The aftermath of the General's fall was broken by a sudden, sharp cry.
"Tess!" Jaden spun around just in time to see her stumble, clutching her left arm where dark blood seeped through her fingers.
Marcus rushed over, his face tense. "She's been hit—her arm's badly injured."
Jaden knelt beside Tess, tearing his jacket to make a bandage, hands steady despite the growing worry.
"We have to get her back to the base. Now," he said firmly, glancing toward Kira, who was watching silently.
Tess's breathing was shallow, her face pale but determined.
"I'm fine," she whispered, but Jaden shook his head.
"No, you're not."
With Marcus's help, they carried Tess back to the hideout. Once inside, Raya quickly began treating Tess's injured arm with practiced care, wrapping the wound tightly.
Jaden paced, frustration gnawing at him. Tess needed rest, but Kira's power was still dormant.
"We need to get Kira awakened," Jaden said, voice steady. "I've noticed something—every time someone kills a zombie, they get closer to awakening their power. It's like the fight unlocks something inside them."
Kira nodded, eyes focused. "I've felt it too. But my power's locked inside. I need to push myself—to fight harder—to make it surface."
Jaden clenched his fists. "Then I'll help you fight."
Outside, the undead groaned, drawn by the noise. Jaden gripped his folding knife, heart steady.
Together, they plunged into the swarm.
Each kill sent ripples through Kira's body.
With every zombie they took down, she seemed to grow stronger—closer to that spark inside.
As Jaden sliced through the next undead, the system flashed:
Enemy Defeated: Zombie
Strength +3
Endurance +2
Agility +1
Kira's breathing grew heavier, her eyes glowing faintly.
Suddenly, a warm light radiated from her hands, washing over the battlefield.
The zombies nearest them staggered, pushed back by an unseen force.
The light flowed onto Tess when Jaden returned to her side, and to everyone's amazement, her injured arm began to heal—skin knitting, pain easing.
The team stared in awe.
Kira's healing ability had awakened.
They had a healer.
Later, as the adrenaline faded, Marcus looked at Jaden, eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
"Wait… How come Tess didn't turn into a zombie? She was bitten and injured, yet she's healing."
Jaden nodded thoughtfully. "I don't know for sure, but maybe it's because awakened people have some sort of resistance to the infection—some way their bodies fight it off naturally. It's like their powers keep them from turning, even when they're hurt or bitten."
"So, you think that's why they don't become zombies?" Marcus asked.
"Yeah, that's my guess," Jaden said quietly, not revealing where he got the information. "At least, that's what it looks like."
The team exchanged hopeful glances.
With each fight, their powers would grow stronger.
And the resistance would become unstoppable.
Together.