The Titan's molten body shimmered in the heatwaves, its jagged form towering over the ruined city street. Each step it took left smoldering craters in the cracked pavement, and the horde of lesser zombies seemed emboldened by its presence, surging forward with renewed ferocity.
Captain Marcus Kane tightened his grip on the shotgun, the sweat from the oppressive heat mingling with the ash on his face. "Riley, give me a read on this thing."
From her rooftop perch, Riley "Quick Shot" Bennett adjusted her scope, the glow of the Titan nearly blinding through her lens. "That thing's armor looks fused to its skin. We're gonna need more than bullets to drop it."
"Blaze," Marcus called, glancing at Jenna. "Think your flamethrower can handle that?"
Jenna "Blaze" Hart grinned, but her confidence wavered as the Titan let out a guttural roar, its glowing eyes locking onto the team. "I can try, but I'd rather not get close enough to find out."
"Good," Lila "Huntress" Navarro interjected, reloading her pistols. "Because we've got another problem. The horde isn't stopping."
Derek "Shield" Coleman slammed his riot shield into an advancing zombie, sending it sprawling. "We're pinned down here, Captain. We've got to move!"
Ethan "Brain" O'Connor's voice crackled over the comms. "Guys, I've tapped into the city's old emergency systems. There's a gas main running beneath the street about fifty yards ahead. If we can lure the Titan there, we can blow it sky-high."
"Blowing up a gas main?" Riley muttered. "That's a little extreme, even for us."
Marcus smirked. "Extreme's the only option we've got. Blaze, you're on Titan duty. Get its attention and lead it to the spot. Huntress, Quick Shot—cover her. Shield, you're with me holding the line."
"Let's dance," Jenna said, igniting her flamethrower with a burst of searing fire. The Titan roared in response, swiping its massive arm and sending chunks of debris flying. She darted to the left, flames licking at the air around her as she drew its attention.
Riley picked off zombies as they swarmed toward Jenna, her sniper rifle ringing out in rapid succession. "Keep moving, Blaze! It's following you!"
Meanwhile, Marcus and Derek fought shoulder to shoulder, the Captain's shotgun blasts and Derek's shield work keeping the horde at bay.
"Almost there!" Jenna shouted, dodging another swipe from the Titan. The beast slammed into a building, sending bricks tumbling, but she stayed ahead, leading it directly over the gas main.
"Brain, tell me you're ready," Marcus barked.
"Primed and waiting," Ethan replied. "Get clear!"
Jenna leapt over the rubble, her flamethrower igniting one last blast at the Titan's chest before sprinting back to safety. The Titan reared back, roaring in defiance as Ethan triggered the detonation.
The explosion tore through the street, a fiery blast engulfing the Titan and sending shockwaves that knocked everyone to the ground.
As the smoke cleared, the Titan's charred body stood motionless before collapsing into a heap. The remaining zombies scattered, their connection to the Hive severed.
"We survived," Marcus said, pulling himself to his feet.
"For now," Jenna replied, eyeing the burning wreckage.