The sky over Kaling was a bruised violet, the sun a weak disc filtered through ash and pollen. Market stalls slammed shut, and the once‑bustling crowds retreated like a tide from an unseen shore. The city Guild broadcast a frantic alert: "Flying fish from the sea – all licensed hunters report to the shore. The army cannot contain the horde."
A lone figure stood under a shade, leaned on his spear, shield slated against his arm. His navy‑blue hair caught the feeble light as he watched a massive, silver‑scaled fish crash through the army's gunfire, its jaws snapping at soldiers while crabs scuttled over broken equipment."It's not random," he murmured. "It's a response."
A sudden clatter announced the arrival of the rest of the his party. Their entrance was a blur of color and weaponry:
Reva (Leo), trident raised, her blonde hair flaring like a mane, flashed a confident grin. "Ready for fishing, guys?"
Vyan (Aries), red hair wild, swung his metal bat with a grin that hinted at a short temper. "They look pretty delicous"
Bete (Libra), brown‑haired, balanced his axe on his shoulder. "I wonder how these fish will taste"
Fugu (Gemini), green‑haired guy, smiled wielding his naginata "we won't know unless we taste them ourselves"
Sagittarius, blue‑haired and lithe, twirled a khukri "you guys think these will be edible?"
Kaal (Capricorn), twin scimitars glinting, gave a stern reminder "Focus everyone , don't underestimate just because these are fishes"
Virgo, white‑haired and precise, adjusted her rapier's hilt. "We'll need a plan. it's no use if these things just fly above our head ."
Anya (Taurus), pink‑haired and solid, hefted her khopesh. "nah we came here because most parties are concentrated on the northern region, we have to get the most kills , we can't let out money just fly away"
Maya (Cancer), violet hair tied back, slipped a katana from its sheath, her gaze soft but focused. "yeah we can't let them escape , otherwise people will be in danger ."
Grim (Scorpio), magenta hair a stark contrast to his dark scythe, smirked , "seems they are coming to eat us only ,we won't have to worry about them flying away "
Maru (Pisces), orange‑haired, swung his mace‑hammer in a fluid arc. "flying monsters are the worst match ups for us using melee weapons . and birds monsters weren't enough that we have fish monsters flying in air . I mean coming out of air ..flying in air without wings....this is ridiculous, no ..matter how you see it it's insane"
Sain (Aquarius) tightened his grip , his expression a mix of resolve and the weight of his insight. "The people thinks this is just another outbreak. They're wrong. The monsters are a symptom of something deeper - maybe pollution, the earth's fever. If we don't find the source, this will keep happening."
The hunters sprang into action, weapons flashing. The first clash is a chaotic dance of steel and instinct. Reva's trident , Sain's spear , Grim's scythe pierces fish' skulls , Vyan's bat & Maru's mace shatters fish skulls, Kaal's twin blades, Maya's katana & Bete's axe & Anya's khopesh weave a deadly rhythm, while others also protect their backs , sending a spray of glowing ichor into the air. As the battle rages, the city's sky darkens further, and a distant, mournful howl echoes—nature's warning that the true enemy may be far beyond the monsters they face.