The Antarctic Expedition

Alex's heart pounded in his chest as the Phoenix's final attack grazed him, the deadly claws narrowly missing his body. But the Cyclops armor had done its job, absorbing most of the impact. Still, the sheer force of the blow sent him staggering back, breathless and dazed.

"Alex!" mia's voice crackled over the radio, panic evident in her tone.

"I'm fine," Alex responded, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He quickly assessed the situation, his sharp eyes catching the faintest flicker in the Phoenix's aura—it was weakening.

"mia, keep your aim on the Phoenix," Alex commanded, his tone urgent. "We're almost there."

Two members of the group, Emily and Mark, quickly rushed to Kenji's side. He lay motionless where he had fallen, his body battered from the grenades and the Phoenix's thrashing. "We've got him," Emily called out, her voice strained as they carefully lifted Kenji, moving him away from the Phoenix.

Alex took a deep breath, preparing to give mia the signal to finish off the Phoenix, when suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the valley. His blood ran cold as he recognized the sound—a roar that had haunted them since they first encountered it.

"No way…" Alex muttered under his breath, his eyes widening in disbelief as the massive dragon swooped down from the sky, its silvery-white wings gleaming in the pale light. With a terrifying speed, the dragon descended upon the Phoenix, its jaws clamping down on the weakened creature with a sickening crunch.

The Phoenix let out one last, pitiful cry before the dragon's powerful bite silenced it forever. As the Phoenix fell, its body limp and lifeless, Alex caught sight of something glinting as it fell to the ground—the artifact.

"Over the radio," Alex whispered urgently, his mind racing. "Everyone, head to the gate and wait for me. I see the artifact—I'll grab it myself."

"No way, Alex!" mia protested immediately, her voice laced with concern. "You can't—"

"I'll be fine," Alex cut her off, forcing calm into his voice. "We can't afford to all be here if something goes wrong. Trust me."

There was a moment of hesitation, but then he heard Emily's voice. "Okay, Alex. We're moving out. Be careful."

As the group moved away, Alex steeled himself. He was about to make a run for the artifact when he paused, remembering something crucial—the dragon had been drawn to fire. The heat grenades emitted a red light, resembling the flames that had lured the beast before.

Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Alex pulled out one of the heat grenades. He carefully activated it, tossing it a safe distance away. The grenade landed with a dull thud, the red glow flickering in the snow.

The dragon's head snapped toward the light, its eyes narrowing as it focused on the new source of heat. With the dragon momentarily distracted, Alex sprinted forward, his feet pounding against the frozen ground. He reached the artifact, grabbing it with his right hand, just as the dragon began to turn back toward the Phoenix's remains.

Alex ducked back into his hiding spot, clutching the artifact and a stray feather from the Phoenix that had stuck to it. He watched as the dragon, now engrossed in feasting on the Phoenix's corpse, lost interest in him.

Now was his chance.

He bolted from his hiding spot, racing toward the tunnel that led to the gate. But his heart sank as he heard a roar of anger behind him. The dragon had noticed his escape. With terrifying speed, it lunged after him, its massive form crashing through the snow and ice.

Alex pushed himself harder, his lungs burning, the tunnel entrance just ahead. But the dragon was too fast. He felt a sharp, searing pain as the dragon's jaws clamped down on his left arm, the force of the bite tearing it from his body. Alex screamed in agony, his vision blurring from the pain. But through sheer willpower, he kept running, his right hand still clutching the artifact and the feather.

Blood poured from the wound, leaving a crimson trail in the snow behind him. Every step was agony, but he forced himself onward, the tunnel entrance looming closer and closer.

Finally, he staggered into the tunnel, his body on the brink of collapse. The dragon let out a frustrated roar but did not follow. Alex stumbled forward, his vision darkening, until he collapsed into the arms of his waiting group.

"Alex!" Emily cried out, panic overtaking her as she and the others rushed to his side. The sight of his missing arm and the blood-soaked snow sent waves of shock and horror through them.

"Get him out of here!" mia ordered, her voice trembling with fear as she tried to keep her composure. "We need to stop the bleeding—now!"

As Alex's world began to fade to black, he heard the frantic voices of his team around him. But all he could think about was the artifact clutched tightly in his right hand. They had what they came for.