The junkyard sprawled before them like a rusted graveyard. Towers of broken machines leaned at odd angles, their twisted frames glinting under the weak light.
The air reeked of oil, ash, and something sourer, like decay that refused to fade.
The moment they set foot inside, a low growl rippled through the piles of junk. Yellow eyes blinked in the shadows, dozens—no, hundreds—of them.
Shapes slithered between heaps of scrap, claws scraping against steel, wings rustling like dry paper.
Jamie drew in a sharp breath, her usual grin wiped clean.
"Tch. I've scouted this dump more times than I care to count. Never—never—have I seen this many monsters here. Something's drawing them in."
Mira's hand tightened around her staff.
"A nest?"
Jamie shook her head.
"No nest. This is too organized. Look at them—holding back, circling. It's like they're waiting."
Lucian narrowed his eyes. He extended his senses outward, feeling through the stench of rust and blood.
