Laihud and Vimur had set up a perimeter of defences around the crew's camp, hoping to deter any further attacks from the Deacon's creatures.
They had spent the day repairing the damage from the previous night's battle, fortifying their defences and preparing for another onslaught.
Vimur sighed, "Hope you're ready for tonight."
Laihud nodded grimly. "Do I have a choice?"
Alina and Jay, who had been resting nearby, overheard their conversation and approached them.
"What's the plan?" asked Alina.
"We will set up traps around the camp," replied Vimur. "We need to be one step ahead of them."
Jay nodded in agreement. "I can help with that. I have some experience with traps."
Laihud looked at them, "Good. Alina, you and I will keep watch while they set up the traps. Tell the rest to follow Jay and do the same on the other sides."
As night fell, the crew settled in for another long and tense night of guarding their camp. They were on high alert, their weapons ready, scanning the darkness for any signs of movement.
The night passed slowly, with nothing but the sound of rustling leaves and the occasional growl in the distance. As the hours wore on, the crew began to feel increasingly on edge. They knew the creatures were out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Suddenly, a howl pierced the air, followed by the sound of pounding footsteps. The creatures had returned, and they were more aggressive than ever. The Ghosts braced themselves for the onslaught.
Laihud and Alina took up positions, their weapons at the ready. Vimur and Jay stood by the traps they had set up, waiting for the right moment to activate them.
The creatures began to circle the camp, their eyes glowing in the darkness. Laihud and Alina fired their weapons, trying to keep them at bay. But the creatures were relentless, their hunger for violence driving them forward.
Vimur and Jay activated the traps, causing several creatures to fall into them. But the others kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.
This time, they were more aggressive and coordinated. They seemed to have learned from their previous encounter and were now more determined than ever to take down the crew.
The creatures were everywhere, lunging and snarling, their teeth bared. The crew fought with all their might, but they were starting to tire. One by one, they began to fall, their screams echoing through the night.
Laihud and Vimur fought back to back, their weapons firing in unison. They were determined to protect their crewmates, but the creatures were getting closer and closer.
Suddenly, Laihud was knocked to the ground, his weapon flying out of his hand. A creature was on top of him, its jaws snapping dangerously close to his face.
Vimur reacted quickly, firing a burst of shots at the creature. It let out a pained howl, and Laihud was able to scramble to his feet. The two men stood back to back, surrounded by animals on all sides.
As the crew fought with all their might, they began to feel the weight of exhaustion and fatigue. They had been fighting for hours, and it seemed like the creatures would never stop.
"Damn it! At this rate, we won't last for long!" Jay exclaimed, continuously firing his weapon.
"Just hold on! We got this!" Alina encouraged her crewmates.
Just when they were about to give up, they heard the sound of engines in the distance. A massive spaceship emerged from the darkness, hovering above the chaos below.
The ship fired a laser-based weapon, cutting through the creatures with ease. The crew watched in awe as the animals were decimated one by one, their bodies turning to ash in the intense heat of the weapon.
Laihud and Vimur breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the timely intervention. They watched as the ship landed nearby, its engines still humming with power.
A door opened on the ship's side, and a figure stepped out. It was Reaper! He strode confidently towards them, his powerful physique outlined against the ship's lights.
"Hey guys!" he called out, waving at them. "Did you miss me?"
Alina rolled her eyes, "You wish."
Ashton approached them with a goofy grin, stretching out his arms and legs.
"Man, it feels good to stretch after a long flight!" he exclaimed, wincing as he massaged his shoulder. "I thought I'd never make it in time!"
Vimur clapped him on the back, "You arrived just in the nick of time, my friend. We were really starting to feel the pressure."
Reaper's goofy side was a welcome sight to the crew, reminding them that even in the face of danger, there was always a glimmer of hope. But as soon as he saw the remaining creatures, his playful demeanour vanished, and he became focused on the task at hand.
"Alright, let's take care of these guys," he said, opening the gates to [Valhalla].
As he spoke, Ashton raised his hand and summoned his army. The crew looked on in amazement as dozens of shadowy figures emerged from the darkness surrounding them.
"Allow me to show you how to use numbers to your advantage," Ashton said, his voice filled with confidence.
The creatures let out a roar, charging forward towards the shadow army. But they were no match for Ashton's power. The shadows enveloped the animals, pulling them down and holding them in place.
The crew watched in awe as Ashton's army of shadows decimated the creatures, taking them down one by one. It was like watching a dance, a beautiful and deadly display of power.
The shadow army moved in sync with Ashton's commands, striking the creatures with deadly precision. The animals, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the shadow soldiers, were quickly overwhelmed.
As the last creature fell, Ashton released his hold on the shadows, letting them return to the darkness. He turned to his team, a smile on his face.
The crew cheered, relieved that Ashton had returned to their rescue. They were battered and bruised, but they knew they were safe now that Reaper was with them.