The storm rumbled overhead, casting eerie shadows against the crumbling fortress walls. General Viktor 'Bloodfang' Kruger stood atop the ancient battlements, his crimson beret barely shifting against the howling wind. His fingers curled around the grip of a black, high-powered compound bow, the taut string humming as he pulled it back. The red-tipped arrow gleamed under the moonlight, its razor-sharp point aimed at the oblivious patrol below.
The arrow sliced through the air, whispering death as it pierced the skull of an unsuspecting soldier. The man collapsed before he even had the chance to scream, his body slumping against the cobblestone pathway.
Kruger exhaled slowly, savoring the moment. Unlike the brutish slaughter of firearms, this was precision. This was control.
Behind him, Sergeant Darius 'Hellhound' Rook watched with a smirk. "Didn't know you were the silent type, General."
Kruger didn't reply. Instead, he reached for another arrow and knocked it against the bowstring. Below, two more soldiers had appeared, searching for their fallen comrade.
One breath. One shot.
He let the arrow fly.
The first target went down instantly, the arrow lodging deep into his throat. The second spun in horror, fumbling for his radio—too late. A third arrow sank into his chest, and he staggered backward before crumbling into the dirt.
Kruger turned to Eva 'Black Widow' Morales, who crouched beside him, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "Nice technique. But I prefer the up-close method."
Kruger finally spoke. "We are not here to waste bullets. We are here to kill them before they can even scream."
Down in the fortress courtyard, a squad of heavily armed survivors moved cautiously, their weapons trained on the shadows. They were well-trained, but it wouldn't save them.
Kruger lifted his bow once more, signaling to Reaper-77, who had already positioned itself on the opposite tower. The cybernetic sniper let out a cold mechanical hum before firing a suppressed round, taking out one of the guards in an instant.
The squad below erupted into chaos. "Sniper! Take cover!" one of them shouted.
It didn't matter. The hunt had already begun.
Hellhound descended from the battlements first, landing on a panicked soldier with a crunch. His shotgun roared, blasting another man's ribcage open before he even had time to react.
Black Widow danced through the battlefield, her knives flashing under the stormy sky. She moved like a phantom, slitting throats and leaving bodies to fall in silence.
Kruger leaped from the tower, rolling into position. He aimed once more, sending another arrow straight through a soldier's visor.
Within minutes, the courtyard was painted red with death.
The fortress belonged to the undead army now. The silent hunt had ended.
Kruger lowered his bow, scanning the field of corpses. "No survivors."
And with that, they moved deeper into the stronghold—toward their next prey.