CHAPTER 68: RISE OF THE EAGLE

[JASMINE AND PUNCH—]

The forest trembled with the growl of the zombies. One zombie snarled, a wet, guttural sound like grinding stones.

GGRRHHHKK!—

And the others followed in chorus, their decayed throats releasing a horrifying echo that rippled through the cold night air. The stillness shattered instantly.

Punch and Jasmine barely had time to breathe before the horde lunged forward. Eight of them: rotten limbs flailing and eyes glowing dim yellow beneath broken skulls.

The first zombie pounced, claws slicing through the air. Punch stepped aside, the dirt exploding beneath his boots as he rolled away. Jasmine pivoted sharply, landing a swift kick that sent the creature crashing into a nearby stump. Its spine snapped with a sickening crack.

The others charged.

"Bad day boys...Bad. Day..." Punch said, clutching his fist together.

Without hesitation, his body began to twist and stretch, bones shifting with a deep, cracking rhythm— Feathers burst from his skin like a storm of obsidian. His arms spread wide, turning into massive wings that sliced the air. His voice turned into a shriek.

SKRAAAAW!—

echoing through the forest as his transformation completed.

Now a colossal eagle, his eyes gleamed gold beneath the dim moonlight. The force of his wings sent a gust that threw dust and leaves in a whirlwind.

"Woah" Jasmine muttered under her breath, covering her face from the wind.

With a furious cry, Punch soared upward, talons extended. He dived through the air with his massive wings, slicing against the wind and clutched the first zombie midair.

CRUNCH! Bones shattered beneath his grip. He tossed the corpse aside and flapped hard again, creating a sonic wave that sent two more zombies staggering backward.

Below, Jasmine’s heart pounded like a drum. She took a deep breath, stretched her fingers, and spread her wings wide. The ground trembled beneath her boots as she whispered, "Let’s dance."

With one step, she vanished.

The air screamed as she moved. WHOOSH!... a blur of gold and white streaking across the battlefield. She rammed into one zombie, her fist punching clean through its chest, sending black ichor splattering against the ground.

Before its body even hit the dirt, she was already behind another, spinning midair and kicking it into a tree with so much force the bark exploded into splinters.

BOOM!

She ran 70000km/hr slicing every zombie like a war lord. Her speed was beyond sight: the only trace left behind was the trail of dust and the echoes of her attacks. Each movement was a blur, her fists breaking ribs, her wings slicing limbs. She was a storm of vengeance.

Up above, Punch circled like a predator. His eagle eyes caught sight of another zombie creeping behind Jasmine. With a sharp screech KRAAAK!— he tucked his wings and dived.

The wind howled as he plummeted, claws glinting. THRASH! He hit the ground hard, crushing the zombie beneath him. The impact shook the earth.

Jasmine glanced back and smirked. "Nice landing, bird boy."

He responded with a fierce shriek that almost sounded like a laugh.

But the battle wasn’t over yet. Three zombies remained— bloodied, limping, but still snarling. They spread out, trying to encircle Jasmine from behind. She took a few steps back, spread her wings wide, with dust swirling around her ankles.

"Punch, the last three!" she shouted. From above, Punch flapped his wings once —

WHUMPH!— creating a powerful wind current that sent the remaining zombies stumbling. Jasmine took that moment. She darted forward, running so fast the air split open with a deafening roar.

BOOOOOOM!

She crashed into the next zombie, slamming it into the others. They tumbled like rag dolls, cracking bones against the earth. Without hesitation, she leaped high, twisted midair, and slammed her fist down—

KRAASH!— the ground erupted beneath the impact, sending dust, flesh, and stone flying.

When the dust settled, silence returned. The forest stilled. Only the sound of Punch’s wings beating softly above remained.

Jasmine straightened, her breath heavy, eyes glowing faintly. Her fists dripped with dark fluid, the remains of the zombies seen on the ground.

Punch descended, wings wide, landing beside her. His form began to shift again— feathers dissolving into skin, wings curling back into arms. Bones snapped and reformed with a crack-crack-crk! sound until he was human once more, shirt torn and face streaked with dirt.

He exhaled sharply. "That’s all of them."

"I guess..." Jasmine muttered, wiping her knuckles on her shorts. "That was really cool."

"Yeah? Thanks" He murmured. Jasmine gave a slight smirk that said, "Don’t overthink it" Then Punch’s gaze shifted— to the tree.

"Wait... look, we need to get the relic"

Jasmine followed his eyes. There— high above them, swaying gently on a thick branch hung the relic. Its metallic surface shimmered faintly with light, reflecting the glow of the moon filtering through the trees.

"That’s it..." Jasmine whispered. "The relic."

Punch stepped forward, his expression firm. "I’ll get it."

Before she could respond, his body began to ripple once again. Feathers exploded outward as his arms stretched into wings, his feet reshaping into powerful talons. Within seconds, he transformed into a bird.

He flapped his wings WHOOOM!— sending a blast of wind through the forest as he lifted off. Branches swayed violently as leaves spiral into the air.

Jasmine shielded her eyes, watching him soar upward in smooth, graceful arcs. His wings cut through the air like blades, every stroke was measured and powerful. He reached the branch, extended his claws, and plucked the relic free.

As his talons grasped it, a faint hum resonated through the forest— Hmmmnnn... like the sound of energy awakening after centuries of slumber.

Punch descended slowly, landing with a heavy thud beside Jasmine. The relic glowed faintly between his fingers, a symbol carved into its surface, ancient and radiant.

Jasmine stared at it, her eyes reflecting the glow. "We actually found it."

Punch nodded, his chest still rising and falling from the fight. "Yeah," he said with a smirk. "Told you we’d make a good team."

She chuckled under her breath, shaking her head. "You’re still annoying though..."

"That’s why they call me punch..." he said, grinning, holding the relic up as it pulsed faintly in the moonlight. "But at least now, we’ve got what Camila and Darren been looking for..."

"Looking for?...it’s an assignment punch" Jasmine hissed.

"Yeah, right an assignment..."

"Come on, it’s getting late...let’s get moving" Jasmine said, tilting her head to the direction that led them back to the camp."

A soft breeze swept through the forest, carrying the faint scent of earth and ash. The battle was over...for now.

Both punch and Jasmine started moving, both heading back to the camp, they have accomplished the assignment of the day, TEAMWORK. now they need to report the relic back to the principals.

But in the dark distance, unseen eyes gleamed between the trees, watching. And somewhere deep beneath the soil, something ancient stirred as though they were approaching Euphoria.