Michael didn't look away immediately. He kept his eyes fixed on the battlefield below for several seconds longer to watch as the last few monsters died under Ethan's relentless gunfire and Samantha's precise arrows.
The ease of it all unsettled him more than anything else. There was no struggle or resistance. Just clean and efficient killing from the two.
His jaw tightened. "If this keeps going… they'll surpass us completely."
The thought settled heavily in his mind, refusing to leave.
Finally, he turned.
His movement drew the attention of the others, and for a moment all eyes shifted toward him. The tension in his expression had sharpened into something more decisive now, something that no longer lingered in uncertainty.
"We can't wait anymore," Michael said, his voice firm. The group stilled. "We move on Red. As soon as possible."
The words landed heavily between them.
Rafe's lips slowly curved into a grin, the hesitation from earlier completely gone.
