Chapter 8: GO DRAGON!!!
The Dragon Team had just swum out of a small river after a grueling fight with the Hexars, their exhaustion apparent as they reached the other side. Behind them, the faint, high-pitched squeals of the Hexars echoed from the riverbank. The creatures, unable to enter the water, remained stranded on the other side, gnashing their sharp, serrated jaws in frustration.
"Ha! Losers!" Grayworm jeered, shaking his spear mockingly at the Hexars, as an uproar of the crowd laughter filled the stadium.
As the team turned away, they took in their new surroundings—a wild, barren field stretching endlessly in all directions. The ground was cracked and dry, with no visible landmarks in sight. The harsh emptiness of the terrain was unsettling.
"What next?" Sparrow asked, slinging his bow across his back as he turned toward Everstay, who was the last to emerge from the river. Everstay had stayed behind, ensuring the team's safety. His wet, pale avatar glistened faintly in the game's sunlight, exuding a quiet authority.
"Let's scope the area for now," Everstay ordered. The team split up slightly, keeping within eyesight of one another as they surveyed the arid expanse.
The cracked ground stretched as far as the eye could see, with not a single tree, rock, or shelter in sight. The air seemed unnaturally still, adding to the eeriness.
"Are we sure we're at the right place? Maybe we're supposed to go… back?" Somi asked hesitantly, her pink-haired avatar glancing around nervously.
"According to the map, this is the right path," Omega said, holding up his digital compass. "There should be a cave or something up ahead."
Sparrow, stretching his arms, grinned. "I think it's great. This gives our life points, time to refill. We've been through a lot, and this break is perfect."
Grayworm snorted. "More like they're giving us time to refill because there's a bigger problem waiting ahead."
The team exchanged uneasy glances. On their screens, the live comment section from the fans buzzed with chatter.
CyberSpy: "Be careful of those cracks on the ground. Something feels off."
HexarSlayer95: "Hexars again? BORING! Bring on the real bosses!"
PinkHairFanatic: "Somi is so cute!!! I hope she survives this!"
EverStayIsKing: "Did anyone notice how calm Everstay is? That's a real leader right there!"
Ye Qiu, playing as Everstay, caught CyberSpy's comment. He frowned slightly, his instincts suddenly on high alert.
Before he could respond, a faint vibration rippled through the ground beneath them.
"Am I the only one who just felt that?" Grayworm asked, gripping his spear tightly.
"Me too," Omega confirmed.
"So did I," added Somi, her pink dagger already in her hand.
Suddenly, Everstay's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Move away from the cracks and shield—NOW!"
The team reacted instantly, darting away from the nearest fissures. Just as they did, a massive column of fire erupted from the ground, scorching the air where they had stood moments ago.
"Whoa!" Sparrow exclaimed, shielding his face from the heat.
Just then somi yelled "I see a cave down there!" she pointing to a distant shadowy opening barely visible on the horizon.
Their moment of relief was short-lived. From seemingly nowhere, Hexars began to emerge—crawling out of hidden burrows in the cracked ground, their sharp claws and venomous tails glinting menacingly.
"Here we go again," Grayworm muttered, twirling his spear.
"Positions!" Everstay commanded, already pulling out his signature weapon—a sleek, high-powered gun.
Sparrow nocked an arrow to his bow, aiming with deadly precision. "Let's do this."
The battlefield erupted into chaos. Somi danced around the Hexars with agility, her daggers flashing as she landed precise strikes. Omega swung his sword in powerful arcs, cleaving through the creatures with ease. Grayworm's spear movements were fluid and deadly, punctuated by the occasional battle soundtrack he cheekily played in the background, much to the fans' delight.
"Shield!" Everstay yelled suddenly as another tremor shook the ground. The team instantly obeyed, crouching behind their shields just as another fiery explosion erupted from a crack, incinerating several Hexars.
The commentator's voice boomed across the stadium. "What a call from Everstay! His quick thinking saved the team from certain disaster again! You've got to admire his leadership!"
The crowd in the stadium roared in approval, their cheers mingling with gasps as they watched the intense battle unfold.
Everstay's voice remained calm but firm as he continued to give orders. "Shield yourselves whenever you feel the vibration! Don't let your guard down!"
"Yes, boss!" the team chorused, their voices carrying both respect and camaraderie.
The fight raged on, with the team working in perfect sync under Everstay's leadership. Each member's unique skills shone through, keeping the Hexars at bay as they slowly advanced toward the cave Somi had spotted.
The fans, both in the stadium and online, were on the edge of their seats, hearts pounding as they rooted for the Dragon Team.
FanComments:
HexarKiller: "This is insane! I'm sweating just watching!"
SomiForLife: "Queen Somi slaying as usual!"
GraySpearGod: "Did you see that move Grayworm pulled off? Epic!"
TeamDragonStan: "Everstay's the GOAT. No debate."
With each passing moment, the tension mounted. The team had one goal: survive the onslaught and make it to the cave. But with the cracked ground and the Hexars multiplying, the challenge only grew more intense.