Chapter 30

"Leave this mountain alone, and don't come back," Cameron announced.

"What are our orders?" Enkara relayed.

"Fall back immediately, "Enki replied.

Everyone activated their cloaking in unison and retreated to an extraction point. The Cerullians however held their ground. Charging towards Cameron's is Vel'Tar, and his comrades. He dashed in to strike, but his arm was caught with little effort.

Vel'Tar retrieved his free arm, and swung again but froze before meeting Cameron's face. Diving down to strike was another Ptero as he raised his hand. Forming in his palm was an icicle that pierced his wing, and froze them in an instant. Observing the body crumble on impact, and Cameron continuing his stride they halted.

Feeling the temperature rapidly dropping around them they staggered before rushing for the rift. Several Cerullians collapsed short of the portal in a hibernated state. Cameron noticed the beam gathering in the sky above and pulled them to safety.

The research team saw Cameron's hand raised directly in their direction as panic ensued. It didn't take long for the ship to quake, and technical errors to ensue. These things suddenly halted, and Enki noticed their lack of destruction.

"We should stand down," Enki told Aria.

"You know what's at stake right now," Aria argued.

"Is it worth our lives?" Enki asked.

"Stand down." Aria relayed before slumping in her seat.

'I'm done for at this rate.' Aria sighed.

Cameron eased the temperatures to allow them to awaken. Realizing the others abandon them so easily wasn't a surprise, but being shown mercy was. They saluted briefly before forcing their way through the rift.

'I knew we weren't alone.'

Anyone frozen by Cameron stayed the same, but the land thawed. He walked up to the rift and reached for it as a euphoric sensation surged through Cameron's body. The rift gradually closed before he retrieved his hand.

'I need to spend more time practicing.' Cameron carefully formed ice in his palm.

Back at the cavern, Megan was becoming uneasy. After running out of things to throw at the wall her mind began to wonder. She's witnessed Cameron do some amazing feats, but all she could see was him sprawled on the ground.

"The rumbling stopped so I'm sure he's walking back right now," Jordan reassured Megan.

"I'm gonna kick his ass for this." Megan kicked rubble.

"Good luck with that." Jordan leaned back on his sleeping bag.

"Don't think I can?" Megan asked.

"Before all this no doubt, but he seems to be changing. I don't think a few punches are gonna faze him." Jordan replied.

'Thought he was too stoned to notice.'

"Then we should keep him from using it," Megan stated.

"And how do we pull that off?" Jordan asked.

"I'm not sure yet, but we have to try," Megan replied.

They discussed the cons that could be presented to Cameron. For some time now their talking has drawn attention. Deep in the cavern was a creature with impeccable hearing, and it gradually made its way to the source.

Peering its head around the corner was a pale creature with no eyes or nose. The slit of its mouth could barely be seen from the shadows. Hearing the chattering of its teeth alerted the others to turn around. Jordan pointed his flashlight in its direction as Megan gasped.

Walking towards them with clumsy footing was a Crawler. It was slouched over, but still two meters tall. The scrawny arms remained wrapped around its body, but they could see three elongated fingers unfurling from the ribs.

Hearing the panicked breathing before it the crawler stood straight. A wide mouth appeared from ear to ear. It sprang onto the cave walls extending its long limbs for support. One could see rows of razor teeth as it charged forward, and released a terrifying shriek.

Their attempts to break the ice were futile but recalling the strength of the skinwalker this sense of security faded. It slammed into the wall of ice before shrieking and falling to the cavern floor. From the shoulder down was black from frostbite. The crawler scrambled back to its feet and struck the wall with frustration.

Each blow to the wall had little effect, but for the crawler, it was a different matter. Its body was gradually freezing, and soon an ice sculpture stood before them. Megan was still petrified, but Jordan crept closer for a better look.

"I've seen these before," Jordan announced.

"B-bullshit." Megan tried to find her composure.

"I'm serious. People post stuff like this all the time, and it's usually on accident. I showed Cameron one of a guy hiking as one dashed in the background. All the content posted was survival-related, and it was the last video he uploaded." Jordan looked it over closely.

'I thought it was just a hoax people pulled across the globe. The only difference is they usually ran away, and they weren't this big.'

"You still think he shouldn't use his powers?" Jordan asked.

Megan continued to argue with Jordan until Cameron arrived. All of that frustration was directed his way immediately. The only thing to halt her violent protest was stories from the battle. Moving camp was expected, but not for these reasons.

"What did they look like?" Jordan investigated.

"One group resembled the iconic depiction from movies except they weren't green. The others resembled reptiles, but a few were spitting images of dinosaurs."

"You saw a T-rex with lasers?" Megan asked sarcastically.

"Just like the MMO, you were playing." Jordan examined the damaged mountain.

'There's something foul around here.' Megan blocked her nose.

"They were more humanoid in appearance, but you can see for yourself." Cameron nodded ahead.

Their eyes fell upon the battlefield, and Megan found the source of the stench. Scavengers were already present waiting for the wolves to finish their meals. Noticing the interruption a few growls ensued as the alpha male stepped forward.

Megan raised her pistol, but Cameron extended his hand. He walked forward without fear as the wolf examined him closely. The alpha held his ground but didn't step forward.

"This is their home, and they just wanna be left alone." Cameron walked around.