The Lunar Beast nest stood at the center of a ruined intersection, where the road had collapsed inward.
Cracked asphalt dipped into a shallow crater filled with broken concrete, twisted metal, and piles of bones half-buried in ash and dirt.
Pale growths clung to the surroundings like fungal veins, spreading across walls and streetlights and glowing under the moon.
White shapes moved constantly.
Dozens of spawns prowled the perimeter. Some crawled along walls and overturned cars, some stood upright, twitching and sniffing the air. Their white fur rippled as they moved, red eyes sweeping the darkness in restless arcs.
Low growls and distorted murmurs filled the air.
Clyde raised a fist. The group stopped instantly.
He motioned them toward the shadows of a collapsed store. One by one, they pressed themselves into cover. The howls were closer and louder. The ground seemed to hum beneath their feet with the magical power of the nest.
