The towering grass parted slowly.
At first, only the tips bent beneath an unseen weight. Then the movement spread deeper into the ancient field, carving a path toward the sea of newly arrived survivors.
Whatever was approaching wasn't rushing.
It walked with the quiet confidence of a predator that had never needed to fear its prey.
Thousands of eyes remained fixed on the swaying grass. No one spoke nor did they move.
The creature emerged one deliberate step at a time.
