly, the wind slicing through her words, "but whatever it is, it’s bad news."

[End of Chapter]