Absolute instinct

The path to the rumored bunker was fraught with uncertainty. Darian led the way, his Absolute Instinct humming in the back of his mind like a constant pulse. Behind him, Mara, Zane, Senna, Luca, and Sana moved cautiously, their senses heightened by the eerie silence of the ruins around them. The group had scouted ahead earlier, but the encroaching darkness brought with it the promise of unseen dangers.

The survivors from the camp trailed behind, a fragile line of humanity clinging to hope. Every crunch of a footstep and crackle of underbrush set their nerves on edge.

Mara's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, ever-watchful. "I don't like this," she muttered. "It's too quiet."

Darian didn't reply, his focus elsewhere. The pull of his Absolute Instinct was subtle but insistent, warning him of something just beyond the range of sight or sound.

The group came to a halt near a clearing surrounded by twisted, overgrown foliage. The moonlight barely illuminated their path, casting shadows that danced and flickered ominously.

Then, it came—a rustling noise from the underbrush.

"Wait," Darian said, his voice low but firm.

Everyone froze. Sana's brow furrowed as she focused, her sensory abilities straining to detect anything unusual. Zane readied his fists, his body tensing with anticipation, while Mara nocked an arrow and aimed at the bushes.

"I don't sense anything," Sana whispered after a moment, her voice tinged with confusion.

"That's because it's using stealth," Darian said, stepping forward. His tone carried a weight of certainty that silenced any doubt. "And it's good at it. But not good enough."

The air grew heavy as the rustling grew louder, followed by a low, guttural growl.

From the shadows emerged a monstrous creature, its form massive and terrifying. Its sleek, bone-plated body seemed to absorb the moonlight, and its movements were unnervingly quiet for something so large. The monster's glowing, predator-like eyes fixed on the group, exuding a terrifying presence.

Sana's eyes widened in shock. "That thing… It's been hiding right under our noses. How did I not—"

"You couldn't sense it because it's on a completely different level," Darian interrupted, his gaze locked on the creature. "But I can."

Zane clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"

Darian didn't take his eyes off the monster. "Your abilities are tied to your evolution. To detect something like this, you'd need to be as evolved as it is—or close to it. But my instinct… It doesn't care about strength or evolution. It finds weakness. It doesn't matter how stealthy or powerful they are."

The group stood in awe for a brief moment, but the monster didn't give them time to process his words. With a thunderous roar, it charged forward, its movements swift and calculated.

Darian reacted instantly, his Absolute Instinct guiding his every step. His blade sliced through the air, intercepting the creature's claws with precision. Mara's arrows followed, striking its vulnerable joints, while Zane and Luca moved to flank it.

Sana unleashed a spray of poison, forcing the beast to retreat momentarily. Senna's speed allowed her to land several strikes before darting away, avoiding the creature's counterattacks.

The battle was brutal, the monster's stealth and agility making it a formidable opponent. But Darian's presence kept the group steady. His instinct wasn't just a tool for survival—it was a beacon, pulling them together and giving them the confidence to fight.

Finally, with a coordinated effort, the group managed to bring the beast down. Its massive form collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, the glow fading from its eyes.

---

Aftermath

As the adrenaline began to fade, the group stood over the corpse, their breaths ragged.

Sana examined the creature with a mix of awe and apprehension. "It's evolving faster than anything we've seen before."

"They'll only get stronger," Zane muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"And so will we," Mara said firmly, her eyes blazing with determination.

Darian wiped his blade clean, his expression unreadable. "We have to."

The group exchanged a silent look, understanding the weight of his words. This was the new reality—one where survival meant constant growth and adaptation.

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The Leader

Back at the camp, the survivors watched Darian and his group with newfound respect. Whispers spread through the crowd about the battle they had just witnessed, the monster they had taken down, and the way Darian had led the fight.

To Mara, Zane, Sana, Senna, and Luca, one thing became clear: Darian wasn't just their guide. He was their leader.

Even with monsters evolving beyond comprehension, Darian remained a step ahead. His Absolute Instinct was a force they couldn't explain, but they didn't need to.

As they prepared to continue their journey to the bunker, each of them silently acknowledged the truth: Darian was unmatched. Where they saw limitations, he saw opportunity. Where they faltered, he pushed forward.

In their eyes, Darian was invincible.

He wasn't just their leader. He was their ho

pe.

---

End of Chapter 10