Piers Nivans stood at the edge of the abandoned village, his breath visible in the cold night air. The moon cast an eerie glow over the dilapidated buildings, their shadows dancing like ghosts. He tightened his grip on his rifle, scanning the area for any signs of movement. The mission was clear: locate and secure the missing BSAA team. But something about this place felt off, as if the very air was thick with unseen danger.

He took a cautious step forward, his senses on high alert. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the distant howl of a wolf. Piers’ mind raced with possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. He activated his comms, whispering into the mic, “This is Nivans. I’m at the rendezvous point. No sign of the team yet. Proceeding with caution.”

As he moved deeper into the village, a sudden noise caught his attention. He spun around, weapon at the ready, eyes narrowing as he tried to pinpoint the source. “Who’s there?” he called out, his voice steady despite the tension.