The Antarctic Expedition

Chapter 9: Desperate Measures

The icy wind howled through the pass as the Phoenix hovered above, its wings beating with a terrifying power. The ground beneath the group was covered in frost, and every breath felt like it could freeze their lungs. They had hoped their strategy would be enough to weaken the beast, but nothing was going according to plan.

"Damn it!" Tom cursed, watching as the Phoenix shook off the effects of their grenades. "Those blasts barely scratched it."

mia took another shot, but the bullet only glanced off the Phoenix's icy feathers, doing little to slow it down. "We're not doing enough damage!" she shouted, frustration lacing her voice.

Dr. Rebecca's voice crackled over the radio, her tone urgent. "You need to regroup! It's too strong in the air, and the cold is getting worse. We need to think of something else, fast!"

"We're running out of time," Alex said through gritted teeth, his eyes darting between the Phoenix and his team. The Phoenix's aura was growing stronger, its attacks more relentless. Every second they wasted brought them closer to defeat.

Kenji, panting from exertion, wiped the frost from his face and looked at the Phoenix with a fierce determination. "Tom, give me your Cyclops armor."

Tom glanced at him in surprise. "What? Why?"

"Just do it!" Kenji snapped. "It's our only chance. The armor is heat resistant, right? I'll use it to get in close and weaken that thing for good."

Without hesitation, Tom handed over the armor, his hands trembling slightly. "Kenji, this is crazy. You'll be right in its line of fire."

Kenji quickly began strapping on the Cyclops armor, its weight bearing down on him, but he moved with a sense of purpose. "If we don't do this, we're all dead anyway. Cover me."

Tom nodded and helped him secure the armor, making sure it fit tightly. As Kenji pulled the helmet over his head, he left a small slit open for his eyes, the only part of his body exposed.

"Kenji, are you sure about this?" Alex asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Kenji nodded, his expression hidden beneath the armor, but the determination in his voice was clear. "I'm the only one fast enough to get in close. If I can weaken it, we might stand a chance. You'll know when to strike, Alex. Just be ready."

With that, Kenji took off at a sprint, charging directly toward the Phoenix. The creature screeched in fury as it saw him approaching, its icy aura flaring up in response.

"Everyone, cover him!" Alex ordered, raising his pistol and firing at the Phoenix to draw its attention. The others followed suit, unleashing a barrage of bullets and heat grenades, trying to create enough of a distraction for Kenji to close the distance.

Kenji's heart pounded in his chest as he ran, the cold biting at the exposed skin around his eyes. But he pushed forward, his focus narrowing to the creature in front of him. The Phoenix's icy breath whipped around him, freezing the ground beneath his feet, but the Cyclops armor held strong, protecting him from the worst of it.

As he got close, Kenji pulled the first heat grenade from his belt, activating it with a flick of his wrist. With a swift, practiced motion, he hurled the grenade at the Phoenix, the explosion of heat bursting against its chest. The creature screeched in pain, its icy aura flickering once again.

But Kenji knew one grenade wouldn't be enough. He pulled out a second and a third, throwing them in quick succession as he closed the distance. Each explosion rocked the Phoenix, the heat tearing through its defenses, but it still wasn't enough to bring it down.

"I need to get closer," Kenji muttered to himself, his breath fogging up the inside of the helmet. He charged forward, right under the Phoenix, and with a final burst of speed, he leaped onto its massive leg, clinging to the icy feathers.

The Phoenix thrashed, trying to shake him off, but Kenji held on tight. With one hand, he pulled the final grenade from his belt, shoving it into the soft spot between the creature's scales. The explosion was deafening, sending a shockwave of heat through the Phoenix's body. The beast let out a blood-curdling screech, its icy aura finally shattering.

Kenji, now exposed and vulnerable, dropped to the ground, his body battered and exhausted. "Alex… now!" he gasped, barely able to get the words out.

Alex didn't hesitate. With the Phoenix weakened and grounded, he rushed forward, his pistol aimed straight at its chest. He pulled the trigger, emptying the magazine into the creature's heart. The Phoenix staggered, its wings faltering as it let out one final, desperate cry.

But as the creature began to fall, its eyes locked onto Alex, glowing with an eerie blue light. With a last burst of energy, the Phoenix lashed out, its icy claws striking out in a deadly arc.