First Encounters

The surface was nothing like Tobi had imagined. 

The sky, an endless expanse of gray, stretched above them, broken only by the twisted silhouettes of ruined structures that had long since been reclaimed by nature.

 Every step forward felt like stepping into a history book filled with forgotten stories and silent warnings.

 Despite the training and mental preparation, the oppressive weight of the unknown was inescapable.

Commander Matilda led the group cautiously, her sharp eyes scanning every shadow and crevice. 

The Vanguard squad moved in tight formation, each member alert and ready. 

The only sound was the crunch of debris beneath their boots and the occasional rustle of wind through the overgrown vegetation. 

Tobi clutched his weapon tightly, the familiar coolness of the blue stone embedded in its handle grounding him.

"Stay sharp," Matilda ordered in a low voice, raising her hand to signal a halt.