The allied group finally managed to gather the innocent human souls after a long and strenuous efforts.
"Guys, what if they fall victim to another bloody attack from emerging hybrids like vampires?!" William asked, concerned.
"You're right, William! We need to protect these people! We'll hold our ground here," Jenny urged, her tone firm.
"How long until they're transported to safety? At this rate, we might run out of ammo and weapons—especially if we're really, really outnumbered!" John added, worried.
"Then we have to coordinate with the air force captain. He should send us more ammunition and grenades while he works on evacuating the unconscious humans to camp," Nick suggested.
"Good thinking, Nick. Everyone, as you heard, we need to guard these innocent people until the captain pilot arrives at the meadow," Jenny commanded.
The full moon soon lit up their surroundings—before a distant, eerie howl pierced the silence.
"Shhh! Everyone, quiet. Do you hear that?" Lama whispered urgently. The group fell silent, weapons raised, eyes scanning every shadow.
Suddenly, screams echoed from all directions in the forest.
"Guys, we're at a crossroads. We need to protect these civilians, but who will stay and guard the unconscious?" Nick asked in a low voice.
"We have no choice. Nick and I will go help the civilians. The rest of you—guard the unconscious and keep an eye out for the captain. Remember the spare weapons!" Jenny instructed.
"But Jenny, won't gathering the villagers distract us too much?" Nick asked.
"Nick, we're only two! If we waste time gathering, we'll be overwhelmed. Let's focus on freeing the civilians. Come on!"
The two darted through the forest, desperate to save lives before it was too late.
"Help! Help!" a civilian screamed—but was struck down by a werewolf mid-cry. Jenny and Nick immediately shot the creature, sprinting toward the nearby village hidden within the forest.
More werewolves appeared, launching coordinated attacks. The two fought back fiercely, but as each werewolf fell and reverted to human form, another took its place and attacked again.
"Inbound!" Nick warned.
"I'm running out of ammo, Nick! Cover me—I need to launch grenades!" Jenny called.
"Copy that!"
Nick provided cover fire as Jenny launched several grenades. "Take from my pants too!" he shouted. Jenny quickly grabbed more grenades and launched another wave of explosions.
"Mommy, help!" a little girl cried out from a clearing.
"Hey, little girl! Come here!" Nick called, but she was frozen in fear.
"Go! Help the girl! I'll cover you!" Nick shouted.
Jenny sprinted low and fast, scooping the girl into her arms. "I've got you, sweetheart!" But the girl screamed, "Behind you!"
Nick acted instantly, shooting the charging werewolf. "I'm almost out too! We're being overrun—we have to retreat!"
"But what about the villagers? They'll be slaughtered if we leave them!" Jenny argued.
"You're right. Convince them to follow us—I'll hold off the hybrids!"
Thanks to the little girl's help, Jenny rallied the villagers.
"Let's go, Nick! I've gathered them!" she called.
Nick led the group at the front, Jenny guarded the rear. But near the meadow, Jenny shouted, "Nick! I'm out…!"
"What?! Are they still chasing you?! I'm seeing vampires joining the fight too!" Nick said anxiously.
"I'm down to my dagger! Call the others before I'm overrun!"
"Roger that!" Nick yelled, "Lama! John! William! Emergency! Over here—now!"
The three raced over and fought fiercely. After a long and brutal battle, Nick finally called out, "Hold your fire! I don't see any more hybrids. Just the wind, leaves rustling, crickets… It's clear. Let's gather everyone—villagers and transformed humans."
They worked tirelessly, extending their reach deep into the village.
"This is the last unconscious human," William said as he dragged the final body to the meadow. They all collapsed nearby, panting heavily.
"We did a good job. I think the worst is over," Nick said.
"That was insane. I ran out of everything—I was nearly taken out," Jenny added.
"What about the villagers? Are we helping them too?" Lama asked.
"No—we should only move the transformed humans. The villagers can't just leave everything behind," Jenny suggested.
"I disagree. This place is too dangerous. We must transfer everyone. We'll pressure the government to build proper refugee centers. This hidden village is too exposed," Nick countered.
"Do you think the maimed are dead or just unconscious?" John asked.
"We need to find out. The werewolves attacked with claws, the vampires drained blood—but we can't assume anyone's dead. This area needs to be secured. Forensics can investigate," Nick explained.
"What about the other teams?" William asked.
"They're scattered across other meadows. But we can't risk going after them—it could cost us our lives. Just because we cleared our section doesn't mean others are safe," Jenny said.
"These villages fell too easily as preys. If only they'd known," John sighed.
"They didn't have a chance. Information doesn't travel fast in remote regions. Plus, hybrids camouflage well—even in urban areas. The farmlands were also targeted," William said grimly.
"I heard werewolves don't eat humans," a villager suddenly spoke.
"Are you sure?" Nick asked.
"Yes. Our chief once saw a werewolf drag a deer away instead of attacking a human nearby. They prefer wild meat," the villager explained.
"Then there's hope. Vampire victims may just need urgent blood transfusions. The clawed ones could still be revived," Jenny said.
"So… who do we prioritize? Transformed humans or the maimed villagers?" Nick asked.
"We could bring the maimed closer and explain our reasoning to the pilot captain," William suggested.
"Let's vote. Hands up for prioritizing the maimed victims," Nick announced.
By a narrow 5–4 margin—including villagers—the maimed won.
"Democracy rules. Let's get to work while we wait for the chopper," Nick said.
They spent the night gathering victims. Hours later, they heard a chopper.
"I think that's the captain!" Lama exclaimed.
The helicopter landed. Nick ran to speak with the captain before returning.
"He agreed! Start loading the maimed victims. Time is short!"
"Wait—ask about travel time. Is it viable? We could delay everything and worry the others," John warned.
Nick returned after checking. "Only half an hour each trip. It's doable. Let's stay hopeful."
They worked in shifts, airlifting victims to safety. By 5 a.m., only the final batch remained.
"This is the last group. We can rest after this," someone said.
But just then, an unknown hybrid attacked the pilot, latching onto him mid-flight.
"The captain's under attack!" William shouted. The group opened fire, forcing the octopus-like creature into retreat.
"Is he okay?!" Jenny asked.
"I don't know—we need to resuscitate him!"
They pulled the pilot from the cockpit, administered first aid, and thankfully, he woke up.
"Thank goodness, Captain! Rest for a while," Jenny said. Villagers brought water and herbs to help him recover.
Thirty minutes later, the pilot was back in action. The soldiers formed a protective perimeter around the chopper.
By 8 a.m., the entire allied group was safely airlifted to Sultan Military Camp—exhausted but victorious.